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NEED A GUIDE ON HOW TO INSTALL EVOLUTION X ON REDMI NOTE 9 PRO MAX

Ultimate Guide to Installing Evolution X on Redmi Note 9 Pro Max (Joyeuse)

Introduction to Evolution X and Redmi Note 9 Pro Max

We understand the desire to unlock the full potential of your Redmi Note 9 Pro Max (codenamed Joyeuse). The stock MIUI experience, particularly MIUI 14 based on Android 12, while feature-rich, can often feel bloated with unnecessary applications and restrictive customizations. This is where a custom ROM like Evolution X comes into play. Evolution X is a premium aftermarket firmware based on Android Open Source Project (AOSP) that brings a perfect blend of stability, customization, and performance. It offers a clean, near-stock Android experience while integrating a plethora of powerful features derived from LineageOS, Pixel Experience, and other popular ROMs.

For the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max, which runs on the capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor, Evolution X can breathe new life into the device. Users often report significant improvements in battery life, smoother UI transitions, and an overall faster, more responsive experience compared to the stock MIUI ROM. This comprehensive guide is meticulously crafted to navigate you through the entire installation process, from unlocking your bootloader to flashing the final Magisk modules for enhanced functionality. We will cover every prerequisite, every step, and every potential pitfall in extreme detail to ensure a successful and seamless installation.

Prerequisites for a Safe Installation

Before we dive into the technical steps, we must ensure your device and your workstation are fully prepared. A successful installation relies heavily on having the right tools and files ready. Rushing this stage is the primary cause of installation failures.

Essential Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Software and Tools

  1. ADB and Fastboot Platform Tools: These are the fundamental command-line tools for communicating with your Android device in Bootloader or Recovery mode. We recommend downloading the latest platform-tools from the official Android Developer website.
  2. Mi Unlock Tool: The official application provided by Xiaomi to unlock the bootloader. This is non-negotiable as the bootloader must be unlocked before any modifications can be made.
  3. Custom Recovery (TWRP/OrangeFox): A custom recovery image is required to flash the custom ROM package. For this device, either TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) or OrangeFox Recovery is recommended.
  4. Evolution X ROM Package: The core custom ROM file. You must download the specific build for your device (Joyeuse) from a trusted source like the official Evolution X GitHub or a reputable developer forum like XDA-Developers.
  5. Magisk (Optional but Recommended): If you require root access, you will need the Magisk app or the Magisk ZIP file to flash after the ROM installation.
  6. GApps (Google Apps): Evolution X, like most custom ROMs, does not come with Google services pre-installed. You will need to download a GApps package (typically from OpenGApps or a similar source) compatible with Android 12 (if your ROM is based on it) or the specific Android version your ROM is built on.
  7. Firmware (Optional but Highly Recommended): Sometimes, flashing a specific vendor firmware (MIUI firmware) is required before installing a custom ROM to ensure all hardware components function correctly. It is best practice to flash the same firmware version your ROM was built on.

Data Backup and Disclaimer

We cannot stress enough the importance of a complete data backup. The unlocking bootloader process will wipe all data from your device. Subsequent steps will also perform a “factory reset.” We are not responsible for any data loss, bricked devices, or any other issues that may arise. Proceed at your own risk.

Step 1: Unlocking the Bootloader on MIUI 14

This is the most common stumbling block for users, as the prompt indicates difficulty with the MI Bootloader Unlocking process. Xiaomi has a specific procedure for this that involves waiting times.

Unlocking Your Mi Account and Binding Your Device

  1. Create a Mi Account: If you do not have one, create a Mi Account. This account is essential for the unlocking process.
  2. Add Mi Account to Device: On your Redmi Note 9 Pro Max, go to Settings > Mi Account. Sign in with the same Mi Account you intend to use for unlocking. It is crucial that the device is logged into the same Mi Account as the one used in the Mi Unlock Tool.
  3. Enable Developer Options: Navigate to Settings > About Phone and tap on the MIUI version seven times until you see a message saying “You are now a developer.”
  4. Enable OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging: Go to Settings > Additional Settings > Developer Options. Scroll down and enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking. Grant permission when prompted.

