Owners of the popular in the past budget Redmi 4X often think about extending the life of their device. the smartphone came to market with the Android operating system 6.0 Marshmallow and the shell MIUI, but over time, support from the manufacturer was discontinued. Many users are still successfully operating this device, but the lack of fresh security patches and new features can cause discomfort.
The process of installing a new version of software can dramatically change the experience of using a gadget. There are several ways to solve the problem, from a standard update “over the air” to manually flashing through a computer, the choice of method depends on the current version of MIUI installed on your device and the region for which it is released.
Before taking action, you need to understand the risks: any interference with system files carries the potential for data loss or the phone becoming a brick. However, with strict adherence to the algorithm of actions, the probability of success is extremely high, and the device will receive a second life.
Assessment of the current situation and compatibility
The first step is always diagnostics. You need to know which version of the software is currently installed and which region it is intended for. The official update to Android 7.0 Nougat (MIUI 9 or 10) is not available for all modifications at the same time.
Check your Mi Account status. Some regions require a confirmed phone number and an activated Find Device feature, and if these items are not met, the system may block the ability to install new packages.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the battery is at least 60% powered, the system partition writing process is energy intensive, and a sudden power outage at a critical moment can damage the boot loader.
It is also important to understand the difference between Global and China firmware versions: Trying to install Chinese firmware on a global device (or vice versa) without unlocking the bootloader will result in an integrity check error, at best the system will simply refuse to start the installer.
There is a nuance with the Snapdragon 435 processor, which is installed in Redmi 4X. This chipset has restrictions on the support of new versions of Android by third-party developers, so you should not count on the transition above Android 8.0 through official channels.
Preparing the device for update
Training is 80 percent of the success of an operation, and before any manipulations begin, you need to create a complete backup of the data, and the built-in MIUI allows you to save contacts, messages, and application settings to the cloud or to an external drive.
Free up space in the internal memory. The installer requires at least 2-3 GB of free space to work properly. If the memory is full, the process can end up with an error in the unpacking phase of the archive.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
A stable Internet connection is critical; using a mobile network (3G/4G) is not recommended because of the risk of connection disruption and high traffic consumption. Connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network at good speed.
Turn off the lock screen or remember the unlock password. In some cases, the system requires proof of identity of the owner before beginning critical changes in the operating system kernel.
Method 1: Automated Network Update (OTA)
The easiest and safest way is to use a regular update mechanism, which checks for new versions on Xiaomi servers and suggests installing them, which is ideal for inexperienced users.
To start the process, go to the phone's settings menu. Find About Phone and click on the major icon of the MIUI version. The device will contact the server and report the availability of the update.
If you find an update, you start loading the package, and when you finish downloading, the phone will suggest you restart, and don't interrupt this process, even if it seems like a long time.
It's important to note that servers can offer updates in stages, which means that one user will get an update today and another user will get an update in a week, which is a normal distribution practice to avoid massive disruptions.
Sometimes, the automatic search doesn't find anything, even though the new version has already come out, so you can try changing the region in the settings or using the manual method described below.
Method 2: Manual installation via Recovery
If automatic search doesn’t work, you can manually update Redmi 4X by downloading the installation package in advance, which requires downloading a.zip firmware file from an official website or a trusted resource.
Once you download a file, put it in the root of your internal memory or on a memory card. Don't put it deep in folders to make it easier for the system to find it. The file should be called correctly, without any extra characters at the end of the name.
Go to the update menu again, but this time click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen. Select "Select firmware file" and specify the downloaded archive. The system will check the integrity of the data.
⚠️ Note: Make sure you download firmware like Recovery, not Fastboot. Fastboot archives are designed for firmware via PC and have the extension.tgz, they can not be installed this method.
Once confirmed, the installation process will begin, and the phone will reboot to Recovery mode, where the progress bar will show the installation status, and the entire process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of change.
What to do if there is an error of verification?
Comparison of update methods
The choice between automatic and manual depends on your goals and technical background, and below is a table to help you determine the best way to respond to your situation.
| Parameter | OTA (Automatically) | Hand-mounted | Through Fastboot (PC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| Risk of data loss | Minimum | Low. | High (full discharge) |
| The need for a PC | No. | No. | I'll be sure. |
| Speed. | Depends on the server. | Tall. | Medium |
The good thing about the automatic method is that it stores all user data and settings. Manual installation through Recovery also usually goes without data loss unless you select "Wipe Data."
Fastboot is considered the most radical method, which allows you to completely clean the system of debris and errors, but requires drivers, MiFlash utility and unlocked bootloader.
💡
For the average user, manual installation via Recovery is the best choice, as it balances security and the ability to upgrade when the OTA is silent.
Possible problems and solutions
There can be unforeseen difficulties in the upgrade process, and one of the most common problems is getting stuck on the MI logo. If the phone reboots endlessly, don't panic.
Try entering Recovery mode by slamming both volume and power buttons. In the recovery menu, select a language (if available) and try resetting to factory settings (Wipe Data), which will delete all data, but often saves the system.
Another problem is the Can't verify update error, which occurs when you try to install a firmware with a digital signature that doesn't match the region of the device, only by unlocking the bootloader or finding firmware specifically for your region.
If the sound or camera stops working after the update, it may be a driver conflict, in which case a full reset (Wipe All Data) after installing the new version helps.
💡
Save screenshots of error codes. If the phone gives you a specific error number when you update, record it or take a picture, it will help you find the exact solution in specialized forums.