Update Xiaomi Mi 9T: current status, exit schedule and installation

Owners of the legendary Xiaomi Mi 9T (also known as the Redmi K20 in the Chinese market) have been wondering for several years about the fate of their device. This smartphone, released in 2019, became a real hit thanks to a retractable front-facing camera and a powerful processor, but software support for it is already coming to an end. Users are looking forward to new features, security patches and changes in the interface, but the realities of the market dictate their terms.

Official support for the model has been discontinued, meaning no guaranteed scheduled operating system updates. However, the process of obtaining security patches and major MIUI shell updates can continue wavy depending on the region and the specific device submodel. It is important to understand the difference between the global version and firmware for the Chinese market, as the release schedules for them often do not coincide.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at the current software situation for the Mi 9T, consider the likely scenarios for getting Android 13 or even Android 14 through third-party solutions, and provide instructions for safe manual installation of current versions of the software.

The current status of official support Xiaomi Mi 9T

The Xiaomi Mi 9T is currently in limited-support status, which in company terminology means the end of major Android updates.The latest official version of the operating system for most regions was Android 11 with the shell of MIUI 12.5. This creates a certain dilemma for users accustomed to annual new features.

Despite the end of the main support cycle, Xiaomi sometimes releases spot security updates for popular models to close critical vulnerabilities. However, rely on their regularity. Official support for Android 12 for the Mi 9T has not been implemented globally, although some Asian regions have been tested.

Making matters worse, the company is moving its devices to a new HyperOS ecosystem that is based on more recent versions of Android. For older flagships like the Mi 9T, a switch to a new system is unlikely due to hardware constraints and developer resource optimization policies.

⚠️ Note: If you see an update notification in your settings, be sure to check its version. Installing beta or firmware for other regions may cause data loss or disruption to banking applications.

Users who wish to stay in the current information field are encouraged to check Settings → About Phone → MIUI version regularly. This is where the status of the update servers is displayed. The absence of new versions for several months indicates the complete completion of the support cycle for your specific region.

Release schedule of MIUI and Android versions: retrospective and forecasts

Analyzing the history of updates Xiaomi Mi 9T, you can trace a clear pattern of software release: the device debuted with Android 9 Pie, after which it received Android 10 and Android 11. Each transition was marked not only by a change in the OS version, but also by significant changes in the interface and functionality of the shell.

Here's a chart showing the timeline of major software releases for this model, and this data will help you understand where your smartphone is right now.

Predictions for Android 12 or more have been officially unfulfilled, with the developer community and enthusiasts taking on the role of update provider, and MIUI 14 or 15 on Android 13 is no longer expected to be released in the official runoff for the global Mi 9T.

But the smartphone doesn't end there. The active XDA Developers community continues to port the latest Android versions to this device. If you're critically interested in newness, it's the unofficial builds that you should look at first.

Why the update doesn’t come automatically

Many users are faced with a situation where forums write about the release of a new firmware, and on their device in the update menu is silent, this is due to the mechanism of phased deployment (Staged Rollout). Xiaomi does not send updates to all users at the same time to avoid server overload and mass complaints in case of critical errors.

The global version (Global ROM) gets updates later than the Chinese version, and the European version may differ from the version for Russia or India. If you bought a phone designed for the Chinese market, but use global firmware, automatic updates may not come at all.

• 📱 Regional Restrictions: Update servers are tied to the region specified in the settings and SIM-map.
• 📶 Connection problems: Unstable Wi-Fi or usage DNS-filters can block the connection to the servers OTA (Over-The-Air).
• 🔒 Modified bootloader: Having root rights or an unlocked bootloader often blocks receiving automatic updates.

It’s also worth considering that older devices are prioritized lower than the new flagship models, and the company’s resources are thrown into support for the current lineup, so checking for updates for the Mi 9T may occur less often or not at the server level.

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Try changing the region in settings (Settings → Additional settings → Region) to India or Indonesia, then check for updates. Sometimes this helps push the server apart.

How to Check and Install Update Manually

If the automatic mechanism is not working, you can either force the check or install the firmware manually, which is the most reliable way to get the latest version of the software available. Before starting any manipulation, make sure that the battery is at least 60%.

For standard check, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and click on the MIUI logo. If the server says there are no updates, you can try the local update method. You will need to download the current firmware archive (format.zip) from the official website or verified resources and place it in the root of internal memory.

Once you download the file, go back to the update menu, click on the three dots in the corner of the screen, and select Select the firmware file. The system will check the integrity of the archive and, if the version is suitable, prompt you to start installing. The process will take 10 to 20 minutes, during which time the phone will be rebooted several times.

⚠️ Warning: Never interrupt the installation process or turn off the phone until the desktop appears. Interrupting system file writing may make it impossible to boot the system (bootloop).

The system will notify you of this, but the backup is mandatory.

Alternative Ways: Custom Firmware and Android 13/14

For those who want to get the most out of their Xiaomi Mi 9T, the only way to install Android 13 or 14 is to use custom firmware. Popular projects like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.eu let you breathe new life into the device.

The process of installing custom firmware is more complicated than updating through the menu, and requires unlocking the bootloader. This is the official procedure from Xiaomi, which takes 3 to 7 days to wait. Once unlocked, a custom recovery (TWRP) is installed, through which the new system is installed.

• 🚀 Performance: Castom firmware often works faster than stock, as they lack unnecessary software code.
• 🛡️ Security: You get fresh security patches even for older devices, which is critical for banking applications.
• 🎨 Customization: Complete freedom in changing the appearance, fonts, animations and system settings.

However, the downsides are also worth considering: Custom firmware cameras often shoot worse because of the lack of original image processing algorithms, and some features tied to proprietary Xiaomi drivers may not work smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Xiaomi Mi 9T is a legend, but its time for official updates is over. Current versions of Android require a transition to custom firmware, which gives a second life to the device, but requires technical literacy.