When to wait for MIUI 13 on Redmi Note 9 Pro: official information and forecasts
Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro have been looking forward to the release of MIUI 13, the latest version of Xiaomi’s proprietary shell that promises revolutionary changes in performance and design. But why hasn’t the update been on this popular smartphone for so long? The fact is that the Redmi Note 9 Pro (codenamed joyeuse) is a 2020 device and its support is officially ending.
According to the latest Xiaomi Community data and internal company documents, the Redmi Note 9 Pro is not included in the official list of devices that will receive MIUI 13 via OTA. But that doesn’t mean that an upgrade is impossible! There are alternative ways – from custom firmware to manual installation via Fastboot. In this article, we will discuss all the options, including the risks and benefits of each method.
It’s important to understand that even if the update does come out, it could be the last for this model: Xiaomi has traditionally supported budget smartphones for 2-3 years from its release, and the Redmi Note 9 Pro debuted in March 2020.However, enthusiasts continue to adapt new versions of MIUI for older devices – and the chances of an unofficial MIUI 13 port remain high.
Why Redmi Note 9 Pro is not on the MIUI 13 list
In September 2023, Xiaomi published a final list of devices that will receive MIUI 13 through the Standard Air Update (OTA), which is missing from the Redmi Note 9 Pro list – for several reasons:
- 📅 Outdated iron: the smartphone is equipped with a chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G, Not optimized for new functions MIUI 13 such as Liquid Storage (dynamic memory distribution) and Atomized Memory (improved RAM management).
- 🔄 Update policy: Xiaomi adheres to the "3 major updates" rule for budget lines.Redmi Note 9 Pro has already received MIUI 11 → MIUI 12 → MIUI 12.5, which exhausts its quota.
- 📉 Priority of new models: the company focuses on support of devices 2021-2023 years, such as the Redmi Note 11 pro POCO X4 Pro.
There are exceptions, however, that some regions (such as India and Europe) sometimes get extended support for popular models, such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro unexpectedly received a MIUI 12.5 Enhanced in 2022, and the Note 9 Pro may be in for a similar surprise, but there is no official confirmation yet.
⚠️ Note: If you see a sentence on the web "download" MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 9 Pro" from unofficial sites is almost certainly a scam.The official firmware is only distributed via Settings → Update or service Xiaomi Flash Tool.
Alternative ways to install MIUI 13 on the Redmi Note 9 Pro
If there is no official update, there are three proven ways to get MIUI 13 on your device:
- Custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu or PixelExperience) is based on MIUI 13 but requires unlocking the bootloader and installing via TWRP.
- Hand-held firmware via Fastboot.Xiaomi sometimes posts unofficial builds for testers - these can be found on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums.
- Enthusiasts are adapting firmware from the POCO X3 NFC (which received a MIUI 13) for the Redmi Note 9 Pro, as they have similar hardware.
Each of these methods has risks:
- 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader resets all data and can result in the blocking of the Mi Account.
- 🐞 Unstable work: custom firmware may glitch (for example, not work) NFC camera).
- 🚨 Loss of warranty: Any firmware manipulations will void Xiaomi’s official warranty.
What new MIUI 13 features are worth waiting for in the Redmi Note 9 Pro
Even if you have to install the update manually, MIUI 13 offers a number of improvements that are worth the effort.
| Function | Description | Will it work on the Note 9 Pro? |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid Storage | Optimizes file storage by reducing fragmentation and speeding up data access. | ✅ Yes (but the effect will be less than on new chipsets) |
| Atomized Memory | Dynamically distributes RAM between background and active applications. | ⚠️ Partially (may work unstable due to 6GB of RAM) |
| New design | Updated icons, animations and menus in the style of Material You. | ✅ Completely. |
| Improved autonomy | Optimize energy consumption to increase operating time. | ✅ Yes, but the increase will be minimal) |
| Xiaomi Smart Hub | Unified control center for smart devices. | ✅ Yes. |
Important: The Redmi Note 9 Pro will not feature features that rely on new hardware, such as adaptive screen refresh rates (the device has a fixed 60Hz) or improved HDR processing in the camera.
What is Liquid Storage and how does it work?
How to upgrade to MIUI 13 manually
If you're going to manually install, follow this instruction. Back up all the data beforehand, and the process will reset the phone to factory settings!
Download official Fastboot-rom MIUI 13 for POCO X3 NFC (nearest analogue)|Install Qualcomm and Mi Flash Tool |Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool | Charge the phone to at least 60% |Unlock all antiviruses on PC-->
Installation steps:
- Download the firmware from the official Xiaomi Firmware website (select the version for POCO X3 NFC marked "Stable").
- Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI13).
- Launch the Mi Flash Tool, connect the phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
- In the program, select a firmware folder and press Refresh → Flash. The process will take 5-10 minutes.
⚠️ Note: If after firmware the phone is stuck on the Xiaomi logo, try to go to Recovery (click Volume up). + Power up, and make Wipe Data. If that doesn't work, just swipe back the old version. MIUI.
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Before you run your firmware, check your device model in Settings → About Phone → MIUI. If the firmware code has an "N" (e.g., V13.0.1.0.SJGMIXM), it's suitable for the global version. The letter "C" is for China, "I" is for India.
Frequent issues after updating and how to solve them
Even if the installation is successful, users of the Redmi Note 9 Pro often face the following problems:
- 🔋 Fast battery drain: Once upgraded, the system can index files in the background. 1-2 day or reset the cache in Recovery.
- 📶 Network problems: If it goes missing 4G, check the settings APN Or reflash the modem via Fastboot command: fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin
- 🎵 Sound distortion: Often associated with driver incompatibility. MIUI or tape patching.
If your phone starts to overheat after the upgrade, check the background list in Settings → Battery → Battery Use. Often, SEOs like Security or Cleaner are to blame for them, so you can turn them off.
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If you lose Root or TWRP after upgrading to MIUI 13, you'll have to re-install them.
Should you upgrade: the pros and cons of MIUI 13 on the Redmi Note 9 Pro
Before making a decision, weigh the pros and cons:
| Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ New design and animation | ❌ Possible lags due to weak processor |
| ✅ Improved security (Android 12 patches) | ❌ The risk of “brick” with a failed firmware |
| ✅ Support for new Xiaomi features (Smart Hub, Game Turbo 5.0) | ❌ Loss of guarantee |
| ✅ Optimized Memory (Atomized Memory) | ❌ Possible bugs with camera or sensors |
If your Redmi Note 9 Pro is used for basic tasks (calls, social networks, photos), the upgrade is hardly worth the risk. But if you like experiments and are ready for possible bugs, MIUI 13 will bring a fresh experience of the interface.
The alternative is to wait until MIUI 14 (based on Android 13) is released, and there’s a chance that enthusiasts will port it to the Note 9 Pro as early as 2026, and it’ll be more stable than MIUI 13.