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

Introduction: Relevance of MIUI 13 for Xiaomi Mi 9 in 2026

The Xiaomi Mi 9, launched in 2019, is one of the brand’s flagship devices with a Snapdragon 855 processor and a triple main camera. However, with the release of new versions of MIUI, owners of older models often face the question: will their device receive a fresh update? In the case of MIUI 13, the situation is complicated by Xiaomi’s policy to support outdated iron.

Officially, MIUI 13 began to be released in late 2021 – early 2022, but the list of supported devices was limited. Xiaomi Mi 9 was initially not included in the first wave of updates, which caused a wave of discontent among users.Today (2026), the situation has become clear: Xiaomi has stopped official support for MIUI 13 for Mi 9 due to hardware limitations and moved to security updates for MIUI 12.5 Enhanced. However, there are alternative ways to get the functionality of the new shell – more details below.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 📅 Xiaomi Official Statements on Support for Mi 9 in 2026
• 🔍 How to check the availability of the update on your device
• ⚙️ Alternative installation methods MIUI 13 (including custom firmware)
• ⚠️ Risks and consequences of informal firmware

Xiaomi: Why Mi 9 didn’t get MIUI 13

Xiaomi has traditionally followed a strict policy of updates: flagship devices receive 2-3 major MIUI updates since release. Mi 9 debuted with MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie, then updated to MIUI 11 (Android 10) and MIUI 12/12.5 (Android 11). Logically, MIUI 13 (Android 12) would be the next step, but here two key factors intervened:

Hardware limitations: The Snapdragon 855 processor, despite its power, is not optimized for new MIUI 13 features, such as:

• 🔄 Improved multitasking with dynamic RAM allocation
• 🎨 New animations and visuals (requiring OpenGL) ES 3.2+)
• 🔒 Enhanced data protection (including application isolation at the kernel level)

Prioritizing new devices: Xiaomi has focused resources on supporting 2021-2023 models (e.g. Mi 11, Mi 12, Redmi Note 11).In internal documents, the Mi 9 is classified as a limited-support device, meaning only critical security fixes.

⚠️ On the forums Xiaomi Community there were rumors about “hidden” builds MIUI 13 for the Mi 9, but they were all fake, there were no official announcements from the company, and such leaks often contain malicious code.

How to check the availability of MIUI 13 Xiaomi Mi 9

Before you look for workarounds, make sure that the update is really unavailable.

1. Go to 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 offers MIUI 12.5 Enhanced or earlier, there is no official MIUI 13 for your device.

You can also check the support status through IMEI:

• 📱 Enter the code ##4636 in the phone application##.
• 🔍 Go to the Phone Information tab and find the Model Number line.
• 🌐 Check the number with the database on the site MIUI Updates Tracker.

⚠️ Note: Some users report an update MIUI 13 after changing the region in settings (for example, India or Europe).However, this does not guarantee stable operation - there are possible bugs with mobile communication and Google services.

Alternative ways to install MIUI 13 on Mi 9

If there is no official update, there are three options:

1. Xiaomi.eu firmware (unofficial MIUI 13)

Xiaomi.eu is a modified version of MIUI without bloatware (pre-installed Chinese apps), but with support for Google services and weekly updates. The Mi 9 is available with Android 12 builds with MIUI 13 interface.

🔹 Pluses:

• 🆕 Full functionality MIUI 13 (including new gestures and widgets)
• 🚀 Optimizing performance (better than in official assemblies)
• 🔒 Regular security fixes

🔸 Cons:

• ⚠️ Requires unlocking the bootloader (Brick Risk)
• 📵 Possible problems with VoLTE and ViLTE on some operators
• 🔄 You need to update manually (no) OTA)

📌 Installation instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires binding Mi Account).


2. Install TWRP Recovery for Mi 9 (version 3.6.0+).




3 Download the latest build of Xiaomi.eu for Mi 9 (codenamed "cepheus").




4.Sweat through TWRP (wipe Dalvik/Cache before installation).




5. Reboot and set up the device.

2. Custom firmware based on Android 12/13

If you’re more interested in pure Android than MIUI, consider:

• 🟢 LineageOS 19 (Android 12) – stable, but without branded chips Xiaomi.
• 🔵 PixelExperience (Android 13) – with an interface from Google Pixel.
• 🟣 ArrowOS – Balance between customization and performance.

🔹 Important: These firmwares require unlocked bootloader and custom recovery. Detailed guides are available on the XDA-Developers forum (look for the Xiaomi Mi 9 section).

💡

Before installing custom firmware, check user reviews for 4PDA or XDA. Pay attention to camera, GPS and mobile bugs — they often don’t get fixed in unofficial builds.

3. MIUI 13 port from other devices (for experienced devices)

Firmware from similar models (such as the Mi 9T Pro or Redmi K20 Pro) is sometimes ported by enthusiasts, and this method is risky because:

• 🔧 The camera module or fingerprint sensor may not work.
• 🔋 Possible problems with fast charging.
• 📡 There may be no frequencies. 4G/5G for your region.

📌 Where to look for ports?

On telegram channels like @mi9updates or 4PDA themes, but remember, these firmware often contain hidden miners or spyware.

The risks of unofficial firmware: what can go wrong

Installing unofficial software is always a trade-off, and here are the most common problems Mi 9 owners face after switching to MIUI 13 via custom builds:

🔴 Critical risks:

• 🚨 Loss of warranty (if the device is still warranty).
• 💀 Hard brick (irreparable damage to firmware).
• 🕵️ Data leakage (in pirated firmware may be backdoors).

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi 9 to work with banking applications (such as SberBank Online or Tinkoff), unofficial firmware can cause problems with SafetyNet. Many applications refuse to work on custom software due to the lack of certification Google Play Protect.

💡

If you're not prepared for the risks, the best option is to stay on the latest official version of MIUI 12.5 Enhanced.It's stable, optimized for the Mi 9 and gets monthly security patches.

What to do if MIUI 13 never came out: MIUI 12.5 optimization

If you decide not to take risks with custom firmware, you can improve the current version of MIUI 12.5 with these tips:

🔹 Acceleration of work:

• 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.
• ⚡ Turn off animations: activate Developer Mode (7 taps by Build Number in About Phone), then install Windows Animation in Developer Settings = 0.5x.
• 🔄 Turn off background activity of unnecessary apps in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.

🔹 Saving charge:

• 🔋 Include the Adaptive Battery in Settings → Battery.
• 🌙 Use a dark theme and reduce screen wait time to 15 seconds.
• 📡 Turn it off. 5G (If not used, in settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.

🔹 Additional chips MIUI 13 on MIUI 12.5:

Some of the functions of the new shell can be emulated:

• 🎨 New widgets: install KWGT And download themes in style. MIUI 13.
• 🔒 Improved privacy: Use App Ops to manage permissions.
• 📱 Navigation Gestures: Enable Full-screen gestures in Settings → Display. → Navigation through the system.

💡

For maximum performance, roll back to MIUI 12.0.2.0 (Android 10) – this version is considered the most stable for the Mi 9.

FAQ: Frequent questions about MIUI 13 Xiaomi Mi 9