How to Update Your Firmware on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: All Ways in 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is still a popular budget smartphone, despite the release in 2017. However, every year the support of the device from the manufacturer is reduced, and users face problems when trying to update the firmware. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to update from standard OTA to manual firmware through Fastboot and Recovery, and also tell you how to avoid errors and not turn the phone into a brick.

It’s important to understand that the official updates for the Redmi 4X stopped in 2020, but enthusiasts continue to release custom firmware based on MIUI and Android. If your goal is just to upgrade to the latest available version from Xiaomi, you will do OTA or manual installation through Recovery. If you want to breathe a second life into the device, you will have to consider options with custom ROM.

Before you start, check the current firmware version: go to Settings → About → MIUI version. If you have a version older than MIUI 11, you will not receive official updates through OTA. But don’t worry – we will show you how to get around this restriction.

1. Update Preparation: What to Do Before Firmware

Regardless of the method of updating chosen, preparation is 50% of the success, and neglecting this stage often leads to data loss, logo getting stuck, or complete device failure.

First, back up all the important data, and even if the update goes smoothly, there's always a risk of failure, either use Mi Cloud (if it's still running on your version of MIUI) or copy the files to your computer.

• 📱 Contacts (export in.vcf format)
• 📸 Photo and video (folder) DCIM)
• 🔑 Saved passwords (if you use Mi Account)
• 📝 Notes and SMS (apps SMS Backup & Restore)

Second, check the battery power. Make sure it's at least 60 percent charge. If the battery is worn out and discharges quickly, connect the phone to the charger while you're running the firmware. Interrupting the process due to battery discharge is almost guaranteed to lead to soft-brick (the device is not turned on, but is determined by the computer).

Third, unlock the bootloader (if you plan to use Fastboot or custom firmware). On Redmi 4X, this is done through the official Mi Unlock Tool, but note: Xiaomi may refuse to unlock for legacy devices.

⚠️ Note: If you are updating from the version MIUI 8 or older, a hard reset (Wipe Data) may be required after firmware is installed. /data In newer versions of Android, without reset, the phone can boot into an endless loop.

Charge the battery to 60% or more|Make a backup copy of the data|Check the current version MIUI|Download the required firmware (if manual installation)|Prepare the cable. USB (preferably original)|Disable antivirus on PC (can block firmware files)-->

2. Method 1: Air Update (OTA) is the easiest method

If you're Redmi. 4X It still receives updates through OTA (Over-the-Air, it's the safest and easiest way, but it's official from 2023. OTA-Updates to this model are terminated, so the method is only suitable if:

• 📲 You have a version. MIUI 10/11 and below (last one) OTA was MIUI 11.0.6)
• 🔄 You haven’t installed custom firmware before.
• 🌐 The device is connected to stable Wi-Fi (update weighs) ~1.5–2 GB)

To check for updates:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Checker.
3. If an update is available, download it and wait for the installation to be completed.

If the system says “No updates found” but you’re sure your version won’t be the last, try:

• 🔄 Restart the phone and repeat the check.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes Xiaomi servers are blocked by providers).
• 🕒 Wait 24-48 hours (sometimes updates roll out in waves).

⚠️ Attention: If after OTA-Update phone is stuck on the logo MI For more than 10 minutes, don't panic. Try to force it to restart by holding the power button for 15 to 20 seconds. If that doesn't work, you'll need to reset it through Recovery.

Method 2: Manual update via Recovery – if OTA does not work

If automatic updates are not available but you want to stay on the official firmware, you can install the update manually via Recovery, a method that is suitable for switching from MIUI 9 to MIUI 11 or for system recovery after a crash.

This will require:

• 📱 Firmware file in.zip format (download only from official sources, for example, miui.com)
• 🖥️ Computer with card reader or OTG-cable (if you copy the file directly to your phone)
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (cheap cables may not transmit data)

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for Redmi 4X (santoni) from the official website.Please note the region: Global - for the international version (santoni_global_images...) China - for the Chinese version (santoni_images...) EEA — Europe (santoni_eea_global_images...)

update.zip

Volume up + Nutrition

Recovery

Recovery

Install update.zip to System


→ Select the file update.zip




→ Confirm installation

Reboot to System

If the phone is stuck on the screensaver after the restart, run Wipe Cache:

1. Get back in Recovery.
2. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
3. Reset the device.

How to unlock the bootloader on Redmi 4X:

1. Link Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Additional → Developer → Mi Unlock status.
2. Download Mi Unlock Tool and log in to your account.
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (clamp Volume down + Power).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and follow the instructions in the Mi Unlock Tool.

The following is a step-by-step firmware via Fastboot:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\Redmi4X\).
2. Install Mi Phone Manager drivers (company with Mi Flash Tool).
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
4. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode (screen with a hare in a hat-eared).
5. In the Mi Flash Tool, select Clean All (full clean) or Clean All and Lock (clean + lock bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If you choose Clean All and Lock, the bootloader will lock and you will have to repeat the unlock procedure for the next firmware.

5. Method 4: Custom firmware - how to update Android to Redmi 4X to the latest version

If the official firmware does not suit you, you can install a custom ROM Android-based 10/11. The most popular options for Redmi 4X:

• 📱 LineageOS 17.1 (Android 10) is fast and stable
• 🤖 Pixel Experience (Android 11) – with Google Pixel interface
• 🔄 HaventOS – Optimized for weak devices
• 🛡️ crDroid – with advanced settings

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ Support for new versions of Android (up to 11 inclusive)
• ✅ No built-in garbage (Xiaomi apps)
• ✅ Best performance (optimized code)
• ✅ Regular security updates

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Possible bugs (for example, non-functioning) NFC second slot SIM)
• ❌ No official support (solve problems yourself)
• ❌ An unlocked loader is required

How to install custom firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see the section about Fastboot).
2. Install custom Recovery (for example, TWRP). For the first time, fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2_santoni.img fastboot boot twrp-3.6.2_santoni.img
3. Download firmware (like LineageOS) and GApps (Google services).
4. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache

GApps

The first boot can take up to 15 minutes, which is normal. If the system doesn't start, try re-installation or select a different firmware.

💡

Custom firmware requires an unlocked bootloader and TWRP installation. Without these steps, installation is impossible.

6.Typical errors when updating Redmi 4X and how to fix them

Even if you follow the instructions, you can make mistakes, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

If none of the methods worked, and the phone doesn't even turn on in the Fastboot, it may have been hard-brick, in which case only firmware through test points (requires a soldering iron and repair skills) or contacting a service center will help.

To minimize the risks, always:

• 🔋 Watch the battery charge.
• 🔌 Use the original cable.
• 📥 Download firmware only from official sources.
• 🔄 Don't interrupt the firmware process.

7. How to check the success of the upgrade and optimize the operation of the phone

After the update, it is recommended to follow several steps to make sure that everything went well and improve the performance of the device.

How to check the firmware version:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Check the fields MIUI version and Android version.
3. Compare it to the version you have installed.

Optimization after update:

• 🧹 Clear the app cache in Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🔄 Restart your phone (sometimes the system will slow down after the first start).
• 📵 Turn off unnecessary background processes in Settings → Battery → Nutrition management.
• 🛡️ Update apps to Google Play (if you use GApps).

If your phone is running slower after the update, try:

• 🔄 Perform a factory reset (but make a backup first!).
• 🚫 Disable animation in Developer Settings (include taps by Assembly Number in About Phone).
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary applications (especially system ones if you have root access).

💡

If after the update, the mobile Internet disappeared, check the settings. APN. To do this, go to the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN) and click "Reset to default values".

FAQ: Frequent questions about the update Xiaomi Redmi 4X