How to Install Android 16 on Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite [Download Link]

If you’re using a Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite or Xiaomi Mi CC9 and want to breathe new life into your device, installing an Android 16-based custom ROM is a solid move....

Abd Razaaq

Last updated on July 15, 2026

Abd Razaaq

Author

I'm a Tech Content Writer and Full-Time blogger. Since I love Android and Google's device, I started my career in writing for Android OS and their features. This led me to start "GetDroidTips". I have completed Master of Business Administration at Mangalore University, Karnataka.

Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite Overview:

The Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite, released in September 2019, is a mid-range smartphone that offers a premium design and solid performance. The device features a glass front and back (Gorilla Glass 5) with an aluminum frame, giving it a sleek and durable look. It weighs 179g and measures 156.8 x 74.5 x 8.7 mm, making it slim and easy to handle. The 6.39-inch Super AMOLED display delivers vivid colors and deep blacks, with a 1080 x 2340 pixel resolution and HDR support. The screen is well protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, and it has a high screen-to-body ratio of around 85.8%, making it ideal for media consumption.

Under the hood, the Mi 9 Lite is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 chipset with an octa-core processor (2×2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6×1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) and Adreno 616 GPU, providing smooth performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. It comes with 6GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of UFS 2.1 internal storage, expandable via microSDXC (using the shared SIM slot). The triple-camera system on the back includes a 48 MP main sensor, an 8 MP ultrawide camera, and a 2 MP depth sensor, capable of recording 4K videos at 30fps and slow-motion at 960fps. The 32 MP front camera offers high-quality selfies with HDR support.

Additional features include an in-display fingerprint sensor, 18W fast charging for the 4030 mAh battery, and connectivity options like NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, an infrared port, and USB Type-C. The Mi 9 Lite runs on Android 9.0 Pie with MIUI 11, upgradable to Android 10. Overall, it’s a well-rounded device offering a great display, solid performance, and impressive camera capabilities at an affordable price.

Android 16 Features:

Android 16 introduces Material 3 Expressive, a refined evolution of Google’s design language for smartphones and tablets. While it doesn’t completely reinvent the interface, it represents one of the most noticeable user-facing changes in the OS. Rather than a dramatic visual overhaul, Material 3 Expressive enhances the foundation laid by Material Design 3 by introducing smoother, more dynamic animations, larger touch targets, and bolder typography.

This update arrives at a perfect moment. Material Design 3, first introduced with Android 13, had begun to feel dated. Material 3 Expressive breathes new life into the interface while preserving the familiar look and feel users have grown comfortable with. Instead of overhyping the changes, Google’s own animations showcase the polish and fluidity of this next step in Android design.

Android 16 introduces a wealth of new features, system optimizations, and UI refinements. Some of the highlights include:

Live Notifications: Track real-time activities like deliveries or ride status with persistent, interactive notifications.
Low-Light Camera Enhancements: Improved software-based night photography.
Pro-Grade Media Support: Includes advanced codecs and battery-efficient audio processing.
Desktop Mode for External Displays: Better support for multi-window UI on monitors and tablets.
Accessibility Upgrades: Features like outlined text and improved input customization.
Performance Boost: Enhanced power management and reduced background CPU usage.

These updates aim to improve user experience across different types of devices, including foldables, tablets, and standard phones.

Although Android 16 is rolling out first to Pixel devices, many brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus, Samsung, Realme, and others will follow soon. If you’re impatient, a custom ROM is the best way to get Android 16 today.

What Works & Known Bugs:

What’s working?

Everything seems to be working fine.

Known issues?

If you spot any bugs, report them along with proper logs to the developer.

Before You Begin: Requirements:

1. Backup Your Data:

Always back up your device before flashing any ROM. This prevents data loss if anything goes wrong. Backup guide here.

2. Battery Level:

Charge your phone to at least 50% to avoid shutdowns during the flashing process.

3. Download ADB and Fastboot Binaries:

You can skip this part if you have already installed TWRP Recovery on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite. For those who haven’t, ADB and Fastboot commands (platform-tools) are required to boot your device into bootloader mode, allowing you to perform the necessary flashing operations. ADB (Android Debug Bridge) establishes a connection between your device and computer, while Fastboot is a more advanced command-line utility for flashing and modifying Android devices.

You can download the ADB and Fastboot Binaries (Platform-Tools) here.

4. Download USB Drivers:

You’ll need the appropriate USB drivers to ensure a successful connection between your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite and your computer. These drivers enable file transfers, flashing, and other operations between your devices.

You can download the latest Xiaomi USB drivers here.

5. Unlock the Bootloader:

Unlocking the bootloader of your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite. is essential before you can install any custom ROM. Make sure to follow Xiaomi’s official instructions for unlocking the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader will wipe your device, so back up your data beforehand.

6. Install TWRP Recovery:

You must install TWRP Recovery on your phone to install any custom ROM on your device. After unlocking the bootloader, follow our guide to install TWRP Recovery on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite.

7. Download Android 16 ROM:

You can download the Android 16 custom ROMs for the Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite from the links below:

OS	Download Link
Lineage OS 23	Download
CrDroid OS	Download
Evolution X	Download

8. Download Android 16 GApps:

Most AOSP ROMs don’t come with Google apps. You’ll need to flash Android 16 GApps separately.

Download Android 16 GApps

Note: Flash GApps right after flashing the ROM. Don’t reboot in between.

Warning!

GetDroidTips is not responsible for any issues that may happen to your device if you flash it on another device and brick it. Do it at your own risk.

Installation Guide: Step-by-Step

Connect your device to the PC via a USB cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
Then, go to the platform-tools folder, type CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
Execute the below command in the CMD window or enter recovery mode using the Volume and Power button combination to boot your device to TWRP Recovery:
```
adb reboot recovery
```
Now head to the Install section and navigate to the downloaded vendor and firmware. Perform a right swipe to flash it.
If you want Google Apps as well, you need to flash it at this instance. Go to Install, select the GApps ZIP file, and perform a right swipe to flash this file.
When that is done, you may reboot your device. Head over to Reboot and select System.

The first boot after installing a custom ROM may take a bit longer than usual, so don’t panic if it seems slow. After the device boots, you will need to set it up as a new device, just like when you first got it.

Final Words

By flashing Android 16 on your Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite, you’re extending its life and unlocking modern Android features that Xiaomi may never officially provide. While this is an unofficial AOSP build, early reports suggest solid stability. That said, bugs may still appear, so always report them with logs to help developers improve the experience.

If you have questions or run into issues during installation, feel free to drop a comment. Enjoy your fresh Android 16 experience!