Redmi series smartphones from the company Xiaomi have proven themselves to be reliable devices with an excellent price-performance ratio. The Redmi 9 model, released in 2020, is still actively used by millions of people around the world. However, over time, the standard version of the operating system Android and shell MIUI requires updating to ensure data security and correct operation of modern applications.
The software update process on devices of this line can be performed in several ways: from standard automatic update “over the air” to manual installation of firmware through a special recovery mode. The choice of method depends on the current software version, device region and availability of access to the company’s global servers. In this article, we will analyze each stage in detail so that you can safely upgrade your gadget.
Before taking active steps, you need to understand why this procedure is required at all. New firmware versions contain not only cosmetic changes to the interface, but also critical security patches, system kernel bug fixes, and optimization of battery consumption. Ignoring updates may lead to incompatibility with banking applications or a decrease in the overall stability of the smartphone.
Preparing the device for the update procedure
Any intervention in system files carries certain risks, so the preparation stage is critically important. An unprepared device may freeze while recording data or lose some user information. The first step is to create a complete backup of all important data: contacts, photos, messages and application settings.
To create a backup, you can use built-in tools MIUI or cloud services such as Google Drive or Mi Cloud. Go to your phone settings, find the “About Phone” section and select “Backup and Restore”. Make sure you have a copy saved either externally or in the cloud so that in the event of a failure, you can quickly get your data back.
It is also extremely important to check the battery level. The flashing process can take from 10 to 40 minutes depending on the file size and memory writing speed. If the battery runs out at the critical moment of writing the system partition, the device may turn into a “brick” and require complex restoration through a service center.
⚠️ Attention: Do not start updating if the battery charge is below 60%. It is better to connect your smartphone to the original charger throughout the entire process, even if the indicator shows a high charge level.
Another important step is to free up space in the internal memory. The update file can take up from 1.5 to 3 GB, and to unpack and install it, the system requires approximately the same amount of additional free space. Delete unnecessary videos, messenger cache or transfer heavy files to your computer or memory card.
☑️ Checklist before updating
Method 1: Automatic update over the air (OTA)
The simplest and safest method of obtaining a new version of the software is to use the built-in OTA mechanism (Over-The-Air). This method involves downloading the update package directly from the manufacturer’s servers via the smartphone’s Internet connection. The system itself will check the compatibility of the current version with the available one and offer installation if it is possible for your region.
To initiate the check, open the settings menu and go to the section About the phone. At the top of the screen you will see the current version MIUI. Click on this area or on the “Check for updates” button located next to it. If a new version is available, the system will offer to download and install it.
In some cases, automatic updates may not arrive for months. This is due to the gradual distribution of firmware (rolling update), when servers distribute files to different groups of users at different times in order to avoid massive loads and the identification of critical bugs. If the update is on the website, but does not arrive on your phone, you can try changing the region in the settings.
Try to temporarily change the region in the settings (for example, to India or Singapore), check for updates, and then return your region back. Often this encourages the server to release the firmware package.
After downloading the file, the smartphone will prompt you to reboot. The screen will go dark, the logo Xiaomi and a progress indicator will appear. At this point the device will be completely unavailable. Do not try to interrupt the process by pressing buttons, as this may damage the bootloader.
Method 2: Manual installation via the Recovery menu
If the automatic update does not work or you want to install a specific firmware version that the server does not offer, you can use the manual installation method. To do this, you will need to download the firmware file in the format .zip from the official website or a trusted resource such as MIUI Downloader.
It is important to download the firmware strictly for your model. For Redmi 9, there are several modifications with different code names, for example merlin (for the global version) or lancelot (for the Indian version). Installing firmware from a different model will result in the device not working. You can check the code name in the section About the phone or on the box of the smartphone.
The downloaded file must be renamed to update.zip and placed in the root directory of the smartphone’s internal memory (not in folders, but directly in the main directory). After this you need to go into recovery mode. To do this, turn off the phone, and then hold down the power button and the volume up button at the same time.
In the Recovery menu that appears, select a language (usually English and Chinese are available). Next, click on the item Install update.zip or select a file through the menu if there is no automatic search item. Confirm the installation and wait for the process to complete.
What to do if Recovery does not see the file?
Make sure that the file is called update.zip (all letters are lowercase) and is in the root of the memory, and not in the Download folder. Also check that the file is not damaged when downloading by comparing its checksum (MD5) with that specified on the source website.
| Parameter | Value / Action | Note |
|---|---|---|
| File format | .zip (Recovery ROM) | Not use .tgz for this method |
| File name | update.zip | Be sure to rename |
| Location | Internal memory root | Not in folders |
| Action | Wipe Data (optional) | Required when changing region |
⚠️ Attention: When switching from a Chinese version of the firmware to a global one (or vice versa) via Recovery, a complete data clearing (Wipe Data) is often required. Without this step, the phone may get stuck on the logo when booting.
Using the Mi Flash Tool utility for PC
For advanced users or in cases where the smartphone does not boot into the system, there is a method of flashing the firmware through a computer using the utility Mi Flash Tool. This method allows you to install a “clean” version of the system (Fastboot ROM) and completely repartition the memory partitions, which often solves problems with software errors.
To get started, you will need a computer running Windows, a working USB cable and ADB/Fastboot drivers. Download the archive with the firmware in the format .tgz, unpack it to the root of drive C so that the path to the files does not contain Cyrillic characters and is short.
Put the smartphone into Fastboot mode. To do this, connect the switched off device to the PC by holding down the volume down button. An image of a hare in a hat with earflaps will appear on the screen, repairing a robot. Launch Mi Flash Tool, click the Refresh button so that the app sees the device, and select the data cleaning mode (Clean all).
Press the Flash button and wait for completion. The process will take a few minutes, after which the phone will automatically reboot. The first boot after such a procedure can last up to 10-15 minutes, as the system optimizes applications.
⚠️ Attention: Using the “Clean all and lock” mode will lock the bootloader. If you flash the global version on a Chinese device with a locked bootloader, it may result in a signature verification error and the device being locked. Use the “Clean all” mode without locking the bootloader if you are not sure about region compatibility.
Solving common problems and errors
During the update process, users may encounter various difficulties. One of the most common problems is a download error or the message “Failed to check for update.” This is often due to an unstable Internet connection or temporary problems with the servers Xiaomi.
If the update freezes at a certain percentage (for example, 50% or 99%) and does not move for more than 20 minutes, the firmware file may have been damaged during download. In this case, you should delete the file, clear the cache of the System Update application in application settings and try to download the package again, preferably via another Wi-Fi network.
Another situation is the appearance of a black screen with a logo after a reboot (Bootloop). If your phone reboots cyclically, try entering Recovery mode (Volume Up + Power) and perform a factory reset (Wipe Data). This will delete all data, but often saves the system after a failed update.
Most update errors are related to corrupted firmware files or insufficient memory space. Always check the integrity of the downloaded archive before installation.
In rare cases, you may need to unlock the bootloader to install custom recovery or specific software versions. The official unlocking procedure through the Mi Unlock website requires waiting from 3 to 7 days and linking the account to the device. Without an unlocked bootloader, installing unofficial firmware is impossible.
Optimizing the system after the update
After successfully installing the new version MIUI the system may be unstable in the first hours. This is because background processes are indexing files, optimizing databases, and rebuilding application caches. During this period, increased battery consumption and heating of the case are possible.
It is recommended to let the phone work in normal mode for at least a day, without loading it with heavy tasks. If after 24 hours problems with autonomy persist, it is worth checking the battery consumption statistics in the settings. Perhaps some application does not work correctly with the new version of Android.
Also, after a major interface update, it is worth checking the settings for gestures, notifications and permissions for applications. The new firmware version may have reset some user preferences or changed the logic of system functions such as power saving or memory management.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and location of settings may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (11, 12, 13 or 14). If you cannot find the item you need, use the settings search by clicking on the magnifying glass in the upper corner of the screen.
Why does the phone get hot after the update?
In the first 1-2 days after installing the new firmware, the system carries out deep optimization of all installed applications. This is a normal process that causes a load on the processor. If the heating does not go away after 3 days, you may have an incompatible application installed.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to update Redmi 9 to Android 12 or 13?
Xiaomi has officially released updates for Redmi 9 to MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13 based on Android 11. Obtaining newer versions of Android (12, 13, 14) is only possible through installing custom firmware (Custom ROM), which requires unlocking the bootloader and carries the risk of losing the warranty.
Will my photos and contacts be deleted when updating?
When updating in the standard way (OTA) or via Recovery without selecting the Wipe Data item, all user data is saved. However, creating a backup copy before any procedure is a mandatory safety rule in case of unforeseen failures.
What to do if the phone says “Update not found”?
This may mean that for your region the new version is not yet distributed, or you are already on the latest available version. Try changing the region in the settings or checking the availability of firmware manually on the official website.
Is it safe to download firmware from third-party sites?
Downloading firmware from unverified resources is dangerous, since the file may contain malicious code or be modified. It is recommended to use only the official website miui.com or authoritative forums like w3bsit3-dns.com and XDA Developers, checking the checksums of files.
Is it possible to roll back to an older version of MIUI?
It is not possible to roll back to an older firmware version using standard means. To do this, you will need to unlock the bootloader and use Fastboot mode with complete data clearing. A simple installation of an old ZIP file via Recovery will be blocked by the Anti-Rollback protection system.