How to check and install Android update on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways

Why it’s important to update your firmware on Redmi 9 and how to do it right

Xiaomi Redmi 9 (model code lancelot) was released in 2020 with the factory firmware MIUI 11 based on Android 10. Since then, the company has released several major updates, including a transition to MIUI 12/13/14 and updating the Android kernel to version 11 (and for some regions even 12).

Regular updates not only add new features (such as superwalls in MIUI 14 or improved power saving mode), but also close security vulnerabilities. According to Xiaomi Security Center, more than 60% of Android exploits use vulnerabilities patched in firmware older than 6 months, while Redmi 9 belongs to the budget segment, where updates are less common than flagships – so they need to be monitored manually.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to check for updates, from the standard settings menu to manual firmware via fastboot. You will also learn what to do if the system says “Updates are not available”, although they are, and how to avoid errors when updating.

Method 1: Standard check through phone settings

The easiest and safest method is to use a built-in update menu that is suitable for 90% of users and does not require technical skills.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and select the About Phone section.
3. Tap on System Update (or Update MIUI in new versions).
4. Press the Check Update button.

The system will automatically contact Xiaomi servers and show the available packages. If an update is found, you will see:

• 📥 File size (usually 1.5 to 3 GB for major updates).
• 📋 List of changes (new functions, bug fixes).
• 🔄 Type of update: “Airborne" (OTA) or "Full firmware".

Battery load (minimum 50%)

Stable Wi-Fi connection

Free space on the phone (4+ GB)

Shutdown VPN/Proxy (can block Xiaomi servers)-->

⚠️ Note: If after clicking "Check Updates" there is an error "I failed to connect to the server", try:

1. Switch from mobile to Wi-Fi (or vice versa).
2. Change the DNS in the network settings to 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare).
3. Delete the application cache System Update in Settings → Applications → Application Management.

Method 2: Manual check through Mi Community (official forum)

Sometimes updates roll out gradually — first for 10% of users, then for 50%, and only a month later — for everyone. If the phone’s settings do not have an update, you can find it on the official forum of Xiaomi Community.

Algorithm of action:

1. Go to the Mi Community Downloads website.
2. In the search bar, type in the phone model: Redmi 9 or Lancelot.
3. Select your region (e.g. Russia, Global, EEA).
4. Download the latest stable version (Stable ROM) or beta (Developer ROM – only for experienced users!).

🔍 How to know which firmware is suitable:

⚠️ Note: Installing firmware not for your region (e.g. China Stable on a global model) may result in a:

• 🚫 Loss of support for Google services (Play Market, Gmail).
• 📵 Problems with mobile network (frequency incompatibility).
• 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge due to unoptimized software.

Once a week.

Only when the phone starts to brake

When is the new version of Android coming out?

I never check.-->

Method 3: Update via Mi Flash Tool (for power users)

If OTA-Update is not available, and Mi Community has failed to download the firmware, leaving manual firmware via PC, which requires an unlocked bootloader and is only suitable for users familiar with fastboot and other applications. ADB.

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for Redmi 9 (.tgz file).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on the disk C:\ (for example, C:\miui_fastboot).
3. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
5. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
6. In Mi Flash Tool, click Select, specify the firmware folder, then Refresh (should appear) COM-port).
7. Select Clean All (total clean) or Save User Data (to save data).
8. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Critical moments:

• 🔌 Don't turn it off. USB-cable during firmware - this will lead to a "brick" of the device (complete inoperability).
• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 80% before starting.
• 🖥️ Use the original Xiaomi cable – cheap analogues can cause data transmission errors.

Method 4: Update via TWRP Recovery

For users who have custom recovery installed (for example, TWRP), an alternative update method is available, which allows you to install not only official but also modified firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

🔧 Instructions:

1. Download firmware in.zip format (for example, from the XDA Developers website).
2. Transfer the file to the root folder of the phone or to SD-map.
3. Turn off your phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
4. Click on Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik/ART Cache and Cache.
5. Return to the main menu, select Install and specify the downloaded.zip file.
6. Confirm the installation with a swipe and wait for completion.

⚠️ Note: Installation of custom firmware deprives of warranty and can lead to:

• 📱 Camera or sensors are not working (due to lack of drivers).
• 🔊 Problems with sound or vibration.
• 🔄 Poose. OTA-Updates (you will need to update manually).

💡

Before installing custom firmware, make a full backup through TWRP (Backup section), which will allow you to roll back to the original MIUI if something goes wrong.

How to find out the current version of MIUI and Android on Redmi 9

Before checking for updates, it’s helpful to know which firmware is already installed, which will help you know if your version is up to date.

📱 Methods of verification:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Scroll down to the MIUI version section – the current firmware (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.4 Stable) is listed here.
3. Below is the Android version bar (e.g. Android 11 RKQ1.200826.002).
4. For detailed information, tap several times on the line Version of the kernel - a menu with build data will open.

🔍 Transcription of the version MIUI:

• 🌍 Global/EEA/Russia — firmware.
• 📅 14.0.4 - version MIUI (first number MIUI, second, assembly).
• 🔄 Stable/Developer — firmware.

If your version is older than 2-3 builds from the last stable one, it makes sense to upgrade, for example, if Mi Community has 14.0.6 and you have 14.0.2, then there is definitely an update.

Frequent update errors and how to fix them

Even with the standard OTA-Redmi 9 users are facing problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

🛠️ If the phone is stuck on the logo MI post-refresh:

1. Press Volume Up + Power for 10 seconds to turn off the device.
2. Enter Recovery Mode (clamb Volume Up + Nutrition).
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (reset to factory settings).
4. Reboot the phone.

💡

If the problem persists after the reset, run the phone through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option option. This will return the device to the "clean" firmware.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions