Owners of the popular budget smartphone in the past often wonder about the fate of their device. It has been several years since the presentation of Xiaomi Redmi. 4X, And the software for this model has become more than transparent, and official support from the manufacturer has long since ceased, and we hope to see a global release. OTA-Updates to new Android versions don’t make sense.
However, the life of the smartphone can be extended, paying attention to the capabilities of custom firmware or manual installation of the final official versions of MIUI. In this article, we will discuss in detail what software is relevant at the moment, why automatic updates may not come and whether it is worth trying to “revive” the device with new methods.
It’s important to understand that the Redmi 4X is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor, which has its own architectural limitations, and that this chipset has been a determining factor in stopping the development of the official firmware line for this model.
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to install firmware designed for another model (e.g. Redmi 4 Prime) is guaranteed to cause the device to fail. Carefully check code names before any manipulations.
Current status of official MIUI support
Official software development for Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) was stopped on the MIUI 10 version of Android 7.1 Nougat, the last stable release Xiaomi released for the global market. Later, test builds based on MIUI 11 and even MIUI 12 were released for some regions, including China and India, but they never became final for the general public.
Many users mistakenly believe that the lack of notifications is a temporary server bug. In fact, update servers no longer contain new packages for this model. The development cycle is complete and the company's resources are redeployed to support more modern devices. If you are still using MIUI 9 or earlier, upgrading to MIUI 10 Global Stable is the maximum that can be counted on by official methods.
There's a nuance with regional versions. In China, support lasted a little longer, and you can find firmware with more recent security patches, but they don't contain Google services by default and require firmware reflashing for full-time work outside of China. Installing Chinese firmware on a global device requires unlocking the bootloader.
📊 What version? MIUI you're installed now?
MIUI 8
MIUI 9
MIUI 10
The other one, I don't know
For those who want to stay within the official ecosystem, it is important to know the exact version of their software. You can check this by going to the Settings → About Phone menu. If it lists a version older than 10.2.3.0, then automatic updates are likely no longer available through the standard interface.
Why does not automatic update come
The absence of a pop-up offering to upgrade is normal for devices that are no longer supported: Over-The-Air (OTA) checks the server for packets that match your current version and region, and if the server does not find a transition packet or final version, it simply does not speak.
There are also technical reasons that block the update:
- 📱 Modified System Partition: If you have previously manually installed applications or modified system files, checksums may not match.
- 🌍 Changing Region: Using techniques to change region through a hidden engineer menu can block receiving updates for your real geographic location.
- 🔓 Unlocked bootloader: On some devices with unlocked Bootloader OTA-updates may come with a delay or not at all to avoid conflicts with custom Recovery.
Xiaomi uses a phased rollout update, even if it existed, it could only have reached 10% of randomly selected users’ devices, but in the case of Redmi 4X, it is the end of the software lifecycle.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t try to endlessly click the “Check Updates” button every 5 minutes. IP-server-address MIUI owing to suspicious activity.
If you want to get the latest version manually available, you'll have to download the firmware archive and install it through the file selection menu. This is standard procedure for devices that have dropped out of automatic mailing.
Installation capabilities MIUI 12 and Android 9
There are a lot of rumors in the development community that the Redmi 4X might run Android 9 Pie. Indeed, there are MIUI 12 ports created by enthusiasts. However, it's important to separate official releases from custom builds. Officially, Xiaomi never released MIUI 12 for this model.
Installing informal firmware (ports) carries risks, such as having bugs in the camera, unstable Bluetooth or power problems. The Snapdragon 435 has a hard time coping with the heavy interfaces of modern shells, leading to micro-freezes and reduced autonomy.
