In a world of ever-growing smartphones, the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE (codename grus) stands as a cherished relic for those who value portability. Released in 2019, it was a rare gem: a true compact flagship. With its beautiful 5.97-inch AMOLED display, capable Snapdragon 712 processor, and premium glass construction, it offered a high-end experience that could comfortably be used in one hand.
For the dedicated owners still holding onto this pocket-friendly champion in 2025, maintaining its software is key to its longevity. The Mi 9 SE's official journey ended with the excellent MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11. This guide is for the enthusiasts who want to keep their compact king running in peak condition by performing a clean installation of its final, official software, or by opting for the even more refined Xiaomi.eu version.
This is the definitive guide to preserving your Mi 9 SE:
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Mi 9 SE
For a classic device like the Mi 9 SE, a clean flash is the best way to ensure a smooth, long-lasting experience.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: grus)
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the official firmware for your region or the enhanced Xiaomi.eu ROM.
Flashing Methods
Method 1: Flashing Official MIUI 12.5 Stock ROM (Fastboot Mode)
This is the most direct way to restore your phone to its final, official software state.
➡ Your phone will reboot into a perfectly clean, factory-fresh MIUI 12.5 system.
Method 2: Installing the Optimized Xiaomi.eu ROM (Custom Recovery)
Choose this method for a cleaner, ad-free experience based on the very latest official build.
➡ Your compact king will now run a debloated and optimized version of its best-ever software.
FAQs
Q1: Will I get Android 12 on my Mi 9 SE?
No. Official support for the Mi 9 SE ended with Android 11. To get newer Android versions, you would need to search for unofficial, third-party custom ROMs (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) on community forums like XDA.
Q2: My proximity sensor doesn't work right during calls. Can this fix it?
Yes, there's a very good chance. Flashing the full firmware re-installs all the low-level drivers and sensor calibration files. If your issue is software-related, a clean flash is the most effective solution.
Q3: Is there a big difference between the official Global and Xiaomi.eu ROMs?
Since both are MIUI 12.5 on Android 11, the differences are subtle. The Xiaomi.eu ROM is based on the slightly newer China build (V12.5.4.0 vs. Global's V12.5.1.0), has all ads and bloatware removed, and includes a few extra customization features. It's the preferred choice for enthusiasts.
Q4: Why do people love the Mi 9 SE so much?
It represents a category of phone that barely exists anymore: a device with a premium screen, a capable processor, and good cameras in a size that is comfortable for one-handed use. Its rarity has made it a modern classic.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
For the dedicated owners still holding onto this pocket-friendly champion in 2025, maintaining its software is key to its longevity. The Mi 9 SE's official journey ended with the excellent MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11. This guide is for the enthusiasts who want to keep their compact king running in peak condition by performing a clean installation of its final, official software, or by opting for the even more refined Xiaomi.eu version.
This is the definitive guide to preserving your Mi 9 SE:
- ✔ Download links for the final official MIUI 12.5 (Android 11) firmware
- ✔ The optimized, ad-free Xiaomi.eu custom ROM for a cleaner experience
- ✔ All the essential tools and drivers needed for a successful flash
- ✔ Step-by-step instructions to restore your device to factory-fresh condition
- ✔ Solutions for common bugs to keep your compact device running smoothly
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Mi 9 SE
For a classic device like the Mi 9 SE, a clean flash is the best way to ensure a smooth, long-lasting experience.
- Restore "As New" Performance → A clean installation of the final official firmware is the best way to eliminate years of accumulated digital clutter and make your Mi 9 SE feel as fast and fluid as it did out of the box.
- Fix Lingering MIUI 12.5 Bugs → If you're experiencing issues like abnormal battery drain, notification delays, or other glitches on your current installation, a full flash will provide a clean slate and resolve them.
- Resolve Proximity Sensor Issues → A full firmware flash can recalibrate the proximity sensor, fixing the common problem where the screen fails to turn off during phone calls.
- Debloat and Optimize with Xiaomi.eu → For the ultimate enthusiast experience, the Xiaomi.eu ROM offers a cleaner system based on the latest China stable build, with all ads and bloatware removed.
- Unbrick or Fix a Bootloop → The essential recovery procedure for a device that is stuck on the Mi logo or fails to boot.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: grus)
- Model: Xiaomi Mi 9 SE
- Release Year: 2019
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 712
- Display: 5.97” Super AMOLED
- Key Feature: Compact, one-hand-friendly premium design
- OS at Launch: MIUI 10 on Android 9 Pie
- Final Official OS: MIUI 12.5 on Android 11 (End of Life)
- Codename: grus
A Cherished Classic: As one of the last true compact premium Android phones, keeping the Mi 9 SE's software in pristine condition is the key to its longevity. The firmware provided in this guide is the final and best official software ever released for the device.
