Many owners of the Redmi Note 9 Pro smartphone face a situation when, after the arrival of the next MIUI update, the device begins to work unstable, quickly discharge or loses its usual functionality. Sometimes the new version of the shell contains critical errors that developers do not have time to fix in the first weeks of release.
The downgrade procedure on Xiaomi devices is technically more complicated than a regular update and requires careful attention to detail.You will not only need to find the right firmware archive, but also perform a number of preparatory steps, including unlocking the bootloader. Ignoring these steps can lead to the phone turning into a brick or going into an endless reboot.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps of returning an old version of the software. We will consider the necessary tools, methods of finding archives and the process of firmware through the Fastboot mode. Follow the instructions Step-by-step to safely restore the health of your gadget.
⚠️ Note: The rollback procedure involves the complete removal of all data from the internal drive. Be sure to back up photos, contacts and documents before starting work.
Why you should return the old version of MIUI
The main reason that encourages users to look for ways to roll back is a decrease in the performance of the device. After upgrading MIUI on the Redmi Note 9 Pro, the Snapdragon 720G processor may begin to experience difficulties with optimizing new background processes, which causes lags and twitching interfaces. Users often notice that the phone begins to heat up even with simple tasks, such as watching social media feeds.
The second major cause is battery problems: Newer versions of the shells are often less optimized for specific models, resulting in accelerated battery drain. If your Redmi Note 9 Pro started to run out in half a day of active use where it used to hold a charge for a day, the problem lies in the software.
There are also cases of malfunction of communication modules, after the upgrade, the network may disappear, work poorly. GPS-Returning to a verified version of firmware often eliminates these hardware and software conflicts.
- 📉 A sharp drop in performance and the appearance of friezes in the interface.
- 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge and overheating of the body.
- 📡 Failures in the operation of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular communication modules.
- 🐛 The emergence of system errors and spontaneous reboots.
⚠️ Note: The rollback is only possible on the firmware version that precedes the current or is earlier. Attempting to install the archive is newer than the current one without complete cleaning can cause an error.
Tools and preparation of archives required
Before you start manipulating software, you have to prepare your workplace. You're going to need a Windows computer that's working. USB-cable with good bandwidth and the smartphone Redmi Note 9 Pro. battery charge device should be at least 60%, so that the process is not interrupted at the most inopportune moment.
The key to getting ready is finding the right firmware. You need a Fastboot version (extension.tgz) rather than a Recovery (extension.zip) archive that is specifically for your model (codename curtana for global or joyeuse for Indian/Chinese) and you can download current and archival versions from official sources or trusted third-party resources.
You will also need the Mi Flash Tool, the official software from Xiaomi that allows you to flash devices in bootloader mode. Make sure you download the latest version of the program to avoid compatibility errors with ADB and Fastboot drivers.
- 💻 PC or laptop with Windows (7, 10 or 11).
- 🔌 Original or qualitative USB-type-c cable.
- 📂 Fastboot (.tgz) Firmware Archive for Redmi Note 9 Pro.
- 🛠 Installed Mi Flash Tool and drivers.
☑️ Preparation for rollback
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
The most difficult step for many users is unlocking the bootloader. Without this procedure, installing an older version of the system will not work, since Xiaomi’s protection will prohibit downgrade.The process requires linking the Mi Account to the device and waiting for a certain period of time, which usually ranges from 7 to 168 hours.
First, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the field MIUI. After you have become a developer, go to the menu Advanced Settings. → For developers, you need to include the "Debugging by" items. USB" and "Unlocking the loader".
Next, download the Mi Unlock Tool to your computer. Launch the program, log in to your Mi Account and connect your phone in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down buttons). + Power. Follow the instructions on the screen. If the status shows "Unlocked," the preparation is complete. If "Locked," you'll have to wait until the timer ends.
What to do if the timer is not going?
Search and prepare firmware for Redmi Note 9 Pro
Finding the right firmware is critical. For the Redmi Note 9 Pro, it is important not to confuse the global version (Global) with the Chinese version (China) or the Indian version (India), installing firmware from another regional version can lead to the failure of banking applications (NFC) or the complete failure of communication modules.
The firmware file must be properly unpacked. After downloading the archive with the extension.tgz, extract its contents to the root of the disk or to any folder with a short path, for example, C:\xiaomi_flash\. Inside the folder you should see a lot of files and folders, among which will be images, flash_all.bat and other system files.
Make sure the firmware version you are going to install is really older than the current one. Check the current version in Settings → About Phone. The numbers in the firmware file name (e.g., V12.0.3.0) should be smaller than the numbers in your current system.
| Parameter | The value of the Redmi Note 9 Pro | Where to find out |
|---|---|---|
| Codename | curtana (Global), joyeuse (India) | On the box or in ADB |
| Type of firmware | Fastboot (.tgz) | File extension |
| Region | Global / EU / Russia | File name |
| Android version | 10 or 11 (depending on MIUI version) | The phone. |
💡
Use miui.com or vetted like 4pda forums to search for archives. Avoid questionable sites where files can be modified.
The process of firmware through the Mi Flash Tool
Once you've got it all ready, you can start the process. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button -- if the drivers are installed correctly, your phone with the serial number should appear on the list. If the device isn't identified, check the cable or reinstall the drivers.
Press the "Select" button and point the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware. It is important to choose the folder where the file is located. flash_all.bat, It's not the file itself. Once you've chosen a path, it'll check the integrity of the files. At the bottom of the window, select the clean all firmware mode.
Put your phone in Fastboot mode, pressing Volume Down + Power before you see an image of a hare repairing an android. Connect the cable to your PC. Press Flash in the program. Start a data recording process that takes 200 to 600 seconds. Don't touch the cable or turn off the computer.
Solving Common Mistakes in Recoiling
In the process of downgrade, users often encounter a “Flash All Except Data Storage” error or reports of anti-rollback protection incompatibility. If Mi Flash produces an anti-rollback error, it means that the firmware version is too old and banned by the manufacturer to install on top of the current one, in which case you will have to look for the version that follows your current one, or use more sophisticated methods.
The “Missmatching image and device” error indicates that you are trying to flash firmware from another model, for example, you can not flash the firmware from the Redmi Note 9 (without the Pro console) on the Redmi Note 9 Pro. Carefully check the codename of the device.
If the process hangs on a certain percentage (e.g. 15% or 98%), try it. USB-port, preferably USB 2.0, as some ports are USB 3.0 can cause driver conflicts when you run firmware, and restarting the service also helps. ADB or re-entering Fastboot mode.
- ❌ Anti-rollback error: The firmware version is too old.
- ❌ Device error: mismatch of phone model and archive.
- ❌ Connection error: Bad cable or port USB.
- ❌ Mistake of the way: in the name of the folder with firmware there is Cyrillic.
⚠️ Warning: Never choose "clean all and lock" when rolling back to custom regions or when there is doubt about the origin of the firmware.
First start and setup after downgrade
Once the process is complete, the phone will automatically restart. The first launch after a system rollback can take longer than usual, from 5 to 10 minutes. This is normal, as Android is doing app optimization and creating new system files. Don't try to interrupt this process.
Once you download, you'll see a welcome screen. Because you've been using clean all, the phone will be like new. You'll have to re-activate, connect to Wi-Fi, and log in to your Google account. When you restore data from a backup, avoid resetting your system settings to avoid returning old bugs.
It's recommended that you look at battery behavior in the first hours of use, and the system needs to learn how to use patterns again, so the first day's charge flow statistics may be inaccurate, and give the device a couple of charge-discharge cycles to calibrate.
💡
A successful rollback returns system stability, but takes time to reconfigure all services and applications.