How to Upgrade Android to Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X: All Ways in 2026

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X (codenamed mido) is still a popular smartphone among users who appreciate reliability and functionality. However, with the release of new versions of Android and MIUI, owners are faced with the question: how to update the firmware on a device that is no longer officially supported by the company? In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to update — from standard to alternative — and also tell you how to avoid typical errors and what to do if something goes wrong.

The latest official firmware for the Redmi Note 4X is MIUI 11 based on Android 7.0 Nougat (global version) and Android 6.0 Marshmallow (Chinese version). But that doesn’t mean that your smartphone is doomed to remain on the old version: there are custom firmware, ported versions of MIUI 12/13 and even Android 10/11 from independent developers.

Before you start updating, answer two key questions: 1. Do you need the latest version of MIUI for new features, or is the stability of the current firmware enough? 2. Are you prepared for the possible risks (data loss, bootloader lock, device "brick") when installing unofficial software?

If the answers are yes, read on.

1. Verification of the current firmware version and compatibility

Before any update, you need to know which version of MIUI and Android is installed on your Redmi Note 4X, which will help you determine which firmware is available for installation and avoid conflicts.

To check the software version:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the lines MIUI version and Android version.
3. Write down or take photos of this data – it will be useful when choosing a firmware.

It is also important to know the firmware region (global, Chinese, European) and the status of the bootloader (unlocked/locked).

• 🔍 Enter the phone combination ##4636 in the application## → Choose Phone Information → Look at the line Assembly number.
• 🔓 If there is an assembly in the title CN — Chinese firmware, Global - global, EU — European.
• 🔒 bootloader status can be checked through fastboot (more in the section about unlocking).

Critical information for Redmi Note 4X: the smartphone is equipped with a Snapdragon 625 processor, which does not support official updates above Android 7.0 (MIUI 11). All firmware based on Android 8.0+ is custom and requires unlocking the bootloader.

2. Official update via OTA (if available)

If you have a Redmi Note 4X It's still getting updates over the air (OTA), It's the easiest and safest way, but since 2021, official support for the model has been discontinued. OTA-Updates are unlikely, but it's worth checking.

How to check for availability OTA-update:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi (updates via mobile internet may be blocked).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If an update is found, follow the instructions on the screen.

If the system writes Updates not found or you have the latest version, then there will be no more official updates.

⚠️ Please note: if your Redmi Note 4X purchased in China (firmware) CN), OTA-Updates may contain Chinese services and restrictions. Global firmware will require manual flashing.

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Officially OTA-Update is the safest method, but for the Redmi Note 4X Alternatives: manual installation via Recovery or Fastboot.

Manual update via Recovery (without data loss)

If OTA is not available, but you want to install official firmware (for example, switch from Chinese to global), you can use Recovery Mode. This method saves user data, but requires the correct choice of firmware file.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website (select the Redmi Note 4X model, the mido code).
2. Check that the file has a.zip extension and a name of the view. miui_MIDOGlobal_V11.0.2.0.NCFMIXM_....
3. Move the file to the root directory of internal memory (not to folders!).
4. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
5. Select the language (if required), then Install update.zip to System One.
6. Confirm the installation and wait for completion (5-10 minutes).
7. After the reboot, check the version in Settings → About the phone.

If the phone is stuck on the MI logo after the update or reboots, reset the settings via Recovery (Wipe Data). This will delete all data, but solve the download problem.

4. Installation of custom firmware (MIUI 12/13, Android 10/11)

If you are not satisfied with Android 7.0, you can install an unofficial firmware based on new versions. MIUI Or pure Android. Popular options for Redmi Note 4X:

• 📱 MIUI 12/13 ported firmware from independent developers with support for new features (for example, MIUI 13 by StagOS).
• 🤖 LineageOS 17/18 — pure Android 10/11 shellless MIUI.
• ⚡ Pixel Experience – firmware with the interface and features of Google Pixel.
• 🛡️ Havoc-OS - custom firmware with wide customization options.

To install custom firmware will require:

1. Unlock the bootloader (bootloader).
2. Install custom Recovery (e.g. TWRP).
3. Download the right firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

Step 1 Unlocking the bootloader

Xiaomi is blocking the bootloader on all devices to unlock it:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Apply for unblocking via the official website (required) SIM-mobile-internet).
3. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down + Power) and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader erases all data from the phone! Xiaomi can also refuse to unlock if the device was purchased long ago (limited to 30 days from the moment of the first account binding).

Step 2: Installation of TWRP Recovery

After unlocking the bootloader, install TWRP - custom Recovery for installing firmware:

1. Download the latest version of TWRP for mido from twrp.me.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2_9-0-mido.img fastboot boot twrp-3.6.2_9-0-mido.img
3. In TWRP, back up your current firmware (Backup).

Step 3: Install custom firmware

You can now install any compatible firmware:

1. Download firmware (e.g. LineageOS 18.1) and GApps (if needed).
2. Transfer the files to your phone or flash drive.
3. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
4. Install the firmware (Install), then GApps.
5. Reboot System: The first launch can take 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Update via Fastboot (for power users)

If the Recovery method didn't work or you prefer to work through Fastboot, you can install firmware using a PC, which is suitable for official and some custom firmware.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or quality).
• 📄 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot.
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\mido_fastboot).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. In the program, click Select and specify the path to the folder with the firmware.
5. Select Clean All or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after installation).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: Clean all and lock will block the bootloader, and it will take 30 days to re-unblock. Use it only if you are sure of firmware stability.

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If the Mi Flash Tool is an anti-rollback error, you are trying to install an older version of MIUI than the current one, in which case only custom firmware will help.

6. Solving problems after the update

Even if you install the firmware correctly, you can have errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If it's gone after the update IMEI or Mac Wi-Fi address, which means that it has been damaged NVRAM-You can restore it with a backup or with special utilities (for example, for example, SN Writer Tool, but it requires a separate instruction.

If the phone has stopped loading at all (hard brick), try to “reanimate” it with the help of the phone. EDL-mode (emergency firmware via Qualcomm 9008). This will require a special cable and the program Mi Flash Pro.

7. How to roll back on a previous firmware version

If the new firmware is unstable, you can return the previous version.

1. Download the desired firmware version (for example, MIUI 10 instead of MIUI 11).
2. If you have an official firmware, use Fastboot or Recovery (as described above).
3. If custom firmware is installed, return to the official one via the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode.

Important: If you roll back to an older version, MIUI may work with anti-Rollback protection and the phone will lock. To avoid this, check version compatibility on forums (for example, XDA Developers).

If rollbacks don’t help, try installing a stable custom firmware (like LineageOS), which often works better than the official versions for older devices.

8.Alternatives to Upgrade: Optimizing Current Firmware

If the update seems too risky, you can improve the performance of the Redmi Note 4X without changing the firmware:

• 🧹 Cleaning the system: Remove unnecessary apps, cache and debris with the help of MIUI Optimizer or SD Maid.
• ⚡ Turn off animations: Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on Version) MIUI in About Phone), then in Developer Settings, reduce animation to 0.5x.
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Turn off background activity for unnecessary apps in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
• 🛡️ Launcher Replacement: Install a light launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) to speed up the interface.

You can also use Magisk to gain root rights and fine-tune the system (e.g., disabling ads in MIUI or overclocking the processor). However, this requires an unlocked bootloader and can compromise security.

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If the goal of the upgrade was only to improve performance, try optimizing your current firmware – this often has a greater effect than installing a new version.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note update 4X