How to Install Firmware on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: A Complete Guide to Risks and Solutions

Installation of new firmware on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 (codenamed merlin, it's a process that can bring a smartphone back to life and turn it into a brick if you go about it without preparation. 2020 It is still popular today due to its balanced characteristics: MediaTek Helio processor. G85, 4/6 GB RAM and battery on 5020 But with the release of new versions. MIUI Android owners face slowdowns, bugs or the desire to switch to custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

The firmware process varies from simple "over-the-air" updates» (OTA) to a complex installation via Fastboot or TWRP. In this article, we will discuss all current methods, including official and informal, and also warn against typical errors. 9S (The curtana instruction doesn't fit - they have a different chipset (Snapdragon) 720G) and partition structure.

If you're a beginner, start with an official update through Settings. Power users looking to customize will need to unlock the bootloader, install it. TWRP But remember, any manipulation of system partitions will void the warranty and may result in data loss.

Why you might need a Redmi Note 9 firmware

The standard reasons for upgrading or flashing a smartphone fall into two categories: forced and voluntary, the first being a critical slowdown, the inability to install new apps due to an outdated version of Android, or “eternal” reboots after a failed one. OTA-The second one is the desire to get new features, to get rid of advertising in the Internet. MIUI Or install a “pure” Android without a Xiaomi shell.

Here are the typical scenarios where firmware becomes a necessity:

• 🔄 The smartphone got stuck on the Mi logo after a failed update (the so-called “bootloop»).
• 🐢 MIUI slows down despite resetting settings – this is often due to fragmentation of system files.
• 🚫 The device is locked after resetting to factory settings (requires firmware with userdata cleaning).
• 🔓 Want to get root rights or install Google Camera (Gcam) with full functionality.
• 📱 Switch to custom firmware to extend support life (for example, LineageOS 20 based on Android 13).

Before you start, however, consider the risks: Unofficial firmware can contain vulnerabilities, and errors when unlocking the bootloader can lead to a hard brick (unrecoverable without specialized equipment), for example, in 2023, users reported problems with the fingerprint sensor after installing some Pixel Experience builds on the Redmi Note 9.

If your goal is simply to update MIUI Before the latest version, start by checking available OTA-To do this, go to Settings. → The phone. → System Update: If there are no updates but you are sure they should be, the problem may lie in the regional reference of the device (e.g., the global version). MIUI Global vs. Chinese MIUI China).

Preparation for firmware: what to do before the start

Regardless of the method chosen, preparation is 50% of the success, and neglecting this stage often leads to data loss, failures in the installation process, or even hardware damage, starting with the most important thing, the backup.

Create a backup of all critical data:

• 📱 Contacts, SMS and call logs (use Settings) → Google → Backup or Mi Mover application).
• 📷 Photos and videos (copy to PC or Google Photos cloud).
• 🎵 Music and documents (check Download folders and download files) DCIM).
• 🔑 Passwords and application data (for example, for WhatsApp, make a backup in Settings) → chat → Backup copy).

Next, charge the battery, make sure it's at least 60 percent, or run through Fastboot or TWRP It can take up to 30 minutes, and the discharge in the process will cause a failure:

• 🔌 Quality USB-cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 💻 Windows computer 10/11 or Linux (for Fastboot and Linux) ADB).
• 🛠️ Utilities: Mi Flash Tool (for official firmware), Platform Tools (from Google for the Internet) ADB/Fastboot), TWRP (custom-fix).
• 📄 Firmware file (official from Xiaomi website or custom forum) XDA Developers).

To unlock the bootloader, you will need to link your Mi Account to the device.

1. On the smartphone included debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additional settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
2. Mi Account is confirmed (unblocking is not possible without this).
3. On the PC installed drivers Xiaomi (you can download from the official website).

Created a backup of all data|

Battery charge >60%|

Xiaomi drivers installed on PC|

The correct version of the firmware is downloaded (check the model code)|

Debugging is on. USB and unlock OEM|

Linked Mi Account to the device (to unlock the bootloader)-->

For the Redmi Note 9 (merlin), the official builds are divided into:

• Stable - Stable version MIUI (recommended to most users).
• Developer – weekly builds with new features but possible bugs.
• EEA (Europe, Global, India, China – regional versions with different set of pre-installed applications.

The discrepancy between the firmware region and the device can lead to problems with the mobile network or GPS. For example, firmware MIUI China to global model to disable Google services. Check current version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Method 1: Update through OTA (safest way)

If your goal is to update MIUI Up to the latest official version without risk, OTA-Over-The-Air is the best choice, and it doesn't require unlocking the bootloader, it saves all the data, it takes a minimum of time, but it only works if you have to:

• The device is not damaged (no bootloop).
• Current firmware - official MIUI (non-custom).
• There is a stable connection to Wi-Fi.

Step instructions:

1. Connect to the Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click Update Check. If the update is available, download it.
4. After downloading, click Reboot and install.
5. Wait until the end (usually 5-15 minutes).

