How to Upgrade Xiaomi Redmi 4 to the Latest MIUI Version: 3 Proven Ways

Xiaomi Redmi 4 (codenamed prada), released in 2016, is still popular with users due to its reliability and the ability to install current firmware. However, with the release of new versions of MIUI and Android, owners are faced with questions: how to update the device correctly, which versions are supported in 2026, and what to do if the standard air update (OTA) is not available?

In this article, you will find three working methods for updating, from official OTA to manual firmware via Fastboot and Recovery. We will also break down common bugs (such as Error 7 or the Mi logo hanging), tell you how to check the firmware compatibility with your Redmi 4 modification (Standard/Pro/Prime), and give recommendations for preparing the device for the procedure. If you have never flashed a smartphone before, do not worry: the instructions are adapted for beginners, with step-by-step screenshots and an explanation of each action.

1. Preparing the smartphone for the update: 5 mandatory steps

Before you start the update, you need to make sure that the Xiaomi Redmi 4 is ready for the procedure.Neglecting the preparation can lead to a device “brick” (complete failure), data loss or malfunction after the firmware.

• 🔋 Charge the battery to a minimum of 60%. When upgrading via Recovery or Fastboot, 80% or higher is recommended - this will prevent a sudden shutdown during the process.
• 📱 Back up your data. The update can reset or erase user files (especially when you upgrade to a new version of Android). Use Mi Cloud or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup.
• 🔍 Find out the current version MIUI and the device model. Go to Settings. → Remember the phone version. MIUI (for example, MIUI Global 12.5.3) Device modification (Redmi 4 Standard, Pro or Prime) Android version (6.0, 7.0, etc.).
• 🔗 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network. Download firmware "over the air" or through Mi PC Suite requires a stable internet connection.mobile traffic is not recommended because of the risk of a break.
• 🔐 Unlock the bootloader (if you plan to Fastboot). For manual firmware via Fastboot on Xiaomi, an unlocked bootloader is required. You can check status by the fastboot oem device-info command (should be unlocked: true).

Pay special attention to firmware compatibility. For example, the firmware for Redmi 4 Pro (code markw) will not work for Redmi 4 Standard (prada), installing an incompatible version will lead to an Error 7 or "brick" error.

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 4 was purchased in China (the domestic version), it may require special firmware with support for Google Services. MIUI These devices will not work on these devices.

Save important data on a PC or cloud|

Charge the battery to 70% or higher |

Know the code name of the model (prada/markw)|

Connect to Wi-Fi or use a USB| cable

Download the correct firmware version for your modification-->

2. Method 1: Update "over the air" (OTA) - the easiest method

An official update via OTA (Over-The-Air) is the best option for most users, requiring no technical skills and storing all the data on the device.

• ✅ Available only for stable versions MIUI (Beta firmware is updated manually).
• ❌ May not work if the device is rooted or installed custom Recovery.
• ⏳ Updates come with a delay (sometimes up to several months after release).

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 Package (if it is already downloaded).
3. If the update is available, click Download and wait for the download to complete.
4. After downloading, the system will offer to restart for installation - confirm the action.

If the update does not come, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Reboot the device and check again.
• 🌐 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes the provider blocks Xiaomi servers).
• 📅 Change the region of the device to India or Russia in the settings MIUI (Sometimes updates are released earlier in some regions).

⚠️ Note: If, after updating, through OTA The smartphone has been getting stuck on the Mi logo for longer than 10 minutes, don't try to turn it off with the power button. wait until the process is complete (may take up to 20 minutes) or reset via Recovery (click Volume).+ + Nutrition).

Once a month, when a new version comes out.|

Only if there are critical bugs |

Never, I've been using factory firmware |

I tried it, but there were problems.-->

Method 2: Manual update via Recovery (for power users)

If OTA-Update is not available or you want to install a specific version MIUI (For example, switching from Android 6 to 7, you can use manual installation through Recovery, which saves user data, but requires the right firmware selection.

You'll need:

• 📱 Official firmware in.zip format for your model (you can download it on the official website of Xiaomi).
• 🔌 USB-cable for transferring a file to a device (or a memory card).
• 🔧 Stock Recovery (if you have customized, for example, TWRP, process may differ).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for your model (for example, miui_HM4Global_V12.5.3.0.MCCMIXM_... for Redmi 4 Global) and rename the file to update.zip.
2. Transfer the file to the root directory of internal memory or to the SD-map (not in folders!).
3. Turn off your smartphone and press the Volume++ Power button to log in to Recovery.
4. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if available), then: Install update.zip to System One (or "Install Update").
5. Confirm the installation and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).
6. After the reboot, the device will be updated.

If you have any errors after installation (e.g. Can't verify update), check:

• 🔹 File integrity (download the firmware again, compare the hash amount) MD5).
• 🔹 Version compatibility (firmware should be newer than current version).
• 🔹 Root rights (if the device is rooted, you may need to roll back changes).

Method 4: Fastboot Firmware (for advanced users)

The Fastboot method is the most reliable way to flash Redmi 4 if other options don't work.

• 🔄 Restore the device after the "brick».
• 🔧 Installation of custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).
• ⚡ Forced downgrade/upgrade version of Android.

To run through Fastboot, you will need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and Mi Flash Tool.
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (for example, prada_global_images_V12.5.3.0.MCCMIXM_...).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (required!).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MiFlash\prada).
2. Turn off your smartphone and turn the volume down.− + Food to enter Fastboot mode (the image of a hare in a hat-ushank will appear).
3. Connect the device to the PC via USB.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All mode (complete clean) or Save user data (save data).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error critical partition flashing is not allowed, it means that the firmware is intended for another model or region. EEA international versions.

Once the firmware is successful, the device will automatically restart. The first run can take up to 15 minutes — that's normal.

fastboot flash boot boot.img

(file boot.img is in the firmware folder).-->

5. How to check the success of the upgrade and avoid problems

After the Redmi 4 update, you need to make sure everything goes right.

• 📱 Check the version. MIUI In Settings → The phone must match the firmware installed.
• 🔧 Test the basic features: Calls and mobile Internet (especially if updated to fix communication problems), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, camera and microphone.
• 📊 Check the battery. Sometimes after the upgrade, the calibration gets lost, complete the full discharge/charging cycle.
• 🔒 Update apps via Google Play (some programs may require reinstallation after changing the Android version).

If there are bugs after the update (for example, a quick battery drain or overheating), try:

• 🔄 Reset the settings to factory (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).
• 📥 Reverse to the previous version (if the problem has occurred after the update).
• 💬 Report a bug on the Xiaomi forum or in Mi Community (sometimes the bugs are fixed in the following patches).

💡

If after the update, the smartphone became slower to work, try to turn off animation in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then Settings → Additional → For developers → Animation → set Animation without transitions).

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When updating Xiaomi Redmi 4 users face typical problems, we have collected the most common errors and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, contact Xiaomi’s service center or specialized forums (e.g., 4PDA or XDA-Developers).Do not try to re-stitch the device without diagnosis – this can exacerbate the problem.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions