How to return the old version of Android to Xiaomi Redmi 9: 3 proven ways

Did you upgrade Xiaomi Redmi 9 to a new version of MIUI or Android, but encountered bugs, brakes or an uncomfortable interface? Running back firmware is a real solution, but the process requires caution. Unlike the iPhone, where rollback is only possible through iTunes, Xiaomi has several official and unofficial methods of returning to the previous version of the OS.

In this article, we’ll look at 3 working ways to return old firmware to Redmi 9 (including 9A, 9C, 9T models), their pros and cons, and the critical nuances that 90% of users miss when rolling back. We’ll look at both official methods through Mi Flash Tool and alternative methods through Fastboot and Recovery. Importantly, the procedure can lead to data loss, so back up first!

Why you might need to roll back firmware on Redmi 9

Newer versions of MIUI and Android don't always work well, and here are the typical reasons Redmi 9 users decide to bring back the old firmware:

🐢 Brakes and lags: After upgrading to MIUI 14 Android 12/13 Many complain about slowing animations, long download applications and overheating of the Helio processor G35/G80.
🔋 Fast battery life: Newer OS versions are often optimized for flagship models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi) K60), Budget smartphones like Redmi 9 start to “eat” charge 20-30% faster.
🚫 Failing Features: For example, support may disappear after an update OTG, quit IR-blaster or a camera bug (black screen when shooting).
🔒 Xiaomi restrictions: Fresh firmware sometimes blocks the ability to unlock the bootloader or installs forced security updates.

According to a 4PDA survey, 68 percent of Redmi 9 owners have tried to roll back a firmware update at least once after a failed update, but only 40 percent have done so correctly, with the rest experiencing a “brick” or loss of IMEI.

📊 You have already tried to roll back the firmware on Xiaomi?

Yeah, it worked.

Yeah, but something went wrong.

No, but I want to try.

No, I'm afraid to break my phone.

Preparing for a rollback: what to do before the start

Before returning an old version of Android, follow the mandatory steps:

Save data: Roll back the firmware will reset the phone to factory settings. Copy photos, contacts and files on your PC or in the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
Check model and version: Go to Settings → About phone. Write: Model (Redmi 9, 9A, 9C, 9T) Current version of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 14.0.2.0) Android version (10, 11, 12)

Unlock the loader

Fastboot

Charging ≥ 70%

Make a backup copy of the data|Write down the model and version MIUI|Check the battery charge (≥70%)|Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download the required firmware (see Section 3)-->

Attention, if your Redmi 9 purchased in China (domestic version), rollback to global firmware may result in network loss (will not work) 4G/LTE). Check the region in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI:

Stable / Global - global firmware (can roll back to any global version).
China / CN - Chinese firmware (return to global banned!).

Method 1: Recovery (the safest method)

This method is suitable if:

✅ The phone is turned on and loaded into the system.
✅ You want to revert to the previous stable version. MIUI (No more than 1 to 2 versions ago).
✅ You do not have the boot loader unlocked (the method works with the blocked one).

Steps:

Download the firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website. Choose Recovery ROM (Not Fastboot! for example, for Redmi. 9 (lancelot) it's going to be a file of the view lancelot_global_images_V12.0.1.0.QJCMIXM_20210302.0000.00_10.0_global_....
Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the phone’s root folder (not to subfolders!).
Boot in Recovery: Turn off your phone. Press Volume up + Power before the Mi logo appears. Select the language and go to Install update.zip to System.

Confirm installation

Reboot to System

💡

If Recovery doesn’t have Install update.zip, then your version of Recovery is outdated. Update it via Fastboot (see Method 2).

Limitations of the method:

❌ You can’t roll back to a version older than the one installed on your phone out of the box.
❌ If the firmware is damaged or not suitable for your model, the phone may hang on the Mi logo ("bootloop").

What if the phone doesn’t turn on after the rollback?

If after you have firmware through Recovery, the phone is stuck on the logo or reboots in a loop: 1. Try resetting via Recovery (Wipe Data → Wipe All Data). 2. If it doesn’t work, run your phone through Fastboot (Method 2). 3. In extreme cases, use the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option (erase everything, including IMEI!).

Method 2: Fastboot Firmware (for power users)

This method requires an unlocked bootloader and is suitable for:

Recoil on any version of MIUI (even older than the factory version).
Restore your phone after a failed update (bootloop).
Install custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience).

Attention! Mistakes in Fastboot can result in loss of IMEI (phone stops catching network) or complete failure of the device. If you are a beginner, you better contact the service center.

Instructions:

Unlock the bootloader: Go to Mi Unlock and download the Mi Unlock Tool. Sign in with the same Mi Account as your phone. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down + Power When the device is off). In the program, press Unlock. The process will take up to 72 hours (Xiaomi checks the request).

