How to uninstall the update on Xiaomi Redmi 9: the full guide

The situation when after installing a new version of the operating system MIUI or HyperOS smartphone starts to work incorrectly, is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9. Increased battery consumption, overheating of the processor or the disappearance of familiar functions can be an unpleasant surprise. It is at such moments that there is an urgent need to remove the update and return the device to the previous, more stable version of the software. However, standard means of the system to do this is impossible, since Android does not provide the button “remove the patch” in the settings menu.

The process of returning to the old firmware, known as downgrade, requires careful and clear follow-up. Unlike simple resetting, the software rollback affects the system partition and the bootloader. For the Redmi 9 model (codenamed merlin or lancelot), there are proven methods to solve the problem. Before any manipulations, it is important to realize that you are interfering with low-level software, so data is a mandatory step.

In this article, we will look at all the available ways to remove the update on shaomi redmi 9, from simple methods through the recovery menu to professional flashing through the computer. We will discuss the nuances of unlocking the bootloader, working with the Mi Flash Tool utility and possible errors that you may encounter. Proper preparation of the device is the key to successfully completing the procedure without losing warranty or functionality of the gadget.

Why is it necessary to roll back the system?

Often users rush to install a fresh update, hoping for performance improvements or a new interface. However, for budget models like the Redmi 9, new versions of MIUI can be too heavy. Code optimization does not always take into account the limitations of iron, which leads to lags and unstable communication modules. In such cases, removing the update becomes the only way to return comfortable use of the smartphone.

Another reason could be critical bugs that developers haven't been able to fix, such as camera failures in third-party apps or Bluetooth headset problems, system errors can block access to banking applications due to security certificate malfunctions, and if the update comes automatically and ruins the device, returning to the factory version often solves the problem.

⚠️ Warning: Attempting to roll back the firmware version on a locked bootloader can lead to an “Anti-rollback” error.This is Xiaomi’s protection, which prohibits installing an older version of the software than it is now».

Also worth mentioning are regional features: Global firmware versions sometimes lack the features found in Chinese builds, or vice versa, contain unnecessary ad modules. The desire to switch to another regional branch or a cleaner Android build also requires a complete firmware reflash, which is technically equivalent to removing the current update.

Redmi 9 Preparation for Downgrade Procedure

Before you start taking action, you need to do a lot of preparation. Deleting an update is not just deleting a file, it's replacing a system partition. So the first step is to back up completely. Save contacts, photos and documents to the Mi Cloud cloud or to your computer, because in the process, all data will be destroyed.

The second critical step is to check the battery charge. The firmware process can take 10 to 30 minutes, and the power interruption is fatal at this point. Charge the smartphone to at least 70-80%. Also make sure you use the original USB cable and a serviceable port on your computer. Poor contact can lead to data transmission failure and recording error.

You'll need to download the firmware you're planning to roll back to. It's important to find the version that was installed on the device earlier or earlier, but with anti-rollback rules in mind. The firmware file should have the.zip extension for the method through the recovery or.tgz for the method through the Fastboot. You can download them from official resources or verified archives like MiFirmware.

Remember to enable USB debugging mode in the hidden developer menu. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on MIUI Version. Then activate the USB debugging slider in the Additional menu. Without this, the computer will not be able to properly interact with the phone in diagnostic mode.

Method 1: Recovery Mode (without PC)

This is the easiest way to do this, and it doesn't require a computer, but it only works in cases where you can install an earlier version of the firmware through Recovery if the variation is small and the Anti-rollback protection doesn't work, and you'll need a firmware file in.zip format that you need to put in the root of the phone's internal memory.

Once the file is uploaded, you need to go to recovery mode. Turn off the smartphone completely, then press the up volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power, but keep the volume down until the Recovery menu appears.

In the control menu, use the volume buttons to move and the power button to confirm the selection (if the sensor does not work). Select a language (usually available in English and Chinese), then go to the firmware installation point. In some versions of MIUI, you need to click on the system logo several times to activate the file selection menu.

• 📂 Select a firmware file from the list of devices available in memory.
• ✅ Confirm the installation and wait for the process to be completed.
• 🔄 After successful installation, select “Reboot to System».
• ⚠️ If the error "Can't verify update" appears, then the protection blocks the rollback, and you need a method with a PC.

