How to upgrade Xiaomi Redmi 4A to the current version of MIUI: all ways

Xiaomi Redmi 4A is one of the company’s most popular budget smartphones, released in 2016. Despite its age, the device is still actively used due to its reliability and community support. However, with the release of new versions of MIUI and Android, owners are faced with the question: how to update the firmware to avoid losing data and turning the phone into a “brick”?

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to update Redmi. 4A — standard OTA-Update to manual firmware settings via Fastboot and Recovery, focus on common bugs (e.g. Error 7 or getting stuck on the Mi logo) and how to fix them. If your smartphone has not received updates for a long time or is unstable, this guide will help to return it to a second life.

1. Update Preparation: What to Do Before Firmware

Before you start an update, it is critical to follow a few steps: neglecting them can lead to data loss, disruption, or even device failure, starting with the obvious: backup.

Backup all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and applications.

• 📱 Built-in tools MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup and save data to Mi Cloud or locally.
• 🖥️ Third-party services: Google Drive, Dropbox or Yandex Disk for photos and documents.
• 🔌 PC programs: Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi) or Titanium Backup (requires root rights).

Also check the battery power – it should be at least 60%. If the update is interrupted due to a discharge, there is a risk of damaging system files. And remember to make room on the internal drive: to update through Recovery will require at least 1.5 GB of free space (even if the firmware file weighs less).

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi is 4A was unlocked through Mi Unlock or installed custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), standard OTA-update may result in the bootloader being blocked, in which case only use manual firmware methods.

Method 1: Official OTA-update

The easiest and safest method is an over-the-air update (OTA), which is suitable for most users if:

• 📲 Device not modified (no root, custom Recovery or firmware).
• 🌐 There is a stable Wi-Fi connection (updating via mobile internet is not recommended).
• 🔄 Current version MIUI not older than 2 years (otherwise) OTA may not be available).

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Slip on System Update (or MIUI Update in older versions).
3. Click Check Updates. If a new version is available, download it.
4. After downloading, select Install Now or Install Later (if you want to postpone the process).
5. Wait for the reboot - the device will install the update and start.

If the Check Updates button is inactive or if it gives an error "I failed to connect to the server", try:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone and router.
• 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes the lock is at the provider level).
• 🕒 Change the date on the phone to the current one (sometimes the downed time settings interfere with checking for updates).

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If OTA-update does not come long, try to manually download the full firmware package for your model from the site MIUI Downloads and install it through System Update → Select a firmware file.

Method 2: Update via Recovery (for power users)

If OTA is not available or you want to install a specific version of MIUI, you can use Recovery mode.

• 📦 Installation of full firmware (not delta updates).
• 🔧 System Recovery After Failure.
• 🚀 Moving to an older version MIUI (downgrade).

Important: Redmi 4A has a stock receptacle without touch control. Use volume buttons (Up/Down) and power button (Choice) to navigate.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 4A (codename rolex) from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website. Choose a file with the.zip extension and the Recovery tag.
2. Rename the file to update.zip (required!) and place it in the root of internal memory (not in folders!).
3. Turn off the phone, then press Volume++ Power to log into Recovery Mode.
4. In the Recovery menu, select: English → Install update.zip to System Confirm the selection.
5. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes), and if you sign Success, you signify a successful installation.
6. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo for more than 15 minutes after the Recovery update, perform a hard reset (Wipe Data in Recovery.

Downloaded official update.zip file for rolex|File renamed and at the root of memory|Battery charge > 60%|Backup of important data |Password/pattern lock disabled (may interfere after reset)

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4. Method 3: Firmware through Fastboot (for advanced)

Fastboot is a bootloader mode that allows you to flash a device using a PC. This method is used if:

• 🔨 Restore the brick (not turning on the phone).
• 🔄 Requires to change the firmware region (for example, from Chinese to global).
• 🛠️ You need to update the bootloader or modem separately.

To run through Fastboot, you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot (download from the official website).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MiFlash\rolex).
2. Turn off the phone and press the volume.− + Food to enter Fastboot Mode (the image of a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect the device to a PC. Make sure that the Android Bootloader Interface is displayed in Device Manager.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after you have firmware).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-15 minutes).

Important: After Fastboot, it can take up to 10 minutes to turn on the first thing. Don't disconnect the phone from the PC or interrupt the process!

5. Typical update errors and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, Redmi 4A users often encounter errors, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Error 1: "Cannot verify update" or "Error 7"

Reasons:

• 🔹 Damaged firmware file (incompletely downloaded or with errors).
• 🔹 Model mismatch (you downloaded the firmware for the Redmi 4 Pro, not for the Redmi 4 Pro) 4A).
• 🔹 Modified Recovery (e.g., recapveres, TWRP).

Decision:

• 🔄 Download the firmware and check the checksum (MD5).
• 📁 Make sure the file is called update.zip and lies at the root of memory.
• 🔧 If it's custom recap, return stock through Fastboot:

Mistake 2: Hanging on the Mi logo

If the phone does not load beyond the logo after the update:

1. Wait 15-20 minutes – sometimes the first download takes a long time.
2. If it doesn’t help, go to Recovery and do Wipe data.
3. If the reset doesn’t help, run your phone through Fastboot with a full clean (Clean all).

Error 3: "This package is for rolex devices only"

This error means you are trying to install firmware that is not intended for Redmi 4A (codename rolex).

• 🔍 Make sure you download the firmware specifically for rolex (not prada, markw, etc.).
• 🌍 Check out the region: global firmware has a global name, Chinese – china.

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If you fail to update after a few attempts, try to roll back to the old version of MIUI via Fastboot, and then repeat the process.

6. How to check the success of the update

After installing the new firmware, you need to make sure that everything went well.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone and check:

Check the operation of the main functions:

• 📞 Calls and mobile Internet.
• 📶 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• 🔋 Charging and sensors (gyroscope, approximations).

If you notice a failure (e.g., overheating, fast battery drain, or spontaneous reboots), it is possible that the firmware is installed incorrectly.

• 🔄 Try repeating the update.
• 📉 Reverse to the previous version MIUI.
• 🛠️ Reset to factory settings (if errors remain).

Tip: After a successful upgrade, calibrate the battery: completely discharge the phone, then charge to 100% without interruption, which will help the system correctly determine the level of charge.

7. Alternative firmware: should you install custom?

If the official updates for Redmi 4A are no longer coming out, some users are considering custom firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Havoc-OS).

• ✅ A newer version of Android (such as Android) 10/11 Android 7.1).
• ✅ Lack of advertising and unnecessary Xiaomi apps.
• ✅ Advanced settings and customization.

However, there are risks:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• ⚠️ Possible bugs (not working) NFC, camera trouble).
• ⚠️ Need to unlock the bootloader (which may result in the blocking of the Mi Account).

If you decide to try custom firmware, follow this algorithm:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (you will need a tied Mi Account and wait 7-30 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery (unofficial version for rolex).
3. Download compatible firmware from the XDA Developers forum.
4. Sweat through TWRP by pre-made Wipe System/Data/Cache.

⚠️ Warning: Castom firmware may contain security vulnerabilities, and do not install them on a phone you use to bank or handle sensitive data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi updates 4A