Owning a smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro (also known as Redmi Note 4X with a Snapdragon processor) in the current realities requires a careful approach to the software. Official support for this model by the manufacturer has long been discontinued, and the latest standard version of the operating system, which can be obtained “out of the box” or through the standard menu, is limited Android 7.0 Nougat with the MIUI 9 or 10 shell.
However, the desire of users to go beyond the old versions is understandable: many modern applications no longer work correctly on outdated Android, and the level of security no longer meets modern requirements. Fortunately, an active community of developers continues to support this legendary device, offering custom firmware based on Android 10 and even Android 11.
Before taking active steps, you need to clearly understand the difference between an official update and installing third-party software. If your goal is simply to check for official patches, the process is trivial. But if you want to install modern Android, you have to go through the enthusiast's path of unlocking the bootloader and flashing the system.
⚠️ Attention: Any manipulations with the smartphone software that go beyond the standard update through the menu carry the risk of losing the warranty (if it is still valid) and potentially turning the device into a “brick.” You perform all actions at your own peril and risk.
In this guide we will analyze in detail all the available methods for upgrading your device. We will look at standard tools, working with Recovery mode and installing custom builds that will give your Redmi 4 Pro a second life.
Checking for official updates through the MIUI menu
The safest and most predictable way to try to improve the performance of your smartphone is to use the built-in update mechanism. The company Xiaomi uses server mailing, so the update may not reach all users at the same time. Sometimes manually checking for a new software version helps.
To get started, you need to go to the device settings. Find the item Settings and go down to the very bottom of the list to the section About phone. This is where the current MIUI version and Android build number are displayed. Click on the large MIUI logo icon or button Update (location may vary depending on the shell version).
The system will contact the server and check the relevance installed firmware. If an update has been released for your region and specific model (it is important not to confuse the global version with the Chinese version), a corresponding notification will appear. The download and installation process is fully automated.
- 📱 Open the menu
Settings → About phone. - 🔄 Click on the MIUI version icon for manual checking.
- 📥 Agree to download the update package, if any found.
- 🔋 Make sure that the battery charge is above 50% before starting the installation.
It is worth noting an important nuance: if you are using a global version of the firmware, and the phone was purchased in China, the automatic update may not come. In such cases, users often change the region in the settings or use the “Select Firmware” function, which will be discussed below.
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface and the location of items may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (9, 10 or custom build). If you do not find the update item, use the search in the settings by entering the word “Update”.
Manual installation of firmware via Recovery
If the automatic search did not produce results, but you know that a new version of MIUI exists, you can use the manual installation method. This method requires first downloading the installation file (archive with the .zip extension) from the official website of the developer.
The firmware file must be placed in the root directory of the smartphone's internal memory. Important: the file should not be located in any folders, otherwise the recovery system will not see it. After preparing the file, you need to switch to Recovery mode.
To enter recovery mode, turn off the phone completely. Then hold down the volume up button (Volume Up) and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the logo appears Mi, then release the power, continuing to hold the volume until the Recovery menu appears.
In the menu that opens, control is carried out with the volume buttons (up/down) and confirmation with the power button. You need to select item Select file (or Choose zip), find the downloaded archive and confirm the installation. The system will check the digital signature and begin updating.
☑️ Preparing for manual firmware
This method is good because it does not require unlocking the bootloader if you install the official global firmware on top of the same global one. However, switching from the Chinese version to the global version or vice versa through this menu is often blocked by signature verification.
Unlocking the bootloader
To install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience) or the global version of MIUI on a Chinese device, you need to unlock the bootloader. This is a critical step that allows access to deep system changes, but also reduces the security level of the device.
The unlocking process is only possible through the official tool Mi Unlock Tool on the computer. First you need to link your Mi account to your device. Go to Settings → Advanced settings → For developers (the “For Developers” item is activated by pressing the build number seven times in the “About phone” section). There, select Mi Unlock status and link your account.
After linking, you will have to wait. Xiaomi sets a waiting timer, which usually ranges from 72 hours to 7 days (168 hours). During this period, you can use the phone as usual, but you will not be able to unlock the bootloader.
- 💻 Download and install the Mi Unlock Tool utility on your PC.
- 🔗 Link your Mi account in the smartphone settings via the mobile data.
- ⏳ Wait for the mandatory waiting period (from 3 to 7 days).
- 🔓 Start unlocking via PC by holding
Volume Down+Powerwhen turning it on.
It is important to understand that unlocking the bootloader leads to a complete reset of all data on the device (Wipe Data). Therefore, before starting the procedure, be sure to back up important photos and documents.
⚠️ Attention: After unlocking the bootloader, some security features will no longer work. In particular, problems may arise with the operation of banking applications (Google Pay/Samsung Pay/Apple Pay analogues) and applications that use Widevine L1 (Netflix in HD quality).
What is Fastboot mode?
Fastboot mode is a low-level diagnostic interface built into the Qualcomm chipset. It allows you to perform low-level operations such as flashing partitions, unlocking the bootloader and testing hardware without bypassing the Android operating system. This mode is entered by using a key combination when starting the phone.
Installing custom firmware and Android updates
This section is of interest to most Redmi 4 Pro owners who want to get a more recent Android. Since official support has ended, the only way to get Android 10 or 11 is to install a custom recovery (usually TWRP) and third-party firmware.
The most popular and stable platform for this model is the project Xiaomi.eu. This is a modified version of the Chinese MIUI firmware, adapted for international use: Google services are built into it, Chinese software is removed and support for many languages is added. “Clean” firmwares like LineageOS.
The installation process is as follows: after unlocking the bootloader, you install TWRP Recovery via Fastboot. Then download the zip archive of the desired firmware, go to TWRP, do a full reset (Wipe) and install a new file.
| Firmware type | Base | Android version | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI Global (Off) | Official | 7.0 (Nougat) | High |
| Xiaomi.eu | Chinese MIUI | 7.0 - 10.0 | Very high |
| LineageOS | Pure AOSP | 10 - 11 | Medium/High |
| Pixel Experience | Pure AOSP | 10 - 11 | High |
When choosing firmware, pay attention to the development status. Versions marked "Stable" or "Release" are suitable for everyday use. The "Beta" or "Nightly" versions may contain bugs and are not intended for the main phone.
Before installing custom firmware, be sure to save the EFS and IMEI folder. Losing this data will make it impossible to connect to the cellular network, and it is almost impossible to restore it without a backup.
Solving update errors
The process of updating or flashing rarely goes perfectly smoothly for all users. Most often there are specific errors that are easy to fix if you know the reason for their occurrence. Let's look at the most common scenarios.
The “Can't verify update” error occurs when you try to install firmware through the standard Recovery menu if the digital signature of the file does not match the device region or bootloader status. There is only one solution: unlock the bootloader and use TWRP.
Cyclic reboot (Bootloop) is a situation when the phone constantly reboots without starting the system. This often happens if a full reset (Wipe Data/Factory Reset) was not done when moving between different versions of Android or firmware types.
- 🔄 Bootloop: Go to Recovery and do a Wipe Data/Factory Reset.
- ❌ Verification error: Check whether the firmware file matches the region (Global for Global).
- 📉 Slowness after update: Clear the Dalvik/Cache in Recovery mode.
- 🔋 Fast discharge: Let the phone charge for 1-2 hours after the first start of the new system.
If the phone stops responding to buttons and only the charging indicator or logo is on, the firmware may have been interrupted. In this case, only flashing via Fastboot mode using a computer and a USB cable will help.
⚠️ Attention: The operating conditions of Google services, banking applications and the availability of certain versions of Android may be changed by developers at any time. Always check the forums (4PDA, XDA) for current bugs before installing new firmware.
The main reason for most errors when updating is ignoring the need for a complete data reset (Wipe) when changing the major version of Android or firmware type.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to officially get Android 10 or 11 on Redmi 4 Pro?
No, Xiaomi has officially stopped supporting this model on Android 7.0 Nougat (MIUI 10/11). Newer versions of Android are only available through the installation of custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.), which requires unlocking the bootloader.
Will the update erase my data (photos, contacts)?
A regular update through the menu (“over the air”) saves all data. However, switching to another version of MIUI (for example, from China to Global) or installing custom firmware requires a full reset, which will delete all information. Always make a backup copy.
Is it safe to unlock the bootloader on this phone?
The unlocking procedure is standard and supported by the manufacturer, but it reduces the overall security of the device. Once unblocked, it is easier for malware to gain access to the system. This may also affect the operation of some banking applications.
Where to download secure firmware for Redmi 4 Pro?
The most reliable source is the official website miui.com or the proven project xiaomi.eu. For custom firmware, use the profile threads on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forum, carefully reading user reviews.
What to do if you forgot your password after the update?
If after the update the system requires a password that you do not remember, it may be the Mi account password (FRP lock) or the data encryption password. It is impossible to reset this via Recovery without losing data. You will need to enter data from the Google or Mi account to which the phone was linked before the reset.