Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X is well-deservedly considered a budget legend thanks to its Snapdragon 625 processor, which is still capable of providing comfortable work for many applications. However, the standard MIUI shell, even in the latest available versions, can seem overloaded or outdated for modern users accustomed to a clean interface and fast work, which is why the question of what Android can be installed on this device remains relevant for thousands of owners.
The choice of operating system directly affects the speed, autonomy and security of your data. Factory firmware often contains a lot of pre-installed software that consumes resources in the background, while custom solutions or lightweight versions of MIUI can give the gadget a second life. Understanding the differences between versions of software will help you make an informed decision.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the available operating system options, from official global builds to experimental Android 10 and 11 ports. You will learn about the risks, benefits of various builds and get step-by-step recommendations for preparing your device for flashing without losing important features.
Official versions of MIUI: stability and functionality
The most secure and predictable option for the Redmi Note 4X remains official firmware from Xiaomi developers. The latest version available for this model is MIUI 9 based on Android 7.0 Nougat, although for some regions earlier builds on Android 6.0 were released. The main advantage here is the full compatibility of all hardware modules: cameras, sensors and communication module.
The official shell guarantees all specific features such as Mi Cloud, themes and notifications to work properly. However, users often find that even on stock firmware, the system may not work perfectly due to accumulated debris or errors in specific builds, in which case a clean installation of the global version (Global Stable), which often works faster than the Chinese one (China Stable), helps.
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Before flashing, be sure to back up your contacts and photos to your computer or cloud storage, as the process of installing a new OS most often requires a complete data reset.
If you decide to stay on the official version, but want to improve performance, it is recommended to perform a factory reset after installation.This will remove the cache and conflicting files from previous updates. For many users, it is the return to a clean Global ROM that becomes the optimal solution, not requiring superuser rights.
⚠️ Warning: When flashing from the Chinese version to the global, be sure to unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock website, otherwise the device may go into recovery mode with an account verification error.
Castom firmware: going beyond the limitations
For those who are not satisfied with Android 7.0, the world of custom firmware is open, allowing you to install Android 8, 9 and even 10. The most popular projects for the Snapdragon 625 processor (codenamed landa) are LineageOS, Pixel Experience and various builds of Xiaomi.eu. These systems provide a clean interface, devoid of advertising and heavy services MIUI, which significantly speeds up the smartphone.
Installing custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader and installing customized backups like TWRP. This gives the user full control over the system: the ability to make full backups, modify system files, and install Magical Adjustment Modules (Magisk), but the cost of advanced features comes with loss of warranty and potential instability of some features, such as VoLTE or camera operation in third-party applications.
Among the custom solutions, the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) builds are the most seamless animations and responsive interfaces. For the Redmi Note 4X, this is especially true, since pure Android consumes less RAM, leaving more resources for your applications. Many enthusiasts note that the phone works even faster on such firmware than on the day of purchase.
- ⚡ Xiaomi.eu: Modified version MIUI without Chinese software and advertising, but with the preservation of all the features of the original shell.
Compatible with Android versions with Redmi Note 4X
Not all versions of Android work equally well on the Redmi Note 4X. The Snapdragon 625 processor has limitations on supporting new instructions and drivers, so installing too fresh versions of the OS can lead to a decrease in performance.
The optimal balance between new features and stability is considered to be Android 8.0 Oreo and Android 9.0 Pie. On these versions, most developers have managed to optimize the camera drivers and communication module. Newer versions, such as Android 10 and 11, are often experimental: they may not run camera zoom, fingerprint scanner or quickly die battery due to unoptimized core.
Why Android 11 is slow to run?
When choosing firmware, always look at the Known Bugs section of the 4PDA or XDA development topic. If photo quality is critical, you might want to stay on Android 7 or 8, where image processing algorithms have been debugged for years.
| Android version | Stability | Productivity | Camera. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android 7.0 (MIUI 9) | Tall. | Medium | Great. |
| Android 8.1 (Custom) | Tall. | Tall. | Good. |
| Android 9.0 (Custom) | Medium | Tall. | Medium |
| Android 10+ (Beta) | Low. | Medium | Troublesome |
Preparation of the device for the installation of a new OS
Before you ask yourself which Android to install, you need to prepare the device correctly. The firmware process requires a number of mandatory actions, ignoring which can lead to the failure of the smartphone. The first step is always to create a full backup of data.
Next, you need to unlock the bootloader. This requires you to link your Mi Account in your phone settings, download the Mi Flash Unlock utility to your computer and apply for unlocking. Once the application is approved (which can take from 3 to 15 days), you can proceed to unlock through Fastboot mode.
☑️ Checklist before firmware
It is important to download the firmware version that is designed for your device type (Global, China, India) and bootloader type. Using incompatible files can lead to a device "bricking up." Always check the hash amounts of downloaded files to ensure the integrity of the download.
⚠️ Note: Do not interrupt the firmware process or disconnect the cable USB Interrupting system partition recording can make the phone non-recoverable by software methods.
Custom firmware installation process
The new operating system is installed via Recovery mode. Once the bootloader is unlocked, it is recommended to install a custom TWRP recavator, which allows you to install unsigned firmware and make full backups. The installation process looks like sequential execution of commands in the recavator menu.
First, you need to clean the Data, Cache, and Dalvik Cache (Wipe) partitions, which is a critical step, especially when you switch from one version of Android to another or from MIUI to AOSP. Without complete cleanup, the system can run unstable or constantly restart.
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
fastboot reboot recoveryOnce you've cleaned the TWRP menu, select Install, find the downloaded firmware archive, and confirm the swipe installation. Once you've finished the process, clean Cache/Dalvik again and restart the system. The first run can take up to 5-10 minutes, which is normal for application optimization.
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The key to success is to clean up the entire system before installing a new version of Android, which prevents 90% of possible errors and cyclical reboots.
Solving problems after firmware
Even if installed correctly, the user may encounter a number of problems, such as fast battery drain, heating or lack of network. Often the reason lies in the incompatibility of the modem or core. Snapdragon 625 processor is characterized by problems with determining 4G networks when using some custom cores.
If the battery goes down quickly after installing Android, try resetting the network settings or reflashing the modem from the original MIUI firmware. It’s also worth checking which apps have permissions to work in the background, since newer versions of Android power management works differently than in MIUI.
- 📶 Network problems: Re-sweep the modem and persist section from stock firmware.
- 🔋 Fast discharge: Install a power-saving core or disable unnecessary Google services.
- 📸 Bad photo: Install Google Camera (GCam) with the right config for your sensor.
If you have a critical bug, like a bootloop, don't panic. Go to TWRP and restore the system from the backup you had carefully done before you started the experiment, and if you don't have a backup, you'll have to refashion the device from the Wipe stage.