Installing Android 10 on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: a complete guide with unlock and firmware

Why is Android 10 on the Redmi Note 4 possible?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) officially received the latest update to Android 7.0 Nougat with a shell MIUI However, enthusiasts and custom firmware developers have long found ways to install more modern versions of the OS on this device, all the way up to Android 10. In this article, we will understand how to safely flash Redmi Note 4 on the tenth version of Android, which firmware is suitable for this, and what pitfalls can meet on the way.

The main problem with unofficial firmware installation is unlocking the bootloader and risking turning the phone into a brick. But if you follow the instructions, the chances of success are 95% if you follow the steps strictly and use proven builds. It is important to understand that Android 10 on this device will not work perfectly: it may lag in the camera, power problems or some sensors malfunction. However, for most tasks (social networks, messengers, video) firmware is perfect.

Before you start, answer two questions: are you willing to lose the warranty (if it still works) and do you realize that you are doing all the manipulations at your own risk?

Requirements and preparation before firmware

To successfully install Android 10 on the Redmi Note 4, you will need to:

• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (model mido, check in Settings) → Not suitable for the Redmi Note. 4X (nikel code - they have different iron!
• 💻 Windows computer 10/11 Or Linux (MacOS is possible, but more difficult). Be sure to disable the antivirus - it can block firmware utilities.
• 🔌 Cable USB (Cheap cables can cause errors in data transmission.
• 🔋 Battery charge at least 70%, firmware can take up to 30 minutes, and discharging in the process will cause a failure.
• 📁 Backup of all data. The firmware will delete everything from internal memory, including photos, contacts and apps.

Also check the version MIUI If you have a global firmware (for example, a phone, MIUI Global 11.0.2.0, unlocking the bootloader will be easier. For the Chinese versions (with the suffix). CN) Additional action will be required.

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi Note 4 was purchased in China and runs on firmware with a prefix CN, Before unlocking, you need to link your Mi Account to the device and wait 72 hours.

Download all the files you need in advance (links are in the next section) and unpack them into a separate folder on your computer. Do not use Cyrillic characters in the folder name, which can cause errors when executing commands.

Firmware Choice: Which Android 10 builds are right for the Redmi Note 4?

On Redmi Note 4 you can install several types of firmware based on Android 10:

For beginners, we recommend the Pixel Experience or LineageOS, which are the most balanced in terms of stability and functionality. If you care about Xiaomi chips (for example, Second Space or Game Turbo), try it. MIUI 12 from Xiaomi.EU, but be prepared for possible bugs.

⚠️ Note: Some builds (e.g. Havoc-OS) require additional patches to ensure that VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling work properly. 4G will not work.

Before downloading, check the build date – current versions come out at least once every 1-2 months. Old builds (for example, from 2020) may contain vulnerabilities or do not support modern applications.

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Before choosing a firmware, read reviews on the forum XDA Developers.Pay attention to complaints about battery discharge and overheating are the most common issues when upgrading to Android 10.

Unlocking the bootloader: Step 1 on the way to Android 10

Without bootloader unlocking, custom firmware cannot be installed. Xiaomi officially lets you unlock the bootloader, but the process requires binding your Mi Account and waiting. Here is a step-by-step instruction:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone: 📱 Go to Settings. → Mi Account. 🔒 Enter your login and password (if there is no account, register). 🔄 In the Mi Cloud section, enable synchronization of contacts and notes (this will confirm the activity of the account).
2. Put the debugging on. USB unlock OEM: 🔧 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and tap 7 times on this item to activate Developer Mode. 🔓 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include: 🔹 Debugging by USB 🔹 Unlocking OEM (point-of-point!)

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

Now download the official utility to unlock:

• 🖥️ Mi Unlock Tool (Windows version).
• 📦 Unpack the archive and launch it. miflash_unlock.exe on behalf of the administrator.

In the utility, log in under the same Mi Account as on your phone. Connect Redmi Note 4 in Fastboot mode (to do this, turn off the phone, then press Volume down). + Food before the logo of the hare appears in the hat. In the utility, click Unlock.

⚠️ If the software is running a bug, "Couldn't unlock, try again after" XX “hours” means Xiaomi requires additional latency (usually 72-168 hours), in which case, turn off the phone, wait the specified time and try again.

