How to Upgrade Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 to Update Firmware: All Ways 2026

Why it’s important to update your firmware to Mi Pad 4 and what the new MIUI version gives you

The Xiaomi Mi Pad 4, released in 2018, is still popular thanks to its balanced specs and support from the manufacturer. However, with each year the relevance of its firmware is declining, with new applications requiring fresh versions of Android and security vulnerabilities becoming critical. The latest official update for this model is MIUI 12.5 based on Android 10, but even it requires regular patches.

Updating the firmware on the Mi Pad 4 solves several key problems: closes security gaps (especially important for banking applications and payments), improves compatibility with modern services (for example, Google Play Services), and can also add new interface features. For example, recent versions of MIUI have optimised for tablets with multitasking support in the style of iPadOS. But there is a caveat: Xiaomi officially stopped releasing global updates for the Mi Pad 4 in 2022, so installing new versions will require alternative methods.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to update, from standard OTA to manual firmware through Fastboot and custom recavators, and you will learn how to avoid errors (for example, hanging on the Mi logo) and what to do if the tablet after the update stopped turning on.

Preparing for an update: what to do before installing a new firmware

Regardless of the upgrade method chosen, device preparation is a critical step, and neglecting it can cause the tablet to lose data, or fail to roll back to the previous version. MIUI:

1. Open Settings → About the phone (yes, even on the tablet the item is called).
2. Find the lines MIUI Version and Android Version – write them down.
3. Compare it to the latest versions available on Xiaomi’s official website.

If your version is older than MIUI 12.5.4.0, you must update it.

• 🔋 Charge the tablet to at least 60% - when discharged during firmware, the risk of damage to system files increases 3 times.
• 📱 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. The alternative is manual folder copying. DCIM, Downloads and Android on PC.
• 🔌 Prepare. USB-cable (preferably original) and computer with installed Mi Flash Tool drivers (link in the section about Fastboot).
• 📡 Make sure you have a stable internet connection (for example, OTA-updates) or enough traffic (firmware volume – 1.5-2.5 GB).

⚠️ Note: If you are using the Mi Pad 4 Plus M1806D9E), Check firmware compatibility! Installing the standard version on Plus will result in a broken touchscreen.

Backup important data|Charge the tablet >60%|Check the model of the device (Mi Pad) 4 or 4 Plus)|Download the correct version of the firmware|Install the drivers ADB/Fastboot PC-only-->

Method 1: Air-to-air update (OTA) is the easiest method

OTA (Over-The-Air) is a standard way to get updates that doesn’t require a PC connection.

• 📲 Your tablet is already working on MIUI 11 or newer.
• 🌍 You are using a global or European firmware (not Chinese).
• 🔄 The system has not been modified (no root rights, custom recaveri).

Instructions:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi (update via mobile internet may be blocked).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click Check Updates. If a new version is available, download it.
4. After downloading, tap Reboot and install.

It takes 10 to 20 minutes. It'll reboot a few times, which is normal. If you don't get the update, try:

• 🔄 Switch to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes corporate networks block Xiaomi servers).
• 📡 Use it. VPN servers in Hong Kong or Singapore (for Chinese firmware).
• ⏳ Wait 1-2 days – sometimes updates roll out in stages.

⚠️ Attention: If after OTA-Update tablet hung on the Mi logo longer 15 Do not try to turn it off with the power button! this can damage the partition /data. Instead, clamping down on the power. + Loudness up on 10 second-on-seconds.

Method 2: Manual installation of firmware via Recovery Mode

If OTA doesn’t work (for example, due to a modified system or regional constraints), you can manually install firmware through a standard backup, which saves user data but requires the correct firmware file selection.

Steps:

1. Download the official firmware for Mi Pad 4 Choose a version marked Recovery (not Fastboot!) for example, for the global version it will be a file view. miui_MIPAD4Global_V12.5.4.0.QDMXMIXM_....
2. Rename the downloaded file to update.zip (required!) and move it to the root folder of the tablet’s internal memory.
3. Turn off the device, then press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
4. With volume buttons, select the language (English / Chinese), then Install update.zip.
5. Confirm the installation and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).

After the reboot, check the MIUI version in the settings. If the update does not apply:

• 📁 Make sure the file is named exactly. update.zip (not update.zip.zip!).
• 🔍 Check the integrity of the downloaded file (the size must match the size indicated on the site).
• 🔄 Try repeating the process by pre-cleaning the cache in the recavery (Wipe) → Wipe Cache).

adb sideload update.zip

Method 3: Fastboot Firmware for Power Users

Fastboot is the most reliable, but it's also the riskiest, and it's good if you:

• 🔧 The tablet does not turn on or hung on the logo.
• 📥 You need to “roll back” to the previous version. MIUI.
• 🔄 Requires to change the firmware region (for example, from Chinese to global).

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (for Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (required for stable connection).
• 📦 Fastboot firmware in.tgz (not.zip!) format.
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MiPad4_Fastboot).
2. Install Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers (you can use the Mi Flash Tool).
3. Turn off the tablet, then press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
4. Connect the device to a PC. Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 should appear in the Device Manager.
5. Run the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder, and press Refresh. The device must be determined.
6. At the bottom, select Clean All (complete clean) or Save User Data (save data), then click Flash.

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool fails to "critical partition doesn't exist" during firmware, it means you're trying to install firmware not for your model (M1806D9E) It is not suitable for the standard Mi Pad 4 (M1806D9D). Check the model in the settings or on the box!

Method 4: Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

If the official updates for the Mi Pad 4 are no longer coming out, and you need fresh versions of Android (for example, Android 12/13), you can install custom firmware.

• 🤖 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary applications.
• 📱 Pixel Experience – firmware with interface from Google Pixel.
• ⚡ crDroid – balanced firmware with additional settings.

The installation will require:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 72 hours).
2. Install custom TWRP recavers (version for Mi Pad 4: download here).
3. Download firmware (e.g. lineage-20.0-20260310-UNOFFICIAL-clover.zip for Mi Pad 4) and GApps (if you need Google services).
4. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data), then install firmware and GApps.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ Support for new versions of Android (up to Android 13 for Mi Pad 4).
• ✅ No unnecessary Xiaomi apps.
• ✅ Frequent security updates.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ No official support (camera or Wi-Fi bugs are possible).
• ❌ Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• ❌ Difficulty rolling back MIUI.

💡

Custom firmware gives new life to old devices, but it requires technical skills. If you're not confident in your abilities, it's best to stay on the official MIUI.

Solving problems after updating: errors and fixing them

Even if you install the update correctly, you can have problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If after the update the tablet began to slow down, try:

• 🧹 Clean the cache in the Recovery (Wipe) → Wipe Cache).
• 🔄 Reset the settings to factory (Settings) → Additionally. → Resetting settings).
• 📉 Disable animation in the developer settings (reduces the load on the processor).

⚠️ Warning: If after resetting the tablet requires a Xiaomi account that was previously linked and you don’t remember it – do not try to bypass the lock via Fastboot! this can lead to complete data loss.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Mi Pad 4 update