⚠️ Warning: If you see a message during installation via Recovery that the version is lower than the current version and installation is prohibited, do not try to bypass this forcibly.

The advantage of this method is its simplicity, but (the probability of success) is about 40-50% on modern versions of MIUI 12/13/14. If the system does not allow you to install the archive, move to a more powerful tool - Fastboot mode.

Method 2: Complete Fastboot and Mi Flash flash flash flash

This is the most reliable way to remove the update on the shaomi redmi 9, which is guaranteed to work, but requires an unlocked bootloader.If your bootloader is blocked, you will first have to apply for unlock through the Mi Unlock site and wait 7 to 30 days. Without this step, installing the old firmware is impossible.

To work, you will need the Mi Flash Tool program on a Windows computer. Download the archive with the firmware in.tgz format (Fastboot). ROM), Unpack it in the root of the C disk so that the path is short, for example. C:\rom\. It is important that there are no Cyrillic symbols on the way to the folder.

Put your smartphone in Fastboot mode. To do this, press the phone off with the buttons "Nutrition" and "Loud Down." On the screen, an image of a hare repairing an android will appear, and the inscription will read: FASTBOOT. Connect your phone to your PC with a cable. In Mi Flash, press the Refresh button and the device must be determined by the device. COM-port.

The most important thing is to select the firmware mode in the lower right corner of the utility. To completely remove the old update and install the new (old) version, select clean all. This mode completely erases all data and partitions, which eliminates file conflicts.

After selecting the mode, press the "Flash" button. The process will take from 200 to 600 seconds. At this time, it is strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or restart the computer.

Unlocking the loader: a mandatory stage

As mentioned, deep interference with the Redmi 9 system requires unlocking the bootloader.This is an official procedure from Xiaomi that removes restrictions on installing modified images. Without an unlocked BL (Bootloader), you will not be able to use the method with Mi Flash and most likely will not be able to roll back through Recovery if the protection works.

The process starts by linking your Mi Account to your device. In the Developer Menu, find Mi Unlock Status and click Add Account and Device. After that, you wait 168 hours (7 days) before the server allows you to unlock, which is the time for security, so that the stolen phone can't be reflashed immediately.

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Use mobile internet (4G/5G) when linking an account in the Mi Unlock app. Wi-Fi sometimes causes synchronization errors with the unlock server.

When you're out of the waiting period, download Mi Unlock on your PC, log in to the same account, put your phone in Fastboot mode, and press Unlock. It takes a couple of minutes. Remember, when you unlock, all the data on your phone will also be deleted, so backup is a must.

There are paid services that offer urgent unlock for money, but they often require data from your account to be transferred to third parties, which poses security risks.

Possible mistakes and ways to solve them

Downgrade users often encounter errors, and one of the most common is Missmatching image and device, which means you're trying to install firmware from another model. Make sure you download the firmware for Redmi 9 with the codename merlin (for NFC versions) or lancelot (without NFC), and installing the firmware from Redmi 9T or Note 9 will crash.

The Anti-rollback check failed error indicates that the firmware version you are trying to install has a lower protection index than the current bootloader. In this case, you can not find an intermediate version, and you will have to put up-to-date stable build, accepting its presence, or look for custom solutions, which is beyond the warranty.

• 🔌 Connection Error: Try Another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 at the rear of the system unit) and other cable.
• 💾 Lack of space: make sure that at least 10 GB is free on the PC system drive.
• 🛡️ Antivirus: temporarily disable the antivirus, it can block the work of Mi Flash scripts.

⚠️ Warning: If you've booted your phone into an endless bootloop, don't panic. Try logging in to Recovery and doing "Wipe Data." If it doesn't work, reflash it by selecting "Clean All" mode».

It is also possible that when the update is removed, the Widevine L1 will stop working, and Netflix will only show the picture in low quality, a rare side effect associated with changing the DRM partitions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Main conclusion: Removing the update on Redmi 9 is possible, but requires an unlocked bootloader and complete data loss.The safest way is to use the Mi Flash Tool with Clean All mode and official stable firmware.