Technical details of MIUI 12 ports
MIUI 12 ports for santoni are usually based on Android 9 or 10. They require an unlocked bootloader and custom Recovery (TWRP) installation. The stability of the work depends on the specific builder. Often there are problems with VoLTE and the approximation sensor.> If you do decide to experiment, be sure to make a full data backup. Switching from official firmware to custom or port always involves cleaning the user partition to avoid errors in the system. Version. MIUI Android version Status Recommendation MIUI 10 Android 7.1 Official (Final) Recommended for Stability MIUI 11 Android 7.1 Test / China Only for experienced MIUI 12 Android 9.0 Unofficial (Port) For experiments MIUI 13/14 Android 10+ Unavailable Does not exist for 4X Manual firmware installation via Recovery The most reliable way to update Xiaomi Redmi 4X Up to the latest official version available is manual installation of the Recovery archive. ROM. This method allows you to bypass server constraints and force the current package to be installed. You will need a firmware file with the.zip extension and the Recovery menu. The update process is as follows: Download the current firmware (Recovery). ROM) for your model and region from the official website or verified archive. update.zip searchable. Place the file in the root of the smartphone's internal memory (not in the folder, but in the root). → About the phone and click on the version MIUI several times to activate the additional menu. In the menu that appears, select "Select firmware file" and specify your update.zip. ☑️ Checklist before firmware Battery charge more 60%Downloaded firmware file Made a copy of contactsFile renamed update.zipCompleted: 0 / 4 The system will check the integrity of the file and suggest that you start updating, the phone will reboot, and the installation process will begin. ⚠️ Please make sure you are downloading the firmware specifically for Redmi. 4X (santoni. firmware from Redmi 4/4 Prime (prada) have similar names but are physically incompatible. Owners often wonder if they should install the latest official firmware available if the phone is already working? On the one hand, new versions contain security vulnerabilities fixes and optimization of communication modules. On the other hand, on the old hardware, new software may run slower: 🛡️ Security: Closes holes in the system through which viruses could access data. 📶 Network Stability: Modules Improve 4G Wi-Fi, which is critical for budget devices. 🔋 Battery control: New energy-saving algorithms could extend lifespan from a single charge.Arguments 'Against»: 🐢 Speed: The interface may become less responsive, especially when you open heavy apps. 💾 Memory Occupation: The system partition takes up more space, leaving less space for the user. 📉 Compatibility: Some older apps may not work properly on newer versions of Android (although 7.1 doesn’t).If your smartphone is used as a primary and you want maximum stability, it’s best to stay on the latest stable version. MIUI 10.If you like to experiment and are not afraid of possible bugs, you can try ports. Alternatives: custom firmware and LineageOS For those who want to get a fresher Android on Redmi 4X, The only way out is custom firmware, and the most popular and stable is LineageOS, which allows you to get pure Android versions 8, 9, and even 10 on this device, and the advantages of custom firmware are obvious: No advertising, unnecessary pre-installed software and access to new Android features. However, the installation requires unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock website, which may take a lot of time to install. 3 before 7 The process of installing custom firmware is more difficult than updating through Recovery: 1. The Bootloader (Mi Unlock Tool). 2. Install TWRP Recovery. 3. Make Wipe. Data/Factory Reset. 4. Sweep ZIP-Archives of LineageOS and Gapps. 💡Custom firmware is the only way to get Android higher 7.1 on the Redmi 4X, But it requires technical skills and removes the warranty (if it still worked), and it's worth noting that even on LineageOS, the camera can perform worse than on Xiaomi's stock firmware, because of the drivers, so photographers should weigh the pros and cons before installing the custom. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can I upgrade Redmi? 4X Android 11 No, official support for the device stopped on Android 7.1. Android 11 can only be obtained through custom firmware installation, which is not the official method. Why is the phone slower after an upgrade? After a major update, the system indexes files and optimizes applications in the background. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. It can also accumulate cache that is worth cleaning. Is it safe to unlock the bootloader on Redmi 4X? The procedure is safe for hardware, but it completely erases all data from the phone. It also reduces the security of the device, making it more vulnerable in the event of loss, since an attacker can reset protection. Where to download the latest official firmware, which is worth cleaning. Is it safe to unlock? Is it safe to unlock the download the Redmimi 4X, the best to use for your region, or the company, i.com, i.e, i.com, i.e.com, i.e.