Owners of the legendary Xiaomi Mi 9T (known globally as the Redmi K20) often wonder about the future of their device. This smartphone, released in 2019, has earned a reputation as a “people’s flagship” thanks to the retractable camera and powerful at the time processor.
Many users expected the Android 13 update to be the final chord in the history of this model, but reality has made its own adjustments. Official support is gradually winding down, and Xiaomi is revising its security patch release schedules. In this article, we will detail the current status of firmware, explain the difference between the global and Chinese versions, and look at the prospects for a transition to the new HyperOS shell.
If you're still using the Mi 9T as your primary device, you need to understand the current state of the software. The lack of new Android versions doesn't mean the phone will stop working, but security and app compatibility are becoming more pressing. Let's figure out what to expect from developers in the near future.
Official Support Status and Version Release Schedule
Xiaomi’s official policy is to release major Android updates within two years for flagship models and one to two years for mid-range devices. 9T, As a sub-flagship, it got Android 10 out of the box, followed by an update to Android 11 and Android 12. MIUI stop.
The Chinese version of the device (Redmi K20) sometimes receives updates later or earlier than the global version, but in this case, the cycles were synchronized on the Android 12 version. Users waiting for the release of Android 13 or 14 officially will face disappointment, since the device was excluded from the lists of priority candidates for new major versions of the OS.
However, support for security patches can continue sporadically (periodically).This means that critical vulnerabilities can be closed, but new interface features or changes to the system kernel are not expected. Official support for major Android updates for the Mi 9T is completed on Android 12 (MIUI 12.5).
⚠️ Warning: Beware of fake online instructions promising an official update to Android 13 via “secret codes” that often result in a bootloader lock or a loss of warranty (if it was still in effect).
Why Xiaomi Mi 9T doesn’t get Android 13 and 14
The main reason for the updates is the hardware platform. Xiaomi Mi 9T is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 processor. Although this chipset was a great solution of its time, processor manufacturers and Google limit support for new versions of Android to a certain lifespan of drivers and libraries.
Google requires manufacturers to set certain performance and security standards to certify new versions of Android. Old Snapdragon 730 graphics accelerator drivers and communication modules may not meet Android 13 and later, a technical limitation that cannot be circumvented by software crutches without losing stability.
Economic feasibility also plays a role: developing and testing new firmware requires the resources of engineers; supporting three-year devices with new OS versions is not always profitable for a company that seeks to stimulate sales of new models; so the focus is shifting to the current Xiaomi 13, 14 and Redmi Note series.
- 📉 Qualcomm Limits: Snapdragon 730 Drivers Not Optimized for New Android Kernel Features.
- 🛡️ Google’s requirements: Failure to comply with new security standards and API.
- 💰 Economy: Resource intensity of support for old models is not paying off.
Technical details of the system core
Prospects for the release of HyperOS on Xiaomi Mi 9T
With the launch of the new HyperOS ecosystem to replace MIUI, compatibility issues have re-emerged, with many hoping that the new platform will “reset” support for older devices, but compatibility list analysis shows that the Mi 9T is highly unlikely to be included in the list of devices for a global upgrade to HyperOS.
HyperOS requires more performance hardware to ensure smooth animations and new background services. Optimizing the system for the old Snapdragon 730 can lead to a significant drop in performance, which will negatively affect the reputation of the update. Xiaomi will likely leave the device on the latest stable version. MIUI.
The situation may be different in China, where new shell ports are sometimes released to older devices as an experiment for the domestic market, but for global versions (Global ROMs), such experiments are rarely conducted due to differences in Google service frameworks.
| Model | Last Android | Last MIUI | HyperOS (Expectations) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 9T | Android 12 | MIUI 12.5 | No (Unlikely) |
| Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro | Android 11 | MIUI 12.5 | No. |
| Redmi Note 10 | Android 13 | MIUI 14 | Maybe (China) |
| Xiaomi 11 | Android 13 | MIUI 14 | Yes (Globally) |
💡
The Xiaomi Mi 9T will likely remain on MIUI 12.5, as the transition to HyperOS requires a more powerful processor than the Snapdragon 730.
Alternative ways to get new versions of Android
For enthusiasts who are not willing to put up with the lack of updates, there is a world of custom firmware. The XDA Developers community is actively supporting the Xiaomi Mi 9T (codenamed davinci), Android ports 13, 14 and even Android 15 test builds are available at the moment.
Installing custom firmware like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or crDroid allows you to get a clean Android without ads and with the latest security patches. It's the only legal way to run a new OS on a given device. However, this process requires unlocking the bootloader, which is a critical point.
Unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool is necessary to install third-party software. It is worth remembering that after this procedure, some security-related functions will cease to work, for example, Google Pay (although bypassing through MagHide is possible) and a wide-angle camera in some modes (due to the characteristics of the drivers).
- 🔓 Unblocking: Requires a wait of 168 hours (7 days) after the account is linked.
- 📲 Recovery: Requires the installation of custom recavery (TWRP Or OrangeFox).
- ⚙️ Drivers: Some camera features may work unstable on custom.
Instructions: How to check and install available updates
If you decide to stay on the official firmware, it's important to make sure you have the latest version available. Sometimes updates don't come at the same time for all regions, and manual verification can speed up the process.
In the menu, find the About Phone section and click on the MIUI version. The system will automatically check for updates on the server. If the update is available, you will see the Download button. If the system writes No Updates, it does not always mean that there are no Updates at all - perhaps your current build is newer than the one on the server for your region.
For advanced users, there is a method of manual installation through recovery. ZIP-The firmware archive from the official miui.com site, put it in the root of the internal memory and select "Select file" in the update menu. OTA-channel is error-proof.
☑️ Verification of updates
When manually installed, it is important to strictly follow the sequence of actions. Incorrectly selected version (for example, firmware for China instead of Global) can lead to a cyclical reboot. Always check the region of the device in the Region settings before downloading files.
⚠️ Warning: When manually installing firmware through Recovery, make sure the battery is at least 60%.Stop writing can turn a smartphone into a brick".
Optimizing the Mi 9T on the current version of the software
Since there is no new fuel coming in the form of new Android versions, it is worth maximizing the performance of the current system. Xiaomi Mi 9T is still capable of a lot if you set up the background processes correctly. The first step is to review installed applications.
Remove or freeze unused programs. MIUI has an integrated optimization tool, but for deep cleaning, it is better to use proven utilities or manual control in the Application section. Disabling autoruns for heavy applications (social networks, marketplaces) will significantly reduce the load on RAM.
It is also recommended to disable or reduce the frequency of animations in the Developer menu, which will create the illusion of faster interface operation. Find the MIUI version option in the settings and click on it 7 times to activate the developer menu, then reduce the scale of the animation of windows and transitions to 0.5x.
- 🧹 Clean up: Clean the system cache regularly through the built-in Security app".
- 🚀 Animations: Scaling down animation speeds up interface response.
- 🔋 Battery: Use the "Energy Saving" mode for background tasks.
💡
Use the Classic or Minimalist themes theme without heavy graphics to reduce the GPU load and speed up the old Mi 9T.