How to Update the Firmware on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: All Ways in 2026

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 — the legendary smartphone, released in 2017, but still remains in service with many users. However, with the release of new versions of MIUI and Android owners are faced with the question: how to safely update the device so as not to lose data and not turn the gadget into a “brick”? In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to update firmware, including official and alternative methods, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors.

It's important to understand that Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) is no longer getting official updates from Xiaomi — the last stable version of MIUI for it came out in 2021. But that doesn't mean that the device is doomed to outdated software. There are ways to install custom firmware or manually flash the current version through Fastboot or Recovery. We'll go through each method in detail so you can choose the best option.

Before you start the update, check the current version of MIUI: go to Settings → About → About Phone → MIUI Version. If your firmware is older than MIUI 12.5, we recommend updating - this is the latest official version with security fixes. For enthusiasts, unofficial MIUI 13/14 ports or custom firmware like LineageOS and Pixel Experience are available, but installing them requires unlocking the bootloader and may take away the warranty (if it is still valid).

1.Preparing the phone for an update: what to do before the firmware

Regardless of the upgrade method chosen, preparing the device is a critical step, and neglecting it can lead to data loss, disruption, or even a “brickle” of the smartphone, starting with the basic steps:

• 📱 Back up your data. Use your settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset or third-party applications like Titanium Backup (requires root, SMS, Photos and application data.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%. Interrupting the upgrade process due to battery discharge is one of the main reasons for the "bricks».
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network. Downloading firmware via mobile Internet can lead to a download break and file corruption.
• 🛠️ Make sure your phone has enough storage.The firmware weighs 1.5 to 2.5GB, so free up at least 3GB of space.

If you plan to update via Fastboot or install custom firmware, you will additionally need:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader. This is an official procedure from Xiaomi, but it resets all the data on the phone.
• 💻 Install drivers and tools. Fastboot requires Mi Flash Tool, Recovery — TWRP (unofficial version for mido).
• 📋 There are several versions available for Redmi Note 4: Global, Chinese, Indian, and Chinese. Install only the one that matches your current firmware!

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi Note 4 is purchased in China (firmware China), trying to install a global version without first unlocking the bootloader will result in an Anti-Rollback error and locking the device. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Check the MIUI version and the firmware region

Backup to your PC or cloud

Charge your phone to 70% or more

Download firmware from the official website (miui.com) or trusted forum (4pda.ru)

Install drivers ADB/Fastboot on PC (if you plan to firmware through Fastboot)-->

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

If your Redmi Note 4 is still getting updates (for example, you haven’t checked for updates in a long time), the safest way to do this is to use the built-in OTA (Over-The-Air) feature, which does not require unlocking the bootloader and is suitable for most users.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Package (if you already have a firmware file downloaded) or Check Updates.
3. If the update is available, click Download and wait for the download to complete.
4. After downloading, the system will prompt you to install the update. Click Reboot and update.

It's going to take 10 to 20 minutes. The phone will reboot a few times, which is normal. Don't turn off the power or press the buttons during installation!

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If the update is OTA If it is not located, try changing the firmware region. → Additionally. → Select India or Russia and check the updates again.

What to do if OTA-update is not working:

• 🌐 Xiaomi server problems. Try connecting via VPN (For example, select a server in India or Singapore).
• 📵 Error "Can't download the update." Clear the cache of the System Update application in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔄 Hang in the update check phase. Restart your phone and try again.

⚠️ If your Redmi Note 4 is already working on MIUI 12.5, new OTA-In this case, move to the following ways (Recovery or Fastboot).

By air (OTA)

Through Recovery.

Through Fastboot.

Castom firmware (TWRP)

I'm not updating at all.-->

3. Method 2: Update via Recovery - if OTA doesn't work

If automatic updates are not available, but you don’t want to unlock the bootloader, you can manually install the firmware through standard Recovery, a method that is suitable for official firmware in.zip format.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the correct version MIUI For the Redmi Note 4 (mido from the official website: 🌍 Global version: miui.com 🇨🇳 Chinese version: miui.com/cn

The file must have a name of the type miui_MIDOGlobal_V12.5.1.0.RFGMIXM_... (global version).

update.zip

Volume up + Nutrition

Recovery

Install update.zip to System One


(Install update.zip in System 1)

Confirm the installation and wait until the process is complete. The phone will reboot automatically.

If the phone is stuck on the MI logo after the update, don’t panic – wait 10-15 minutes. If the freeze lasts more than 30 minutes, reset via Recovery (Wipe Data), but note that this will delete all data.

4. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware for Power Users

The Fastboot method is the most reliable way to flash Redmi Note 4 if other options don't work, and it requires an unlocked bootloader and a PC with drivers installed, which also helps if the phone doesn't turn on or is stuck in a boot cycle.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer (recommended) 7/10/11)
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from official website)
• 📄 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (Fastboot version)

Instructions:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\mido_fastboot).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers (they usually come with a bundle).
3. Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (there will be a hare in a hat-eared hat on the screen).
4. Connect your phone to your PC. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh, the device needs to be determined.
5. Select the folder with the unpacked firmware and click Flash. At the bottom, select the option Clean all (full clean) or Clean all and lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after firmware).
6. Wait until the process is complete (green tick in the program). The phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Note: If you choose Clean all and lock, the bootloader will lock and have to be re-opened for the next firmware, which is recommended only if you are installing the final firmware version and do not plan on further experiments.

Critical! do not disconnect the phone from the PC while running through Fastboot. Interrupting the process can damage the boot partition and require soldering of the eMMC (which costs more than the phone itself).

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Fastboot firmware is the only way to restore the redmi Note 4 if it doesn’t turn on or hangs on the MI logo.

5. Install custom firmware: MIUI 13/14, LineageOS, Pixel Experience

If the official firmware doesn’t suit you, you can install custom firmware, which will give you access to new versions of Android (up to Android 11/12 for Redmi Note 4), improved performance and additional features, but this process requires an unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP Recovery.

Popular firmware for mido:

• 📱 MIUI 13/14 Ports – unofficial builds with new design and features (e.g. from developers with new designs and functions) 4PDA).
• 🤖 LineageOS 18.1 – pure Android 11 without unnecessary applications Xiaomi.
• 📱 Pixel Experience – firmware with the interface and features of Google Pixel.
• ⚡ Havoc-OS - custom firmware with wide customization options.

Installation instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see Section 1).
2. Install. TWRP Recovery for mido (download official website). Use the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2_mido.img fastboot boot twrp-3.6.2_mido.img
3. Download firmware (.zip format) and, if necessary, GApps (Google services).
4. Boot to TWRP (Put Volume Up + Power), run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark: Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache
5. Install the firmware through Install, then (if necessary) GApps.
6. Restart the phone. It can take 10 to 15 minutes to launch the first one.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ Updated Android (up to) 11/12 version instead of standard 7.0 Nougat).
• ✅ No unnecessary Xiaomi apps and advertising.
• ✅ Improved performance and battery life.
• ✅ Ability to fine-tune the interface.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ No official support (bugs are possible).
• ❌ Some functions do not work, for example, IR-blaster NFC, If you have it in your model).
• ❌ Risk of losing the guarantee (if it is still valid).

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Before installing custom firmware, check the reviews on forums (4PDA, XDA).Some builds may have problems with the camera, mobile network or sensors.

6.Typical Update Errors and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users often face problems, and consider the most common errors and their solutions:

If you encounter an error not described in the table, try:

1. Find a solution in the forums (4PDA, XDA-Developers) by error code.
2. Reset your phone to factory settings via Recovery (Wipe Data).
3. Contact the service center (if the phone is guaranteed).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone stops turning on and doesn't respond to buttons after a failed firmware, don't try to disassemble it yourself. 90% of the time, the problem is solved by re-running through Fastboot or by re-running it. EDL-Referring to “masters” who offer “sweep through boxing” often results in damage to the eMMC and irreversible failure.

7. How to roll back firmware to the previous version

Sometimes, after an update, users will encounter bugs, brakes or broken functions, in which case you can roll back the firmware to the previous version.

For official firmware:

• Download the desired version of MIUI from the official website.
• Fastboot with the Clean All option (see Section 4).
• Please note that rolling back to an older version can cause an Anti-Rollback error!

For custom firmware:

• Make a backup of the current firmware in TWRP (Backup).
• Run the full Wipe (see Section 5).
• Install the previous version of the firmware.

If you want to return from custom firmware to official MIUI:

1. Download the Fastboot version of the official firmware.
2. Sweat it through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All and Lock option.
3. The bootloader will be blocked, and to re-install the custom firmware it will have to be unlocked again.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)