Xiaomi’s smart TVs, particularly the Mi TV 4S 55, have gained popularity due to their excellent price-to-quality ratio and the presence of the Android TV operating system. However, like any complex software, firmware can require an upgrade or even a full reinstallation over time. Users often face situations where the device starts to run slower, app errors appear or features are blocked due to regional restrictions.
The process of flashing can seem intimidating to a beginner, but when all the technical requirements are met, it becomes quite safe and even useful procedure. A properly installed version of the software can revive the device, eliminate bugs and expand the functionality. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the upgrade methods, from automatic to manual installation through the USB-drive, and also touch on more complex manipulations through the debugging interface.
Before you start any manipulation, it is important to understand what type of update you need. Often it is enough to simply update the system through the regular menu, but in cases of bricks or changing the region, deeper intervention is required. Wrong actions can lead to a loss of warranty, so carefully study the material before you start active actions with the system files.
Preparation for the update: diagnosis and method choice
The first step should always be to thoroughly diagnose the current state of your Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 55. You need to accurately determine the version of the installed operating system to see if it is relevant and if it makes sense to manually reinstall. To do this, go to the settings menu, select Device Settings, then About TV, and pay attention to the Version string. Write this data down, as it will be necessary to find the right firmware file.
There are several scenarios that require tampering with the software of the TV: sometimes the device simply stops seeing the Wi-Fi network after another automatic update, other times the system starts to reboot cyclically, a full reset to factory settings often solves minor problems, but if they come back, it means that the system files are damaged, in which case only a clean installation of the system image will help.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your TV is connected to the network via an Ethernet cable or stable Wi-Fi before starting a diagnosis. interrupting data download during the automatic update process may cause the bootloader to fail.
It is also worth checking the amount of free internal memory. If the storage is packed, the update process may not start or end in error. Clear the app cache or remove unnecessary programs through the App menu. The 4S series models are characterized by two firmware options: global (Global) and Chinese (CN). The global version contains Google Play and support for many languages, while the Chinese version may require additional manipulation to install Google services.
Automatic updates through built-in interface
The easiest and safest way to update software is to use the regular OTA (Over-The-Air) mechanism, which is ideal for those who want to get security patches and new features without risking damage to the system. The TV will contact Xiaomi servers, check for a new version and prompt you to install it.
To start the process, open the settings and go to About Device, then select System Update. Click Check Updates. If the server responds that a new version is available, a notification will appear. Automatic installation is preferred by most users, as it minimizes human error and errors in file selection.
But there are limitations to this method: Servers may not see your TV because of regional locks, especially if the device was originally intended for the Chinese market, and in such cases, the update may not come in years, and the automatic updater will not allow you to roll back to the older version of the system if the new one is a buggy, in which you have to resort to manual methods.
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Automatic updates are the safest way to go, but they are not always available due to regional limitations on Xiaomi servers.
Manual installation of firmware through USB-accumulator
If the automatic method doesn't work or you need a specific version of the software, the only option is manual installation. USB-up to 32 GB of storage (preferably) USB 2.0 for better compatibility. The flash drive needs to be formatted into the file system. FAT32. This is a critical point, as the TV may simply not see the file system drive. NTFS exFAT.
Firmware file for Mi TV 4S 55 It usually has a.bin or.zip extension and weighs from 500 MB 1.5 GB: You should download images only from trusted sources, for example, from the official Mi Community forum or specialized portals such as: 4PDA. After downloading the file must be renamed according to the requirements (often this is the case). update.zip or mi_tv_4s_update.bin, specify the exact name in the description of a particular version) and place in the root of the flash drive.
☑️ Checklist of preparations USB
The installation process is as follows: turn off the TV, insert the prepared flash drive into the USB-Port (it is desirable to use the port) USB 2.0, often black. Then turn on the TV. If the firmware file is correct and lies at the root of the drive, the system should automatically detect it and prompt the update to begin, and the Android logo and progress bar will appear on the screen. Do not remove the flash drive or turn off the power until the process is complete.
⚠️ Warning: If nothing happens after turning on the TV with the inserted flash drive, try another one USB-port or other flash drive: Some drives larger than 32 GB may not be defined by the bootloader.
Using Recovery Mode and Resetting Settings
In cases where the system boots but is not running smoothly, or when a standard update fails, it may be necessary to log in to Recovery Mode.This is a special diagnostic mode built into the device memory that allows you to clean partitions or install updates bypassing the main OS. To log in to Recovery on Xiaomi TVs, you often need to pinch certain buttons on the remote or case when you turn on.
One common combination to enter recovery mode is to press the OK and Back button (or power button on the case) simultaneously with the power cord plugged into the socket. In the Recovery menu, navigation is done with volume buttons (if any on the remote) or volume buttons on the case, and the choice is confirmed by the power button or. Here you can choose OK Wipe for a full reset or Apply Update from USB for manual firmware.
Using Recovery mode carries risks. Choosing the wrong menu item can lead to complete deletion of user data without the possibility of recovery. So before entering this mode, make sure you understand the consequences of each action. If you are not confident in yourself, it is better to limit yourself to resetting through the standard settings menu.
What to do if the TV is stuck on the Mi logo?
Comparison of firmware methods: Characteristics table
To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you assess the risks and labor costs of each method, remember that the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 55 is a device with a fairly closed architecture, and experimenting with system partitions requires caution.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk of data loss | Equipment required |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTA (via Wi-Fi) | Low. | No (retains data) | Stable Internet |
| USB (root) | Medium | No (usually) | USB-flash-drive (FAT32) |
| Recovery Mode | Tall. | Yes (full reset) | remote, USB-flash-drive |
| ADB / Fastboot | Expert | critical | PC, USB-USB cable, software |
As you can see from the table, OTA or simple USB installation is the best option for the average user. Methods using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) require connecting the TV to the computer via a USB-USB cable (two-way) and installing drivers, which goes beyond the basic instruction. ADB allows you to force the installation of signed and unsigned images, but a mistake in the command can turn the TV into a “brick”.
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Use quality USB-Cables and flash drives of well-known brands (SanDisk, Kingston). Cheap drives often have a low read speed, which can cause a file verification error when updating.
Frequent problems after flashing and their solution
Even successful installation of a new version of software doesn't always guarantee perfect performance, sometimes users are faced with the loss of sound, the loss of Wi-Fi or the disappearance of applications, often because the remnants of the old settings conflict with the new system, in which case a full reset (Hard Reset) through the settings menu or Recovery helps.
Another common problem is the lack of Google Play Store on global firmware or, conversely, its presence in Chinese, where it may not work correctly. APK-Google service files. You may also need to change your region in settings (Settings) → General. → Region) to a country other than China (e.g. India or Singapore) to activate all features.
⚠️ Note: After changing the region or firmware, some apps (such as Netflix) may stop working in high quality (4K/HDR), If the device's certificate is not passed, that's normal behavior. DRM-defense.
If the TV is not behaving properly after all the manipulations, it is worth checking the integrity of the firmware file itself. It may be that the download has been interrupted and the checksum does not match. In this case, you need to re-download the image, preferably from another source, and repeat the procedure. Re-firmware of the same version often helps to "break through" software errors.