Reflashing Xiaomi Redmi 9A: official and custom methods with error analysis

Why do you want to replay Redmi 9A and what are the risks?

Xiaomi Redmi 9A (codenamed dandelion) remains popular even years after its release, thanks to its balanced specs and MIUI support. However, over time, users face brakes, lack of updates or the desire to install custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

The main reasons for reflashing the Redmi 9A are:

• 🔄 Installation of the latest version MIUI absent OTA-update
• 🚀 Accelerating work through custom firmware without Bloatware
• 🔓 Bypassing regional restrictions (e.g. for global firmware)
• 🛠️ Recovery after "bricking" (soft-brick)

But it’s important to understand that incorrect actions can lead to complete data loss, damage to the bootloader or even a hardware blink (when the phone does not turn on even in Fastboot mode).

This article covers:

• 📥 Official and informal methods of firmware
• 🔐 Unlocking the loader without errors
• 🛑 Typical errors and their solutions (from anti-rollback to invalid image)
• 🔧 Tools: MiFlash, ADB, TWRP alternatives

Preparation for flashing: what to do before the beginning

The first step is to save all the data. Fastboot or Recovery flashing erases internal memory (/data). Use Mi PC Suite or manually copying to a PC via MTP.

• 📁 pup DCIM (photo/video)
• 📱 Contacts (exports to VCF)
• 🔑 Account passwords (unless synced with Google)
• 🎮 Use Swift Backup or Titanium Backup)

Check the bootloader version and the current firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the line to activate Developer Mode.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and perform in ADB command: adb shell getprop ro.boot.bootloader This will show the bootloader version (e.g., the bootloader version, dandelion_global_v12.0.1.0.QCDMIXM).

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi is 9A purchased in China (suffixed version _CN), For global firmware, you'll need to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool, without which the phone will refuse to accept firmware from another region.

Also prepare the tools:

Battery charge > 50%|Backup copy of data created|Xiaomi drivers installed on PC|Debugging by USB and OEM-unlocking|Downloaded the correct version of the firmware for your model-->

Method 1: Official firmware via Fastboot (MiFlash)

This method is suitable for installing a stock MIUI (global, Chinese or European version) and requires an unlocked bootloader, but guarantees stability.

Steps:

1. Download the firmware for dandelion from the official website: 🌍 Global: miui.com (look for Redmi) 9A Global) 🇨🇳 Chinese: miui.com/cn (Xiaomi account requires) 🇪🇺 European (EEA): Check on Xiaomi Firmware Updater The firmware must be in.tgz format (for example, dandelion_global_images_V12.0.1.0.QCDMIXM_20220104.0000.00_global_4d5a0a5b7e.tgz).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MiFlash\rom).
3. Launch MiFlash, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode: Turn off Redmi 9A. Press Volume Down + Power until the hare appears in the Fastboot. Connect to your PC via USB.

Clean all

Clean all and lock

Flash

It takes 5-10 minutes. When it's done, the phone automatically restarts. The first run can take up to 15 minutes -- don't interrupt it!

⚠️ Note: If MiFlash produces an anti-rollback error, you are trying to install firmware with an older version of the bootloader, in which case you either need to find firmware with the same or newer version of the anti-rollback, or use XiaomiTool. V2 to circumvent the restriction (risky!).

Method 2: Install custom firmware through TWRP

To install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom firmware, you will need TWRP Recovery.There is no official version for Redmi 9A, but there are stable unofficial builds.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool: Link Xiaomi account to phone in Settings → Mi Account. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website. Launch the tool, log in to account and follow the instructions. Waiting for unlock can take up to 720 hours (30 days) for new accounts!
2. Install TWRP: Download the unofficial TWRP for dandelion with XDA Developers. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with platform-tools. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode and execute: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. So, let's go with the custom firmware: Download it. ZIP-Firmware archive (e.g. LineageOS 20) Move the archive to your phone or flash drive. TWRP Choose the Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, Data, System. Press Install, select ZIP-file and confirm installation.

After installing the firmware, it is recommended to flash GApps (if they are not included in the build) and Magisk for root rights.

• 🤖 Gapps: Open GApps (select the option) arm64 → 11.0 → pico)
• 🔑 Magisk: GitHub

💡

If after installing custom firmware does not work mobile network, check the settings APN. To do this, go to the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN) Add your operator’s parameters manually.

Unlocking the bootloader: how to speed up the process and avoid errors

The main problem when unlocking the Redmi 9A is the wait timer that Xiaomi has introduced to combat phone resale.For new accounts, it is 720 hours (30 days), but there are ways around.

Legal methods of acceleration:

• 📅 Use a Xiaomi account created before May 2022 – for them, the timer is reduced to 168 hours (7 days).
• 🔄 Link your phone to your account and use Xiaomi services more actively (cloud, themes, store) – this can reduce time.
• 🛠️ If the phone has been unlocked before, the re-unlock will pass without waiting.

Illegal methods (risk of blocking the account!):

• 🕵️ Use of “clean” accounts with XDA (marketed).
• 🔧 Modified versions of the Mi Unlock Tool (e.g. Mi Unlock Tool Bypass).
• 📡 Substitution IMEI through the engineering menu (may cause loss of network).

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi is actively fighting against circumvention of restrictions. Using informal methods can lead to account locking or loss of warranty.If the phone is important for the job, it is better to wait for official permission.

If the Mi Unlock Tool is a Cann't Verify Device or Current Account is different from the one bound to the device, try:

1. Untie and re-assign Xiaomi account in the phone settings.
2. Use another PC with Windows 10/11 (on Linux/Mac, the tool is unstable).
3. Turn on USB-debug OEM-unlock.
4. Connect to the Internet via a mobile hotspot (sometimes corporate networks block Xiaomi servers).

💡

Unlocking the bootloader resets the phone to factory settings, and all data will be deleted, including photos on internal memory!

Typical Firmware Errors of Redmi 9A and Their Solutions

Even when following instructions, users encounter errors.

If the phone is stuck on the MI logo or loads in an infinite loop:

1. Press Volume Up + Power to Enter Recovery.
2. Select Wipe data (if TWRP) or Factory reset (if stock recovery).
3. Freak through the phone from scratch.

EDL-The last chance for the “brick” Redmi 9A

If the phone does not respond to buttons and is not detected in Fastboot, it remains. EDL-Emergency Download Mode: It allows you to flash your phone at a low level, but requires authorization from Xiaomi.

How to log into EDL:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the Loud up. + Loud down and plug in. USB-plug-in.
3. The phone must be identified as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 in Device Manager.

Firmware via EDL:

• 🔧 Download Mi Flash Pro (not to be confused with regular MiFlash) and firmware in.mbn format.
• 🔑 Get authorization from Xiaomi (through an official service center or paid services like XiaomiTool) PRO).
• 📥 In Mi Flash Pro, select firmware and press Flash.

⚠️ Note: Unauthorized Firmware Through EDL This method can lead to a hard-brick, where the phone becomes a brick without recovery, and is recommended only for advanced users or in service centers.

The alternative is to use QFil (Qualcomm Flash Image Loader), but it requires manually specifying ports and firmware files. For Redmi 9A, the current versions of the tools are:

• 🖥️ QFil 2.0.1.9 (Stable with Qualcomm Snapdragon 439)
• 📄 Firmware in format prog_emmc_firehose_8917.mbn (You can get it from the official package)

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions on Redmi 9A