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the official firmware for your region or the enhanced Xiaomi.eu ROM.
| Tool / File | Purpose / OS Version | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Flash Tool | For flashing official Fastboot ROMs. | Download Latest Version |
| Xiaomi USB Drivers | Ensures your PC can communicate with your phone. | Driver Pack |
| Mi Unlock Tool | Required to unlock the bootloader. | Official Unlock Page |
| Custom Recovery (TWRP) | Needed to flash the Xiaomi.eu ROM. | Official TWRP for Grus |
| Fastboot ROM (China) | Official MIUI 12.5 (Android 11) | V12.5.4.0.RFBCNXM |
| Fastboot ROM (Global) | Official MIUI 12.5 (Android 11) | V12.5.1.0.RFBMIXM |
| Xiaomi.eu ROM (Custom) | Optimized, Ad-Free MIUI 12.5 | V12.5.4.0.RFBCNXM |
Flashing Methods
Method 1: Flashing Official MIUI 12.5 Stock ROM (Fastboot Mode)
This is the most direct way to restore your phone to its final, official software state.
- Unlock Bootloader: Your Mi 9 SE's bootloader must be unlocked. Use the official Mi Unlock Tool. This will erase all your data.
- Boot into Fastboot Mode: Power off your phone. Press and hold Power + Volume Down until the Fastboot logo appears.
- Extract Firmware: On your PC, extract the downloaded .tgz Fastboot ROM twice until you have a folder with an images directory.
- Launch Mi Flash Tool: Open the tool as an administrator. Click "select" and choose the extracted firmware folder.
- Connect Device & Flash: Connect your phone to the PC, click "refresh" in Mi Flash Tool, ensure "clean all" is selected at the bottom, and click "flash".
➡ Your phone will reboot into a perfectly clean, factory-fresh MIUI 12.5 system.
Method 2: Installing the Optimized Xiaomi.eu ROM (Custom Recovery)
Choose this method for a cleaner, ad-free experience based on the very latest official build.
- Unlock Bootloader & Install TWRP: Ensure your bootloader is unlocked and you have installed a compatible TWRP custom recovery for grus.
- Boot into TWRP: Power off the phone. Hold Power + Volume Up to boot into the TWRP menu.
- Wipe Data: This step is mandatory for a clean install. In TWRP, go to Wipe → Format Data and type "yes" to confirm.
- Transfer ROM File: Connect your phone to the PC and copy the downloaded Xiaomi.eu .zip file to its internal storage.
- Install the ROM: In TWRP, tap Install, select the ROM .zip file, and swipe the slider to begin flashing.
- Reboot: Once finished, tap "Reboot System."
➡ Your compact king will now run a debloated and optimized version of its best-ever software.
FAQs
Q1: Will I get Android 12 on my Mi 9 SE?
No. Official support for the Mi 9 SE ended with Android 11. To get newer Android versions, you would need to search for unofficial, third-party custom ROMs (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) on community forums like XDA.
Q2: My proximity sensor doesn't work right during calls. Can this fix it?
Yes, there's a very good chance. Flashing the full firmware re-installs all the low-level drivers and sensor calibration files. If your issue is software-related, a clean flash is the most effective solution.
Q3: Is there a big difference between the official Global and Xiaomi.eu ROMs?
Since both are MIUI 12.5 on Android 11, the differences are subtle. The Xiaomi.eu ROM is based on the slightly newer China build (V12.5.4.0 vs. Global's V12.5.1.0), has all ads and bloatware removed, and includes a few extra customization features. It's the preferred choice for enthusiasts.
Q4: Why do people love the Mi 9 SE so much?
It represents a category of phone that barely exists anymore: a device with a premium screen, a capable processor, and good cameras in a size that is comfortable for one-handed use. Its rarity has made it a modern classic.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
- In-display fingerprint scanner is unreliable: A clean flash of the final MIUI 12.5 build will install the most optimized drivers. For best results, always delete and re-register your fingerprints after a major software installation or factory reset.
- Bootloop after flashing: This is almost always solved by using the "clean all" option in Mi Flash Tool, or by using the "Format Data" option in TWRP before flashing a custom ROM. A "dirty" flash often causes boot issues.
- "The system has been destroyed" error: This is a generic Xiaomi error for a failed boot. It's not as scary as it sounds. The fix is to force the phone back into Fastboot mode (Power + Vol Down) and flash the stock firmware again.
- High battery drain after flashing: After a clean flash, the system needs some time to settle and optimize apps in the background. If high drain persists after a day or two, check the Battery settings to see if a specific app is causing the issue.