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

Installing a new firmware on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (model code joyeuse) can dramatically change the device’s performance: speed up performance, add new features or even bring back a locked smartphone. However, the process requires care — a mistake at any stage can turn a phone into a “brick.” This instruction covers all current firmware methods in 2026, from official updates through the MIUI Updater to manual installation of custom builds like the Pixel Experience or LineageOS.

We're going to look at not only standard scenarios, but also nuances that even experienced users don't know about, like why it can take up to 360 hours to unlock a bootloader through Mi Unlock, how to get around the Anti-Rollback error on older versions of MIUI, and what to do if IMEI is lost after the firmware is gone. We're going to focus on security, where you learn how to verify the firmware's digital signature and avoid installing fake virus files.

If you are a beginner, start with the official methods (sections 1-3). For advanced users, custom firmware instructions (sections 4-6) are prepared with detailed analysis of tools like Fastboot, TWRP and ADB. At the end of the article, the FAQ answers to typical problems, from download cycles to root loss.

⚠️ Warning: The firmware will void Xiaomi's warranty. If your Redmi Note 9 Pro is still warranty-free, official service centers will refuse to repair if they detect traces of manual software tampering. Also note that some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) may block work on custom firmware due to the lack of certification Google SafetyNet.

1. Preparation of the device for firmware

Before installing any firmware, a number of critical steps must be taken. Neglecting them is the main reason for “bricking” devices. Start by checking the current version of the software: go to Settings → About → MIUI Version. Write down the exact build name (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.5.0 (SJZMIXM)) – this information will come in handy for choosing a compatible firmware.

Be sure to follow the following steps:

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%. The firmware at low charge can be interrupted, which will damage the system files.
• 📱 Make a full data backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup or by using Mi PC Suite.Mi Cloud does not save some system settings.
• 🔐 Make sure the device has disabled Find My Device (in Xiaomi account settings) otherwise, after firmware, the phone may require the old password.
• 🛠️ Prepare the cable. USB Original Type-C cables: Cheap cables often cause firmware data errors.

Custom firmware requires the bootloader to be unlocked, a process that takes between 72 and 360 hours (depending on Xiaomi’s policy) and requires the Mi Account to be linked to the device, and once unlocked, all data on the phone will be erased without recovery.

2. Official Update via MIUI Updater

The safest way to upgrade the Redmi Note 9 Pro is to use the built-in MIUI Updater tool, which is suitable for installing stable and beta versions of MIUI released by Xiaomi, the main advantage is to save all data and settings (subject to a successful update).

Step instructions:

1. Open the Update app (the icon with the arrow up) on the home screen.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select Service Pack.
3. If the update is available, the system will offer to download it automatically. For manual installation, download the firmware file (.zip format) from the official MIUI Downloads website.
4. After downloading the file, click Update and wait for the device to restart (it will take 5-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If you download firmware manually, make sure the file is for the Redmi Note 9 Pro (joyeuse) model. 9S (Curtana model will cause the module to fail NFC and other errors.

If the update has been suspended during the package check phase, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 🗑️ Clear the app's cache Update in Settings.
• 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (some providers block Xiaomi servers).

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Official updates via MIUI Updater do not require unlocking the bootloader and retain a warranty, but are limited to versions released by Xiaomi for your region.

3. Firmware via Fastboot (official method)

If the phone is not turning on or updating through MIUI Updater is not possible, use the firmware in Fastboot mode. This method is suitable for restoring the system after crashes or installing the full version of MIUI (including the bootloader and radio modules).

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (for Mac/Linux Additional drivers will be required).
• 🔌 The original cable. USB Type-C.
• 📦 Archive with firmware in.tgz format (download from the official website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version here).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\joyeuse_global_images_...).
2. Turn off the phone. Press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot.
3. Connect the device to a PC. The device should appear in Device Manager Android Bootloader Interface.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
5. Select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Cleaning + Lock bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ If the Mi Flash Tool is making an error anti-4 or anti-5, This means you're trying to install firmware with an older version of Anti-Rollback than the current one. Solution: download firmware with the same or newer number. ARB (is listed in the file name, for example, ARBv4).

