Xiaomi Mi 9T (also known as Redmi K20 in some regions) remains one of the brandβs most popular smartphones, despite its launch in 2019. Owners often wonder when the next update for this model will be released, whether to wait for MIUI 15 or Android 14, and whether their gadget has turned into a βdigital dinosaurβ without support. In this article, we will analyze Xiaomiβs official policy on updates, analyze the history of updates for the Mi 9T, and give clear recommendations what to do if the update is delayed.
Note: Mi 9T is a device with complete official support β the last major update (MIUI 14 based on Android 12) was released in 2023. However, this does not mean that there will be no firmware at all. In this article you will find relevant information about possible exceptions for European and global versions, as well as alternative ways to get fresh software β from custom firmware to manual installation of security patches.
Xiaomi Official Policy: How Long Does the Mi 9T Support?
Xiaomi adheres to clear rules on updates, which depend on the series of devices and the region of sales. for the Mi 9T (Davinci model code) the following rules apply:
- π Main Android updates: 2 years from release date (up to Android 12 inclusive).
- π Updates MIUI: 3 years (last version β MIUI 14).
- π‘οΈ Security patches: 4 years (until mid-2023).
This means that the smartphone will not receive Android 13/14 and new versions of MIUI through OTA.
β οΈ Note: European versions (Mi) 9T EEA) Sometimes they get extended security patch support 1-2 quarters longer than the global ones. β The phone. β Version. MIUI β if it's EEA, Update chances higher.
| Type of update | The latest version of the Mi 9T | Release date | Status of support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android | Android 12 (MIUI 14) | March 2023 | β Completed. |
| MIUI | MIUI 14.0.4.0 | June 2023 | β Completed. |
| Security patches | July 2023 | July 2023 | β Completed. |
| Custom firmware | LineageOS 20 (Android 13) | Current in 2026 | β Supported |
If your Mi 9T runs MIUI 14, it's the official firmware you can get, but don't get upset, we'll show you how to get around the restrictions and get the latest software in the next sections.
History of updates Mi 9T: the chronology of updates
To see if you should wait for new firmware, it is useful to look at the history of updates Mi 9T. the device received the following key updates:
- π± Android 10 + MIUI 11 (2019) β the original firmware at release.
- π Android 11 + MIUI 12 (2021) β First major update with new design.
- π Android 12 + MIUI 13 (2022) β Performance optimization and new privacy features.
- π‘οΈ MIUI 14 on Android 12 (2023) β the latest official update with improved stability.
Interesting fact: between MIUI 13 and MIUI 14 was missed Android 13 β Xiaomi decided not to port it to the Mi 9T due to hardware limitations (Snapdragon 730 processor and 6 GB of RAM).
If you were hoping for Android 14, it's not going to be there, unfortunately, but there's good news for enthusiasts.
Castom firmware for Mi 9T in 2026
How to check the current firmware version on Mi 9T?
Before you look for updates, make sure your device doesn't miss the latest update.
- Open the Settings.
- Go to the About Phone section.
- Slip the MIUI version several times until the Additional Options menu appears.
- You'll see here: π Version. MIUI (for example, 14.0.4.0). π€ Android version (for example, 12). π Security patch level (e.g, 2023-07-05).
If your version is below MIUI 14.0.4.0, you missed the latest update.
Check the Wi-Fi connection|Reboot the phone|Clear the cache of the "Update" application (Settings) β Annexes β Management β Update)|Try to update manually through Settings β The phone. β Updating the system-->
If the update never came after that, it may be that your model is excluded from the distribution wave, which often happens with devices bought in informal stores or with firmware for other regions.
Why Mi 9T is not getting an update: 5 possible reasons
Even if your smartphone meets all the criteria, the update may not come.
- Regional restrictions: Firmware for EEA (Europe), Global (international), and China (China) are released at different times, for example, Chinese versions often receive updates 1-2 months early.
- Lock the bootloader. If you've previously unlocked the bootloader to install custom firmware, official OTA-Updates may not work.
- Memory shortage: Update installation requires at least 1.5GB of free space in /system partition. If memory is scarce, the update will not boot.
- Xiaomi server failure: Sometimes company-side problems delay firmware distribution for a week or more.
- Manually undo updates. If you have previously disabled automatic update checks in your settings, new versions will not download.
The installation will require:
- Unlock bootloader (officially via Mi Unlock Tool)
- Install a custom recap (TWRP)
- Switch ZIP-file firmware and GApps (Google services).
π‘
Before the firmware, be sure to make a backup section EFS (contain IMEI And the modem data. It can be lost, and it can be lost, and you can use the adb backup command. -f efs_backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all -system.
2. Manual installation of official firmware via Fastboot
If your device missed the latest update, you can install it manually:
- Download the full firmware package for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
- Unpack. ZIP-file and start script flash_all.bat (Windows or flash_all.sh (Linux/Mac).
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
β οΈ Warning: Fastboot firmware installation resets all data! If you have important information, transfer it to your PC or cloud first.
3.Update via Recovery
If you already have custom firmware installed with TWRP, you can upgrade without losing data:
- Download the firmware file in.zip format.
- Reboot to Recovery (clip Volume Up + Power).
- Select Install β specify the path to the file β swipe for confirmation.
This method is suitable for incremental updates (e.g., MIUI 14.0.3.0 to 14.0.4.0).
π‘
Custom firmware gives access to new versions of Android, but is not warranty and can contain bugs. Official methods (Fastboot/Recovery) are safer, but are limited to the latest version from Xiaomi.
What happens if you donβt update the Mi 9T?
Many users fear that without updates, the smartphone will become vulnerable or will not work with modern applications.
- π Security: Lack of security patches increases the risk of being hacked through vulnerabilities (e.g., security vulnerabilities, CVE-2023-2136 Android 12). However, for most users, this is not critical unless you install applications from unknown sources.
- π± App compatibility: By 2026, most apps (including banking) support Android 12. problems can only arise with new games that require Android 13+.
- π Performance: Without optimizations over time, the smartphone may start to βbrake,β but this is more often due to the filled memory rather than the OS version.
- πΆ Networking: Android 12 supports all current standards (4G, VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6), but new features (e.g. Wi-Fi) 6E) require an iron update.
The bottom line: the Mi 9T on MIUI 14 remains a fully operational device in 2026, and if youβre happy with the current firmware, thereβs no critical need to upgrade.
But there's one caveat: