How to upgrade Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 to Android 10: official and unofficial ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) was released in 2017 with Android 6.0 Marshmallow on board, and the latest official firmware from Xiaomi is MIUI 11 based on Android 7.0 Nougat. Despite this, enthusiasts and developers have created ways to upgrade to Android 10 (Q) through custom firmware. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, from preparing the phone to installing LineageOS 17.1, Pixel Experience or other builds.

It's important to understand that there's no official update to Android 10 for the Redmi Note 4. All of the methods below require unlocking the bootloader, installing a customized backup (TWRP) and potentially carrying risks ranging from data loss to a device blink. If you're not ready to experiment, consider buying a new smartphone. For those who are willing, we've detailed every step, including backing up, selecting firmware and solving typical bugs.

This article is relevant for all Redmi Note 4/4X versions (including versions with Snapdragon 625 and different memory volumes). Instructions are checked on firmware 2023-2026, but before you start, be sure to check the compatibility of the selected build with your model on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums.

1.Phone Preparation: Backup and Unlock bootloader

The first and most important step is to save all the data, and installing custom firmware will result in a complete reset of the phone, including the internal memory (/data).

• 📱 Copy files to a PC or cloud: photos, videos, documents from folders DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp (if used).
• 🔑 Save passwords and accounts: export data from Settings → Google → Backup or use Titanium Backup (requires root).
• 📞 Export contacts and SMS: through settings → System system → Import/export or applications like Super Backup.
• 🎮 Save Game Progress: Link accounts to Google Play Games or cloud gaming services.

Once backed up, you need to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi officially allows this, but the process takes up to 72 hours:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the line to activate Developer Mode.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable OEM Unlock and USB Debugging.
4. Download Mi Unlock Tool, log in and connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).

⚠️ Note: If the phone was not previously linked to the Mi Account, unlocking may result in a "Couldn't unlock" error, in which case wait 168 hours (7 days) after the first link.

2.Selecting Android 10 firmware for Redmi Note 4

On the Redmi Note 4, you can install several types of firmware based on Android 10. Each has its pros and cons:

For beginners, we recommend the Pixel Experience, which is the most stable and close to the “stock” Android. Power users can try LineageOS for a minimalist interface or Havoc-OS for fine-tuning.

Before downloading, check:

• 🔗 Assembly date – current versions are released every 1-2 months.
• 📌 Firmware type: GApps (with Google services) or Vanilla (without them).
• 🔧 Requirements: Some firmware requires firmware MIUI 11.

💡

If you choose firmware with GApps, make sure that the Open GApps version matches Android 10 (arm64 architecture, pico or nano variant).

3. Installing TWRP Recovery is a must-do step

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a customized recovery required for firmware installation. For Redmi Note 4, use a special version with support for FBE (File-Based Encryption):

1. Download the latest version of TWRP for mido from the official website (.img file).
2. Move the file to a folder with ADB/Fastboot (e.g., C:\platform-tools).
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
4. Open the command line in the folder with ADB Next Post:Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.7.0_mido.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_mido.img

After successful installation, the phone will boot to TWRP.

1. Select Wipe → Format Data, enter Yes and confirm (this will remove encryption).
2. Reboot back to TWRP (not in the system!).

⚠️ Attention: If after installation TWRP The phone is loaded into a standard Recovery (OrangeFox or OrangeFox). MIUI Recovery, repeat the steps by executing the command: fastboot erase recovery

Download the firmware (Android 10) for mido|Download TWRP (version 3.7.0+)|Download Open GApps (arm64, nano)|Save a backup copy of the TWRP|Format the Data section-->

4. Step-by-step instructions for installing Android 10

Now, to the installation itself, follow the instructions carefully, the order of action is critical.

1. Copy files to your phone: Firmware (.zip) to the root of internal memory. GApps (if you need Google services). Magisk (optional, for root rights).

Start the installation in TWRP:

• Select Install → specify the firmware file.
• Add GApps (if necessary) through Add more Zips.
• Swipe for confirmation.
• Cache Cleanup: After installation, select Wipe cache/dalvik.
• Reboot: Press Reboot System. The first run will take 10-15 minutes.

If the phone is stuck on the logo for more than 20 minutes:

• 🔄 Reboot to TWRP (Hold the volume up + Nutrition).
• 🧹 Run the Wipe. → Advanced Wipe, mark Dalvik, Cache, System and re-install.

5. Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the exact following of the instructions, there can be problems.

If the camera does not work after installation, check:

• 📸 Compatible with Snapdragon 625 (some builds optimized for Redmi Note 4) MTK).
• 🔧 Presence of a patch Camera2API (Separately installed through Magisk).

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on after firmware (black screen, no button response), try booting into Fastboot (clamp Volume Down + Power 10-15 seconds). If it doesn't work, you need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool with the official MIUI.

6. Optimize Android 10 after installation

After successful installation, we recommend following several steps to improve performance:

• ⚡ Turn off animation: Enable Developer Mode and install Windows Animation = 0.5x, Animation of transitions = 0.5x.
• 🔋 Battery calibration: Discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions (repeat 2-3 times).
• 🛠️ Install Magisk: For root rights download Magisk and thread through TWRP.
• 📡 If the signal is weak, try changing the Preferred network type to LTE Only in the engineering menu (#4636##).

To increase battery life:

1. Turn off Auto Brightness and set the value manually to 50-60%.
2. In Settings → Battery activate Adaptive Battery and Background Optimization.
3. Remove unnecessary applications through Settings → Apps.

If you notice overheating, check:

• 🔥 Loading the processor to AIDA64 or CPU Monitor.
• 🎮 Background processes (especially games or Facebook).
• 🔄 Kernel Version – Some custom cores are warmer than standard cores.

7.The return to MIUI: how to roll back

If Android 10 is unstable or you don’t like the interface, you can return the original MIUI.

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi Note 4 (version Stable).
2. Unpack the.tgz file and get the image folder.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and execute: fastboot flash boot.img fastboot flash system.img fastboot flash recovery.img fastboot erase userdata fastboot reboot

Another way to use the Mi Flash Tool is to:

• Install Mi Flash on your PC.
• Select a folder with unpacked firmware and press Refresh → Flash.
• Wait until the phone is finished (the phone will reboot automatically).

⚠️ Attention: When rolling back MIUI All data will be erased via Fastboot, including internal memory. If you want to save files, copy them to your PC before the procedure begins.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 4 update