Is MIUI 13 worth waiting for Redmi 9T?
Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9T (codenamed lime) have been wondering for years whether their budget smartphone will get an upgrade to MIUI 13?This version of the shell, released in early 2022, brought a lot of optimizations for older devices, but the official list of supported models is still controversial. In this article, we will explore why the Redmi 9T did not get MIUI 13 through OTA, what alternative ways to upgrade are available and what to do if you want to experience new features today.
Note that Xiaomi has never announced MIUI 13 for Redmi 9T in official channels. The last stable version for this model is MIUI 12.5 based on Android 10. However, this does not mean that there is no opportunity for an upgrade – the developer community offers informal firmware, and some regions still received an update through workarounds.
MIUI 13 Official Status for Redmi 9T: What Xiaomi Says
According to Xiaomi’s policy, the Redmi series’ budget models typically receive two major MIUI updates since release.The Redmi 9T debuted in January 2021 with MIUI 12 based on Android 10, and later upgraded to MIUI 12.5. It’s logical to assume that MIUI 13 was supposed to be the next step — but it didn’t. Here are the key reasons:
- 📅 Limited support life: Xiaomi has suspended updates for Android 10 devices after the release MIUI 12.5, focusing on new models.
- 🔧 Hardware limitations: Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor and 4 GB of RAM in the basic version do not meet the requirements MIUI 13 for smooth running.
- 🌍 Regional differences: In some countries (e.g. India) 9T got MIUI 13 through a beta program, but the update never came out in Russia and Europe.
The official response of Xiaomi Russia support (as of May 2026) reads:
⚠️ Attention: Redmi model 9T (lime) not included in the renewal plans before MIUI 13.The last supported version remains MIUI 12.5.11.0.QJQMIXM (Android 10).
But that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to upgrade, but we’ll look at alternative methods, including handheld firmware and custom ROMs.
MIUI 12.5 vs. MIUI 13: What you're losing without an update
MIUI 13 brought a number of significant improvements that the Redmi 9T lacks on MIUI 12.5, and the table below shows the key differences that affect the user experience:
| Function | MIUI 12.5 (current version) | MIUI 13 (what you're missing) |
|---|---|---|
| Productivity | Optimization for Android 10, delays in multitasking | Liquid Storage (reduced memory fragmentation), Atomized Memory (background process management) |
| Autonomy | Standard algorithms for energy saving | Battery Saver Adaptive Mode with Dynamic Background Activity Limitation |
| Design | Interface with large icons, limited customization | New animations, Material You themes support, flexible widgets |
| Security | Monthly security patches through March 2023 | Patches until August 2026, improved phishing protection in Mi Browser |
| Camera. | Basic processing algorithms (HDR, night mode) | Advanced AI Camera with 50+ Scene Recognition, Magic Clone for Photomontage |
The loss of Liquid Storage and Atomized Memory features is particularly painful – they could significantly improve Redmi’s performance. 9T modestly 4/64 GB is standard, but there's good news: part of the feature MIUI 13 (For example, new widgets can be installed through APK-file.
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If you are critically important to MIUI 13 features, but do not want to risk firmware, try installing the MiuiHome (APK) app from MIUI 13 – it will bring new animations and widgets without a full system update.
How to upgrade Redmi 9T to MIUI 13: Step-by-step instructions
If you’re willing to take a chance, there are two main ways to get a MIUI 13 on the Redmi 9T:
- Through unofficial firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu or MIUI Mix).
- Manually install the official ROM (if your region is supported).
Let us examine both methods in detail.
⚠️ Note: Unofficial firmware may contain errors, and improper installation will lead to a brick (inoperability) of the device. TWRP beforehand.
Method 1: Install Xiaomi.eu (MIUI 13 for Redmi 9T)
Xiaomi.eu is a modified version of MIUI without bloatware (pre-installed Chinese apps), with support for Google services and weekly updates. Here's how to install it:
Unlock bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool| Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi 9T (lime)| Download the latest version of Xiaomi.eu for lime|Create a backup of current firmware in TWRP|Charge the phone at least 60%
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After preparation:
- Download to TWRP (hold Power + Volume Up when enabled).
- Select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
- Click Install and select the downloaded file Xiaomi.eu_*.zip.
- After installation, run Wipe Cache/Dalvik and restart.
The first launch can take up to 10 minutes. If the phone is stuck on the MI logo, wait or re-install.
Method 2: Manual update via Fastboot (official ROM)
If your Redmi 9T is from a region where MIUI 13 was released (e.g. India), you can try flashing the official ROM through the Mi Flash Tool.
- Download the official ROM for Redmi 9T (lime) from Xiaomi (select India or Global with MIUI 13).
- Unpack the archive and connect your phone in Fastboot mode (hold Power + Volume Down).
- Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the folder with ROM and press Refresh → Flash.
⚠️ Attention: Firmware ROM For another region, it may cause problems with 4G/LTE, NFC Google Pay, check compatibility on forums before installing 4PDA or XDA-Developers.
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Unofficial firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu) gives you access to MIUI 13, but strips you of official warranty and may contain bugs.The official ROM is safer, but not available for all regions.
Frequent issues after updating and how to solve them
Even if MIUI 13 is successful, Redmi 9T owners often face the following challenges:
- 🔋 Fast battery discharge: After the upgrade, the system will re-index files, which temporarily increases energy consumption.The solution is to perform battery calibration (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruption).
- 📶 Mobile network problems: If you are missing 4G, check the settings APN or run a modem file (modem.img) squirrel.
- 🔊 Sound distortions: B MIUI 13 changed audio processing. Try disabling Mi Sound Enhancer in audio settings.
- 🔄 Random reboots: Most often caused by conflict with Magisk or Xposed.Remove modules and check stability.
If the phone stopped turning on after the update (bootloop), try:
- Download to TWRP and clear Cache/Dalvik.
- Refuse the same version of MIUI 13 over the top (Dirty Flash).
- Return to MIUI 12.5 via full reset.
What if the camera doesn’t work after the firmware?
Alternatives to MIUI 13: custom firmware for Redmi 9T
If MIUI 13 It never came out for your region, and official methods do not work, consider custom firmware based on Android 11/12. They often outperform. MIUI stability and functionality:
- 🤖 LineageOS 19 (Android 12) – pure Android without unnecessary apps, perfect for performance.
- 🔥 Pixel Experience – firmware with the Google Pixel branded interface, including Google Camera with night mode.
- ⚡ ArrowOS – Balance between customization and stability, supports MicroG (Google’s alternative to services).
- 🌐 Havoc-OS is the best interface setup, but may be less stable.
Installing custom firmware requires an unlocked bootloader and TWRP. Detailed guides for Redmi 9T are available on XDA-Developers and 4PDA. The main advantage of customization is long-term support: for example, LineageOS is updated even for devices of 2018 release.
⚠️ Note: Castom firmware may not support Widevine L1 (no HD into Netflix/Disney+), You may also have problems with banking applications due to a lack of Google certification.
User reviews: should they be updated?
To help you make your decision, we’ve collected real-life feedback from Redmi 9T owners who have ventured to upgrade to MIUI 13:
| Source | Pluses | Cons | Final verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4PDA (user @Alex_9T) | The animations are smoother, the battery lasts 15% longer. | "The camera is now braking in HDR-mode" | “You should update if you don’t take pictures often.” |
| MIUI SU (User Marat) | New widgets and dark theme at the system level | Sometimes Launcher crashes after app updates. | "We'd better wait for the stable version." |
| Telegram chat MIUI RU | "Game Turbo for PUBG is running at high settings" | Heat during charging increased from 38°C to 42°C. | "For gamers, the update is justified." |
As you can see, the experience varies a lot, and if you use your phone for social media and instant messengers, it's unlikely to make any noticeable improvements, but for games or photos (including the GCam installation), MIUI 13 can be useful.