How to upgrade Android to Xiaomi Redmi 4X yourself: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 4X

santoni

Recovery

Fastboot

In this article, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for three upgrade methods, including device preparation, firmware selection, and solving common bugs. We’ll also look at whether to switch to custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, and how that will affect performance. If your Redmi 4X is stuck on an older version of MIUI or Android 6/7, this guide will help bring it back to its “second life.”

⚠️ Warning: Manual firmware updates always involve risks. Wrong version MIUI or interrupted process can cause data loss or device breakdown.Before starting work, back up important files and make sure the battery is above 60%.

1. Verification of the current firmware version and compatibility

Before you upgrade to Xiaomi Redmi 4X, you need to know exactly which version of MIUI and Android is installed on the device, which will help avoid conflicts when choosing a new firmware.

Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI

Here you will see three key parameters:

• 📱 Version. MIUI (for example, MIUI Global 12.5.1) – defines the shell functionality.
• 🤖 Android version (for example, Android 6.0 Marshmallow) - operating system base.
• 🔢 Assembly number (e.g, NRD90M) — refines firmware audit.

Redmi 4X officially supported updates to MIUI 11 based on Android 7.1 Nougat. However, enthusiasts have ported informal firmware all the way to Android 10 (like Havoc-OS or CrDroid). If your goal is maximum performance, it is worth considering custom options. But remember: they require unlocking the bootloader and can deprive you of the official warranty.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware for Redmi 4X split:

• 🌍 Global – for international versions, for example, santoni_global_images_...).
• 🇨🇳 China - for the Chinese market (requires Russification, may contain unnecessary services).

Installing firmware in your region is fraught with problems with Google services, OTA-updates and mobile communications.

2.Preparing the phone for the update: backup and unlock

Before any firmware manipulation, be sure to save data. Even if the update is successful, some settings may reset.

• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
• 💾 Local Copy: Through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 🖥️ Computer: Copy files from internal memory to PC via USB-cable.

If you plan to install firmware through Fastboot or custom Recovery (such as TWRP), you will need to unlock the bootloader.

1. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Go to the Mi Unlock website and download the Mi Unlock Tool.
3. Start the phone in Fastboot mode (turn off, then press Power + Volume down).
4. Connect to your PC and follow the program instructions (it may take 72-720 hours to approve unlocking!).

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the phone to factory settings, and after this procedure, the device ceases to receive OTA-Xiaomi updates unless you install official Recovery back.

Make a backup copy of the data|Charge the battery. >60%|Download the correct firmware for the santoni model|The loader is unlocked (if necessary)|Install drivers ADB/Fastboot PC-only-->

Method 1: Update via OTA (without loss of data)

The easiest and safest method is an over-the-air update (OTA) that is suitable if your Redmi 4X is still getting official updates or if you want to upgrade to the next version of MIUI without risk.

1. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (update "weighs" 1-2 GB).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click Check Updates. If the update is available, download it.
4. After downloading, click Reboot and install.

If the update is not available, try these tricks:

• 🔄 Cache reset: Settings → Annexes → All applications → Updating the system → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📡 Change of region: insert SIM-Card of another operator or change the region in the account Xiaomi.
• ⏳ Manual loading OTA: Download the update file for your version MIUI From the Miui Download site and install it through Settings → Updating the system → ⋮ → Select the update file.

⚠️ Attention: If after OTA-Update phone is stuck on the logo MIUI longer than 10 minutes, perform a hard reset (squeeze the power supply) + Volume up for 10 seconds. This may indicate a data conflict.

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OTA-Update is the only method that does not require unlocking the bootloader and saves all user data.

Method 2: Install firmware through Recovery (for experienced)

If OTA is not available or you want to downgrade MIUI, manual installation via Recovery will help, a method that is suitable for official firmware in.zip format.

• 📱 Phone with unlocked boot loader (see section 2).
• 💻 Computer with drivers ADB/Fastboot (download from Android).
• 📁 *.zip firmware for your model (download only from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com or SourceForge).

Step-by-step:

1. Rename the downloaded firmware file to update.zip and move to the root of the phone’s internal memory.
2. Turn off the device and press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice), then: Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache Advanced → Apply update from SD card → select update.zip
4. Wait for the installation to finish (5-15 minutes) and restart the phone.

🔧 If Recovery doesn't see the file:

• Check that the file is called update.zip (registration is important!).
• Download the firmware again - the archive may be damaged.
• Use TWRP Recovery instead of the standard one (installation described below).

5. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for advanced users)

Fastboot is the most reliable method for installing official firmware, but it requires a PC and command knowledge.

• 🔄 You need to “resurrect” the phone after a failed update.
• 📉 Reduce the version. MIUI (downgrade).
• 🔧 You need to flash the full package (including boot, recovery, system).

What you need:

• 🖥️ PC Windows/Linux and established ADB/Fastboot.
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (for example, santoni_global_images_V12.5.1.0.NCGMIXM_20210310.0000.00_7.1_global_...).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder on your PC. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
2. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot (Power + Volume Down).
3. Connect the device to the PC and start flash_all.bat (double-click).
4. Wait until the process is complete (the phone will reboot automatically).

⚠️ If the script gives an error fastboot: error: cannot load, check it:

• Install drivers correctly (use the Mi Flash Tool for automatic installation).
• Integrity of the firmware archive (hop it over).
• Status. USB-Port (Try another cable or port).

Fastboot firmware completely erases data, including internal memory (unlike OTA or Recovery).If you want to save files, pre-extract the memory card and copy the data to the PC.

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Before you run your firmware through Fastboot, disable the antivirus on your PC – it can block firmware files as “suspicious.”

6. Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.)

If the official firmware is no longer updated, and you want Android 10/11 on Redmi 4X, it is worth considering custom builds.

How to install custom firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see Section 2).
2. Install. TWRP Recovery with Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.6.2_santoni.img fastboot boot twrp-3.6.2_santoni.img
3. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
4. Install the firmware (Install) → choose ZIP-File) and GApps (Google Services).
5. Restart (the first launch can take 10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Castomic firmware often has problems with:

• 📸 The camera (may not work) HDR portrait-mode).
• 🔋 Battery (accelerated discharge due to unoptimized core).
• 📶 Cellular communication (problems with VoLTE or 4G in some regions).

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Before installing custom firmware, check the reviews on the XDA Developers forum – there are often discussed bugs of specific builds.

7.Typical errors and their solution

When upgrading to Redmi 4X, users often face typical problems.

Error 1: “Cannot load Android system” or hanging on the MIUI logo

• 🔄 Fastboot phone reflash (Top 3).
• 🧹 Run Wipe Data in Recovery (Erase All Data!).
• 🔧 Check firmware compatibility with your version of the bootloader.

Error 2: This package is for Santoni devices; this is a

This means that you are trying to install firmware not for your model. Download the correct file for santoni (not for Redmi 4/4A/4 Pro!).

Error 3: Fastboot doesn't see the device

• 🖥️ Install the Mi Flash Tool drivers.
• 🔌 Try another one. USB-cable.
• 🔄 Restart your PC and phone.

Error 4: There is no mobile network after the firmware

This is typical of custom firmware.

1. Check the settings. APN In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).
2. Install a patch for the modem (look for 4PDA or XDA).
3. Get back to the official firmware.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)