Smartphone Redmi Note 4X with processor Snapdragon 625 remains one of the most popular devices in the history of the brand, but its software has not received official updates from the manufacturer for a long time. Many users are faced with the need to install a more recent version MIUI or switch to a clean one Android to improve performance and security. The process of upgrading the software on this device has its own nuances, depending on the current version of the system and the type of installed firmware.
In this article we will analyze in detail all available methods: from standard over-the-air update to manual flashing via mode Recovery. It is important to understand that switching to global versions or custom assemblies requires first unlocking the bootloader, which entails complete deletion of data from the device. Prepare for the procedure in advance to avoid unforeseen situations.
Preparing the device for an update
Before starting any manipulations with the system partition, you must make sure that the hardware is in working order and that all necessary files are available. Download the current firmware image from a trusted source, for example, from the official website Xiaomi or specialized forums. The file must have an extension .zip and match the model of your device (model codes mido for Snapdragon and kenzo for Helio X20 are incompatible).
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the battery charge is at least 60%. Interrupting the data recording process due to a low battery can lead to irreversible damage to the bootloader and turn the smartphone into a “brick.”
Copy the downloaded archive to the phone’s internal memory. Do not place the file in deep folders; it is best to put it in the root of the storage or in the downloaded_romfolder, if it exists. It is also recommended to make a backup copy of important contacts, photos and documents, since when switching between firmware types (for example, from Chinese to Global), the data will be completely deleted.
Check the integrity of the downloaded file. If the archive is damaged during download, the installation will fail. For verification, you can use checksums MD5if they are provided by the firmware developer. This will take a couple of minutes, but will save you from a long search for the cause of the failure in the future.
☑️ Ready for firmware
Updating via the standard MIUI menu
The easiest and safest way is to use the built-in update downloader. This method is suitable if you want to stay within the official ecosystem Xiaomi and upgrade to a newer version MIUI within the same region (for example, from Global to Global). Go to the device settings and find the item About phone.
Click on the version icon MIUI at the top of the screen. The system will automatically check for new versions on the server. If an update is found, the download will begin. However, if the servers no longer support your model or you want to install a specific version manually, a different approach will be required.
For manual installation via the standard menu, enable additional features. Press the logo MIUIseveral times until the message “Advanced features enabled” appears. Then click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file. Find the previously downloaded archive .zip in the device memory.
If the file selection button is inactive, make sure that you click on the system version logo at least 7 times in a row to activate the hidden developer menu in this section.
After selecting the file, the system will check its compatibility. If everything is in order, press the Updatebutton. The device will reboot and begin the installation process. The screen may turn off and on several times - this is normal behavior. Do not interrupt the process, even if it seems stuck on the logo.
The standard method allows you to update only “upwards” and within one firmware region without losing data, but does not work when changing the software type (CN to Global).
Firmware via Recovery mode (Clean Install)
If the standard method gives an error or you need to change the firmware region, you must use the mode Recovery. This method involves a complete wipe of the data, so backup is critical. Turn off the smartphone completely, and then simultaneously press the buttons Volume Up and Power.
Hold the buttons until the logo appears Mi, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume. You will be taken to the main menu Recovery. Control here is carried out with the volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed with the power button. The default interface language can be Chinese or English.
Select an item Wipe Data, then confirm the action by pressing Confirm. The system will warn you about deleting all files. After cleaning, return to the main menu and select Install (or Install Update.zip). Find the firmware file that you previously copied to the internal memory.
⚠️ Attention: When changing the firmware type (for example, from Chinese stable to Global weekly), the “Can't verify update” error is normal. In this case, an unlocked bootloader and the use of Fastboot mode are required.
Confirm the installation and wait until the process completes. The progress bar will fill and a successful installation message will appear. Select option Reboot to System. The first launch after a complete cleaning may take from 5 to 15 minutes, as the system optimizes applications.
Unlocking the bootloader and Fastboot
To install custom firmware or change the region while maintaining the ability to rollback, you need to unlock the bootloader (Bootloader). This is an official procedure from Xiaomi, but it requires linking your account Mi Account to the device and waiting from 3 to 15 days. Without an unlocked bootloader, installation of unsigned images is impossible.
After receiving permission, download the utility Mi Unlock Tool to your computer. Switch the phone to Fastbootmode by holding down the Volume Down and Power buttons on the device being turned off. Connect your smartphone to your PC via the original USB cable. The utility will detect the device and show the lock status.
fastboot devices
fastboot oem unlock
Press the button Unlock in the app. All data on the phone will be deleted. After unlocking, you will be able to flash any compatible images through the command fastboot flash or use specialized scripts for automatic installation. This opens access to installation TWRP Recovery and full versions Android from third-party developers.
Why do you need to wait 7 days?
The waiting period was introduced by Xiaomi to prevent device theft. If the phone is stolen, an attacker will not be able to immediately reflash it and bypass account blocking.
Installing custom firmware and TWRP
Many users Redmi Note 4X switch to custom firmware, such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.euto get the latest versions Android (10, 11 and higher) and lose pre-installed advertising. To do this, you first need to install a third-party recovery, most often TWRP.
The installation process TWRP is carried out through Fastboot. Download the image twrp.imgthat matches your model. Connect your phone in fast boot mode and run the command in the console:
fastboot flash recovery twrp_mido.img
fastboot boot twrp_mido.img
After booting into TWRP make a backup of the current system (section Backup). Then go to section Wipe and execute Advanced Wipe, selecting sections Dalvik, Cache, System and Data. Do not format the internal memory completely if you want to save the files, but for a clean installation it is better to do a full reset.
| Firmware type | Android base | Installation complexity | Availability of Google services |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI Global | Depends on the version | Low | Yes |
| Xiaomi.eu | MIUI / Android | Medium | Yes |
| LineageOS | Pure Android | High | No (installed separately) |
| Pixel Experience | Pure Android | High | Yes |
Install the downloaded zip archive of custom firmware via the button Install to TWRP. After installation, it is also recommended to flash the package Google Apps (GApps), if it is not built into the firmware, in order to work with the store Play Market. Reboot the system and enjoy the updated interface.
Custom firmware gives new life to old hardware, but may have unstable operation of the camera or banking applications due to the lack of Google certification.
Possible errors and ways to solve them
Various failures may occur during the update process. One of the most common problems is an error 7 when installing via Recovery. It means that the bootloader version or firmware region does not match. Solution: use mode Fastboot or unlock the bootloader.
If the phone is stuck on the logo after the update (bootloop), try logging in Recovery and do Wipe Data. If this does not help, the firmware file may have been damaged or may not be suitable for the current board revision. In the worst case, you will need to flash it through test mode EDL using an authorized account.
⚠️ Attention: Menu interfaces and item names may differ depending on the MIUI version and Recovery type. Always check the latest guides for the specific software version before proceeding.
Another common problem is the lack of network after flashing. This often happens when you try to flash the global version on a device with a Chinese radio module without the appropriate modification. In such cases, flashing a special patch helps fix_imei or returning to the original version.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to update Redmi Note 4X to Android 12 officially?
No, official support Redmi Note 4X ends on version Android 7.0 (MIUI 11). Newer versions of Android are only available through the installation of custom firmware from third-party developers.
Will my data be erased when updating through the "About Phone" menu?
When updating within one region (Global to Global), the data is usually saved. However, if you change the firmware type (China to Global) or roll back to an older version, the data will be deleted automatically.
What to do if the phone says “Can't verify update"?
This error occurs when you try to install firmware from a different region or an older version without an unlocked bootloader. You will need to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock utility or use Fastboot mode. Is it safe to use Xiaomi.eu firmware? Yes, the firmware is considered one of the most stable and secure. They are based on Chinese versions of MIUI, but are free of advertising and have built-in Google services and Russian localization.
Is it safe to use Xiaomi.eu firmware?
Yes, firmware Xiaomi.eu are considered one of the most stable and safe. They are based on Chinese versions of MIUI, but are free of advertising and have built-in Google services and Russian localization.
How to return the phone to its original state after custom firmware?
To return to stock, you need to download the official firmware for your region, unlock the bootloader (if closed) and flash the device through Fastboot mode, clearing all partitions.