Installation of custom firmware (TWRP + AOSP)

Custom firmware like Pixel Experience, LineageOS or crDroid allows you to get a “clean” Android without a MIUI shell, as well as current security updates after the end of official support for Xiaomi.

• Unlocked boot loader (see section 1).
• Installed custom recovery TWRP.
• Joyeuse compatible firmware (check out XDA Developers forums).

Instructions for installing TWRP:

1. Download the latest TWRP image for Redmi Note 9 Pro from the official website (.img file).
2. Move the file to the folder with the platform-tools (from Android SDK).
3. Enable USB Debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb reboot bootloader fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-joyeuse.img fastboot reboot recovery

For custom firmware installation:

1. Download firmware (.zip format) and, if necessary, GApps (Google services).
2. Reboot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up).
3. Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
4. Press Install and select the firmware file, then GApps (if needed).
5. After installation, run Wipe → Format Data (required!), then restart.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware does not support data encryption on the Redmi Note 9 Pro. If after installation the phone asks for a password, but does not accept it, you will need to repeat the process with the encryption disabled (option in the settings). TWRP).

5. Unlocking the bootloader: a step-by-step guide

Without unlocking the bootloader, it is impossible to install custom recovery or firmware. Xiaomi complicated the process in 2023 by adding mandatory account binding and increasing waiting time.

Step 1: Linking your Mi Account

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud and log in.
• 🔗 In Device Status, click Add Account and Device (if option is not available, update). MIUI last-minute).
• 📧 Confirm the binding through SMS email.

Step 2: Requesting Unblocking

• 🖥️ Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
• 🔑 Launch the utility, log in to the same Mi Account as on your phone.
• ⏳ Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and press Unlock. From that point on, the countdown will begin (usually 168 hours for new accounts).

Step 3: Final Unlocking

• 🕒 After a while, repeat the procedure in the Mi Unlock Tool.
• 📱 The phone will automatically reset to factory settings.

⚠️ Note: If you use a Xiaomi account created less than 30 days ago, the system may require you to link your phone number and wait an additional 720 hours (30 days) and unlock is not possible if the device was purchased in China (models with suffix). CN titled).

1. Use another. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

2. disable the antivirus and firewall.

3. Run the utility on behalf of the administrator in Windows 8 compatibility mode.-->

6. Solving common errors after firmware

Even with the right instructions, there can be problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If the IMEI is missing after the firmware, try to restore it using the engineering menu:

1. Type on the keyboard ##4636##.
2. Go to Phone Information and check for IMEI status.
3. If IMEI is not available, use the SN Write Tool (requires authorization on Xiaomi servers).

⚠️ Attention: Recovery IMEI It may be illegal in some countries, but in Russia it is only allowed for personal use on unlocked devices.

7. System optimization after firmware

After successful firmware installation, several steps are recommended to improve performance and stability:

For the official MIUI:

• 🚀 Turn off animation: go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to enable the developer mode, then install the animation windows in the developer settings = 0.5x.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache: Settings → Memory. → Clear the app cache.
• 🔒 Disable unnecessary system applications through Settings → Annexes → Application management (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music).

For custom firmware (AOSP):

• 🎯 Set up the Thermal Engine: Install Kernel Auditor from Magisk and select Balanced profile to reduce heat.
• 🔋 Optimize autonomy: turn off AOD (Always On Display and limit the background activity of apps.
• 🛡️ Check SafetyNet: Install MagiskHide Props Config to pass Google Certification (required for banking applications).

If you have installed custom firmware, it is recommended to check the operation of the main functions:

1.Camera (all modules, including wide-angle and macro)


2. Fingerprint and facial recognition




3. NFC and Google Pay




Calls and mobile network (2G/3G/4G)




5. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

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After installing custom firmware for the first 2-3 days, the system may not work stable due to optimization of the Dalvik cache.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions