Install Android 14 on Mi 9 Lite (LineageOS 21) – How to Guide! — copy — copy

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Want to install Android 14 on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite? You’re in the right place. This comprehensive, step-by-step guide walks you through the complete process of flashing the unofficial LineageOS 21 custom ROM on the Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite (also known as Mi CC9, codename: “pyxis”).

Even though Xiaomi has ended official software support for the Mi 9 Lite (which shipped with Android 9 Pie and received Android 10 as its final update), you can breathe new life into this Snapdragon 710-powered device with Android 14. This custom ROM delivers the latest Android features, improved performance, better battery optimization, enhanced privacy controls, and a clean AOSP stock Android experience.

Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite running Android 14 LineageOS 21 custom ROM
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Why Install Android 14 on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite?

The Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite (released September 2019) was a popular mid-range smartphone powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 processor with 6GB RAM and a gorgeous 6.39″ Super AMOLED display. Despite being a capable device, Xiaomi ended official software support at Android 10 (MIUI 12), leaving users stuck on outdated software with potential security vulnerabilities.

Installing Android 14 via LineageOS 21 gives your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite a second life with:

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Latest Security Patches
Protection against the latest known vulnerabilities and exploits.
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Better Performance
AOSP ROMs are lighter and faster than stock firmware, reducing bloatware.
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Extended Battery Life
Android 14’s battery optimizations combined with AOSP efficiency.
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App Compatibility
Run modern apps that require Android 12+ or newer API levels.
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Android 14 Key Features You’ll Get on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite

Android 14 (codenamed “Upside Down Cake”) is Google’s 21st major Android release, launched on October 4, 2023. Originally debuting on the Pixel 8 series, this update brings meaningful upgrades across security, customization, and performance that you can now enjoy on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite through the LineageOS 21 custom ROM:

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Lock Screen Customization

Personalized lock screen with customizable clocks, shortcuts, and enhanced sharing controls for better privacy.
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Battery Saver+

Optimized power management to significantly extend your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite’s battery life.
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Ultra HDR Photos

Enhanced photo and video quality with Ultra HDR support for richer, more vibrant images on your display.
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Material You Theming

AI-generated wallpapers, dynamic color themes, and monochrome mode for complete visual customization.
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Enhanced Privacy

Granular photo/video permissions, credential manager, and improved data sharing controls.
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Drag & Drop Multitasking

Smooth app switching with intuitive drag-and-drop between running apps for improved productivity.
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Important Warnings — Read Before Installing Android 14

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Device-specific ROM: This Android 14 custom ROM is ONLY for the Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite. Do not flash it on any other device — it will brick your device.

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Brick risk: Carefully follow every step in the correct order. Incorrect installation — such as flashing the wrong file, interrupting the process, or skipping the wipe — can permanently brick your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite. TheUpgradeGuide is not responsible for any damage.

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Complete data wipe: Installing this custom ROM erases everything on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite — apps, photos, contacts, messages, and files. Create a complete backup before proceeding.

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Battery requirement: Charge your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite to at least 50–60% before starting. An accidental shutdown during the flashing process can leave your device in a non-bootable state.

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Warranty void: Unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom ROM will void your manufacturer warranty.

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Pre-Installation Requirements for Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite

Make sure you have all of the following ready before starting the Android 14 installation on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite:

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Unlocked bootloader: Your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite must have an unlocked bootloader. Use Xiaomi’s official Mi Unlock Tool if you haven’t done this. The process requires linking your Mi account and waiting approximately 7 days.

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TWRP Recovery installed: You must have TWRP Recovery installed on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite. Watch TWRP installation tutorial for Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite →

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Full data backup: Back up all important data — photos, contacts, messages, app data, WhatsApp chats, and files — before starting the installation. Consider using Google Backup and Google Photos for cloud backup.

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USB drivers installed: Install the appropriate USB drivers on your PC/Mac. These are needed if you’re using ADB/Fastboot for any part of the process.

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XDA Forum Thread: LineageOS 21 for Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite — XDA Forum →

Always check this XDA Forum thread for the latest build updates, known bugs, required patches, firmware requirements, and community feedback before installing.

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Download Android 14 ROM & GApps for Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite

LineageOS 21 ROM (AOSP-Based Android 14) for Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite

install_mobile Download Android 14 ROM (LineageOS 21)

Google Apps (GApps) for Android 14 ARM64 — Choose One Package

apps LiteGApps apps NikGApps apps MindTheGApps apps BiTGapps

search Not sure which GApps to pick? Read our complete GApps compatibility guide →

bolt Quick Installation Overview

Short on time? Here’s the 5-step summary of how to install Android 14 on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite. Scroll down for the detailed guide with screenshots.

  1. 1Download the LineageOS 21 Android 14 ROM & GApps for Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite.
  2. 2Boot your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite into TWRP custom recovery mode.
  3. 3Wipe system, vendor, data, cache, and dalvik cache partitions.
  4. 4Flash the Android 14 ROM zip followed by the GApps zip via TWRP Install.
  5. 5Wipe cache, reboot, and enjoy Android 14 on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite!
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Step-by-Step: Install Android 14 on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite

1

install_mobile Install TWRP Custom Recovery on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite

The first step is to install TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) custom recovery on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite. TWRP replaces the stock recovery and allows you to flash custom ROMs, GApps, and create complete system backups. You’ll need a PC/Mac with ADB and Fastboot tools installed, plus a USB cable. If TWRP is already installed on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite, skip directly to Step 2.

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file_copy Transfer the ROM and GApps Files to Your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite

Download the Android 14 LineageOS 21 ROM zip and your preferred GApps package from the download section above. Connect your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite to your computer via USB and transfer both .zip files to the device’s internal storage root folder or SD Card. Remember the file location — you’ll need to find these files in TWRP later.

Transfer Android 14 LineageOS 21 ROM and GApps zip files to Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite internal storage via USB
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restart_alt Boot Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite into TWRP Recovery Mode

Disconnect the USB cable and power off your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite completely. Once the device is off, press and hold the Power button + Volume Up button simultaneously until you see the TWRP logo appear on screen. Release both buttons when TWRP loads. If prompted, swipe to allow modifications.

Boot Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite into TWRP Recovery Mode using Power and Volume Up buttons
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backup Create a Nandroid Backup of Your Current ROM

This step is critical for safety. In TWRP, tap Backup and create a complete Nandroid Backup. This creates a bit-for-bit copy of your entire current system — including the ROM, apps, data, and settings. If anything goes wrong during the Android 14 installation, or if you want to return to your previous ROM, you can restore this backup in minutes.

Detailed Nandroid Backup guide →

Create a full Nandroid Backup in TWRP before installing Android 14 on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite
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delete_sweep Perform a Factory Reset Using Advanced Wipe

Now perform a thorough Factory Reset to prepare your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite for the Android 14 ROM. In TWRP, navigate to Wipe → Advanced Wipe. Check the boxes for Cache, Dalvik Cache, System, and Data partitions. Then Swipe to Wipe. This completely clears the old system files, user data, and cache — preventing conflicts with the new Android 14 ROM.

TWRP Advanced Wipe selecting Cache, Dalvik, System, and Data partitions on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite
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home Return to the TWRP Main Menu

After the wipe completes successfully, navigate back to the TWRP Main Menu by tapping the back arrow or pressing the home/center navigation button on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite. You should see the main TWRP screen with options like Install, Wipe, Backup, Restore, etc.

Navigate back to TWRP Main Menu on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite after factory reset
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system_update Flash the Android 14 ROM (LineageOS 21)

This is the main step. From the TWRP Main Menu, tap Install. Navigate to the folder where you saved the LineageOS 21 (Android 14) ROM zip file. Tap the file to select it, then Swipe to Confirm Flash. The flashing process takes 2–5 minutes — do not touch anything or power off your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite until it completes. You’ll see “Successful” when done.

Flash Android 14 LineageOS 21 custom ROM zip file via TWRP Install on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite
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apps Flash the Google Apps (GApps) Package

Immediately after the ROM flash completes, do not reboot yet. Instead, tap “Install” again (or use the back button), navigate to your GApps zip file, and flash it the same way. This installs the Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, and other essential Google services on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite. Without GApps, you won’t have access to Google services or the Play Store.

Flash GApps package via TWRP immediately after Android 14 ROM on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite
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cached Wipe Cache and Dalvik Cache

After the GApps flash completes, you’ll see a “Wipe cache/dalvik” button at the bottom left of the TWRP screen. Tap it and Swipe to Wipe. This clears any residual cached data and ensures a clean, error-free first boot of Android 14 on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite. Skipping this step can cause boot loops or app crashes.

Wipe cache and dalvik cache in TWRP after flashing Android 14 ROM and GApps on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite
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restart_alt Reboot Your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite into Android 14

After the cache wipe completes, Press the Home Button, Click Reboot button from the main menu, Tap on System and Swipe to Reboot. Your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite will now boot into Android 14 (LineageOS 21) for the first time! Important: The first boot typically takes 5–10 minutes as the system optimizes all applications. The screen may appear stuck on the boot animation — this is completely normal. Do not force restart during this process.

Reboot Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite into Android 14 LineageOS 21 - first boot after successful custom ROM installation
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Android 14 Successfully Installed on Your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite!

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Android 14 (LineageOS 21) on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite. Enjoy the latest Android features, improved performance, enhanced security, and a clean stock Android experience on your refreshed device!

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What’s Working & Not Working on Android 14 (Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite)

Based on the XDA Forum thread and community reports, here’s the current status of features on the LineageOS 21 (Android 14) ROM for the Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite. Note: This may vary between builds, so always check the latest forum post.

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  • ✅ Phone calls & SMS
  • ✅ Wi-Fi & Hotspot
  • ✅ Mobile data (4G LTE)
  • ✅ Bluetooth & audio
  • ✅ Camera (photo & video)
  • ✅ GPS & location
  • ✅ Fingerprint sensor
  • ✅ NFC

cancel Known Issues

  • ⚠️ Minor camera quirks in some modes
  • ⚠️ Some hardware features may vary by build

Always check the XDA Forum thread for the most up-to-date bug list for your specific build version.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

🔄 Stuck on Boot Animation (Bootloop)

If your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite is stuck on the boot animation for more than 15 minutes, it may be bootlooping. Reboot into TWRP (Power + Vol Up), perform a full wipe (System, Data, Cache, Dalvik), and re-flash the ROM and GApps. Make sure you’re using compatible GApps for Android 14 arm64.

❌ “Error 7” or “Zip Verification Failed”

This usually means you’re flashing a ROM not built for your device. Double-check that the ROM zip is specifically for the Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite. Also ensure your TWRP version is up-to-date and compatible with Android 14 ROMs.

📱 No Mobile Data or Signal After Installation

You may need to flash the correct firmware (baseband/modem) before installing the ROM. Check the XDA Forum thread for the recommended firmware version for your build of LineageOS 21.

🔙 How to Restore Back to Stock ROM

If you want to go back to the stock ROM: (1) restore your Nandroid Backup via TWRP → Restore, or (2) download the official stock ROM from the manufacturer and flash it using the appropriate flash tool on your PC. This will completely restore your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite to factory stock condition.

Frequently Asked Questions — Android 14 on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite

Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions about installing and using Android 14 (LineageOS 21) on the Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite:

Is the Android 14 ROM for Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite stable enough for daily use?

The LineageOS 21 (Android 14) ROM for the Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite is an unofficial build. Core features — including phone calls, Wi-Fi, mobile data, camera, Bluetooth, GPS, and the fingerprint scanner — work well in most builds. Some minor bugs may exist depending on the build version. We recommend checking the XDA Forum thread for the latest known issues before installing it as your daily driver.

Will installing a custom ROM void my Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite warranty?

Yes, unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom ROM voids the manufacturer warranty. However, since the Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite was released in September 2019, virtually all units are well past their warranty period, so this shouldn’t be a concern for most users.

Can I go back to stock ROM after installing Android 14 on my Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite?

Absolutely. You have two options: (1) Restore your Nandroid Backup through TWRP Recovery to return to your exact previous ROM state, or (2) Download the official stock ROM from the manufacturer’s website and flash it using the appropriate flash tool to perform a clean restore to stock firmware.

Which GApps package should I use with Android 14 on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite?

You can choose from four popular options: LiteGApps (recommended for minimal footprint), NikGApps (offers granular control over which Google apps to install), MindTheGApps (balanced package), or BiTGapps (lightweight alternative). All must be the ARM64 variant for Android 14 (API 34). Read our complete GApps compatibility guide to choose the best option for your needs.

Do I need an unlocked bootloader to install Android 14 on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite?

Yes, an unlocked bootloader is a mandatory prerequisite. Without it, you cannot install TWRP Recovery or flash any custom ROM. Use the manufacturer’s official unlock tool to request a bootloader unlock. The process typically involves a waiting period before the unlock is approved.

Does the Android 14 ROM support the Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite’s fingerprint scanner?

Yes, in most LineageOS 21 builds for the Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite, the fingerprint scanner works correctly. However, functionality can occasionally vary between different build versions. If the fingerprint scanner isn’t working after installation, try updating to the latest build or check the XDA Forum for any required patches.

How do I update the Android 14 ROM on my Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite after installation?

To update to a newer build of LineageOS 21: Download the latest ROM zip from the LineageOS download page, transfer it to your device, reboot into TWRP, and flash the new ROM zip over the existing installation (this is called a “dirty flash”). Then wipe cache/dalvik and reboot. A full data wipe is usually not needed for minor updates, but always check the XDA thread for update-specific instructions.

Is the Xiaomi Mi CC9 the same as the Mi 9 Lite for custom ROM installation?

Yes, the Xiaomi Mi CC9 and Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite are the same hardware device sold under different names in different regions. The Mi CC9 was the Chinese variant, while the Mi 9 Lite was the global/international variant. Both use the exact same ROM, TWRP recovery, firmware, and kernel files. You can follow this same guide for either device.

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Have questions or ran into issues while installing Android 14 on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite? Drop a comment below and we’ll help you out! You can also get support from the XDA Forum community where the ROM developer and experienced users actively respond to questions.