MIUI 13 for Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: official release dates and how to update

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 remains one of the most popular budget smartphones even years after its release. Owners of the device often wonder: will their gadget get the long-awaited update to MIUI 13 and when exactly it will happen? In this article, we will analyze official information from Xiaomi, analyze update schedules, and also tell you how to check the availability of firmware and install it manually.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi’s update policy depends on many factors: region of sales, device version (global, Chinese, Indian), hardware limitations, and even the current version of Android. As of June 2026, the Redmi Note 9 is no longer on the list of devices that officially receive the new product. MIUI 13 through OTA-updates, but there are nuances - more about this below.

MIUI 13 Support Status for Redmi Note 9

Xiaomi traditionally divides devices into three categories by support terms:

• 🔝 Flagship models - receive 3-4 year of updates (e.g. Mi) 11 Xiaomi 13).
• 📱 Mid-segment — 2-3 year (Redmi Note series) 10/11, POCO X3).
• 💰 Budget smartphones — 1-2 Years (including Redmi Note) 9).

The Redmi Note 9 (codenamed merlin) was released in April 2020 with MIUI 11 based on Android 10.According to Xiaomi's policy, the device has already gone through:

• 📅 MIUI 12 (Android 10) – the first major update.
• 📅 MIUI 12.5 (Android 11) – second and last official update for most regions.

This means that MIUI 13 was not originally planned for the Redmi Note 9, but there are exceptions:

Why Redmi Note 9 didn’t get MIUI 13: Technical reasons

The main reason for the lack of updates is hardware limitations. Redmi Note 9 is equipped with a processor MediaTek Helio G85 and only 3/4 GB of RAM in the basic version. MIUI 13, which requires Android 12, you need:

• 🔋 Minimum 4GB of RAM for stable performance of new features (e.g. Liquid Storage and Atomized Memory).
• 🛠️ Project Treble and Dynamic Partitioning support not found in Redmi Note 9.
• 📱 Compatibility with MIUI 13 Super Wallpapers and animations that require powerful GPU.

Xiaomi is also prioritizing updates for Qualcomm Snapdragon devices as they are better optimized for newer versions of Android. MediaTek Helio G85, while not bad for its time, doesn’t support all of Android 12+’s features, such as:

• 🎮 Game Dashboard with advanced performance settings.
• 🔒 Privacy Dashboard (Privacy Panel).
• 📡 Approximate Location (approximate location for applications).

Alternative ways to install MIUI 13 on Redmi Note 9

If you want to try out MIUI 13 on your Redmi Note 9, there are a few options:

1. Custom firmware (unofficial ports)

The development community has created unofficial builds of MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 9 based on Android 11.

• 🌐 XDA Developers (search for Redmi Note 9) MIUI 13).
• 📱 Telegram channels, like, @miuiru or @xiaomifirmware.

⚠️ Note: Install custom firmware requires bootloader unlock, which:

• 🔓 Cancels the guarantee.
• 🛑 May cause a "brick" (inoperability) of the device.
• 🔄 Requires a reset of all data (factory reset).

2.MIUI 13 via Xiaomi.EU

Xiaomi.EU is a popular project that produces modified versions of MIUI for the European region.

• ✅ No advertising or Chinese services.
• ✅ Supported by Google Services.
• ⚠️ Requires an unlocked bootloader.

The Redmi Note 9 is available with MIUI 13.0.6 Stable (Android 11), but it may contain bugs such as:

• 📸 Camera problems (artifacts in 48 MP shooting).
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge due to unoptimized core.

Unlock bootloader with Mi Unlock Tool|

Download firmware and TWRP tool for Redmi Note 9 (merlin) |

Make a backup of data via Mi Cloud or locally |

Charge your phone at least 60% |

Make sure the model matches exactly (check Settings → About Phone → Model)

-->

How to check the availability of the MIUI 13 update

Before looking for alternatives, make sure that the update is not officially available.

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Package (if any).
3. If a new version is available, the system will offer to download it (usually weighing 1.5-2.5 GB).

If the update doesn’t come, try:

• 🔄 Change region in settings (for example, India or Indonesia, where updates are sometimes released later).
• 📡 Use it. VPN Connecting to Xiaomi servers in Asia.
• 🔌 Connect to your PC and check through the Mi Flash Tool (power users only!).

💡

If the system writes “No Updates”, but you are sure that it should be, try clearing the cache of the System Update application in the application settings.

MIUI 12.5 vs. MIUI 13: Should I Upgrade?

If you can still install MIUI 13, here are the key differences between the versions:

For the Redmi Note 9, upgrading to MIUI 13 could bring:

• ✅ More modern interface.
• ✅ Improved multitasking (if RAM is enough).
• ❌ Possible lags and overheating due to insufficient optimization.

💡

If your Redmi Note 9 runs consistently on MIUI 12.5, upgrading to MIUI 13 may not offer noticeable benefits, but will add to the risks of unstable performance.

What if MIUI 13 doesn’t come out for Redmi Note 9?

If there is no official update, consider the following options:

1. Optimize the current firmware: 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Memory. → Cleanup. 🔋 Turn off background activity of unnecessary applications. 📵 Use Lite versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite).
2. Install custom firmware based on Android 12+: 🤖 LineageOS 19 (Android 12). 🔥 Pixel Experience (Pure Android). ⚡ ArrowOS (lightweight alternative).
3. Consider buying a new smartphone: If you are important updates, pay attention to the new smartphone: 📱 Redmi Note 12 (4 years of support). 💎 POCO X5 Pro (flagship Snapdragon chip) 778G). 🚀 Xiaomi 13 Lite (premium segment).

⚠️ Note: Installation of custom firmware can lead to:

• 📵 Loss of support OTA-update.
• 🔋 Reduced battery life.
• 📸 Camera problems (e.g., non-functioning Night mode).

Answers to Frequent Questions (FAQ)