How to Update Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 4X, which is one of the company’s best-selling smartphones, still stands on the line for millions of users worldwide. However, time is running out, and the standard factory version of the Android operating system with the MIUI shell is gradually losing its ability to meet the requirements of modern applications and security services. Many owners are wondering how to extend the life of their gadget by installing a fresher version of software to get new features and fix the accumulated bugs.

The upgrade process may seem complicated for a beginner, but in fact Xiaomi has a few convenient ways to do this: you can use the standard “over the air” update, which does not require a connection to your computer, or choose a more advanced method of manual installation of firmware through the Recovery menu.

In this article, we will take a look at all the options available, the preparatory steps and the possible risks. It is important to understand that any manipulation of system files requires careful follow-up and instructions. We will help you understand which version of MIUI is relevant for your model, and whether it is worth switching to global firmware at all if you have a Chinese version of the device.

Preparing the smartphone for installing updates

Before you start any actions with the system partition, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. Data backup is the first and most important step that should not be ignored. Even if the process goes well, saving contacts, photos and important documents to the cloud server or computer will save you from losing information in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Make sure your Redmi Note 4X has a minimum of 60 percent battery life and is ideally fully charged. Interrupting the firmware process due to battery drain can cause serious system boot errors. Also check for free space in internal memory; installing a major upgrade may require 3 to 5GB of free space.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to interrupt the installation process even if the smartphone screen is out or the device appears to be getting stuck.A forced reboot at this point can turn the phone into a brick".

For stable download of firmware files, it is recommended to use a reliable Wi-Fi connection. Mobile Internet can be unstable, which will damage the archive when downloaded, and it is also worth removing all third-party launchers and antiviruses that may conflict with system processes during the update.

Automatic updates through system settings

The easiest and safest way to upgrade to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X is to use the built-in OTA (Over The Air) mechanism, which does not require a computer or special knowledge, and the system will check the servers for a new version of the software that is suitable for your region and device type.

To start the process, go to the Settings menu, then select About Phone. At the top of the screen, you will see the current version of MIUI. Click on this area or System Update to initiate a check. If a new version is found, the system will prompt you to download and install it.

• 📲 Click the Download button to start downloading the update package.
• ⏳ Wait for the download to finish; speed depends on your internet connection.
• 🔄 After download, click "Reboot Now" to start installation.

After rebooting, the device can run slower than usual for 10-15 minutes while the system optimizes applications. Don't panic if the phone is warming at this point - this is a normal background work process. If the automatic update doesn't come, it's possible that your current version is too old or different from the server version (for example, Chinese vs Global).

Manual installation of firmware through Recovery Mode

If the automatic method does not work or you want to install a specific version of the firmware (for example, switch from Chinese to global), you will need a manual installation method. Important: The file should be designed specifically for the Redmi Note model 4X (codename).

Once you download the file, put it in the root of the smartphone's internal memory. Don't pack it into extra folders, the system needs to see it right away. Then you need to go into Recovery mode. To do this, turn off the phone completely, and then press the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously.

In the Recovery menu, you can navigate with volume buttons, and you can choose with a power button (or touch the screen if the touch is working). Select a language (usually English or Chinese), then click Wipe Data. This is a must-do step when you change the firmware type or Android version.

⚠️ Note: When moving from China ROM Globally ROM Or when you downgrade the Android version, you have to clean up your data, or it'll go into an endless bootloop).

Once cleaned, go back to the main menu and select Install (or "Install update.zip"). Find the previously downloaded firmware file and confirm the installation. The process will take a few minutes. Once completed, press Reboot. The first turn on after manual firmware can last up to 5-7 minutes.

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Manual installation via Recovery is the only way to change the firmware region (for example, from CN to Global) without unlocking the bootloader.

Update via Fastboot with a computer

Fastboot firmware is considered the most reliable method and allows you to restore the device even in case of serious system errors, USB-This is a good quality cable and a Mi Flash Tool, which completely erases all data from your phone.

First, you need to unlock the bootloader if it's locked, and this is done through the official Mi Unlock app after you submit your application to Xiaomi. Without the unlocked bootloader, you can't install Fastboot firmware. Download the firmware image in.tgz format and unpack it on your computer.

Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode by pressing Volume Down and Power on the device off. Connect your phone to your PC. In Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh to let your computer see the device. Choose the path to the unpacked firmware folder.

• 💻 Make sure you select the Clean All mode for clean installation without errors.
• ⚡ Press the Flash button and wait until the process is complete (green bar).
• 🔌 Do not disconnect the cable until the smartphone is fully rebooted.

If your computer can’t see your phone, try another one. USB-Fastboot takes longer to run through than Recovery, but ensures that there is no system debris from previous versions.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users may encounter various difficulties. One of the common problems is the error "Can't verify update" when trying to install through Recovery. This means that the firmware file is damaged during download or is not suitable for this model. Always check the checksum of the file, if this is provided by the developer.

Another common situation is loss of network signal or broken Wi-Fi after flashing, which often happens when you install global firmware on a device with a Chinese communication module, in some cases, help flashing the modem or using special patches, but this requires advanced skills.

If the phone starts to run out quickly after the upgrade, give it 2-3 days to adapt. The system will re-index files and optimize the work of background processes. If the problem persists, try to perform a full reset (Wipe Data) after installing the update.

⚠️ Note: Installation of firmware from third-party developers (Custom) ROM) completely deprives the device of an official warranty and may cause banking applications to fail due to security checks.

In case the device went into a "bootloop" (cyclic reboot), try going to Recovery and make Wipe Data. If that doesn't work, the only way out is to run the firmware through Fastboot with full cleaning. There are many stable builds for the Redmi Note 4X, but you should do the experiments with caution.

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If your fingerprint has stopped working after the update, try to delete all the fingerprints in the settings and register them again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)