If the update is not there but you are sure it should be, try the following:

• 🔄 Reboot the device and check again.
• 🌐 Change the region to Settings → Additional settings → Region (e.g. India if you have a global model).
• 📥 Download the full package OTA manually from the Xiaomi site and install it through Select the update file in the update menu.

Advantages of OTA:

• ✅ Saving all data and settings.
• ✅ Minimum risk of error.
• ✅ Automatic compatibility check.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ The latest versions are not always available (depending on the region).
• ❌ It is impossible to regress to the previous version.
• ❌ Not suitable for “brick” devices.

💡

OTA-Update is the only method that doesn't require unlocking the bootloader or resetting data. Use it if your goal is just to update. MIUI last-minute.

Method 2: Fastboot Firmware (official method)

If OTA It's not available or it doesn't turn on, and the next most reliable method is Fastboot, which is a way to restore the functionality of the smartphone, change the regional version. MIUI Or installing a stable build over the raw Developer version, and note: the process will completely reset the device to factory settings.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer (recommended) 10/11).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website).
• 📄 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\miui_merlin).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers.
3. Turn off your smartphone. Press Volume down. + Food to enter Fastboot mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
4. Connect the device to your PC. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh, it should appear. COM-port.
5. In the Select field, specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. Select firmware mode: Clean all - complete cleaning (recommended when changing region). Clean all and lock - cleaning + Save user data - saving data (not always stable).

Flash

Common mistakes and their solutions:

If after firmware smartphone got stuck on the Mi logo, try:

1. Press Volume up + Power for 10-15 seconds for forced reboot.
2. If it doesn’t help, repeat the firmware by selecting a different cleaning mode.

💡

If the Mi Flash Tool doesn't see the device, try running it on behalf of the administrator or temporarily disabling the antivirus.

Method 3: Installation of custom firmware through TWRP

For those who want to go beyond the MIUI, Custom firmware like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS offer clean Android, better performance and extended support life. TWRP and preparedness for possible bugs (e.g., non-functioning) NFC camera).

⚠️

Note: Unlocking the bootloader erases all data, including internal memory (userdata), and Xiaomi can block an account for 72 hours after unlocking (protection against theft).

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader

1. Link Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Turn on Unlock. OEM and debugging by USB developer menu.
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
4. Launch the utility, log in to Mi and follow the instructions. The device must be in Fastboot mode.

Step 2: Installation of TWRP

1. Download the latest version TWRP for merlin with twrp.me.
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in a folder with platform-tools.
3. In the command line (in the folder with platform-tools) do: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img

Step 3: Install custom firmware

1. Download firmware (for example, LineageOS from the official website) and GApps (if you need Google services).
2. Reboot to TWRP (clamp up the volume + Power on-set).
3. Make a full backup (Backup) → Select sections → Swipe to Back Up).
4. Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
5. Install firmware and GApps via Install.
6. Reboot (Reboot) → Systems. The first launch can take up to 10 minutes.

The most popular custom firmware for Redmi Note 9:

⚠️

Note: Some custom firmware does not support Widevine L1, This means that you can’t watch high-resolution videos on Netflix or Disney.+. Before installing, check the information on the forum XDA.

Method 4: Recovery through EDL (brick-for-brick»)

If Redmi Note 9 does not respond to buttons, does not load in Fastboot or TWRP, And the PC can't see it, and it's turned into a hard brick. EDL-Emergency Download Mode, which allows you to directly interact with the MediaTek Helio processor G85.

⚠️

Attention: EDL-Firmware requires an authorized Xiaomi account (for new devices) or a special box (UFi Box, EasyJTAG.

If you are confident in your actions, follow the instructions:

1. Download firmware in.mbn format (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
2. Connect the smartphone to the PC in the off state.
3. Close the Test Point contacts (located on the motherboard under the back cover) for translation into the EDL-For the Redmi Note 9, these are contacts next to the battery (need a mediator or tweezers).
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.

If you do not have experience with Test Point, it is better to contact the service center. EDL is ~1500–3000 rubles (for 2026).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🔴 Error "This package is for merlin devices": You're trying to install firmware for another model (M2003J15SG global version).
• 🔴 Hanging on the Mi logo after firmware: Probably not the same version of bootloader and firmware. Try stitching a newer or older version MIUI.
• 🔴 Anti-rollback error: You are trying to roll back to an older version MIUI. The solution is to run a new version or accept the current one.
• 🔴 TWRP not seeing internal memory: This is OK if you haven't made Wipe Data. OTG-flash-drive.
• 🔴 Loss of loss IMEI After the firmware: Restore through QCN-file (requires a backup copy) or contact the service.

If the firmware stopped working after:

• 📶 Mobile Network: Check the settings APN or run the modem (modem.img) stock-stack.
• 📷 Camera: Install ANX Camera or GCam with Helio settings G85.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: Calibrate (discharge to 0%, charge to 100% without interruptions).

💡

If you don't have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth after you install custom firmware, it's probably a problem in the kernel (boot.img) assemblage.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions