How to reflash the TV Xiaomi Mi TV 4S: official and alternative ways

Xiaomi Mi TV 4S remain popular thanks to a combination of affordable price, high-quality screen and functional firmware based on Android TV. However, over time, even the most stable system requires an update: the manufacturer releases security patches, adds new features or optimizes the work with applications. In some cases, users want to install custom firmware to expand the capabilities of the device – for example, root access or remove embedded advertising.

Reflashing a TV is more complex than upgrading a smartphone. It is important to consider the architecture of the Amlogic processors used in the Mi TV 4S, as well as the risks of turning the device into a “brick” if you do not act correctly. In this guide, we will discuss all the current ways to update the firmware, from official OTA to manual installation via USB or ADB. Special attention will be paid to preparing, backing up and solving typical errors, such as hanging on the logo or cyclical reboot.

Preparation for Flashing: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start the upgrade, make sure your Xiaomi Mi TV 4S is ready for the procedure.Neglected preparation is the main cause of failures and loss of warranty.

1. Open the settings → About TV → The version of the software.
2. Write down the build number (e.g. MSA2.0.230118.001).
3. Compare it to the latest versions on Xiaomi’s official website.

If the difference between your current version and yours is more than 2-3 updates, it is recommended to install them sequentially, rather than switching from very old firmware to new one at once.This is because the firmware for the Mi TV 4S contains incremental patches, and skipping intermediate versions can lead to system file conflicts.

• 🔌 Charge the remote or prepare a spare (in case of a Bluetooth connection failure).
• 📁 Backup important data (channel lists, sound settings, application accounts).
• 🔄 Disable all peripherals: sound panels, game consoles, USB-accumulator.
• 📶 Connect your TV to the network via Ethernet cable (if you plan to). OTA-update).

⚠️ Attention: If your Mi is yours TV 4S It was purchased in China (suffixed model) CN In the title, installing global firmware may block some features, such as Dolby Vision or local streaming services.

Method 1: Automatically Update via Wi-Fi or Ethernet

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in OTA (Over-The-Air) feature, which is suitable for most users, because it does not require technical skills and minimizes risks.

1. Connect the TV to the Internet (preferably via cable).
2. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If a new version is available, confirm the download and installation.

It takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on the speed of the Internet and the size of the firmware. The TV will reboot several times, which is normal. Don't turn off the power until it's complete (Update Complete will appear on the screen).

If the update is “hanging” during the booting phase, try:

• Reboot the router and the TV.
• Use a different type of connection (from Ethernet to Wi-Fi or vice versa).
• Reset your network settings to Settings → Network and Internet → Additional → Network Reset.

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If so, OTA-update TV began to slow down, perform a reset to factory settings in Settings → Storage and discharge → Resetting. This will remove the app cache that might have conflicted with the new firmware.

Method 2: Manual update through USB-accumulator

If automatic updates are not available or you want to install a specific firmware version, use the method with USB-This is also useful when the TV is not turning on normally (e.g., it only loads in Recovery Mode:

• 📁 A flash drive. FAT32 Up to 16 GB (it is better to use a new or formatted version).
• 💻 Computer for downloading firmware.
• 🔗 Official firmware from Xiaomi website (file with.zip extension).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for your model (for example, MiTV_4S_55_V11.1.2.0.PFBCNXM_20230315.zip) from a world repository or official source.
2. Unpack the archive and copy the update.zip file to the root directory of the flash drive (not to the folder!).
3. Put the flash drive in. USB-TV port (preferably to port) USB 2.0 if there are several).
4. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update → Update via USB.
5. Select the update.zip file and confirm the installation.

The flash drive is formatted in FAT32|The firmware file is named exactly. update.zip|USB-The TV port is working (check on another device)|The TV is connected to an uninterruptible power supply-->

If the TV does not turn on after the restart or gives an error Installation aborted, possible reasons:

• The wrong firmware version (for example, Mi TV 4A instead of 4S)
• The corrupted update.zip file (pump it and check the MD5 checksum).
• Incompatible file system flash drive (it should be FAT32, not exFAT or NTFS).

⚠️ Note: On some versions of the Mi TV 4S (for example, L55M5-5AS) When manually updated, the settings are reset. HDMI-CEC. After the firmware reconfigure the management of other devices through HDMI Settings menu → Devices and accessories → HDMI-CEC.

