Owners of the popular budget smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 9 often wonder about improving the version of the operating system, as the newer Android 11 brings not only a new interface, but also improved access rights management. The transition to a new shell MIUI based on this version of the OS allows you to optimize the work of background processes and improve the energy efficiency of the device. For many users, this is an opportunity to extend the life of the gadget without the need to buy a new model.
The update process can vary depending on the region in which the device was released and the current version of the firmware. The global version of Redmi 9 (Global ROM) receives updates more stable than the Chinese or Indian versions. It is important to understand that the update is not just a change in numbers in the settings, but a deep processing of system files, requiring careful attention to battery charge and stability of the Internet connection.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for transitioning to the current version of the software, from standard automatic updates to manual installation of the firmware archive. You will learn how to prepare the device to avoid data loss, and what to do if the system says that there are no updates. Following the instructions will help to avoid common errors that can lead to “bricking” of the smartphone.
Preparation of the device for installation of a new version of the software
Before any manipulation of system files begins, careful preparation must be made to minimize the risk of failure. Data backup is the most important step, as if you manually update or have a critical error, user information can be lost irrevocably. Use built-in MIUI tools or Google cloud services to save contacts, photos and application lists.
Be sure to check the amount of free memory in the internal storage. To properly unpack and install updates, the system requires at least 3-4 GB of free space, even if the firmware file itself weighs less. If there is not enough memory, delete unnecessary video files, messenger cache or transfer heavy media files to a memory card or computer.
☑️ Preparation of the smartphone Redmi 9
Make sure the battery is at least 60%, or better fully charge the device to 100%. the flashing process can take from 15 minutes to an hour, and a sudden power outage at this point is critically dangerous to the health of the smartphone. It is also recommended to use the original cable and power supply if the upgrade is in the connected state, although in downtime the charge is consumed minimally.
Automatic updates through system settings
The easiest and safest way to get Android 11 on Redmi 9 is to wait for an official notification or manually check for a new version in the settings menu, which is suitable for most users, since the system will check the compatibility of the hardware and regional features of the device itself.
To run the check, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Click on the system logo or the “Check Updates” button. If Xiaomi server confirms the availability of the new version, the file will start downloading. The download speed depends on the size of the package and the speed of your Internet connection, so using Wi-Fi is preferable to mobile traffic.
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If the update is not available, try changing the region in the settings (Settings → Additional settings → Region) to India or Global, check for updates, and then return your region.
Once the file is uploaded, the system will suggest restarting for installation, the screen will go out, and the update process will begin, which can be accompanied by the MIUI logo and the progress scale, and you can not interrupt this process categorically: even if the phone seems to be getting stuck, wait for its self-reboot, which marks the successful completion of the procedure.
Manual installation of firmware through Recovery
If the automatic method doesn't work or you want to speed up the process, you can manually update it by downloading the firmware archive from the official website, which requires more care, since the user needs to choose the correct version of the software that corresponds to the device model.
The downloaded file with the.zip extension must be placed in the root of the smartphone’s internal memory. After that, go to the update menu (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version) and click on three dots in the upper right corner of the screen. In the menu that opens, select “Select a firmware file” and specify the path to the downloaded archive.
Why can't the system see the firmware file?
Once the file is selected, the system will perform a data integrity check, if the check is successful, the Update button will appear, and the phone will go to Recovery mode, where the installation will begin. The entire process takes about 10-15 minutes, after which the smartphone will restart with the new version of Android 11 and the corresponding shell MIUI 12/12.5.
Update via Fastboot mode and computer
For advanced users who have encountered errors when updating “over the air”, there is a method of firmware through a computer using the Fastboot mode. This method allows you to completely reinstall the system partition, which often solves problems with software failures that interfere with the standard update, USB-cable and utility Mi Flash Tool.
First, you need to put the smartphone in Fastboot mode, turning it off and holding the power and volume buttons at the same time, and the image of a rabbit repairing an android will appear on the screen, indicating a successful transition to bootloader mode. Connect the device to a computer on which drivers are pre-installed ADB/Fastboot.
Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the unpacked firmware folder (.tgz format) and click the "Flash" button. It is important to select the clean all data mode to avoid file conflicts between the old and new system. This method guarantees a clean installation, but requires the complete removal of all user data.
| Parameter | Recovery (ZIP) | Fastboot (TGZ) |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Low. | Tall. |
| Data retention | Yeah (usually) | No (full reset) |
| The need for a PC | No. | Yes. |
| Risk of error | Medium. | High-pitched |
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
During the update process, Redmi 9 users may encounter a variety of bugs, the most common being the message “Not able to get version information” which is often due to unstable connection to update servers or temporary problems on the manufacturer’s side. In such cases, the change helps. DNS-servers in Wi-Fi settings or mobile internet use.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone is constantly rebooted after the upgrade (cyclic reboot), don't panic. Try pressing the power and volume button to enter Recovery and perform a factory reset (Wipe Data).
Another common problem is the lack of space that the system can report at the most inopportune time, in which case you need to free up space by deleting the application cache or moving files, and it is also worth disabling all third-party themes and fonts before starting the process, as they can cause conflicts when updating the system files of the interface.
If the device has stopped responding to commands and the screen has gone out, try to perform a forced reboot by holding the power button for 15-20 seconds.In the rare cases where a software failure blocks the boot, you may need to flash through the Fastboot, as described in the previous section, which is a last resort to restore health.
What’s New for Android 11 for Redmi 9
The move to Android 11 brings a number of significant improvements to Redmi 9, not only in terms of visuals but also functionality, with a redesigned notification system that allows you to manage dialogs and media controllers comfortably, and you can send messages straight from the notification curtain without opening the app.
Privacy controls have improved significantly, with the system now giving more flexible permissions for applications, such as allowing access to a camera or microphone for only one session, and the Bubbles feature, which allows you to keep active chats in a floating window on top of other applications, which increases the multitasking of the device.
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The main value of Android 11 for Redmi 9 is the optimization of work with background processes, which has a positive effect on the battery life of the budget processor Helio G80.
Visual changes have also been made to the control panel, with smart home and media player controls now being put into a separate menu available from the top, while Redmi 9 is a budget model, the optimization of code in the new OS version makes the interface more responsive and animations smoother than previous versions of MIUI based on Android 10.