How to install Android 11 on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: official and unofficial ways

Xiaomi Redmi 9A

Android 10

Android 11

port-of-town

custom recovery

Fastboot

Android 11

Redmi 9A

It's important to understand that moving to a new version of Android is not just an "update by air"; it's a full-fledged firmware that requires unlocking the bootloader, backing up data, and sometimes even sacrifices in the form of loss of warranty. If you're ready for experiments, read on. If not, maybe you should consider alternatives like optimizing your current firmware or buying a new smartphone.

It is worth noting that Redmi 9A (codename dandelion) has modest technical characteristics: the MediaTek Helio G25 processor, 2-3 GB of RAM and 32-128 GB of memory. Android 11 can run on it slower than Android 10, especially if you choose a "heavy" custom firmware. The best option is lightweight builds like LineageOS or Pixel Experience with a minimum set of Google services.

1. Device Preparation: What to Do Before Firmware

Before you start installing Android 11, you need to follow a number of mandatory steps, and neglecting them can lead to a “brick” (complete failure) of the device or data loss.

First, back up all your important data, and the firmware erases your internal memory, so you'd better transfer your photos, contacts and messages to your computer or to the cloud.

• 📁 Mi Cloud (if synchronization is enabled)
• 💻 ADB Backup (adb backup team) -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab)
• 📱 Apps like Swift Backup or Titanium Backup (require root)

Second, check the MIUI version and bootloader status. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If version is older than 12.0.10, update it via Settings → System Update. Also make sure the bootloader is unlocked (if not, read the next section).

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi is 9A purchased in China or has a regional firmware (e.g, MIUI Global vs MIUI China, some custom firmware may not work. XDA Developers or 4PDA.

Finally, prepare the tools:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 Linux
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or high-quality)
• 📦 Archive with Android 11 firmware (links below)
• 🛠️ Utilities: Mi Unlock Tool, Fastboot, ADB

Check the model of the device (dandelion)

Create a backup copy of the data

Install ADB/Fastboot drivers

Download firmware and tools

Charge your phone at least 70 times%-->

2 Unlock the bootloader: without it anywhere

Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all its devices, so it needs to be unlocked to install custom firmware, a process that takes 3 to 30 days (depending on Xiaomi’s policy) and requires a Mi Account to be linked to the device.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times on the line with the version, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
2. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website and launch it on behalf of the administrator.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Power + Volume down).
5. In the utility, press Unlock and follow the instructions. If you receive a message to wait, wait for the specified time (usually 72-720 hours).

⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the device will be reset, including photos in internal memory. Xiaomi may also block certain features (such as Mi Pay or Find Device) on unlocked devices.

If the utility gives you a Couldn’t unlock error, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect the phone to another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• 🔧 Install Mi Flash Tool drivers manually through Device Manager.
• 📡 Use another computer or operating system (e.g. Linux).

Yes, a long time | Yes, recently | No, just planning | No, I'm afraid to take risks | I don't know what it is-->

3. Selection of firmware: official and custom options

Since Xiaomi didn’t release Android 11 for the Redmi 9A, there’s no official update path, but there are a few custom firmwares that have been tested:

The Redmi 9A is best suited for Pixel Experience or LineageOS, as they are optimized for weak devices. Avoid "heavy" firmware like Resurrection Remix or Paranoid Android, which can slow down.

Before downloading, check:

• 📌 Compatible with the code name dandelion.
• 📅 Assembly date (current versions are released at least 1 time per month).
• 🔍 User reviews on forums (look for bugs like broken Wi-Fi or camera).

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If you choose firmware with GApps (Google services), take the option of pico or nano – they take up less space and do not overload the system.

4. Installation via TWRP: Step-by-step guide

The most popular way to flash Android 11 is to use custom recovery TWRP. This method is suitable for most custom firmware and allows you to make backups.

Instructions:

1. Download TWRP for Redmi 9A (version 3.6.0 or later) from the official website.
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with ADB.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
4. Then reboot to TWRP: fastboot boot twrp.img
5. In TWRP, make a full backup by selecting Boot, System, Data.
6. Swipe the firmware: Install → Choose. ZIP-file → Swipe to Confirm.
7. After installation, run Wipe → Format Data (required!), then restart.

⚠️ Note: If after firmware, the phone is stuck on the Xiaomi logo or MIUI After 10 minutes, you've had an error. Repeat the process by formatting the Data partition in advance. TWRP.

If TWRP doesn’t start or if it gives you an OrangeFox error, try an alternative recovery:

• 🔧 OrangeFox Recovery (supports more features but is less stable).
• 📌 PitchBlack Recovery (good for base firmware) AOSP).

5. Installation via Fastboot: an alternative method

If TWRP doesn’t work for some reason, you can flash Android 11 through Fastboot, a method often used for official firmware, but it works with some custom ones as well.

Procedure:

1. Download Fastboot firmware (usually an archive with the.tgz or.zip extension).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder with Fastboot (where fastboot.exe is located).
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and start the script: fastboot -w Fastboot update name file.zip Or alternately swipe through all sections: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash system system.img fastboot flash vendor vendor.img fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img
4. After completion, execute: fastboot reboot

Advantages of this method:

• 🔹 Less risk of errors when running.
• 🔹 Suitable for "bricks" (if the phone does not turn on).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires precise adherence to the sequence of commands.
• ⚠️ Not all custom firmware supports Fastboot installation.

💡

If the firmware on the Fastboot is interrupted, don't panic. Repeat the process from the beginning - in most cases, the phone can be "resuscitated".

6. Solving problems after installation

Even if the firmware is successful, there may be bugs, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If after firmware the phone does not turn on or hovers on the logo:

1. Try going to Fastboot (Food + Volume Down) and repeat the firmware.
2. If it doesn’t work, run the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (select Clean All).
3. As a last resort, use it. EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

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If you have lost your IMEI after the update, restore it via the engineering menu (#4636##) or the ChimeraTool utility (requires root).

7. Optimize Android 11 on Redmi 9A

Android 11 can run slower than Android 10 on the Redmi 9A due to limited resources.

• 🔧 Turn off animation: go to Settings → For developers and install Windows animation = 0.5x, Animation of transitions = 0.5x.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary applications through ADB: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name-pack
• 🔄 Use Greenify or Brevent to freeze background processes.
• 📉 Install Kernel Adiutor and optimize the kernel settings (e.g., enable). ZRAM).

To save battery power:

• 🔋 Enable Adaptive Battery in the Settings.
• 🌙 Use a dark theme (AMOLED-There are no screens, but this reduces the load on the GPU).
• 📶 Turn it off. 5G (If it suddenly turns on) and limit background data activity.

⚠️ Note: If you notice that your phone is heating above 50°C to plain, it's a sign of malfunctioning firmware or overloading the core.

8.The return to stock firmware: if something went wrong

If Android 11 is not running smoothly or you don’t like the changes, you can go back to the original MIUI.

1. Download the Redmi 9A stock firmware from Xiaomi (select the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and select a folder with firmware.
4. Press Refresh, then Clean All (full clean) and Flash.
5. Once completed, the phone will reboot to stock MIUI.

If the Mi Flash Tool is a Critical Partition error, try:

• 🔄 Use a different version of the utility (for example, 20180528).
• 🔧 Swipe manually through Fastboot (see section 5 for commands).
• 📡 Connect to another USB-port.

💡

You can go back to the stock firmware at any time, but it will block the bootloader again, and you have to wait 7 to 30 days to unlock it again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing Android 11 on Redmi 9A