MIUI 13 on Xiaomi Mi 9: official release date, new features and step-by-step update instructions

The Xiaomi Mi 9, released in 2019, remains one of the most popular flagships of the brand due to its powerful hardware and support for updates. However, owners of this smartphone often wonder: when will MIUI 13 for their model and should we wait for the official release? In this article, we will analyze the current information about the release of firmware, its features for the Mi 9, and also give step-by-step instructions for updating – both official and through custom builds.

Note: Xiaomi doesn’t always update older models quickly, especially when it comes to global firmware. However, MIUI 13 is already available for some devices, and the Mi 9 may get it in the coming months — or has already received in closed tests. To avoid missing the release, follow our recommendations for checking updates and preparing the phone.

MIUI 13 Official Status for Xiaomi Mi 9: What is Known for 2026

According to Xiaomi and the development community, the Mi 9 (codenamed cepheus) is on the list of devices that will receive MIUI 13, but with reservations. The global firmware version for this model was announced with a delay - unlike the Chinese version, which was released earlier.

• 📅 Chinese version MIUI 13: Available for Mi 9 from mid-2022 (stable build) V13.0.1.0.SFACNXM).
• 🌍 Global version MIUI 13: Exit delayed but expected in first half of 2026 (according to XiaomiUI insiders).
• 🔄 EEA-Europe: may be released later than the global version by 1-2 months.
• ⚠️ Mi 9 SE Mi 9 Lite: These models will not be available MIUI 13 - their support is completed on MIUI 12.5.

It's important to understand that Xiaomi doesn't always stick to tight deadlines, so dates can shift. For example, the Mi 9 was supposed to get a MIUI 13 back in 2022, but due to optimization for the Snapdragon 855, the release was postponed. If you don't want to wait, you can consider alternative ways to upgrade - these are discussed below.

New features MIUI 13: what will change Xiaomi Mi 9

MIUI 13 brings not only visual changes, but also performance optimization, which is especially true for the Mi 9 with its 3-year-old chipset.

But it's not all that rosy: MIUI 13 can run slower on the Mi 9 than on new models, because the firmware is optimized for the Snapdragon 865/870/888, and the 855 in the Mi 9 no longer supports some hardware-level features, such as Ultra Battery Savings mode, which will be available, but can limit background processes more than on the Mi 10/11.

⚠️ If your Mi 9 is already in the process of being MIUI 12.5, update to MIUI 13 may aggravate the problem. In this case, we recommend resetting to factory settings after installing a new firmware.

How to check the availability of MIUI 13 for your Xiaomi Mi 9

Before you search for firmware manually, make sure that the update hasn't officially arrived yet.

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Package.
3. If MIUI 13 is available, the system will offer to download it (size ~2.5-3 GB).

If there is no update, check:

• 📶 Firmware region: global (MI), Chinese (CN) or EEA (EEA). Chinese devices get first updates.
• 🔄 Version MIUI: if MIUI 12.0.x, First upgrade to 12.5.
• 🛠️ Beta Tester Status: If You've Been Testing, Update May Come Early.

Battery charge > 50% | Data backup (via Mi Cloud or locally) | Free space > 4 GB | VPN/proxy shutdown (can block Xiaomi servers) | Internet stability check (Wi-Fi recommended)

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If the system persists in not finding an update but you are sure it should, try changing the firmware region via fastboot or installing MIUI 13 manually (instruction below).

Step-by-step: how to install MIUI 13 on Xiaomi Mi 9 manually

If you don't want to wait for the official release, you can install MIUI 13 via Recovery or Fastboot. We recommend the former as a safer option.

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 9 smartphone with unlocked bootloader (if you install custom firmware).
• 💾 Official update package MIUI 13 for cepheus (you can download it on the official website).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool (for Fastboot).

Method 1: Recovery Installation (recommended)

1. Download a firmware file with the.zip extension (for example, miui_CEPHEUSGlobal_V13.0.1.0.SFAMIXM_...).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the phone’s root folder.
3. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update, click on three points → Select an update package.
4. Select update.zip and confirm installation. The phone will restart.

Method 2: Installation via Fastboot (for experienced)

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




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fastboot reboot

⚠️ This method requires an unlocked bootloader and can lead to data loss. Use it only if you are confident in your actions.

Frequent issues after upgrading to MIUI 13 and their solution

Even an official update can bring unpleasant surprises.-5 The problems faced by Mi owners 9 post-transition MIUI 13, and ways of eliminating them:

• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: Turn off Adaptive brightness and Constant Wi-Fi search in battery settings. Also check the background activity of applications through Settings → Battery → Battery utilization.
• 📶 Mobile network problems: Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings).
• 🎵 Sound distortions in headphones: Update Bluetooth drivers via Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth settings.
• 🖥️ Lags and Hangs: Clear cache with Recovery (Wipe Cache Partition).
• 📱 Gestures Not Working: Restart your phone or reset your gesture settings in Settings → Display. → Additionally.

If problems persist, try to roll back to MIUI 12.5 via Fastboot.To do this, download the old firmware from Xiaomi Firmware Updater and follow the downgrade instructions.

⚠️ Note: After the previous version is reset MIUI Antirollback, which is a protection that blocks downgrade, may work, in which case you will have to wait for an official fix from Xiaomi or use custom firmware like LineageOS.

Alternatives to MIUI 13: custom firmware for Xiaomi Mi 9

If the official MIUI 13 never came out for your region or is not running smoothly, you might consider custom firmware, which offers more customization options but requires unlocking the bootloader and may be unwarranted. Here are the best options for the Mi 9:

Before installing custom firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool (can take up to 7 days to wait).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for Mi 9 (version 3.6.0 or later).
3. Make a full backup through TWRP (including EFS and Modem).

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If your mobile network is not working after installing custom firmware, check the modem version in the settings. Sometimes you need to flash a separate firmware file for your region.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about MIUI 13 on Xiaomi Mi 9

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If you are not sure about your firmware skills, wait for the official OTA-Update incorrect installation MIUI 13 can cause the phone to “brick” especially on models with a locked bootloader.