Using the Mi Unlock Tool

  1. Download Mi Unlock Tool: Download the latest version of the Mi Unlock Tool from the official Xiaomi website (en.miui.com/unlock).
  2. Boot into Fastboot Mode: Power off your device completely. Press and hold the Power button + Volume Down button simultaneously until the Fastboot screen (a rabbit with a helmet) appears. Connect your device to the computer via USB.
  3. Run Mi Unlock Tool: Launch the Mi Unlock Tool on your PC, log in with the same Mi Account, and accept the terms and conditions. The tool should detect your device. If it says “Not connected,” ensure your drivers are installed correctly.
  4. The Waiting Game: Click the “Unlock” button. If this is your first time unlocking, you will likely encounter an error message stating that your account is not eligible for unlocking and providing a waiting time (e.g., “Unlock after 72 hours”). Xiaomi enforces this waiting period to discourage ROM piracy.
  5. Respect the Wait: Do not attempt to use tricks or fake your device information to bypass this wait. It will only result in a longer cooldown. Wait for the specified duration.
  6. Successful Unlock: After the waiting period, repeat the steps. This time, the unlock should be successful. The tool will confirm with a “Unlock successful” message. Your device will be wiped and rebooted.

Step 2: Flashing a Custom Recovery (TWRP/OrangeFox)

With the bootloader unlocked, the next step is to replace the stock recovery with a custom one.

Preparing the Recovery Image

  1. Download the latest TWRP or OrangeFox recovery image specifically for the Joyeuse variant of the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max. The file will typically be named twrp-xxxxx-joyeuse.img.
  2. Rename the downloaded image file to recovery.img for simplicity and place it in the folder where your ADB and Fastboot platform-tools are located.

Flashing Recovery via Fastboot

  1. Keep your device connected to the PC and booted into Fastboot Mode (as described in the previous section).
  2. Open a command prompt or terminal window inside your platform-tools folder. You can do this by navigating to the folder in File Explorer, typing cmd in the address bar, and pressing Enter.
  3. Verify the connection by typing:
    fastboot devices
    You should see your device’s serial number listed.
  4. Temporarily flash the recovery using the following command:
    fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
  5. Crucial Step: Once the flash is complete, do not let the device reboot into MIUI. Immediately boot into recovery mode. You can do this by holding Volume Up + Power or by using the fastboot command:
    fastboot boot recovery.img
    This command boots the TWRP/OrangeFox image directly, which is necessary because the stock MIUI 14 recovery has strong integrity checks and will overwrite a flashed custom recovery on the first boot.

Step 3: Data Wipe and Format

Now that you are in the custom recovery, you must prepare the device’s partitions for the new ROM. This ensures a clean installation and prevents conflicts with the old MIUI system.

Performing a Factory Reset

  1. In TWRP/OFox, tap on Wipe.
  2. Swipe the slider to Factory Reset. This will wipe data, cache, andDalvik cache.
  3. Once complete, go back to the main wipe menu.

Formatting Data (Important for Encryption)

MIUI 14 encrypts your data partition by default. Custom ROMs may have trouble decrypting this, leading to boot loops. To avoid this, we must format the data partition.

  1. In the Wipe menu, select Format Data.
  2. Type yes in the prompt and swipe to format. This will wipe the entire internal storage, including your media files.
  3. After formatting, go back to the main menu and go to Advanced Wipe.
  4. Select the following partitions: Cache, Dalvik / ART Cache, and System. Swipe to wipe them. Your device is now a clean slate, ready for Evolution X.

Step 4: Downloading and Flashing Evolution X ROM

This is the core of the installation process where we transfer the custom ROM to your device.

