When will MIUI 13 on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: official information and forecasts
Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 have been waiting for the global version of MIUI 13 for their model for several years. Despite the fact that the shell was announced in December 2021, many budget devices have not received it officially. In this article, we will understand whether to expect an update in 2026, what technical limitations prevent its release and what to do if you want to install MIUI 13 right now.
Xiaomi officially ends support for Redmi Note 9 (codename merlin) for global versions MIUI post-release MIUI 12.5 Enhanced. This means that the chances of getting out MIUI 13 through OTA-But there are alternatives, from custom firmware to ported versions from enthusiasts.
Why Redmi Note 9 didn’t get MIUI 13: Technical reasons
The main reason for the lack of updates is due to hardware restrictions and Xiaomi’s policy on supporting budget devices.
- 📱 Old processor: Redmi Note 9 is equipped with a chipset MediaTek Helio G85, Not optimized for new functions MIUI 13 such as Memory Extension or improved multitasking.
- 🔋 Limited memory: The basic version of the smartphone has only 3 GB of RAM, which is not enough for the stable operation of new animations and services.
- 🛠️ Completion of the update cycle: Xiaomi traditionally supports budget models no longer than 2 years after release (Redmi Note 9 was released in May 2020).
- 🌍 Regional differences: In some countries (e.g. India) the device has been MIUI 13 through MIUI Pilot Program, but the global version never came out.
With the release of MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the company has also focused on new devices, but that doesn’t mean Redmi Note 9 owners are left without options, as we’ll discuss in the following sections.
MIUI 13 changes: What Redmi Note 9 owners lost
MIUI 13 brought a number of significant improvements that never made it to the Redmi Note 9. In the table below, we compare the key innovations with what is available in the latest official firmware for this model (MIUI 12.5 Enhanced).
| MIUI 13 function | Description | Available on the Redmi Note 9? |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid Storage | Optimizing Storage to Reduce File Fragmentation and Speed Up Work | ❌ No. |
| Atomized Memory | Dynamic RAM Distribution to Prevent Hanging | ❌ No (requires) ≥4GB of RAM) |
| New widgets | Recycled widgets for weather, notes and calendar | ✅ Partially (through third-party launchers) |
| Improved animations | Smooth transitions to 90/120 Hz (for supported screens) | ❌ No (60 Hz screen) |
| Privacy 2.0 | Advanced permission settings for applications and system services | ✅ Analogue in MIUI 12.5 |
As you can see from the table, most hardware-dependent features of MIUI 13 simply won’t work properly on the Redmi Note 9 due to the limitations of the hardware, but some software improvements (such as new icons or dark theme) can be obtained through custom firmware.
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If you are interested in visual changes to MIUI 13, try installing the MIUI 13 Super Wallpapers theme from the official theme store. It is compatible with MIUI 12.5.
How to install MIUI 13 on Redmi Note 9: Step-by-step instructions
If you’re willing to take the risk and want to try MIUI 13 on your device, there are two main ways to do it: ported firmware from the community or custom ROM based on MIUI 13. It’s important to understand that both methods require unlocking the bootloader and can lead to a loss of warranty (if it’s still valid).
Make a backup copy of all data (photos, contacts, messages)
Charge your phone at least 60%
Install ADB and Fastboot drivers on PC
Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool
Download firmware from a trusted source (e.g. XDA Developers)
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Next, let’s look at the installation process for the ported MIUI 13:
- Unlock bootloader: Go to Mi Unlock, log in and connect your phone in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down + Power). Follow the program instructions.
- Download TWRP for Redmi Note 9 (merlin) and run it through the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
- Firmware MIUI 13: B TWRP run the Wipe → Advanced Wipe (tag Dalvik, Cache, System, Data) ZIP-firmware.
What happens if you interrupt the firmware?
Once installed successfully, the first run can take up to 10-15 minutes. If the phone has been stuck on the logo for longer than 20 minutes, try restarting to recovery and repeating the firmware.
⚠️ Note: Ported firmware often contains bugs such as broken NFC, camera problems or fast battery discharge. Before installing, check the reviews on the forum where you download the file.
MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 9: what can you install instead
If MIUI 13 is not available or is not running smoothly, consider other firmware optimized for the Redmi Note 9:
- 🤖 LineageOS 20: Clean Android 13 without Xiaomi's unnecessary services. supports most hardware features but requires manual tuning.
- 🔄 Pixel Experience: Firmware with Google Pixel interface and features, including monthly security updates.
- ⚡ ArrowOS: Lightweight firmware with a focus on performance and battery life.
- 🌐 MIUI 12.5 Enhanced (modified): Unofficial builds with patches and improvements from the community.
Each of these firmware has its pros and cons, such as LineageOS, which is stripped of Xiaomi’s signature chips (like Second Space or Game Turbo), but offers stability and long-term support. Pixel Experience, by contrast, adds exclusive features to Google, but can slow down on weak hardware.
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If you want stability, you should stay on the latest official MIUI 12.5 Enhanced.Castom firmware will only be suitable for experienced users who are ready for bugs and manual adjustment.
Frequent issues after updating and how to solve them
Even if you can install MIUI 13 on the Redmi Note 9, you're at risk of experiencing problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Fast battery discharge | Unoptimized kernel or background processes | Install the Greenify module or roll back to MIUI 12.5 |
| The camera's not working. | There are no drivers for the Helio G85 | Sweep through the ANX Camera patch or use GCam |
| Processor overheating | Excessive loading on weak iron | Limit background processes in the developer settings |
| No mobile network. | Incompatible modems in firmware | Sweat modem and vendor files from stock MIUI |
If none of the solutions worked, go back to the official firmware via the Mi Flash Tool. To do this, download the fastboot firmware for the Redmi Note 9 from Xiaomi's website and follow the instructions:
- Unpack the file with the firmware.
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
- In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and click Flash.
⚠️ Note: When you return to stock firmware, all data will be erased, including files in internal memory.
Should I upgrade to MIUI 13 in 2026: expert opinion
With the release of HyperOS (the successor to MIUI) and the active development of Android 14, the issue of upgrading to MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 9 is becoming more rhetorical.
- ✅ Pros: New interface and animation design, improved privacy and permission control, support for some modern applications that require MIUI 13+.
- ❌ Cons: High risk of bugs and unstable work; loss of warranty (if it is still valid); lack of official support and security updates; performance loss due to unoptimized software.
Our verdict: for most users, upgrading to MIUI 13 on the Redmi Note 9 is not advisable. If you are critically important to new features, consider buying a more modern smartphone (for example, the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5, which get HyperOS). If you want to experiment, try the Pixel Experience or LineageOS, which offer more stable work.
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MIUI 13 for the Redmi Note 9 is more of a “toy for enthusiasts” than a practical upgrade. For everyday use, it’s better to stay on the official firmware or change your phone.