How to Upgrade Xiaomi Redmi 4X to the Latest Version

Owning a Xiaomi Redmi 4X smartphone in 2026 requires a special approach to software, as official support for this model from the manufacturer has already ceased. Despite the age of the device, many users continue to operate this device due to its reliability and metal body, but the lack of new security patches and features can cause discomfort.

The relevance of the question "how to update the Android phone Xiaomi Redmi 4x" is due to the desire of enthusiasts to extend the life of the gadget by installing custom firmware or the latest available official versions of MIUI. This process is not without risks, but with the right approach allows you to significantly refresh the interface and improve the performance of the system.

In this guide, we will look at all available methods of software modernization, from regular updates “over the air” to manual flashing through Recovery and the computer. You will learn how to prepare the device, where to look for current files and what to do if the process goes wrong.

Assessment of current status and compatibility

Before you start any action, you need to clearly understand what version of the software you are working with now. the Redmi 4X model (codename santoni) originally shipped with Android 6.0, and the final official version was MIUI 11 based on Android 9 Pie. Attempting to install newer versions of Android is possible only through third-party solutions.

Check the current build through the settings menu. You need to go to Settings → About Phone and pay attention to the MIUI version number. If you have a MIUI 8 or 9, the path to the latest official updates may lie through the intermediate versions, although the update servers may no longer respond to requests from older builds.

⚠️ Note: Official Xiaomi servers for Redmi 4X It may not work smoothly or be completely disabled, so an automatic update may not work even if there is a newer version.

The critical parameter is the type of processor. Your device has a Snapdragon 435, which is designed to be compatible with specific versions of Android. You can't just take firmware from the newer Redmi and install it, which will cause the device to fail.

Global versions often have an unlocked bootloader or are easier to unlock, while Chinese versions (CN) may require additional manipulation of the Mi Account to gain rights to modify the system.

You can use a keyboard or special application to identify the model accurately. Enter the code ##64663## to enter the engineering menu, where the Version Information item will indicate the exact modification of your device.

Preparation of the device for flashing

Any interference with system files requires careful preparation to avoid losing important data or turning a smartphone into a brick.The first step should always be to create a full backup of contacts, photos and documents to an external medium or to the cloud.

Battery charge is another critical factor: Don't start the process if the charge level is below 60%. A sudden power outage while writing new data to memory can damage the system partition, after which it will take much longer to recover than the firmware itself.

You're going to need to make room in the internal storage, and even if you're planning to put firmware through your computer, the system needs space for temporary files and archives to be decompressed, delete unnecessary applications, or transfer media files to your computer.

Be sure to enable USB debugging if you plan to use computer methods, which is located in the hidden Developer Menu, which is activated after seven times clicking on the build number in the About Phone section.

A stable internet connection is also necessary for file downloads. Using public Wi-Fi networks can lead to corrupted files being downloaded or a connection being interrupted at a critical time, so it is better to use a home network or mobile internet with a good signal.

Official method of updating through Recovery

The safest way to try to upgrade a software version is to use the built-in update mechanism, and even if the automatic search didn’t find anything, you can try downloading the current firmware file manually and running it through the standard Recovery menu.

To do this, you need to find a firmware file in Recovery ROM format (usually a.zip archive). Importantly, the file should be designed specifically for your model and region (Global, Russia, China).

Next, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select a firmware file. The system will check the integrity of the archive and, if the version is suitable, prompt you to start updating.

If the system says that the file cannot be installed, it means that versions are incompatible, in which case you can not simply skip the version; you will have to use the method of complete data cleaning or move to more complex methods via the PC.

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If the standard menu doesn’t see the firmware file, rename it to “update.zip” – this is the standard name that the MIUI bootloader is looking for.

The installation process takes 5 to 15 minutes, during which time the screen will go out and light up, and the Mi logo will appear and disappear. Do not touch the device during this period, so as not to disrupt the process of writing system files.

Manual installation via Recovery (Clean Install)

When standard methods are powerless, Recovery mode comes to the rescue, a method that allows for clean installation by completely removing the old system and the errors accumulated over the years of use, often the only way to move between different regional versions (e.g., China to Global).

To enter Recovery mode, turn off your phone completely. Then press the Up Volume and Power buttons simultaneously. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume down until the multi-item menu appears.

⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working. Navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the power button selects the item. In the Recovery menu, select the language (usually available in English and Chinese), then go to Wipe Data. This action will irreversibly delete all your photos, contacts and apps. Once cleaned, go back to the main menu and select Connect with MIAssistant (if you put through the service). PC) Or just select the installation point if the firmware file is already in a special folder, although in stock Recovery, the direct installation of a zip file from the memory card is often blocked by the manufacturer. 4X Stock Recovery Xiaomi has limited functionality and often does not allow you to install firmware manually from a memory card for security reasons. For full freedom of action requires the installation of custom Recovery (TWRP), This is a complex procedure that requires an unlocked bootloader, so the most common way to manually install is to use a bundle with a computer, which is discussed in the next section. TWRP, The process is simplified before copying the file and selecting the Install item. 📊 Automatically through Recovery Through the computer (MiFlash)Do not update, everything runs Firmware through the computer and Mi Flash Tool The most powerful tool in the arsenal of the owner of Xiaomi – the utility Mi Flash Tool. It allows you to flash your device in Fastboot mode, ignoring the limitations of embedded Recovery, which is ideal for recovering fallen phones or completely changing the region. You will need a computer running Windows, original USB-cable (quality, with thick wires) and drivers ADB/Fastboot. Download the firmware archive in Fastboot format ROM (Extension.tgz, unpack it to the root of the C disk so that the path is short and Cyrillic free. Put the phone in Fastboot mode. To do this, connect the phone to the computer by holding the Loudness Down button. On the screen, an image of a hare repairing an android will appear and the inscription will read: FASTBOOT. Connection Check Command: fastboot devices Launch Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press Refresh button and the program should see your device. In the lower left corner, select firmware mode: Clean all (full clean) or Clean all and lock (clean and lock bootloader). ⚠️ Warning: Choosing the "Clean all and lock" option on a device with Chinese firmware or an incorrectly selected regional can result in a Bootloop lock requiring service intervention. Press the "Flash" button and be patient. The process will take 200 to 600 seconds. At the end of the status, a message "success" should appear.The phone will automatically restart and the first launch can take up to 10 minutes. 💡Fastboot mode allows you to ignore version checks, but requires accurate matching of the firmware region and device to avoid hardware locking.Install custom firmware and Android 10+ Since the official support of Redmi 4X The only way to get Android 10, 11 or even 12 is to install custom firmware such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS. This path requires unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock website (TWRP) The procedure for unlocking the device may take 7 before 15 Waiting days after application, the firmwares are devoid of heavy interface MIUI, What does Redmi give you? 4X Second life: the interface is smoother, there is more free space and relevant Android features, but cameras and some specific features (for example, the fingerprint scanner in some builds) can work worse than in the drain. 📱 LineageOS – provides stability and clean Android, ideal for everyday use. 🎨 Pixel Experience – turns your phone into a Google Pixel with all the chips and fonts. ⚡ Xiaomi.eu – modified version MIUI/CyperOS without advertising and with Russian language, but based on newer versions of Android (if available ports). Find the right firmware only on authoritative forums, such as 4PDA or XDA Developers. Read the theme header carefully, which tells you which version of the bootloader (Vendor) the firmware is designed for. The vendor and firmware versions will not work in the same way. Installation of custom firmware always starts with installation. TWRP Fastboot Flash Recovery Team twrp.img. Then, Recovery makes a full Wipe and installs a zip firmware archive, and there are possible bugs and fixes that can occur during the upgrade process, the most common being the "Can't verify update" when installed via Recovery. This means that the digital signature of the file is not the same as the current version of the system, and the solution is one: use Fastboot mode or install intermediate versions. If the phone has been getting stuck on the Mi logo after the upgrade, try making Hard Reset via Recovery (Wipe Data).If that doesn't help, it may be damaged system partition and you'll need a full flashing through Mi Flash with all the data cleaned. The “Waiting for Phone” error in the Mi Flash Tool is solved by reinstalling drivers or replacing them. USB-cable/port. Use ports. USB 2.0 on the back of the computer, as ports USB 3.0 sometimes causes conflicts when firmware is used on older devices. 🔌 Check the drivers in Windows Device Manager. 💾 Use another one. USB-cable, preferably original. 🖥️ Try another port. USB, preferably USB 2.0.In rare cases, firmware may be required through EDL Emergency Download Mode: When the phone screen is completely black. This requires opening the case and closing contacts on the board or a special cable, and it is better to entrust this procedure to specialists. EDL This is Qualcomm's deep firmware mode, allowing you to restore the phone even when the bootloader is damaged. 4X The firmware account in this mode often needs to be logged in, making the method payable or difficult for the average user (FAQ) Can I upgrade Redmi? 4X Android 13 No, official support ended on Android. 9 (MIUI 11/12). Android 13 You can only get custom firmware installation (LineageOS) 20 And the analogs, which requires unlocking the bootloader. Will the update erase my data? The update over the air or through Recovery (without a Wipe) saves the data. However, switching between major versions (e.g., MIUI 9 to 11) or changing the region (China -> Global) requires complete data cleaning. Where to download secure firmware for Redmi 4X? The only secure sources are the official miui.com website, the Mi Community app or the proven themes on the 4PDA forum in the Xiaomi Redmi 4X section. The phone went into the bootloom after the update, what to do? Try to log in to Recovery (Volum Up + Power) and make Wipe Data. If it doesn't work, you will need to flash through the computer in Fastboot mode.