Installing TWRP Recovery on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: a complete guide to debunking errors

Installation of custom recaveri TWRP Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 (codenamed merlin) gives access to advanced features: from creating full system backups to firmware unofficial ROM. However, the process requires precision - an error at any stage can lead to a device "brick" or loss of data, TWRP allows you to manage memory partitions, install ZIP-archives with modifications and even bypass some restrictions MIUI.

This instruction is relevant for the Redmi Note 9 based on the MediaTek Helio G85 processor (models M2003J15SC, M2003J15SS and similar). Importantly, the procedure is incompatible with the Redmi Note 9 Pro/Pro Max models (joyeuse/curtana), as they have a different chipset and partition structure recovery. If you own the Redmi Note 9 (not Pro!), but are not sure about the encoding of your model, check it in the Settings menu → About the phone → Model.

Before you start, consider that installing TWRP will reset all data on the device (if you don’t make a backup), and also cancel the Xiaomi warranty. In addition, some banking applications (such as Sberbank Online or Tinkoff) may stop working due to the SafetyNet trigger.

Preparation of the device: unlocking the loader

The first and most critical step is to unlock the bootloader. without this, you can not install TWRP. Xiaomi officially allows unlocking, but the process requires linking the Mi Account to the device and waiting (usually 7-14 days).

Here's what you're gonna need:

• 📱 Smartphone Redmi Note 9 with battery charge ≥ 60%
• 💻 Computer under control Windows/Linux/macOS (portable USB 2.0)
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set)
• 🔑 Mi Account Account Linked to Phone ≥ 7 days
• 🛠 Mi Unlock Tool (download from the official website)

The unlocking process:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → More → For developers and enable: Debugging by USB Unlock OEM (an important item!)

Connect the phone to the PC, confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.

Mi Unlock Tool

Mi Account

Follow the instructions of the program. If you see a message saying "Wait 168 hours," wait. You can't speed it up.

⚠️ Note: If you have a “Couldn’t unlock” or “Device not supported” error when unlocking, check if your Mi Account is linked to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi account: If antivirus/firewalls on PCs are disabled, they can block the Mi Unlock Tool. Whether you use the original cable (not cheap Chinese analogues).

2. Installation of ADB/Fastboot drivers and tools

To work with Redmi Note 9 in the modes of Fastboot and ADB, you need special drivers and utilities. Without them, the computer will not be able to “see” the phone in the desired modes.

Download and install:

• 🖥 Drivers for MediaTek: official website (choose version for your OS). Windows will also suit the package MTK USB Drivers.
• 🔧 Platform Tools (ADB/Fastboot): Download from Android. Unpack the archive to the root of the disk. C:\ (for example, C:\platform-tools\).
• 📦 TWRP Redmi Note 9: the current version is available on the official website TWRP (file extension).

Check your phone’s connection in Fastboot mode:

1. Turn off the Redmi Note 9.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down before the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command line in the platform-tools folder (press Shift + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here) and type: fastboot devices If you see the serial number of the device in response, the drivers are installed correctly.

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If the fastboot device command doesn’t show your phone, try reconnecting the cable to another one. USB-port 2.0) or disable driver signatures in Windows via bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on (requires rebooting).

3. TWRP firmware via Fastboot

Now, the most critical step is TWRP Recovery, and the important thing is that if you miss a step or use the wrong version of the.img file, the phone may stop loading.

Step-by-step:

1. Downloaded file twrp-3.7.0_12-0-merlin.img (Or a newer version, move to the platform-tools folder.
2. Open the command line in this folder (as in the previous section).
3. Check your phone connection in Fastboot: fastboot devices
4. Please. TWRP Team: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-0-merlin.img Wait for the message. OKAY.
5. Important! Immediately after the firmware reboot to the TWRP, You can type in the fastboot boot. twrp-3.7.0_12-0-merlin.img This will prevent the recapture of the Recovery with the standard Mi Recovery.

If it went well, you'll see the TeamWin logo and the main TWRP menu, and you can now start backing up or firmware custom ROMs.

Is the interface loaded? TWRP (blue-back)?|Do all partitions (System, Data, Boot) appear)?|Can I connect my phone to my PC? MTP?|Does the touch screen work in the Recovery?-->

⚠️ Note: If after the firmware TWRP The phone is loaded into a standard Recovery or gives an error OrangeFox/TWRP Not installed means: You used the wrong version of the.img file (check the code name merlin), you didn't execute the fastboot boot command immediately after you've run the firmware. ROM via Mi Flash Tool).

4. Solving common mistakes

Even with the correct following of the instructions, there can be problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If your error is not listed in the table, try:

• 🔍 Finding a solution in forums XDA Developers or 4PDA (Look for the error code).
• 📥 Ask me again. TWRP Other versions (e.g. OrangeFox instead of the standard version) TWRP).
• 🔄 Return to the drainage Recovery through the command: fastboot flash recovery stock_recovery.img (file stock_recovery.img You can get it from the official firmware for your model).

5.Backup and Recovery Through TWRP

One of the biggest benefits of TWRP is that it can back up all partitions of your phone, and it can save your data if you don't have a firmware or ROM experiment.

How to make a backup:

1. In the main TWRP menu, select Backup.
2. Check boxes for sections: Boot (required!), System Data (if you need to save applications and settings) EFS (stores IMEI and serial numbers)

Select a storage location (internal memory or storage). SD-map).

Swipe to start the backup. It can take 10 to 30 minutes.

Backup recovery:

1. In the TWRP menu, select Restore.
2. Specify the backup folder.
3. Select the desired partitions (for example, only Boot and System for firmware recovery).
4. Swipe for confirmation.

Step-by-step:

1. Copy the firmware file and GApps (if needed) to internal memory or SD-map.
2. In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark: Dalvik / ART Cache System Data (if the firmware requires a clean installation) Cache

Swipe for confirmation.

Install

GApps

Swipe to start the firmware. Wait until it's finished (may take 5-15 minutes).

Reboot System

The first download of a new firmware can take up to 10 minutes - don't interrupt the process! If the system doesn't boot for more than 20 minutes, go back to TWRP and check the error logs in Advanced → Copy Log.

7.Restore SafetyNet and the operation of banking applications

After installing TWRP and custom firmware, many banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB) stop working due to the operation of SafetyNet, the Android integrity verification system.

Method 1: Magisk (Magisk)

• 📥 Download the latest version of Magisk (.zip file) from GitHub.
• 🔄 Flush it through. TWRP (Install → Select a file → swipe).
• 🔧 Install the SafetyNet: Universal SafetyNet Fix (by) bypass modules kdrag0n) MagiskHide Props Config (to change the print of the device)
• 🔄 Restart your phone and check SafetyNet status in the Magisk app.

Method 2: Stock ROM with unlocked bootloader

If Magisk doesn't help, go back to the official MIUI firmware, but with the bootloader unlocked.

1. Download stock ROM for merlin from Xiaomi’s website (select the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive and go through the Mi Flash Tool with the clean all option.
3. After the firmware, re-install TWRP (as in Section 3).
4. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.

⚠️ Attention: Some banks (e.g. Sberbank) block access not only through SafetyNet, but also through the availability of an unlocked bootloader, in which case the only way out is to return the stock receptacles and block the bootloader back (but then, the only way out is to return the stock receptacles and lock the bootloader back). TWRP no-one will work).

FAQ: Frequent questions about TWRP on Redmi Note 9