When MIUI 9 will be released for Xiaomi in 2026: a full guide to the update

If you’re looking for information about the release of MIUI 9 for Xiaomi devices in 2026, you’re likely to have a little bit of a mix-up, because MIUI 9 was released in July 2017 and has long since been removed from official support, but this query is still relevant among older Xiaomi smartphone users who want to upgrade their devices to a more modern firmware version.

In this article, we will explain why MIUI 9 is still interesting to Xiaomi gadget owners, what devices supported it, where you can download archived versions of firmware, and what to do if your smartphone has not received official updates for a long time, and we will talk about how to safely upgrade your old device to the current version of MIUI or switch to custom firmware if official support is terminated.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi is no longer releasing updates for MIUI 9, but some enthusiasts and developers continue to support unofficial builds.If your goal is to improve the performance of an old smartphone, then you may want to consider alternative options, which we’ll talk about below.

MIUI 9: A Brief History and Relevance in 2026

MIUI 9 was introduced by Xiaomi on July 26, 2017 as another major update to the Android 7.0 Nougat-based shell, which brought many innovations that were considered revolutionary at the time:

• 🔄 Optimized multitasking mode with the division of applications into active and inactive.
• ⚡ Accelerated boot due to improved work with RAM.
• 🎨 New interface design with a focus on minimalism and smooth animations.
• 🔒 Improved security system with fingerprint application lock function.

At the peak of MIUI 9’s popularity, it was installed on tens of millions of devices worldwide, but with the release of MIUI 10 (2018), MIUI 11 (2019) and subsequent versions, support for the ninth version has been completely discontinued. Today, Xiaomi is focused on developing MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS, which run on Android 13/14.

So why are users still searching for information about MIUI 9?

• 📱 Owners of older smartphones (Redmi Note) 3/4, Mi 5/5s, Mi Max 2) They want to return the “golden” version of the firmware, which worked more stable than new ones.
• 🔧 Enthusiasts are looking for archival versions for experiments with custom firmware.
• 💾 Some users want to roll back from newer versions due to bugs or slowdowns.

Official list of devices with support for MIUI 9

At the time of the release, MIUI 9 supported more than 40 models of Xiaomi smartphones and tablets. Below is a full list of devices for which official builds were released. Note that today Xiaomi does not release updates for these models, but archival versions of firmware can be found on third-party resources.

If your device isn’t on this list, it’s either too old (like the Redmi 1S or Mi 3) or too new (released after 2017).For modern Xiaomi smartphones (like the Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13), MIUI 9 never came out and will never come out.

⚠️ Warning: Installing outdated firmware on modern devices may lead to inoperability of the module 5G, camera or other hardware features, such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro on the MIUI 9 will lose support for 108 MP camera and 120 Hz screen.

Where to download MIUI 9 in 2026: official and unofficial sources

Since Xiaomi has long since stopped supporting MIUI 9, it is impossible to download it from the official website, but there are several reliable ways to get archival versions of the firmware:

1. XDA Developers Forum, where you can find both official builds and custom ports for non-supported devices, such as the MIUI 9 Archive branch.
2. Telegram channels are Xiaomi enthusiasts like @miuiru or @xiaomifirmware.

Before downloading, be sure to check:

One of the most reliable sources is the MIUI ROM Archive on Xiaomi, but access to it is often limited to users due to regional blocking, in which case you can use a VPN or proxy servers.

How to install MIUI 9 on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Installing MIUI 9 on an older Xiaomi device is possible in two ways: via TWRP or via Fastboot. The first method is easier and suitable for most users, the second is more reliable, but requires more technical knowledge.

Method 1: Installation with TWRP Recovery

For this method you will need:

• 📱 Unlocked bootloader (Bootloader).
• 🔧 Established custom recaveri TWRP.
• 💾 Downloaded firmware MIUI 9 in.zip format.

Installation steps:

1. Download the firmware and place it in the root directory of the device’s internal memory.
2. Load into TWRP mode (press Power + Volume up when turned on).
3. Run Wipe in the Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data and Cache sections.
4. Select Install and specify the path to the firmware file.
5. Wait for the installation to be completed and restart the device.

Method 2: Installation via Fastboot

This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and using the Mi Flash Tool utility. It is suitable for devices that do not have a custom recave, but the bootloader is unlocked.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware in.tgz format and unpack it.
2. Install Xiaomi USB Drivers and Mi Flash Tool on PC.
3. Transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode (click Power + Volume down).
4. Connect the device to your computer and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. Select a folder with unpacked firmware and press Flash.

⚠️ Note: Installing firmware via Fastboot completely erases all data on the device, including photos, contacts and apps. If encryption is enabled on your smartphone, you may need to enter a password after you have firmware.

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If after installing MIUI 9 smartphone does not turn on or stuck on the logo, try to repeat the procedure with the full formatting of the Data partition in TWRP. Sometimes it helps to install a newer version of the firmware on top of the old.

Problems After Installation of MIUI 9 and Solutions

Even if the installation is successful, users often face problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If you have lost sound, camera or sensor after installing MIUI 9, the problem is likely to be incompatible with your device.

• 🔄 Return to the previous version of the firmware.
• 🛠️ Try another assembly (for example, MIUI 9 Global Stable instead of China Stable).
• 📱 Install custom firmware based on LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

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Before installing any firmware, make a full backup of data through TWRP or Mi PC Suite, which will allow you to recover information in the event of a failed firmware.

Alternatives to MIUI 9 for older smartphones Xiaomi

If your goal is not nostalgia, but to breathe a second life into an old device, MIUI 9 may not always be the best choice.

• 📱 MIUI 10/11 (port for older devices – some developers are adapting new versions for older smartphones, such as the Redmi Note 4 may work MIUI 11 Android 9.
• 🔧 Custom firmware: LineageOS is pure Android without unnecessary add-ons. Pixel Experience is firmware with the interface and features of Google Pixel. Havoc-OS is customizable firmware with many settings.
• ⚡ Android Go-based firmware – lightweight versions of Android for weak devices (for example, Android 10 Go for Redmi) 4A).

Advantages of custom firmware over MIUI 9:

• 🆕 More recent versions of Android (for example, Android 11 instead of Android 7).
• 🚀 Better Optimization and Performance.
• 🔒 Lack of built-in software from Xiaomi (bloat).
• 🔄 Regular security updates from the community.

There are, however, downsides:

• ⚠️ Possible bugs with camera, sensors or mobile network.
• 🔋 Some firmware discharges the battery faster.
• 🛠️ Technical knowledge is required for installation.

What if MIUI 9 is not available for your device?

If your device doesn't support MIUI 9 (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro or later), it's officially impossible to install.

1. Use ported version – some developers will adapt MIUI 9 for unsupported devices, but this can be fraught with bugs.
2. Install a newer version of MIUI – for example, MIUI 12.5 is often more stable than MIUI 9.
3. Switch to custom firmware – as mentioned above, LineageOS or Pixel Experience can be a good alternative.
4. Buy a new device – if your smartphone is older than 5-6 years, it may be more logical to consider buying a more modern model.

If you still want to try MIUI 9 on an unsupported device, look for themes on XDA Developers or in telegram chats dedicated to your model. For example, there are informal ports for the Redmi Note 7, but they require manual revision and may not support all the features.

⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial firmware on devices with a locked bootloader (Bootloader) can lead to a "brick" (complete failure).Be sure that the bootloader is unlocked before experimenting, or know how to restore the device through a device EDL-regime.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About MIUI 9