How to Upgrade Android to Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 to Version 7: Official and Unofficial Ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is one of the most popular smartphones of 2017, but its factory firmware based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow is long outdated. Many users want fresh Android 7.0 Nougat features, such as split-screen multitasking, improved notifications and battery optimization. However, Xiaomi has not officially released an update to Android 7 for this model. What to do?

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible updates, from official patches to custom firmware based on LineageOS or Pixel Experience, how to check the current version of the software, prepare the device for firmware, avoid errors, and what to do if something goes wrong, and we’ll compare the pros and cons of each method so you can choose the best option.

Important: Updating your firmware is always a risk. Even official updates can lead to data loss, and custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader and can void the warranty. If you're not sure about your skills, you'd better see a specialist.

1. Check the current version of Android and the Redmi Note 4 model

Before you start the update, you need to know exactly which version of Android and MIUI installed on your Redmi Note 4. it depends on the choice of firmware method and file compatibility.

To check the version:

1. Open the settings on your smartphone.
2. Go to the About Phone section.
3. Find the Android version and MIUI version.
4. Take a picture or record this data.

It is also important to determine the modification of your Redmi Note 4.

• 📱 Redmi Note 4 (Snapdragon) – model with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor (codenamed mido).
• 📱 Redmi Note 4X (MediaTek – model with a processor MediaTek Helio X20 (codename).

Find out the exact name of the model can:

• On the box from the smartphone (on the sticker with the serial number).
• In settings: Settings → About the phone → Model.
• Through the app CPU-Z (available on Google Play).

⚠️ Note: firmware for mido (Snapdragon) and nikel (MediaTek) are incompatible. Installing an inappropriate firmware will result in a blink (complete inoperability) of the device!

2.Official ways of renewal: myths and reality

Many users are looking for ways to update the Redmi Note. 4 Android 7 It's a standard setting, like on new smartphones. Unfortunately, Xiaomi never officially released an upgrade to Nougat for this model — MIUI 9/10 Android-based 6.0.

However, there are a few nuances:

• 🔄 Some regions (e.g. India) received updates later than the global versions:
• 📦 If you buy a smartphone with stable Chinese firmware, you can try to upgrade to the global version through the Mi Flash Tool (but that won’t give Android 7).
• 🔧 In rare cases, beta testers MIUI I got firmware with Android 7 elements, but this is not a full update.

The bottom line is that if you see instructions on the Internet for the "official" upgrade to Android 7 for Redmi Note 4, it's either outdated information or fraud. The only way to get Nougat is to install custom firmware.

3. Preparation of the smartphone for the installation of custom firmware

If you decide to install Android 7 through custom firmware, you need to carefully prepare the device, which involves unlocking the bootloader, backing up the data and installing the necessary tools.

Step 1 Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)

Xiaomi is blocking the bootloader on all its devices, and to install custom firmware, you need to unlock it:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device (Settings → Xiaomi Account).
2. Apply for unlocking through the official Xiaomi website.
3. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions (it may take up to 720 hours to wait!).

Step 2: Installation of TWRP Recovery

TWRP — It's a custom recovery that allows you to install the firmware):

• 🔗 Download the current version TWRP For your model from twrp.me.
• 🖥️ Install. ADB Fastboot on PC (instructions are available on the XDA Developers).
• 📱 Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down) + Nutrition).
• 💻 Enter the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2_mido.img

Step 3: Backup of data

Custom firmware installation erases all data from the device.

• 📸 Photos and videos (on PC or cloud).
• 📱 Contacts (export to.vcf).
• 📝 SMS and logs of calls (applications like SMS Backup & Restore).
• 🎮 Save games (if cloud backup is supported)

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Account for sync, make sure all data is uploaded to the cloud before the firmware starts.

Mi Account linked to device

Loader unlocked

Installed TWRP Recovery

Created a backup of all data

Battery charged (>50%)

A suitable firmware downloaded-->

4. Install Android 7 via custom firmware (LineageOS)

LineageOS is one of the most stable custom firmware based on pure Android. For the Redmi Note 4 (mido), builds based on Android 7.1 Nougat are available.

Installation steps:

1. 🔗 Download LineageOS 14.1 (Android 7.1) for mido from the official website or XDA Developers.
2. 🔗 Download GApps (Google Services) for Android 7.1 from OpenGApps (select option) arm64 → 7.1 → pico).
3. 📱 Reboot the phone to TWRP Recovery (click the volume up) + Nutrition).
4. 🧹 Make a Wipe. → Advanced Wipe and tag Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
5. 💾 Install the firmware (Install) → Select the LineageOS file).
6. 🔄 Repeat the step for GApps.
7. 🔧 Restart the device (Reboot) → System).

The first download can take 5-10 minutes.

Challenges and solutions:

• 🔋 If the phone doesn’t turn on after firmware, try re-installation or check file compatibility.
• 📶 If there is no network, check the settings. APN or re-flash the modem.
• 🔊 If there is no sound, drivers may not have been installed (try another build).

5. Alternative firmware: Pixel Experience and others

If LineageOS is not suitable for you, you can consider other firmware based on Android 7:

Pixel Experience

This firmware mimics the Google Pixel interface and offers pure Android without unnecessary add-ons. For Redmi Note 4, builds based on Android 7.1-10 are available.

• ✅ Pros: stable operation, regular updates, minimalist design.
• ❌ Cons: Some functions may not be supported (e.g, IR-blaster).

Resurrection Remix

It's a firmware with a lot of customization and customization options, based on LineageOS, but with a lot of functionality.

• ✅ Pros: Flexible settings, themes support, improved performance.
• ❌ Cons: It may be less stable than LineageOS.

AOSP Extended

Another open source option, close to “pure” Android.

• ✅ Pros: Good optimization, Substratum support for themes.
• ❌ Cons: fewer users → It's hard to find solutions to problems.

💡

If you choose firmware on Android 8+, Please note that certain functions (for example, IR-blaster FM-radio may not work. Check the reviews before installing XDA Developers or 4PDA.

6 Risks and how to avoid them

Installing custom firmware is always a risk, and here are the main problems you may encounter and how to prevent them:

Brick (breakdown) of the device

If the firmware is installed incorrectly or the process is interrupted, the phone may stop turning on.

• 🔋 Make sure the battery is at least 70 times charged%.
• 🖥️ Don't turn it off. USB-wire-line.
• 📋 Check firmware compatibility with your model (mido or nikel).

2 Loss. IMEI or network problems

Sometimes it disappears after the firmware. IMEI Or the mobile network is not working:

• 📡 Refresh the modem (files) modem.img can be found 4PDA).
• 🔧 Restore. IMEI Engineer Mode (code: #3646633##).

3. Performance problems

If after installing the firmware, the phone began to slow down:

• 🧹 Clear the cache in TWRP (Wipe → Cache).
• 🔄 Try another firmware build.
• ⚙️ Turn off unnecessary animations in Settings → For developers.

⚠️ Note: if you have installed firmware and the phone doesn't turn on even in Fastboot mode, don't panic. In most cases, it can be restored through the Mi Flash Tool (you need an official firmware for your model).

💡

The most common firmware error is using files for the wrong model (mido instead of nikel). Always check the code name of the device before downloading the firmware!

7.Return to official firmware MIUI

If custom firmware does not suit you or there are serious problems, you can return the official firmware. MIUI. This will require:

1. 🔗 Download Fastboot firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
2. 🖥️ Install Mi Flash Tool on PC.
3. 📱 Put your phone in Fastboot mode (Loudness down) + Nutrition).
4. 💻 In Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.
5. 🔄 Wait until the process is completed (the phone will restart automatically).

After the rollback:

• 🔒 The bootloader will lock again (unless you have disabled the automatic lock).
• 📲 All data will be erased (unless backup is made).
• 🔄 You will have to reset the smartphone.

Important: if you installed custom firmware with an unlocked bootloader, return to the official MIUI You may need to re-unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 4 update