Downloading the Correct Files

  1. Evolution X ROM: Visit the official download page for Evolution X for Joyeuse. Ensure you are downloading the version compatible with your device. Check the date and changelog to ensure it’s a stable build. The file will be a .zip package.
  2. GApps: Since you are likely coming from Android 12 (MIUI 14), you need to check the Android version of the Evolution X build. For most modern Evolution X builds, you will need GApps for the corresponding Android version (e.g., Android 13, 14). We recommend using NikGApps or OpenGApps. Download the arm64 variant and the appropriate variant (e.g., core or stock).
  3. Magisk: Download the latest Magisk ZIP file (e.g., Magisk-vXX.X.zip).

The Flashing Sequence

  1. Transfer the downloaded Evolution X ROM ZIP, GApps ZIP, and Magisk ZIP to your device’s internal storage. You can do this by connecting your phone to the PC while in recovery and using the “Mount” or “MTP” option.
  2. In the TWRP/OFox main menu, tap Install.
  3. Navigate to the location of the Evolution X ZIP file.
  4. Swipe the slider to confirm the flash. The installation will take a few minutes.
  5. Do not reboot yet. After the ROM is flashed, immediately go back to the main menu and tap Install again.
  6. Now, select the GApps ZIP file and flash it immediately after the ROM.
  7. If you want root access, go back and flash the Magisk ZIP file as well.
  8. Once all three files are flashed, you can proceed to the final step.

Step 5: Finalizing the Installation and First Boot

We are now at the final stage of the installation process.

Clearing Cache Before Reboot

While still in the recovery, after flashing all your chosen packages, it is good practice to go to Wipe > Advanced Wipe and wipe the Dalvik / ART Cache one more time. This helps in preventing runtime errors on the first boot.

Rebooting to System

  1. Go back to the main menu of your custom recovery.
  2. Tap on Reboot and then select System.
  3. The first boot can take a significant amount of time, anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. Do not panic. The system is performing an initial optimization of all installed applications. Be patient.

Post-Installation Setup

Once the device boots up, you will be greeted with the familiar Android setup wizard. Go through the steps to connect to Wi-Fi, sign in to your Google account, and configure your device. You have now successfully installed Evolution X on your Redmi Note 9 Pro Max.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful execution, issues can arise. Here are solutions to the most common problems.

Boot Loop

If your device is stuck in a boot loop (continuously rebooting), the first course of action is to re-enter recovery and wipe the Cache and Dalvik / ART Cache. If that fails, you may need to re-flash the ROM and GApps, ensuring you performed the Format Data step correctly.

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Mobile Data Not Working

This usually indicates a mismatch between the ROM’s base and the firmware. The solution is to find the latest MIUI firmware for your device and region and flash it via TWRP before flashing the Evolution X ROM.

“Can’t Open /data/media/0” Error in Recovery

This is common after formatting data. Simply reboot recovery from the options in TWRP/OFox, and the internal storage should be mounted correctly.

Post-Installation: Customizing with Magisk Modules

Once your Evolution X ROM is stable and running smoothly, you can further enhance its capabilities. As mentioned, our website, Magisk Modules, and our repository at Magisk Module Repository are the perfect resources for this. By installing Magisk, you gain access to a vast ecosystem of modules that can modify your device at a system level without altering system files.

Exploring the Magisk Module Repository

Visit our repository to find modules that can improve battery optimization, add advanced audio codecs, enable Camera2 API features, and much more. For a newly installed custom ROM like Evolution X, modules that fine-tune CPU governors or enable system-wide audio effects can provide a noticeable improvement in performance and user experience. Our repository is curated to ensure you have access to safe and effective modules to complete your custom Android journey.

Conclusion

You have successfully navigated the intricate process of unlocking the bootloader, installing a custom recovery, and flashing Evolution X onto your Redmi Note 9 Pro Max. You have transformed your device from a stock MIUI handset into a powerful, customized Android device. By following this detailed guide, you have avoided the common pitfalls that plague many aspiring modders. Enjoy the new, bloat-free, and highly customizable experience that Evolution X offers, and remember to explore the vast potential of your rooted device with the modules available on Magisk Modules.

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