How to upgrade Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X to Android 7 Nougat: official and custom ways

Why upgrade Redmi Note 4X to Android 7?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X is one of the most popular smartphones of 2017, which originally shipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow under the shell of MIUI 8. Despite the solid age of the device, many users still actively use it. Upgrading to Android 7.0 Nougat can bring a number of benefits: improved multitasking, energy optimization, support for new APIs for applications and a more modern interface MIUI 9/10.

However, it is important to understand that the official support of Redmi Note 4X (The code name mido has long since been discontinued, and the standard name is OTA-Upgrading to Android 7 may not be available in your area, and in this article we’ll look at all the ways you can get from official firmware to custom builds based on LineageOS or AOSP. You will also learn how to avoid the common mistakes that plague users when you manually update.

Before you start, ask yourself: Are you prepared for the potential risks? Mistakes can lead to a device that is "brick" (completely inoperable), and if you are a beginner, we recommend starting with official methods and then moving to custom firmware.

Check the current version of Android and MIUI

Before you upgrade, you need to know exactly which version of the firmware is installed on your Redmi Note 4X, which will help you choose the right method and avoid conflicts.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to the About Phone section.
3. Click on the MIUI version line several times until more information appears.
4. Remember or write down: ✅ Android version (e.g. 6.0, 7.0). ✅ Version. MIUI (for example, MIUI Global 12.5.1). ✅ Assembly number (e.g, NRD90M).

If Android 7.0 is listed in the About Phone section, your device is already updated and no further action is required. If the version is lower (like 6.0), you can start preparing. Note: some devices may have Android 7.1.2 on them, which is also a Nougat variant, but with additional improvements from Google.

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If the settings do not include “About Phone”, try to enter the “version” request in the search for settings or use the code ##4636## to call the engineering menu (does not work on all firmware).

Official ways to upgrade to Android 7

The safest method is to use official firmware from Xiaomi, which is tested by the manufacturer and is minimally risky.

• 🔄 OTA-Update (over the air) - if your region is supported, the system will offer the update itself. 4X These updates have long been discontinued.
• 📥 Manual installation via Recovery – download the official package from the Xiaomi website and install through stock recovery.
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool - firmware through PC with a complete data reset (suitable for recovery after crashes).

Let's take a closer look at the second option, because it's the most universal.

1. Download the official firmware for mido with the Android version 7.0: 🌐 From en.miui.com (select Stable or Developer version). 🔍 Look for tagged files. 7.0 in the title (e.g, mido_global_images_V9.6.1.0.NCFMIFA_20180705.0000.00_7.0_global).

.zip

Update through Recovery

1. Turn off the phone.


2.Put Volume up + Power until the Mi logo appears.




3. Select the language (English./whale.).




4 Go to Install update.zip to System One.




5. Confirm installation.

It takes 5-10 minutes. After you reboot, check the Android version in your settings. If the update doesn't go through, your current firmware may be too old, and you'll need an interim upgrade.

Unofficial firmware: LineageOS and others

If there is no official update or you want to get a clean Android without MIUI, you can install custom firmware.The most popular options for the Redmi Note 4X:

• 📱 LineageOS 14.1 – Android 7.1.2 based, stable and optimized.
• 🔄 Resurrection Remix - custom firmware with advanced settings.
• 🛡️ Pixel Experience – emulation of the Google Pixel interface.

Installing custom firmware requires an unlocked bootloader and custom recovery (e.g., TWRP), a process that is more complicated than with official updates, but provides more features.

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7-30 days).
2. Install. TWRP Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.6.0_mido.img fastboot boot twrp-3.6.0_mido.img
3. Squeeze the firmware through TWRP: Make a Wipe. → Advanced Wipe (select Dalvik, Cache, System, Data). ZIP-Firmware file. Sweep through GApps if they're not part of the build.

Important: after installing custom firmware, you will lose the opportunity to receive OTA-Updates from Xiaomi and you may also encounter problems with banking applications (due to lack of certification).

Table: Comparison of official and custom firmware

Typical errors and their solutions

When updating the Redmi Note 4X, users often face problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🚫 The error "Cannot verify update" occurs when damaged ZIP-Solution: download the firmware again and check it out. MD5-hash.
• 🔄 Hanging on the Mi logo is usually due to firmware incompatibility. Solution: Fastboot the official, full reset version).
• 🔋 Quick battery discharge after upgrade - reset the cache in Recovery (Wipe) → Cache) and calibrate the battery (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions).
• 📵 No network after firmware - check if your firmware supports your region. - For Redmi Note 4X There are separate assemblies for Global, China and India.

If the phone doesn't turn on or freezes on the screensaver after the upgrade, don't panic. In 90% of cases, it can be restored via Fastboot:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
2. Download the official firmware in.tgz format and unpack it.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Flash (select the clean all option).

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If the phone doesn't turn on after you've run it for more than 15 minutes, don't wait any longer. Turn it off with a long press of the power button (20-30 seconds) and try to start it in Recovery or Fastboot mode.

Backup before updating

Updating your firmware is a process that can erase all your data. Even if you're confident of success, make sure you backup. Here's what you need to save:

• 📱 Contact and SMS — sync with your Google account or export through apps like Super Backup.
• 📷 Photos and videos – copy to PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 🎵 Music and documents – transfer to a memory card or external disk.
• 🔑 App settings – use built-in backup features (like WhatsApp or games).

For a full backup system can be used:

• TWRP Backup – Creates an image of all partitions (requires TWRP Recovery).
• Mi PC Suite is the official backup software from Xiaomi.
• Titanium Backup – saves applications and their data (requires root).

⚠️ Attention: If you are using TWRP Backup, make sure the backup is saved to a memory card or PC. Storing the backup in internal memory is pointless - when reset, the data will be lost.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions