How to Update Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro: Full Guide

Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro, also known globally as the Redmi 4 Prime, often wonder about extending the life of their device. Despite the fact that official support for this model from the manufacturer has already been discontinued, enthusiasts continue to look for ways to update the software, not only to get new features, but also to close critical security vulnerabilities that may have been found in older versions of Android.

The upgrade process can range from standard patch installation “over the air” to complex flashing through Fastboot.It is important to understand that the Redmi 4 Pro is based on the Snapdragon 625 processor, which has its limitations and features of compatibility with new versions of MIUI. Before starting any manipulations, you need to clearly understand the risks and prepare the device to avoid turning the smartphone into a “brick”.

In this article, we will take a look at all available methods, evaluate their pros and cons, and provide a checklist of actions for safe procedure, you will learn how to check the current version, where to look for current builds and what to do if the standard upgrade path is blocked.

Preparation of the device and checking the current version

The first step before any interference with the software part of the smartphone should be a thorough diagnosis of the current state of the system. You need to make sure that the hardware is functioning correctly and does not have hidden defects that can manifest themselves during the recording of new data.

To start, check which version of the operating system is currently installed, which will help you understand how big the gap between the current software and the target version is, go to the settings menu and find the About phone item, and this shows the MIUI build number and the Android version.

There are several critical parameters that need to be checked before starting:

• 🔋 Battery charge should be at least 60%, preferably 80%, to ensure successful completion.
• 💾 The free space in the memory should be at least 3-4 GB, even if the firmware file weighs less.
• 📶 A stable Wi-Fi connection is required to download heavy service packs.

⚠️ Note: If your phone has an unlocked bootloader, the upgrade procedure may result in a loss of warranty obligations if they are still formally in effect, or a reset of the security settings of banking applications.

Don’t ignore the need to back up. Even if you plan to just upgrade, Mi Account or local data storage is on the way. SD-The map will save your contacts and photos in case of an unexpected crash.Sync with the Google cloud is also a must-have stage of preparation.

Official Air Update (OTA)

The easiest and safest way to update software is to use the built-in OTA (Over-The-Air) mechanism, which checks Xiaomi servers for new builds that are suitable for your regional version of the device, but for Redmi 4 Pro, this channel may already be closed, as the device has moved to EOL (End of Life) status.

To initiate manual updates, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. Click on the MIUI logo or check button. If the server responds that there are no updates, it doesn't always mean that there are none. Sometimes the new version is only available to a certain part of the users or region.

There is a hidden function that allows you to force check for updates:

1. Open the update menu.
2. Quickly click 10 times on the logo of the MIUI version.
3. In the menu that appears, select the option to Select a firmware file or Check for updates.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to install firmware designed for another model (e.g. Redmi). 4X or Redmi Note 4, through the standard menu, which will cause signature verification error or damage to the bootloader.

If OTA-The channel is running, the phone will download the archive itself and suggest a reboot, which takes 10 to 30 minutes, at which time the device will be unavailable, and the Android logo or the Android logo may be displayed on the screen. MIUI progress-indicator.

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If the update doesn’t come, try changing the region in the settings (Location) to India or Global, then check again for the updates.

Local installation via Recovery Mode

When automatic updates fail, local installation is a good option, requiring you to pre-download a full firmware archive (usually zip files) from a trusted resource. For Redmi 4 Pro, it’s important to look for files labeled “Recovery” or “Global Stable.”

After downloading the file, place it in the root of internal memory or on the SD-Don't hide the archive in deep folders so the system can easily find it, then go back to the update menu and call the hidden menu (10 clicks on the logo).

Algorithm of actions during local installation:

• 📂 Copy the firmware file into the root memory directory.
• 📱 In the update menu, select "Select firmware file».
• ✅ Confirm the selection and press OK to start the installation.

The system will check the integrity of the file. If the hash amounts match, the installation process will begin. Unlike OTA, here the phone can reboot to Recovery mode, where the installation will take place in the background. This is a more reliable method, since it does not depend on the stability of the Internet connection at the time of installation.

It is important to understand the difference between a clean installation and a data-saving update. Local method through the update menu usually stores user data, but if you move between branches (for example, from China to Global), the data can be lost.

Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool

For advanced users who want to completely clean the system or roll back to an earlier version, there is a method of firmware through Fastboot. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and use a computer. Files for this method have the extension.tgz and are unpacked into a folder.

You'll need the Mi Flash Tool, which you should download from the official website. Connect the phone turned off to your PC by pressing the volume button to enter Fastboot mode. Install the ADB and Fastboot drivers if they're not built into the utility.

Comparison table for the types of firmware for Redmi 4 Pro:

In the Mi Flash Tool, select the path to the unpacked firmware folder. In the lower right corner, select clean all or save user data. Press the Flash button and wait for the process to be completed, which will take 200 to 600 seconds.

Solving errors and problems during the update

The update process rarely goes perfectly smoothly on older devices, and one of the common problems is the “Can’t verify update” error, which occurs if you try to install the older version on top of the newer one or change the region without proper preparation.

If the phone has gone into an endless bootloop after the upgrade, don't panic. Try booting into Recovery mode (pressing the power and volume button) and doing Wipe Data/Factory Reset. This will delete all data, but often saves the system.

Possible failure scenarios:

• 🚫 Error 1001: Problem with the network or download server. Solution: change DNS ortime in settings.
• 🚫 Loss of loss IMEI: After the firmware, the networks are gone. EFS, What's hard without a backup.
• 🚫 Black Screen: The screen is black, but the phone vibrates.Solution: Wait up to 15 minutes, sometimes the system updates partitions for a long time.

⚠️ Note: If your fingerprint or sensor stopped working after firmware, it may be that the firmware was installed for the wrong screen or sensor revision that your particular instance of Redmi 4 Pro is equipped with.

To diagnose problems, you can use log files that are saved in the folder. /MIUI/debug_log. Their analysis can tell which system module caused the failure during the installation.

Alternative firmware and custom solutions

Since the official support for Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro ended on Android 7/8 versions, many users are turning to custom firmware such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS. These builds allow for more recent versions of Android, sometimes up to Android 10 or 11.

Installing custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader and installing customized backups, such as TWRP. This allows access to advanced features such as processor overclocking, changing the interface and removing system debris, but the stability of such systems may be lower than that of stock.

Advantages of custom solutions:

1. A more recent version of Android security.
2. No advertising and unnecessary pre-installed applications.
3. The ability to fine-tune yourself.

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Switching to custom firmware is the only way to get Android to the newer version of 8.0 Oreo on the Redmi 4 Pro, but it requires technical skills.

Before you decide to do this, check the forums (for example, for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers are for your model (codename markw) and make sure all modules (camera, Bluetooth) are in place, GPS) Work correctly in the selected assembly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)