Method 3: Install custom firmware (for advanced users)

Xiaomi’s official firmware has limitations: pre-installed apps, advertising in the app MIUI TV Launcher, no root access. Alternative firmware, such as LineageOS for TV or AOSP-Ports solve these problems, but require unlocking the loader and carry risks:

• 🚫 Loss of guarantee.
• 🔄 Possible bugs at work DRM (Will not be played by Netflix, Disney+ into HD).
• 🛠️ Difficulty rolling back to stock firmware.

If you are ready to experiment, follow this algorithm.

1. Unlock the bootloader via Fastboot (the instructions for Mi TV 4S are different from smartphones! Use the Mi Unlock Tool for TV utility).
2. Install. TWRP Recovery for your model (for example, twrp-3.6.2_9-0-l55m5-5as.img).
3. Download custom firmware (e.g. lineage-18.1-20231012-UNOFFICIAL-l55m5.zip) from the XDA Developers forum.
4. Squeeze the firmware through TWRP, Preliminary backup of the persist partition (it is responsible for DRM-keynote!).

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot boot twrp.img



TWRP:



adb push update.zip /sdcard/



Installation via Install → Select file → Swipe to confirm

After installing custom firmware:

• 🔧 Set up Magisk to manage root access.
• 📺 Install an alternative launcher (for example, ATV Launcher or Wolf Launcher).
• 🔒 Check the work of Widevine L1 (playback HD streaming).

Solving errors after flashing

Even with a successful firmware installation, there may be problems. Consider typical scenarios and ways to fix them:

If the TV is loading but is not running smoothly (lagging, overheating), try:

1. Reset the settings to factory (Settings → Storage and Reset → Resetting).
2. Reverse to the previous firmware version (if the backup is saved).
3. Check the temperature of the chipset using the AIDA64 app (normal to 70°C under load).

⚠️ Attention: On Mi models TV 4S 2020 (Amlogic chipset) T972) Dolby Atmos support may be lost after the firmware is installed. Dolby_Certification.zip through TWRP.

Reverse to the previous version of the firmware

Sometimes new firmware brings more problems than benefits: bugs, features, or performance declines, and you can return the old version, but with reservations:

• 🔙 For official firmware Xiaomi rollback is possible only within one branch of Android (for example, with Android 9 on Android 9, but not on Android 8).
• 🔒 After installing custom firmware, you can return the stock only through Fastboot with complete data cleaning.
• 📉 Recoil could reset licenses DRM, This will lead to restrictions on streaming services.

Instructions for rollback:

1. Download the desired firmware version (e.g., MSA2.0.220114.001) from a trusted source.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it on a formatted flash drive.
3. Log in to Recovery Mode (click Menu + Power on the TV turned off).
4. Select Apply update from USB and specify the file.
5. After installation, run the Wipe Cache.

If the rollback fails and the TV produces an Error 7 or Error 21 error, it means that the kernel is incompatible, and then only the firmware from the computer via Fastboot will help:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot reboot

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Before rolling back to the old firmware, be sure to back up the persist partition through TWRP. It contains unique DRM-Keys that will not work without services like Netflix in high resolution.

Firmware through Fastboot (to restore the “brick”)

If the TV stopped turning on after a failed update ("burst"), the only way to bring it back to life is through Fastboot. ADB Fastboot and the original cable USB-A — USB-A (PC-connector).

Step-by-step process:

1. Download the full firmware package for your model (for example, MiTV_4S_55_global_images_20230315.tgz) and unpack it.
2. Connect the TV to your computer by holding the Menu button on the case (to log in to Fastboot Mode).
3. Open the command line in the firmware folder and do:

fastboot devices

The serial number of the TV must be displayed.



fastboot flashall



Or alternately:



fastboot flash boot boot.img




fastboot flash dtb dtb.img




fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot reboot

If fastboot does not see the device:

• Check the drivers (use the Mi Flash Tool for automatic installation).
• Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
• Disable the antivirus (it can block adb).

⚠️ Attention: On Mi TVs TV 4S 2021 (models with Amlogic chipset) T982) Before you run through Fastboot, you need to unlock the bootloader using Xiaomi's burntool utility. FAILED (remote: device is locked).

FAQ: Frequent questions about reflashing Xiaomi Mi TV 4S