The smartphone Xiaomi Mi 9 was the flagship of 2019 and received official support up to version Android 11 in the MIUI 12.5 shell. However, many users are faced with the fact that automatic updates do not arrive, or they want to install custom firmware based on “pure” Android 11 for better performance. The process of switching to a new version of the operating system requires care, since errors can lead to data loss or device inoperability.
In this article we will analyze all available methods: from standard over-the-air update to manual installation via Recovery. You will learn how to prepare bootloaderwhat tools you will need to download files and how to avoid common mistakes. It is important to understand that updating is not just a click of a button, but a set of measures to ensure the security of your data.
Before taking any action, you need to assess the current state of your gadget. If your device is stable on an older version, consider whether you really need new features Android 11that may require more processor resources Snapdragon 855.
Preparatory measures and backups
Any flashing or major update carries the risk of losing personal data. Even if you're planning a simple OTA update, glitches in the download process may result in the need for a full factory reset. Therefore, creating a complete copy of information is a mandatory step.
Use the built-in tools MIUI for backup. Go to Settings → About phone → Backup and restore. Select the types of data you want to save: contacts, messages, call logs, and system settings. It is best to transfer a local copy to your computer or cloud storage immediately after creation.
Pay special attention to multimedia files. Photos, videos and documents are not always included in the standard settings backup. It is recommended to manually copy the folders DCIM, Download and Documents to an external drive or to services like Google Drive.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any manipulations, make sure that the battery level is at least 60-70%. A sudden power outage while recording system partitions can turn a smartphone into a “brick.”
☑️ Checklist for preparing for the update
Official update over the air (OTA)
The easiest and safest way to get Android 11 on Xiaomi Mi 9 is a wait or a forced request for an official update through the settings. Xiaomi distributes updates in stages, so the notification may appear on your device later than for other users.
To check for a new version, go to the menu Settings → About phone and click on the MIUI version icon. The system will contact the server and check the software is up to date. If the update is available, you will see a "Download" button.
Sometimes it happens that the server does not see your device due to regional restrictions. In this case, you can try changing the region in the settings (Settings → Advanced settings → Region) to "India" or "Global", check for the update, and then change your region back. This often helps the download trigger fire.
If the update is not found, try clearing the Component Update application cache. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All applications → Component updates → Clear → Clear cache.
After downloading the package, the installation will begin automatically. The smartphone will reboot several times. Do not interrupt this process and do not try to use the phone until the desktop appears.
The official OTA update preserves the warranty and all user data, but requires a stable Internet connection and enough free memory.
Manual installation via Recovery mode
If the automatic method did not work or you want to install a specific version firmware, you will need an update file in the format .zip. This method is called installation via Recovery and allows you to update the phone manually.
Download the official firmware for Xiaomi Mi 9 (codename "cepheus") from a trusted source, for example, from miui.com or specialized forums. Make sure that you are downloading Recovery ROMand not Fastboot ROM, as they are incompatible with this installation method.
Copy the downloaded archive to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory. Do not place the file in any folders, it should be kept separately. After that, go to the update menu (Settings → About phone → MIUI version).
Click on the three dots in the upper corner of the screen and select "Select firmware file". Find your zip archive and confirm your choice. The system will check the integrity of the file and prompt you to reboot for installation.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the firmware version you are installing is newer or equal to the current one. Downgrading via standard Recovery is often blocked by the Anti-Rollback protection system.
Updating via Fastboot and computer
For advanced users who want to perform "clean" installation without traces of old files, there is a method of flashing through the mode Fastboot. This method requires a computer, the ADB/Fastboot driver installed and a special utility Mi Flash Tool.
You need to download the Fastboot ROM (archive with the extension .tgzUnpack the archive on the computer). Fastboot by holding down the Volume down and Power buttons simultaneously with the device turned off.
Connect the phone to the PC with a USB cable Run Mi Flash Tool, click the "Refresh" button to identify the device. At the bottom of the window, select the firmware mode:
- 🟢 Flash all — complete data clearing and installation of a new system (recommended when upgrading to a new version of Android).
- 🔵 Flash all except data_storage — installation of the system while saving user files (may lead to errors when changing the Android version).
- 🔴 Flash except data and storage — update only system partitions without affecting data (the least reliable option for major updates).
Press the "Flash" button and wait for the process to complete. The progress indicator will fill and the phone will automatically reboot. The first launch may take up to 10 minutes.