When will Android 12 on Xiaomi Redmi 9: current status and schedule

Owners of the popular series of budget smartphones have long been following the news from the development camp, trying to find out when Android 12 will be released on the Xiaomi redmi 9. This line of devices, released in 2020, became a real hit due to the ratio of price and performance, but the software support cycle in the budget segment often raises questions from users. The update process is a complex chain of events, depending not only on the desire of Xiaomi, but also on the technical capabilities of the MediaTek Helio G80 processor installed in most models of this series.

The situation with the release of major updates for Redmi 9 has its own features, which are important to consider, not to get into a mess. Officially, the global version of the smartphone received the shell MIUI 12 based on Android 10, and then was updated to MIUI 12.5. Many users mistakenly believe that the transition to Android 12 (which is in conjunction with MIUI 13) is guaranteed for all devices, but in reality the list of supported gadgets is formed based on technical restrictions and regional certifications. In some regions, the update to Android 12 never came officially, stuck on version 11, which creates confusion in the community.

In this article, we will discuss the current status of updates, explain the difference between the global and Chinese versions of firmware, and discuss safe ways to install a new system. You will learn whether to wait for an official patch or better consider alternative custom builds if the manufacturer has stopped supporting your device.

Official status of updates and regional differences

The first thing that Xiaomi Redmi 9 owners need to understand is that the concept of “update release” is not uniform for everyone. Xiaomi divides the market into several key regions: Global (Global), European (EEA), Chinese (China), Indonesia (Indonesia) and Russian (RU). For each of these zones, separate firmware packages are released, and their release schedule can differ by several months or even years. For example, the Chinese version of MIUI 13 based on Android 12 could be released in late 2021, while the global branch received security patches much later.

Technical support for Redmi 9 (model M2004J19C/G) It was formally meant to have two major Android updates. 10, And then I got Android. 11. It was expected that Android 12 This will be the second and final major update, but in some regions (especially Europe and Russia) the update to the new version will be available. MIUI 13 (Android 12) It was never released officially for global versions, causing a wave of outrage, while some users in Indonesia and China reported receiving stable Android builds. 12.

It is important to distinguish between shell and operating system versions. MIUI 13 can run both Android 11 and Android 12. For Redmi 9, in most cases, MIUI 13 is available based on Android 11. You can check the current version by going to the Settings menu → About the phone. If it lists Android 11 version and MIUI 12.5 or 13, then the transition to the “twelfth” Android in your region is likely officially closed.

💡

Officially, Redmi 9 in most regions remained on Android 11 with the shell MIUI 12.5 or MIUI 13, full Android 12 is available only in selected local builds or through custom firmware.

Below is a table showing the approximate matching of software versions for different regions at the moment (data may vary depending on the specific date of release of the patch):

⚠️ Warning: Attempting to install firmware from the Indonesian version on a global smartphone may lead to a bootloader lock or module inoperability NFC Always check the regional identity of the device before flashing it.

Technical limitations of the Helio G80 processor

The centerpiece of the upgrade is the MediaTek Helio G80 chipset, a 12-nanometer processor that was considered a good low-end solution at the time of Redmi 9’s release. However, the chip architecture and drivers provided by MediaTek often become a bottleneck for introducing new Android features. When Google releases a new version of the OS, chipmakers must adapt their drivers to it, and Xiaomi, in turn, must optimize the MIUI shell for these drivers.

The problem with Android 12 is that it has become more “heavy” visually and functionally. For devices with 3 or 4 GB of RAM, which is typical for Redmi 9, the transition to Android 12 could be critical. Xiaomi engineers could decide to limit the upgrade to maintain the declared performance and battery life. Installing a heavier system on older hardware often leads to trolling (reduced processor frequency) and overheating.

Users who still manage to install Android 12 through custom methods often complain of the following problems:

• 📉 Decrease in autonomy: battery capacity 5020 mAh, which is in Android 10-11 held 2 on Android. 12 It can be discharged during the day of active use due to less efficient energy saving.
• 📸 Deterioration of photo quality: image processing algorithms are sharpened for a specific version of camera drivers, and changing the base OS can disrupt the work ISP (signal-processor).
• 📱 Lags of the interface: animations MIUI 13 on Android 12 can slow down at the screen refresh rate of 60 Hz with active use of heavy applications.

So the lack of an official update for many regions is less about the company’s greed than it is about keeping the device stable, and optimizing the system for old hardware requires huge resources that often don’t pay off in the budget segment.