Download the Fastboot firmware

Xiaomi Firmware Updater

Redmi 9C (angelica)

angelica_global_images_V12.0.1.0.QCRMIXM_20210302.0000.00_10.0_global_...

Unpack the firmware.

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Flow through the Mi Flash Tool

Download the Mi Flash Tool and install it.
Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
In the program, select the firmware folder and press Refresh (device ID should appear).
Select Clean All (complete clean) or Save User Data (retain data, but the risk of errors is higher).
Press Flash and wait until it is finished (10-15 minutes).

Firmware mode	Are the data stored?	Risk of error	When to use
Clean All	❌ No.	Low.	In case of critical errors or change of the firmware region
Save User Data	✅ Yes.	High-pitched	Only if you are going to go back to the same version of MIUI.
Clean All and Lock	❌ No.	Medium.	After the firmware to lock the loader (optional)

💡

If the phone doesn’t turn on after you’ve run through Fastboot, try flashing it back with Clean All mode. If it doesn’t work, check if the firmware is suitable for your model (for example, Redmi 9 and Redmi 9A have different firmware!).

Method 3: Recoil via EDL (for "brick" phones)

If Redmi 9 doesn’t turn on at all (black screen, no button response), there is a last chance – firmware through the phone. EDL-This is an Emergency Download Mode:

Special cable (EDL-cable) or soldering skills for closing contacts on the board.
Mi Flash Pro or QFil programs.
Firmware in.mbn format (for Qualcomm chips).

Warning! Firmware through EDL will reset IMEI, the serial number, and may result in the blocking of Mi Account. Use only if other methods have not worked!

Instructions:

Download the firmware for EDL from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater site (look for files marked EDL).
Connect your phone to your PC in EDL mode: Turn off your phone. Close Test Point pins on the motherboard (you need to disassemble the phone) or use EDL-cable. The Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 should appear in Device Manager.

Mi Flash Pro

1. Select firmware (.mbn).


2. Press "Select" and select the COM port.




3. Press "Flash" and wait until the end (up to 20 minutes).

After successful firmware, the phone will turn on in Fastboot mode. You can then flash the usual firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (Method 2).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users make mistakes when rolling back firmware. TOP-5 problems and solutions:

Mistake.	Reason.	Decision
Couldn't verify the device in Mi Flash	Unlocked bootloader or incorrect drivers	Check unlocking via fastboot oem device-info (must be unlocked: true)
The phone is stuck on the Mi logo	Incompatible firmware or corrupted files	Re-sweeten with complete cleaning (Clean All)
Mistake 7 in Recovery	The file is damaged. update.zip or lack of space	Check the checksum of the file and free up 5+ GB of memory
Loss of net after pullback	The firmware does not match the region of the phone	Sweep through the same region (e.g. Global on Global)
Anti-rollback error	Trying to roll back on an too old version	Look for firmware marked Anti-Rollback Removed on forums

If the IMEI is missing after a rollback, you can restore it through the engineering menu (#4636##) or the SN Write Tool, but this requires root rights and may violate the warranty.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I roll back the firmware on Redmi 9 without a computer?

Yes, but only through Recovery (Method 1), you need to download update.zip firmware directly to your phone (for example, via another smartphone or PC) and upload it to the root folder, but if the phone doesn't turn on, you can't do without a PC.

How do I know what kind of firmware was on my phone out of the box?

Look at the sticker under the battery (if you disassembled the phone) or check the serial number on Xiaomi's website, and you can also find information in the check or box (usually the version of MIUI at the time of sale is indicated).

What if the phone gets slower after the phone rolls back?

Possible reasons: The firmware is not optimized for your model (e.g., you put the firmware from Redmi 9A on Redmi 9), there are traces of old firmware (you had to choose Clean All), a firmware failure (repeat the process), Solution: run the phone again with a full clean or try another version of MIUI.

Can I roll back Android 12 on Android 10 on Redmi 9?

Technically, but with reservations: Some Redmi 9 models have Anti-Rollback protection that blocks rollbacks on older versions of Android. If the firmware doesn't support Anti-Rollback, the phone can turn into a brick. Look for firmware marked Anti-Rollback Removed on 4PDA or XDA-Developers forums.

How to return the warranty after the rollback of the firmware?

Xiaomi officially unblocks the warranty when: Unlock the bootloader, install custom firmware, change the IMEI or serial number, to return the warranty: Sweat the official firmware through Fastboot with Clean All and Lock mode. Close the bootloader through the Mi Flash Tool. Reset the unlock counter (possibly only through the service center), but even then the service center can detect signs of interference on the system logs.