Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro, also known as Redmi 4 Prime, is a legendary device that has gained widespread popularity thanks to its metal body and powerful for its time processor Snapdragon 435. However, official support for this device by the manufacturer has long ceased, and the latest official update for it was the shell MIUI 9 based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Many users still use this device, but face incompatibility of modern applications requiring newer versions of the operating system.
Installing Android 10 on this gadget is possible exclusively by enthusiasts and developers of custom firmware, since Xiaomi has never released official updates above Android 6 for this model. This process requires the owner of technical knowledge, care and readiness for possible risks associated with the modification of the system software. Unlike a regular update “over the air”, here you will have to manually interfere with the bootloader and file system of the device.
Before you start taking action, you need to be clear about what you’re going to do with Bootloader and the system partition. Mistakes can lead to the phone becoming a brick and no longer responding to commands. However, installing a modern OS can give the device a second life by improving security and compatibility with software.
Risk assessment and device preparation
The procedure for installing a custom operating system on Redmi 4 Pro (codename markw) does not start with downloading files, but with a deep analysis of the current state of the gadget. You will need to unlock the bootloader, which automatically entails the complete deletion of all user data. Backup of contacts, photos and messages should be done first, preferably to an external medium or to a cloud not directly associated with the phone’s memory.
It's important to understand the difference between the global and Chinese versions of the device, and although the hardware is the same, the software constraints may vary. USB-cable, as well as a charged smartphone battery at least 60-70%. Low charge can interrupt the critical data writing process, which is fatal for the system.
⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recovery will void the warranty (if it is still valid) and may cause banking applications to fail without additional security manipulations (Magisk, SafetyNet).
You also need a Mi Account linked to the device, and you need to activate the "Factory Unlock" and "Debugging by Device" settings in the developer settings. USB". Without these preliminary steps, further instructions will be useless, as the computer will not see the phone in the right mode or Xiaomi servers will not allow unlocking.
The preparation process involves installing all the necessary ADB and Fastboot drivers on a PC. Often problems arise during the communication stage of the computer and smartphone, when the system cannot correctly identify the device in bootloader mode. Make sure you have Qualcomm and Xiaomi USB Driver drivers installed.
Unlock the bootloader and install TWRP
The first critical step is to unlock Bootloader.This is done using the official Mi Unlock Tool. Once you have enabled the developer mode and account binding in the bootloader status menu, you must wait for Xiaomi to wait for the account (usually 7 to 360 hours) to be in wait.
After successful unlocking, the standard recovery menu is replaced with a modified one, most often TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). It is through TWRP that the new operating system is installed. The recovery image file (twrp-3.x.x-x-markw.img) is stitched through Fastboot with the fastboot flash recovery twrp-image.img. It is important to prevent the phone from rebooting to standard mode until the first download to TWRP, otherwise the stock recaper will overwrite the modified one.
☑️ Checklist before firmware
When working with TWRP, you should be extremely careful when formatting partitions. A clean installation of Android 10 based on LineageOS or Pixel Experience often requires a complete cleanup of the Data, System, Cache and Dalvik partitions. This action is called "Wipe." If you miss this step or perform it incorrectly, you can experience cyclic restarts (bootloop) or errors in the operation of applications.
The process of entering Fastboot mode on Redmi 4 Pro is carried out by pressing the volume button when connecting USB-The screen should be lit up with a picture of a hare fixing an android. If that doesn't happen, check the cable or try another one. USB-port, preferably USB 2.0, as 3.0 ports sometimes cause driver conflicts on older devices.
Choosing the Right Android 10 Firmware
Since Xiaomi’s official Android 10 firmware for the markw model does not exist, the choice falls on custom builds. The most stable and proven options are LineageOS 17.1, Pixel Experience and Xiaomi.eu (although the latter is usually based on older versions of Android for this model, so we are looking for ports). Each of them has its own characteristics: LineageOS offers a pure Android with a minimum set of features, and Pixel Experience copies the interface and functionality of Google smartphones.
