Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 firmware on Android 10: a complete guide with unlocking and installing GSI

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4

mido

Android 7.0 Nougat

Android 10

TWRP

Firmware for unofficial software always comes with risks, from loss of warranty (if it was still in effect) to "filling" the device. But for the Redmi Note 4 with its Snapdragon 625 and 3 GB of RAM, Android 10 works steadily - subject to choosing an optimized build. installation GSI-Generic System Image and Custom ROM base AOSP or LineageOS.

Before you start, consider this process will take 1-2 hours, require a PC with ADB/Fastboot and a spare battery (or a charger with Qualcomm 9008 mode support in case of a failure). If you are a beginner, follow the instructions carefully and do not miss the check steps.

Preparation of the device: unlocking the loader

Xiaomi’s bootloader is locked by default, and unlocking it is a must-have first step. For the Redmi Note 4, the process has been simplified since 2023: no longer need to wait for 720 hours (30 days) of account binding, but you will need the official Mi Unlock Tool tool.

Download the latest version of the utility from the official Xiaomi website (the 2026 version supports mido without additional manipulations).

• 📱 Developer Mode Enabled: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI and tap 7 times on the assembly number.
• 🔓 Debugging is permitted. USB: In Settings → Additionally. → For developers, activate the debugging by USB and Unlock. OEM.
• 🔄 Linked to Mi Account: in Settings → Xiaomi account log in to your profile (required with a confirmed phone number!).

Connect your phone to your PC, run the Mi Unlock Tool, and follow the instructions. If the utility gives you a "Couldn't unlock" error, try:

1. Reboot your phone in Fastboot manually (clamp Volume Down + Power).
2. Use the original USB-cable (not all cables support data transfer to Fastboot).
3. Disable antivirus on PC – it can block Qualcomm drivers.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, the phone will reset to factory settings. backup data via Mi Cloud or Titanium Backup (root rights required).

2. Installation of TWRP Recovery: version selection and nuances

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project is a custom recovery required to install firmware. 4 current-age 3.7.0_9-0 Or newer, but there is a caveat: some builds do not support FBE (File-Based Encryption, which can cause problems with data encryption.

Download TWRP for mido from the official website:

• 🔗 Device page on twrp.me (select a file marked.img).
• 🛠️ Alternative build from OrangeFox (supports) MIUI OTA and has extended functionality).

Installation via Fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-mido.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-mido.img

After successful firmware TWRP phone automatically reboots to the new recovery. Here it is important to immediately disable encryption (if it was enabled in MIUI), otherwise the system may not boot. To do this, go to TWRP Wipe → Format Data and type in yes.

Loader unlocked|Installed TWRP 3.7.0+|Backup made. EFS (IMEI)|Data encryption disabled|Battery charge > 60%-->

3. firmware selection: GSI vs custom ROMs

For Redmi Note 4, there are two types of firmware available for Android 10:

1. GSI (Generic System Image: Google's "universal" builds adapted for Treble projects, suitable for devices with split-endored partitions (vendor/system).
2. Custom ROMs are community firmware (e.g. LineageOS 17.1, Pixel Experience) optimized specifically for mido.

Comparison of options:

For beginners, we recommend LineageOS 17.1, which is as stable as possible and has an active community. You can download it on XDA Developers. If you want to experiment, try phhusson's GSI (look for builds marked arm64-bvS for the Snapdragon 625).

Official. MIUI|LineageOS/Pixel Experience|GSI (phhusson, AndyYan)|Another custom ROM-->

4. Step-by-step installation of Android 10

Before the firmware, be sure to make a backup section EFS (contain IMEI and the modem data! TWRP Go to Advanced. → File Manager, find the folder /efs And copy it to SD-card.

Instructions for LineageOS 17.1:

1. Download firmware and GApps (like Open GApps pico for Android 10).
2. Transfer the files to your phone or SD-map.
3. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache

Install → Select ZIP → Swipe to Confirm

GApps

Reboot → System

If the phone is stuck on the logo after the firmware:

• 🔄 Reboot to TWRP (clamp up the volume + Nutrition).
• 📁 Delete the file. /data/system/gesture.key (if).
• 🔧 Fly the core (boot.img) firmware-archive.

⚠️ Attention: If after installation GSI The sensor or Wi-Fi is not working, so the build is not compatible with the vendor libraries of your version. MIUI. Solution: pass vendor.img From stock firmware through fastboot flash vendor vendor.img.

💡

Before the first download of Android 10, turn off SIM-map - this will help to avoid conflicts with the modem on some assemblies.

5. Solving typical problems after firmware

Even if installed correctly, bugs can occur, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the IR Blaster (Infrared Port) does not work after GSI firmware, install Xiaomi’s Mi Remote app and manually add configuration files from stock firmware to /system/etc.

To eliminate random reboots, try:

• 🔧 Disable Hardware Acceleration in Developer Settings.
• 📉 Reduce clock speed CPU Kernel Adiutor (maximum 1.8 GHz for Snapdragon 625).
• 🔄 Reflash the core with overclocking disabled.

6. Optimize Android 10 on Redmi Note 4

The Snapdragon 625 isn’t the most powerful chipset for today’s Android, but a few tweaks will help improve performance:

• 🚀 Turn on Force. GPU Rendering and Disable HW Overlays in the Developer Settings.
• 🗑️ Turn off animations: set the value 0.5x Window animation scale, Transition animation scale and Animator duration scale.
• 🔋 Use the FrancoKernel or Perseus kernel for better battery management.

To increase the time of autonomous operation:

1. Install Greenify and add Google Play Services, Facebook, Messenger to sleep mode.
2. Activate Battery Saver mode when charged below 30%.
3. Disable Always-on Display (if available in firmware) and background account sync.

If the camera is not working well, try alternative applications:

• GCam (e.g., Urnyx05 build for SD625).
• Footage – supports manual ISO settings and shutter speeds.
• Open Camera is open source, stable work on custom firmware.

💡

For maximum stability, use CAF-based firmware (CodeAurora Forum) – it is optimized for Qualcomm chipsets.

7.Putting back MIUI: How to get back the stock firmware

If Android 10 is unstable or you need MIUI features (like Second Space or Game Turbo), you can return the original firmware.

1. Download the latest stable version of MIUI for mido from the official website (choose Recovery ROM or Fastboot ROM).
2. For Recovery. ROM: Move it. ZIP-file in the root of the phone's memory. TWRP run the Wipe → Advanced Wipe (mark System, Data, Cache) Install the firmware through Install.

Fastboot ROM

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash recovery recovery.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot erase userdata




fastboot reboot

After returning to MIUI, you may need to re-unblock the bootloader if you plan to install custom firmware again. Also check the IR Blaster, Fingerprint, and NFC work - they sometimes require additional setup after rollback.

⚠️ Note: When switching from Android 10 on MIUI 11/12 There may be an error in the Invalid IMEI". It's because of the incompatibility of the modem versions. modem.img and fsg.mbn from stock firmware via Fastboot.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note firmware 4