How to upgrade Android to Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro: safe ways and tips

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro is a popular smartphone released in 2016, but still in use due to its reliability. However, with the release of new versions of Android and MIUI owners are faced with the question: how to update the firmware if official support is terminated? In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of updating, including official channels (if they are still available), manual installation through Recovery and alternative firmware.

It’s important to understand that Redmi 4 Pro (codename markw) received the latest official update to MIUI 11 based on Android 7.1 Nougat. But this does not mean that the smartphone is doomed to outdated software. There are proven methods of installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which will allow you to upgrade to Android 10 or even Android 11. However, each method has its own nuances and risks – from data loss to the “brick” of the device.

Before you start, answer two key questions: why do you need an upgrade (new features, security, performance?) and are you ready for the possible consequences (loss of warranties, bugs in custom firmware).

1. Verification of the current firmware version and compatibility

Before any firmware manipulations, you need to know the current version of MIUI and Android on your Redmi 4 Pro. This will help determine whether official updates are available and which alternative firmware will be suitable.

To check the software version:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the lines MIUI version and Android version.
3. Take a picture or take a picture of this data, it will be needed later.

Also, look at the firmware region (e.g. Global, China, EEA) which is important because the firmware for different regions is not always compatible. You can recognize the region by the last letters in the build number (e.g. V11.0.2.0.NCPCNXM - Chinese version, V11.0.1.0.NCPMIXM - global).

⚠️ Note: Installing firmware not for your region may cause network loss (won't work) 4G/LTE) For example, Chinese firmware often lacks Google Play and requires manual installation of GApps.

If your version of MIUI is below 11.0.2.0, official updates can still be made available through Settings → System Update. Otherwise, you will have to use manual methods.

2. Official update via OTA (if available)

The easiest and safest way to do this is to upgrade to an over-the-air (OTA) upgrade, but for the Redmi 4 Pro, it only works if:

• 📱 The device was not unlocked (bootloader in the drain state).
• 🔄 Current version MIUI non-custom.
• 🌍 The firmware region coincides with the update region (e.g. global firmware will not receive an update for the Chinese region).

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 Update and wait for the result.

If an update is found, follow the instructions on the screen. Usually the process takes 10-20 minutes and the device will restart several times. Do not interrupt the update - this can lead to a bootloop cycle.

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If the update does not find a new version, try changing the region in the settings: Settings → Additionally. → Sometimes it helps unlock the hidden. OTA-packet.

If the system says You have the latest version but you are sure there are newer builds, try manual installation via Recovery (described in the next section).

Manual update via Recovery (for official firmware)

If OTA doesn’t work, but you want to stay on the official MIUI, you can manually install firmware through stock Recovery, which is suitable for updating within a single branch (for example, from MIUI 10 to MIUI 11), but not for switching to custom firmware.

This will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Internet access.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📁 Official update package in.zip format.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware from Xiaomi's official website. Select the Redmi 4 Pro (markw) model and the desired region.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory (not folders!).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if available), then Install update.zip to System.
5. Confirm the installation and wait until it's done. The phone will reboot automatically.

Download the correct firmware version for your region

Check the battery (minimum 50%)

Rename the file to update.zip

Copy the file to the root of the memory, not to the folder

Disable antivirus on PC (can block download)

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⚠️ Warning: If your phone is stuck on the Mi logo for more than 10 minutes after the update, it is a sign of firmware incompatibility. Try repeating the process with another version or reset via Recovery (Wipe Data).

If stock Recovery refuses to install firmware (E:footer is wrong), it means that the file is corrupted or not intended for your model. Download the firmware again and check the checksum (MD5).

4. Unlock the bootloader and install custom Recovery (TWRP)

To install unofficial firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), you need to unlock the bootloader and install custom Recovery - TWRP. This is the most risky stage, since improper actions can lead to a complete loss of the device.

What you need:

• 🔓 Mi Account Linked to Phone (required to be unlocked).
• 💻 Mi Unlock Tool (download from official website).
• 📱 On-line mode OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in the Developer Settings.

Steps to unlock:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable: OEM Unlock (unlock bootloader), Debugging over USB.

Mi Unlock Tool

Mi Account

Follow the program’s instructions. Unblocking can take up to 72 hours (Xiaomi introduces a delay for new accounts).

After successful unlocking, install TWRP:

1. Download the latest version of TWRP for Redmi 4 Pro (markw) from twrp.me.
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with ADB.
3. Turn off the phone, press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
5. Reboot in Recovery with the command: fastboot boot twrp.img

Step-by-step installation:

1. Download firmware (for example, from the XDA Developers website) and GApps (if they are not in the build).
2. Move.zip files to internal memory or SD-map.
3. Boot to TWRP (click Volume Up + Power).
4. Complete reset: Wipe → Advanced Wipe; Mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data; Swipe for confirmation.

Install → select the file → Swipe to Confirm

GApps

Reboot → System

The first run can take 10-15 minutes. If the system does not load for more than 20 minutes, repeat the installation or try another firmware.

⚠️ Note: Castom firmware may not support some Redmi 4 Pro features, such as: Dual camera (secondary module may not work); IR-blaster (DU remote); some sensors (e.g. light sensor); check forum reviews (e.g., forum reviews) before installation, 4PDA or XDA).

6. Solving common errors during the update

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can have problems, and let's look at the most common mistakes and how to fix them.

Error 1: "Cannot load Android system: Your data may be corrupt."

Reason: Damaged system files after a failed update.

Decision:

• Download to Recovery;
• Run Wipe Data;
• Reinstall the firmware.

Error 2: Phone stuck on Mi logo (bootloop)

Reason: Firmware incompatibility or interrupted installation.

Decision:

• Press Volume Up + Power to Enter Recovery
• Do Wipe Cache and Wipe Dalvik.
• If it doesn’t work, try the device via Fastboot.

Error 3: "E: Unknown Command [log]" in TWRP

Reason: An outdated version of TWRP.

Solution: Download and install the latest version of TWRP for markw.

Error 4: No network after installing custom firmware

Reason: The firmware does not support your region’s modem.

Decision:

• Install a patch with mods (search on 4PDA).
• Return to the stock firmware via the Mi Flash Tool.

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If it is missing after the update IMEI If your mobile network is not working, never try to restore it through the engineering menu (#4636###) - this can lead to permanent loss of communication. TWRP).

7. How to roll back on the official firmware

If custom firmware experiments fail, you can always return the official MIUI. You will need the Mi Flash Tool and the.tgz stock firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool from the official website.
2. Download the stock firmware for Redmi 4 Pro (markw) in Fastboot format.
3. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
4. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
5. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
6. Press Select, specify the firmware folder, then Refresh (the device should appear).
7. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

It takes 5-10 minutes. Once it's done, the phone will reboot to stock MIUI. All data will be deleted, so back up in advance.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn't turn on after running through the Mi Flash Tool, try repeating the process with another firmware version. Sometimes choosing Clean all and lock mode helps (but this will block the bootloader again).

8. Optimization Tips After Update

After a successful update (especially on custom firmware), it is recommended to follow several steps to improve performance and stability:

• ⚡ Disable unnecessary services: Go to Settings → Apps and disable pre-installed programs that you do not use; C Settings → Battery limit background activity for energy-intensive applications.
• 🔄 Set up autoboot: Use apps like Greenify or built-in firmware tools to manage autoruns.
• 📉 Optimize animation: In the developer settings, reduce the animation scale (Window animation scale, Transition animation scale) to 0.5x.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: After the upgrade, fully discharge and charge the phone 2-3 times for the correct operation of the power controller.

If you have custom firmware installed, check for updates to it through Settings → System Update or TWRP. Many custom builds are updated more often than official ones, but require manual installation.

To improve battery life on the Redmi 4 Pro, it is also recommended to:

• Install a kernel with optimized power management (e.g., FrancoKernel);
• Use dark themes (AMOLED-The screen consumes less energy);
• Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in the background.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi updates 4 Pro