Linked to Mi Account on phone|Debugging is on. USB|Unblocking permitted OEM|Downloaded Mi Unlock Tool|Phone's 70-charged%+-->

Installation TWRP Recovery: Step 2

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project is a custom recovery that will allow you to flash Android 10 and make a backup of the current system. TWRP, data-encryption.

Download the current version TWRP mido:

• 📥 Official website TWRP (Choose a version 3.5.2_9-0 or newer).
• 📥 Alternative assembly (if the official assembly does not work).

Unpack the downloaded file twrp-3.5.2_9-0-mido.img file ADB and Fastboot (which you need to download separately from Google) Now run the following commands in the terminal (Windows or Terminal command line in Linux):

adb reboot bootloader


fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.5.2_9-0-mido.img




fastboot boot twrp-3.5.2_9-0-mido.img

After the last command, the phone will restart in TWRP. If not TWRP You see the standard Xiaomi recovery, so the firmware didn't get up:

1. Repeat the command fastboot flash recovery.
2. After a successful firmware, do not restart your phone through the menu. TWRP! Instead, choose Reboot. → Recovery.

Android 10 firmware: a step-by-step process

Now that you have unlocked the bootloader and installed TWRP, We'll use Pixel Experience as an example, but the steps are similar for other firmware.

What you'll need:

• 📁 Downloaded firmware (e.g, PixelExperience_mido-10.0-20230512-UNOFFICIAL.zip).
• 📁 Open GApps (choose nano or pico for Android 10).
• 📁 Magisk (if root is required, version 24.3)+).

Instructions:

1. Drop the data: 🧹 V TWRP Choose the Wipe → Advanced Wipe. 🔘 Check the boxes: Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Cache. 🔄 Swipe for confirmation (this will remove everything from your phone!).
2. Install the firmware: 📤 Press Install and select the firmware file (for example, PixelExperience_mido-10.0.zip). 🔄 Wait until the installation is completed (it will take). 3–5 minute).
3. Install GApps (if you need Google services): 📦 Click Add more Zips and select the file open_gapps-arm64-10.0-nano-20230515.zip. 🔄 Confirm installation.
4. Please use Magisk (optional, for root): 🔓 Similarly, add a file. Magisk-v24.3.zip.

Clear the cache and reboot:

• 🧹 Choose Wipe. cache/dalvik.
• 🔄 Press Reboot System.

The first download can take 10-15 minutes – don’t panic or turn off your phone. If after 20 minutes the logo is still on the screen, then something has gone wrong (see the “Problem Solving” section).

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Never install firmware and GApps in one step without first having a wip! This will result in a looped boot.

Set up Android 10 after installation

After a successful boot, you will have to first set up the system.

• 🔧 Language and region: In the first window, select English (United States) or Russian if available. Some custom firmwares do not have full localization.
• 📶 Connection: Wi-Fi may not be connected immediately — restart your router or try another network. If the problem persists, check your settings. MAC-Addresses to Settings → Network and Internet.
• 🔋 Power consumption: Early versions of Android 10 on the Redmi Note 4 may experience increased battery consumption. Turn off Adaptive Brightness and set manual mode in Settings → Battery.
• 📸 Camera: Stock camera in custom firmware often works worse than in MIUI. Install Google Camera with mido settings.

If you have installed Magisk, check it through the Magisk Manager app. Some modules (e.g., Magisk Manager, ViPER4Android For sound, you may conflict with Android 10 – install them one at a time and restart your phone after each.

⚠️ Note: Android 10 has changed the app permission system. If banking applications (such as Sberbank or Tinkoff) stop working after firmware, disable Magisk or use the MagiskHide Props Config module to mask root.

To improve productivity, we recommend:

• 🚀 Disable animation: in Settings → System system → For developers, install Windows animation, transition animation and animation duration on 0.5x.
• 🗑️ Clean the cache once a week through Settings → Warehouse.
• 🔄 Use light launchers (like Nova Launcher) instead of the standard launcher.

Solving common problems after firmware

Even with Android 10 installed correctly on the Redmi Note 4, the following problems can occur:

If after firmware the phone constantly overheats, check the processor boot in Settings → Battery → Battery use. If an application loads CPU 50%+, Remove it or revert to an older version.

To diagnose errors, it is useful to look at the log through ADB:

adb logcat > log.txt

This log will help you find the cause of the problem in the forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions