Xiaomi Redmi 4X: which Android supports officially and unofficially?

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, which is still used by many users. However, with the release of new versions Android owners are faced with the question: what OS does their device officially support, and is it possible to install more recent firmware using unofficial methods? In this article we will analyze all the nuances: from the factory version to the possibilities of custom firmware, and also give practical recommendations for updating.

The smartphone came out with Android 6.0 Marshmallow on board, but later received an update to Android 7.1 Nougat as part of official support. However, many users want to know whether it is possible to install Android 8, 9 or even 10 —and if so, how to do it safely. We analyzed data from Xiaomi, user reviews and technical limitations to give a comprehensive answer.

Official Android support from Xiaomi

Redmi 4X (codename santoni) initially supplied with MIUI 8 based on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. In 2017–2018, the device received two major updates: MIUI 9 - the first major update, which brought performance optimizations and new interface features. MIUI 10 - the last official version for this model, released in 2019.

• 📱 Android 7.0 Nougat with MIUI 9 - the first major update, bringing performance optimizations and new interface features.
• 🔄 Android 7.1.2 Nougat with MIUI 10 - the latest official version for this model, released in 2019.

After Android 7.1.2 Xiaomi stopped support Redmi 4X at the operating system level. This means that official updates to Android 8 Oreo, 9 Pie or newer versions does not exist. However, the device continued to receive security updates and bug fixes as part of MIUI until 2020.

Technical limitations: why there is no Android 8+

The main reason for the lack of official support for new versions Android is hardware limitations Redmi 4X. The device is equipped with:

• 🧠 Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 (8 Cortex-A53 cores, 1.4 GHz).
• 📱 2/3 GB of RAM (depending on modification).
• 💾 16/32 GB built-in memory (expandable via microSD).

These characteristics does not meet Google's minimum requirements for Android 8 Oreo and higher, especially taking into account the shell MIUI, which itself consumes significant resources. For example, Android 8 requires at least 2 GB RAM for stable operation, and Android 9 - already 3 GB for comfortable use.

⚠️ Attention: Installing unofficial firmware based on Android 8+ can lead to slow operation, overheating or unstable operation of the camera/networks. Before experiments, evaluate the risks!

Unofficial firmware: what can be installed?

If there are no official updates, the option of custom firmware remains. For Redmi 4X the following alternatives are available:

• 🔧 LineageOS 14.1/15.1 — stable builds based on Android 7.1 and 8.1. They support most functions, but there may be problems with the camera or sensors.
• 📱 Pixel Experience —firmware with “pure” Android and functions from Google Pixel. Versions based on Android 7–9 are available.
• ⚡ Havoc-OS or Resurrection Remix —custom firmware with advanced settings, but less stable.

For installation you will need:

1. Unlock the bootloader (bootloader) via Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
3. Download firmware and GApps (Google services package).
4. Flash via TWRP with a full reset (wipe).

Make a backup copy of your data|Charge your phone to 80%+|Download the official TWRP for santoni|Check firmware compatibility with the model-->

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the device! Also Xiaomi may limit access to some functions (for example, Mi Cloud or Find Device) after unlocking.

Step-by-step guide: how to update Redmi 4X to Android 7.1.2 (officially)

If your device has not yet received the latest official update, follow these steps:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi (the update weighs ~1.5 GB).
2. Go to Settings → About phone → System update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If an update to MIUI 10 (Android 7.1.2)is available, download and install it.
5. Wait for completion (the device will reboot several times).

If the update does not arrive automatically:

• 🔄 Try resetting the network settings in Settings → Wireless networks → Advanced → Network reset.
• 📥 Download the full update package (.zip) from MIUI official website and install via System update → Select file.

Performance comparison: Android 6 vs 7.1 on Redmi 4X

Many users doubt whether it is worth upgrading from Android 6.0 to 7.1.2We tested both versions on Redmi 4X (3/32 GB) and this is what happened:

Conclusion: Update to Android 7.1.2 justified if compatibility with new applications and slightly better performance are important to you. However, if autonomy is critical, stay on Android 6.0 or consider custom firmware with an optimized kernel.

Frequent problems after updating and their solutions

After upgrading to Android 7.1.2 or installing custom firmware, users Redmi 4X may encounter the following problems:

• 🔋 Fast battery drain - check active applications in Settings → Battery and disable autostart of unnecessary services.
• 📶 Problems with the mobile network — reset the network settings or flash the modem via TWRP (look for modem files on 4PDA).
• 🎵 No sound in the speaker — clear the cache in TWRP or reflash the firmware without wipe data.
• 📷 The camera does not work — install a patch for the camera (for example, ANX Camera for custom firmware).

If after updating the device does not turn on or is stuck on the logo:

1. Try to go to Recovery (Power + Volume up).
2. Run Wipe Cache i Wipe Dalvik.
3. If that doesn’t help, flash the device via Fastboot using Mi Flash Tool.

Alternatives to updating: how to improve the performance of Redmi 4X without changing Android

If you update to a new one version Android is impossible or impractical, you can optimize the current system:

• ⚡ Disable animations: go to Settings → Advanced → For developers and set the animation scale to 0.5x or disable it completely.
• 🧹 Clear cache regularly via Settings → Storage → Clear cache.
• 🚫 Remove bloatware (preinstalled application Xiaomi) using ADB or Titanium Backup (root access required).
• 🔄 Use lightweight launchers, for example Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, instead of the standard MIUI Launcher.

It is also worth considering installing micro-G (stripped Google services) or Magisk to manage root access without loss of functionality SafetyNet (needed for banking applications).

⚠️ Attention: Removing system applications without root can lead to unstable operation! Before deleting, create a backup copy in TWRP.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Redmi 4X and Android

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