Verification of availability of updates and preparation

Before looking for ways to install the new system manually, make sure the update doesn't come to you automatically due to a basic error in the system's settings or cache.The verification process is quite simple but requires care.First, make sure your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network, as update packs can weigh over 2GB and using the mobile network can lead to additional costs or interruption of boot.

To check, go to Settings → About Phone and click on the major MIUI icon. The system will contact the server and check for new packages. If there are no updates, try quickly clicking on the MIUI version name several times (about 7-10 times) This action will activate the hidden menu "Additional Features", where you can see the "Select firmware file" button or advanced updater settings.

It’s also worth checking for system updates for embedded applications. Sometimes Google Play Services components or Xiaomi services require an update before an entire system upgrade becomes available. Go to the Google Play Store, select App and Device Management and update all available components, especially Google Play Services and Android System WebView.

⚠️ Warning: Before any firmware manipulation, be sure to make a full backup of data via Mi Cloud or locally to your computer.The update process, especially manual, carries the risk of losing personal information.

Manual installation of firmware (Recovery and Fastboot)

If you don’t get an automatic update, but you’re sure that your region has a new version (or you want to embroidery your phone to a region where Android 12 is available), you can use a manual method. This method requires downloading the firmware archive from the official aggregator site (for example, miui.com or trusted forums like 4PDA) and installing it through the Recovery menu. Important: this method only works if you don’t change the region (for example, from Global to Global) and the new firmware version is newer than the current one.

The installation process is as follows: the downloaded file is renamed update.zip and placed in the root of the smartphone's internal memory. Then in the System Update app, you need to click on the MIUI version again several times to make the menu appear. Select firmware file and specify the downloaded archive. The phone will restart and start the installation process. The entire process takes 5 to 15 minutes.

If you plan to switch regions (e.g. from Global to Indonesia for Android 12), a simple Recovery method won’t work—you’ll need to unlock the bootloader and use Fastboot mode.

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img


fastboot reboot recovery

Unlocking the bootloader is officially only possible after waiting 168 hours (7 days) from the moment the Mi Account is linked to the developer settings. This is a Xiaomi security measure. Once unlocked, all data on the phone will be deleted, so the backup item becomes critical.

Alternatives: Castom firmware and GSI

For enthusiasts who are not happy with the lack of an official Android 12, the custom firmware path remains. The XDA Developers community actively supports the Redmi 9 device (codenamed lancelot). Based on the source code provided by Xiaomi, pure versions of Android (AOSP) and popular shells such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS. These firmwares are often based on Android 12, 13 and even 14, providing a fresh interface and features not available in stock MIUI.

There are a number of advantages to custom firmware: no advertising on the system, a clean interface without excessive software, faster work and current security patches. However, there are serious disadvantages. The camera in custom firmware almost always works worse due to the lack of Xiaomi proprietary algorithms. There can also be problems with work (fingerprint scanner) or NFC if drivers are not brought to mind.

• 🚀 Performance: Clean Android 12 often runs faster and smoother on older devices than heavy MIUI.
• 🔒 Security: You get the latest Google security patches even if Xiaomi has already stopped supporting.
• 🛠️ Complexity: Installation requires technical skills, PCs and risk understanding. A mistake can turn a smartphone into a brick".

There are also GSI (Generic System Images are universal system images developed by Google for Project Treble. Redmi 9 supports Project Treble, which theoretically allows you to run almost any version of Android on it. GSI-Firmware often leaves much to be desired, and they are not recommended for use as a primary system on a daily device.

💡

Before installing custom firmware, be sure to unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock website, otherwise installing third-party Recovery (TWRP) will not be possible.

Optimizing and solving problems after updating

If you've managed to get Android 12 (officially or custom), it's important to set up the system correctly for stable operation. After a major update, the system performs file indexing and application optimization for the first 2-3 days, during which time the battery can run out faster than usual, and the phone can warm up. This is a normal process, but it can be accelerated.

It is recommended to delete the cache of old applications that may have conflicted with the new version of the OS. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find frequently used programs (social networks, messengers) and select Clear cache (not to be confused with Clear data, so as not to lose correspondence).

To extend the life of the battery on Android 12, follow the following steps:

1. Turn on adaptive brightness and limit the screen refresh rate (if available).
2. Turn off unnecessary animations in the "Developers" menu (window animation, transition, duration scales).
3. Use a dark topic if you have a AMOLED-screen (although in Redmi 9 matrix) IPS, dark theme still saves the processor’s resource when rendering).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is constantly booted after the upgrade and can’t boot for more than 10 minutes, don’t panic. Try pressing the power and volume button up to log in to Recovery and reset to factory settings (Wipe Data). This will delete all data, but restore the system to work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)