MIUI 13 on Xiaomi Mi 9T: when will the update and how to install

Owners of Xiaomi Mi 9T (also known as Redmi K20 in China) have been waiting for the official release of MIUI 13 for their model for many years. This smartphone, released in 2019 based on the Snapdragon 730 and with a retractable front camera, is still popular among users due to its balanced characteristics and affordable price. However, the issue of updates to the latest version of the shell remains open: Xiaomi is in no hurry to announce support for devices older than 2-3 years, even if they are technically able to work with new software.

In this article, we'll look at whether MIUI 13 will officially release for the Mi 9T, what alternative installation methods exist, and what to do if the update never comes, and how to check your device's compatibility, prepare for firmware and avoid errors. If you're tired of waiting and ready to act on your own, here you'll find step-by-step instructions with all the nuances in mind.

Official release date of MIUI 13 for Xiaomi Mi 9T: what is known

At the time of writing (2026), the Xiaomi Mi 9T is not on the official list of devices that will receive an upgrade to MIUI 13 via OTA (over the air).The last stable version for this model remains MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11.

• 📅 MIUI 13 was announced in December 2021, but the initial list of supported devices included only flagships and models from 2020-2021.
• 📱 Mi 9T It belongs to the Redmi series. K20, received MIUI 12.5 as the latest major update. Xiaomi usually supports devices 2-3 years from release.
• ⚠️ In 2023, the company announced a reduction in the support period for budget and mid-budget models to 2 years from the date of release.
• 🔍 Some users reported test builds MIUI 13 for Mi 9T In regional firmware (for example, for India or China), but stable versions have not appeared.

However, there are nuances: Xiaomi sometimes releases updates for older models under community pressure or as part of special programs (for example, MIUI Pilot).

• 🌐 Official website MIUI (section").
• 📱 Telegram channel MIUI (updates).
• 🤖 XDA-Developers Forum (User Discussions).

Why Xiaomi may not release MIUI 13 for Mi 9T: technical limitations

The lack of updates is not always due to the manufacturer's greed, and there are objective reasons why the Mi 9T may not get the MIUI 13:

1. Hardware limitations: The Snapdragon 730 and 6GB of RAM processor formally meet the requirements of MIUI 13, but new features (such as Memory Extension or Liquid Storage) may not work smoothly on older hardware.
2. The lack of support for Android 12+. MIUI 13 is based on Android 12, and the Mi 9T has not officially received this version of the OS.
3. Xiaomi focuses on new devices to drive sales, and updates for older models are often left to the community (e.g., via MIUI EU or LineageOS).

Also, with the release of MIUI 14 (2023) and HyperOS (2026), the company's priorities have shifted, and now even MIUI 13 is considered obsolete, and its port on the Mi 9T is unlikely, but this does not mean that your smartphone is doomed to eternal use of MIUI 12.5 - there are alternatives.

How to check if MIUI 13 update is available for your Mi 9T

Before you look for workarounds, make sure the update doesn't really come. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Checker.
3. If the system says “No updates found”, try changing the firmware region (see the next section).

If the automatic check does not give results, you can manually download the firmware from the official website:

Download MIUI bootloader from Play Market|Select the model "Redmi K20" (this is Mi 9T)|Check out the availability of stable version of MIUI 13 for your region |Compare the build number with the current version on your phone-->

Attention! Install only firmware that is designed for your model (Mi 9T = Redmi K20, codename davinci) and installing firmware from another model (e.g. Mi 9T Pro) will result in a "brick" of the device (completely inoperable).

How to install MIUI 13 on Mi 9T unofficially: 3 working ways

If there is no official update but you are willing to take a chance, there are three proven methods:

1. Installation of custom firmware (MIUI EU, Xiaomi.eu)

MIUI EU is a modified version of MIUI without Chinese services, with Google support and weekly updates. Mi 9T is available with MIUI 13 (Android 12) builds.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for Davinci (instructions are available on XDA).
3. Download the firmware from Xiaomi.eu (choose Stable or Weekly).
4. Sweat through TWRP by pre-made Wipe Dalvik/Cache.

💡

Before unlocking the bootloader, link your Xiaomi account to your phone and enable USB debugging in Settings → For Developers. Without this, unlocking can end in error.

2. Port. MIUI 13 from Mi 9T Pro

Some enthusiasts adapt firmware from Mi 9T Pro (raphael) for Mi 9T. It's a risky method, but it's almost official. 4PDA or XDA.

⚠️ Warning: Ported firmware may have camera, sensor or charging bugs. Check other users' reviews before installing and make a full backup through TWRP.

3. Installation via Fastboot (official firmware for another region)

Sometimes MIUI 13 is released for the Mi 9T in specific regions (for example, India or Indonesia).

1. Download the firmware from the official website (select the region "India" or "Global").


2. Unpack ZIP- archive in folder.




3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).




4 Connect to your PC and run through Mi Flash (select "clean all").

💡

Use only official firmware from Xiaomi. Self-assembly or modification of files can lead to loss of IMEI or network problems.

What to do if the Mi 9T is worse after the update

Unofficial firmware and even official updates sometimes lead to:

• 🔋 Fast battery discharge (due to unoptimized core).
• 📸 Artifacts in photos/video (problems with camera drivers).
• 📶 Problems with mobile network or Wi-Fi.

Here's how to fix the problems:

If the issues are critical (e.g., the phone is not turning on or constantly restarting), do a full reset via TWRP or Fastboot:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot flash system [name file.img]

Alternatives to MIUI 13: what firmware is worth trying on the Mi 9T

If MIUI 13 never comes out, consider other shells optimized for the Mi 9T:

• 🤖 LineageOS 20 (Android 13) - pure Android without unnecessary add-ons.
• 🔄 Pixel Experience — firmware with the interface and features of Google Pixel. 9T.
• 🚀 ArrowOS – Lightweight firmware with a focus on performance and privacy.
• 🌍 Havoc-OS – customizable firmware with support for themes and gestures.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ Long-term support (updates are available even for older models).
• ✅ No Bloatware (pre-installed Chinese apps).
• ✅ More opportunities for fine-tuning.

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets all data and can void the warranty. Also some features (e.g. Widevine) L1 for Netflix HD) They may not work properly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about MIUI 13 Xiaomi Mi 9T