When selecting a firmware file (.zip), be sure to check the build date and developer comments on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forum. For Redmi 4 Pro, it is critical to use firmware marked specifically as markw. Firmware from Redmi 4 (prada) or Redmi 4A (ugg) will categorically not work and will bring the device down. Read the changelog (change list) carefully to know about known bugs, such as a broken camera or Bluetooth.
| Type of firmware | Basis | Stability | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|---|
| LineageOS 17.1 | Android 10 | Tall. | Daily use, speed |
| Pixel Experience | Android 10 | Medium/High | Google interface lovers |
| Resurrection Remix | Android 10 | Medium | For lovers of fine tuning |
| MIUI Port (Mod) | Android 10 (GSI/Port) | Low. | Only for experiments. |
You should only download files from trusted sources, such as official XDA themes or Telegram developer channels. Using files from questionable file sharing sites without checking checksums (MD5/SHA1) can lead to the installation of modified malware or a corrupted archive.
Where do I look for firmware files?
Step-by-step installation instructions
Once the firmware file (and often the GApps file — Google Apps, if not built into firmware) is uploaded to a memory card or internal storage, you can start installing. Load into Recovery mode (clamping the volume button and power button). From the TWRP menu, select "Install".
Find the previously downloaded ZIP-Before installing, make sure to do the Wipe procedure by selecting the Dalvik, Cache, System and Data partitions. Do not clean the Internal Storage partition if the firmware file is on it, otherwise the installation will be interrupted due to the lack of a file. After cleaning the swipe, confirm the installation of the selected ZIP-file.
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot rebootIf you use firmware that does not contain Google services, immediately after installing the main system, without restarting, install the GApps package of the corresponding version (for Android 10 this is usually the package "10.0" architecture "arm"). The installation process can take from 2 to 10 minutes, depending on the speed of the memory card and the complexity of the firmware.
Once the installation is complete, the TWRP log will have a message saying "Successful." Now you need to press the "Reboot System" button. The first run can last up to 5-10 minutes, as the system optimizes applications and creates a cache. Don't panic if you see the Android logo or the MIUI logo longer than usual - this is a normal process.
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If your phone is stuck on the logo for more than 15 minutes after installing the firmware, try logging in to TWRP again, running Wipe Dalvik/Cache, and restarting.
Google Services and Security
Installing Android 10 on old hardware is not only a new interface, but also new security requirements. Google Play services may require updated security components. Some custom firmware requires a separate Magisk installation to obtain root rights and pass security checks in banking applications.
NFC and contactless payment (if the module is supported by firmware) may require additional configuration of build.prop files or the installation of special Magisk modules that hide the fact of the unlocked bootloader. Without this application, banks may refuse to work, considering the device to be compromised.
⚠️ Warning: When installing root rights (Magisk), be careful with modules. Untested modules can cause system conflict and lead to an endless reboot.
Also worth paying attention to the power saving settings. Android 10 can otherwise manage background processes on the old Snapdragon 435 processor. It is recommended to manually adjust the restrictions for rarely used applications to maintain autonomy, which on custom firmware sometimes suffers due to the lack of optimization out of the box.
Possible problems and solutions
There may be specific problems running the Redmi 4 Pro on Android 10, and one of the common ones is a broken VoLTE or video call, as proprietary modem drivers may not work properly with a new version of Android. In such cases, flashing the modem from the MIUI 9 stock firmware via Fastboot helps, but this requires high skill.
Another common problem is fast battery drain, which is often treated by kernel reassembling or choosing a different firmware version. Enthusiasts are constantly releasing patches that improve power consumption. Keep an eye out for updates on the topic where you downloaded the firmware.
If the phone is in Bootloop, don't panic. Go to TWRP, back up current logs (if possible), and try to roll back to the previous version or complete Wipe with re-installation. Often the problem lies in the remnants of the old system's files.
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The main difficulty of installing Android 10 on the Redmi 4 Pro is finding a stable build without camera bugs and sound, since official support has been discontinued.
It’s also worth mentioning the possibility of overheating. The Snapdragon 435 processor is not designed for the heavy tasks of modern Android 10 applications. When you’re actively navigating or shooting video, the phone can heat up more than on Android 6.