How to install firmware on Xiaomi Redmi 9: official and alternative ways

Why are Redmi 9 owners refashioning their smartphone?

Xiaomi Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot) remains popular even years after its release — its balanced characteristics (Helio G80 processor, 4 GB of RAM, battery 5020 mAh) attract users looking for a reliable device at an affordable price. However, over time, standard MIUI firmware begins to slow down: updates accumulate, background processes eat resources, and the manufacturer stops issuing fresh security patches.

The main reasons for installing a new firmware:

• 🚀 Productivity Improvement – Custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) is devoid of “junk» MIUI They work faster on the same iron.
• 🔄 Xiaomi officially stopped supporting Redmi 9 in 2023, but custom builds get monthly patches.
• 🎨 Changing the interface — MIUI Not everyone likes it, but Android One or AOSP They offer a “clean” Android.
• 🔓 Unlocking functions – for example, activation Camera2 API to fully operate GCam or remove regional restrictions.

But it's important to understand that flashing is always a risk, and that doing something wrong can lead to a "brick," a loss of warranty, or problems with the module. NFC/Wi-Fi. So before you start, study all the nuances and prepare for the process.

Preparation for firmware: what to do before the start

The first step is to save all the data. The firmware erases the device's internal memory, so without a backup, you lose photos, contacts, and settings.

• ☁️ Cloud services: Google Photos for Media, Mi Cloud for Contacts and Notes (but note that you may need to re-authorize after firmware is installed).
• 💾 Local Copy: Connect your smartphone to your PC and copy folders DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp on your hard drive.
• 🔧 Specialized utilities: Titanium Backup (requires root) or Swift Backup to save applications and their data.

Then check the current firmware version and device model. This is critical, as the firmware for the Redmi 9 (lancelot) will not work for the Redmi 9A (dandelion) or Redmi 9C (angelica).

• In settings: Settings → About the phone → Model.
• Through the command line: connect your phone to a PC with USB debugging enabled and type: adb shell getprop ro.product.model

Also prepare the tools:

• 🔌 Cable USB (original, undamaged).
• 💻 Computer on Windows 10/11 Linux (Macs may require additional drivers).
• 🔋 Charge at least 60% – if the battery runs out during firmware, the device can turn into a “brick».
• 📥 Drivers: Install the Mi Flash Tool (for official firmware) or ADB/Fastboot drivers (for custom drivers).

Official firmware: update via Mi Flash Tool

If you are satisfied with MIUI, but you need to restore the smartphone or upgrade to the latest official version, use the Mi Flash Tool.

• 🔄 Recovery after a crash (for example, if the phone is stuck on the Mi logo).
• 📥 Downgraid (rollback) to an older version MIUI.
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (if it is already unlocked).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website. For Redmi 9, choose files marked with lancelot and the extension.tgz (for Fastboot) or.zip (for Recovery).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\lancelot).
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator, connect the phone turned off in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
4. Select the firmware folder in the program and press Refresh – the device should determine how to use it. COM-port.
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

Important: If the Mi Flash Tool produces a couldn't flash anti error, then the bootloader is locked. It must be unlocked through the Mi Unlock Tool (see next section).

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If the phone doesn't turn on after you've run the firmware, try squeezing Volume Up + Power for 10 seconds to force you to restart. If it doesn't work, repeat the process with another version of MIUI.

Unlocking the bootloader: a mandatory step for custom firmware

Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all devices to protect against unauthorized changes.To install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or HavocOS), it must be unlocked through the official Mi Unlock Tool utility. The process takes up to 7 days due to Xiaomi restrictions.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Link your Mi Account to: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign in. Make sure you have sync enabled.
2. Activate USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to become a developer), then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Attach the device to your account in Settings → Additional → For developers → Mi Unlock status.
4. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website and run on behalf of the administrator.

⚠️ Note: once the bootloader is unlocked, all data will be reset and the Xiaomi warranty is canceled. L1 for Netflix HD) They may stop working.

If the Mi Unlock Tool is a Couldn't unlock error, check:

• 🔗 Is your Mi Account linked to your phone (sometimes re-authorization helps).
• 🕒 7 days after the first binding (even if you have already unlocked other devices).
• 📱 Is the phone connected in Fastboot mode (on the screen should burn a hare in a hat-hushanka).

Installation of custom firmware through TWRP

If you want to install an alternative firmware (like Pixel Experience for pure Android or CrDroid for flexible customization), you’ll need custom recovery – TWRP. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and is suitable for power users.

Installation steps:

1. Download TWRP for Redmi 9 from the official website twrp.me. The file will be in.img format.
2. Install. TWRP Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lancelot.img fastboot reboot recovery
3. Make a backup in TWRP: Select Backup and save Boot, System, Data partitions to SD-card.
4. Sweep through the firmware: Copy the firmware file (.zip) to your phone. In TWRP, select Install → specify the file → run for confirmation. After installation, run Wipe → Format Data (required for the first installation!).

Reboot.

The following are the Redmi 9’s best features:

• 📱 Pixel Experience – Pure Android with Pixel features.
• 🔧 LineageOS – stable firmware with long support life.
• 🎨 HavocOS – maximum customization of the interface.
• 🚀 ArrowOS – Optimized for Performance.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware does not support VoLTE (voice calls via voice) 4G) or NFC Check the reviews on Redmi 9 before installing. XDA Developers.

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Custom firmware requires regular updates! Outdated builds may contain vulnerabilities or run unstable.

Recovery after a failed firmware ("bricking")

If Redmi 9 doesn't turn on after the firmware, or if it's stuck on the logo, or if it's gone to bootloop, don't panic. In 90% of cases, the device can be restored.

If the phone is not detected by the computer:

1. Try another one. USB-cable.
2. Keep Volume Down + Power 20–30 seconds for forced login to Fastboot.
3. Use Test Point, which is an extreme method that requires disassembling the device. On Redmi 9, the point is under the back cover, next to the SIM card jack, and lock it with tweezers when you connect to your PC so that the phone is identified as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

Critical information: If the phone is identified as QDLoader 9008 after firmware, DO NOT disconnect it from the PC! This is an emergency firmware mode, and interrupting the process can lead to irreversible memory damage (eMMC).

How to update the firmware in the future

After successful firmware, it is important to keep the device up to date. The upgrade methods depend on the type of firmware:

For the official MIUI:

• 📱 Through Settings. → The phone. → System update (if available) OTA-update).
• 💻 Through Mi Flash Tool – download new versions from the official website and sew manually.

For custom firmware:

• 🔄 Through the built-in updater (if the firmware supports) OTA). For example, in LineageOS: Settings → System system → Update.
• 📦 Manually through TWRP: Download the new build (.zip). Reboot to Recovery. Select Install. → specify the file → Run it for installation. Clear the cache. → Dalvik/Cache).

Before updating, always check:

• 📌 Compatibility with your version (lancelot).
• 🔒 bootloader status (if it is blocked, custom updates will not be installed).
• 📡 Availability of backup copy (in case of error).