Xiaomi Redmi 4: What version of Android and how to update it in 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 4 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2016-2017, which is still used by many users. However, with the release of new versions of Android and MIUI owners are faced with the question: which version of the OS is installed on their device, can it be updated and should it be done? In this article, we will analyze all the nuances of firmware for Redmi 4, including official and custom versions, and give step-by-step instructions for updating.

The smartphone came in several versions (Redmi 4 Pro, Redmi 4 Prime, Redmi 4X), and each received different versions of Android depending on the region and policy of Xiaomi. For example, the global versions (Global ROM) often updated longer than the Chinese (China ROM).

We’ll also look at alternative ways to extend the life of the device, from installing custom firmware to optimizing the current version of MIUI, but first we’ll figure out which version of Android originally came to Redmi 4 and what updates were officially released for it.

Official Android versions on Xiaomi Redmi 4

Xiaomi Redmi 4 (codenamed prada for Redmi 4 Pro/Prime and santoni for Redmi 4X) came with different Android versions depending on the model and region:

• 📱 Redmi 4 Pro/Prime (2016): I went out of the box to Android. 6.0 Marshmallow with a shell MIUI 8.
• 📱 Redmi 4X (2017: already had Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and MIUI 8.1.
• 🌍 Global versions (Global) ROM) Updates to Android 7.1.2 Nougat (last official firmware).
• 🇨🇳 Chinese versions (China) ROM) They often stayed on Android 6.0 without an upgrade.

It is important to note that Xiaomi has not officially updated Redmi 4 to Android 8.0 Oreo and even more so to new versions.The latest stable firmware for the global version is MIUI 11 based on Android 7.1.2. This means that the smartphone does not support many modern applications (for example, new versions of WhatsApp, Instagram or banking services), as they require Android 8.0+.

To find out the current version of Android on your device, go to Settings → About → Android Version. There you can see the version of MIUI (for example, MIUI Global 11.0.2.0). If your Redmi 4 is still on Android 6.0, it is worth considering upgrade options – at least up to 7.1.2 to improve compatibility.

How to check the current version of Android and MIUI

Before you try to update your smartphone, you need to accurately determine its current firmware, which will help you avoid errors when choosing a file to update.

1. Open the settings on your Redmi 4.
2. Scroll down and select About Phone.
3. Click on the MIUI version, and the current shell will be indicated (e.g. MIUI Global 9.6.3.0).
4. Go back and tap on the Android version, and you’ll see the base OS (like 7.1.2 NMF26F).
5. Write down or take a picture of this data – it will be needed to find the right firmware.

It's also useful to know the code name of your model.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to About the Phone. → All specifications.
3. Find the Model line - if it says 2016104 or 2017106, it's Redmi 4X (santoni). For Redmi 4 Pro/Prime, it's 2016041 or 2016042 (prada).

If you can't find a code name in the settings, you can use the CPU-Z app (available on Google Play). After installing, open the Device tab and it will have a Model string with the exact name (e.g. Redmi 4X (santoni)).

Can I upgrade Redmi 4 to Android 8.0 or later?

Xiaomi has officially stopped supporting Redmi 4 since MIUI 11 came out on Android 7.1.2, which means that through the standard update menu (Settings → About Phone → System Update), you won’t be able to get a newer version of Android.

However, there are informal ways:

• 🔄 Custom firmware (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience) – allows you to install Android 8.1, 9.0 or even 10, but require unlocking the bootloader and the presence of a bootloader TWRP.
• 📦 Ported MIUI — Enthusiasts are adapting new versions of the shell for older devices, but stability is not guaranteed.
• ⚠️ Third-party firmware – may contain bugs or security threats, install only from trusted sources (e.g., trusted sources, XDA Developers).

Before you switch to custom firmware, consider the risks:

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial firmware can lead to loss of warranty (if it is still valid), unstable operation of the smartphone or even its "bricking" (complete inoperability (TWRP Backup) and make sure the bootloader is unlocked.

If you do decide to upgrade, here is a short algorithm:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 72-360 hours).
2. Install a custom TWRP Recovery for your model (prada or santoni).
3. Download the appropriate firmware (e.g. LineageOS 15.1 for Android 8.1).
4. Fly through TWRP, pre-made Wipe partitions System, Data, Cache.

Compatibility table for Redmi 4

Below is a summary table with official and unofficial firmware for Redmi 4 (prada and santoni models).Please note that custom firmware can have bugs, especially in the camera or NFC module (if you have one in your model).

To install custom firmware, it is recommended to use TWRP 3.3.1+ - older versions may not support new image formats (.img).

• 📌 Fastboot ROM — It is installed via Mi Flash Tool (full data reset).
• 📌 Recovery ROM — set up TWRP (It saves data, but it is better to do a backup).

Important: The firmware for the Redmi 4 Pro (prada) and Redmi 4X (santoni) is not interchangeable! Installing the wrong firmware will lead to a "brick" of the device.

Step-by-step instructions for updating MIUI on Redmi 4

If you want to upgrade MIUI to the latest official version (e.g., from MIUI 9 to MIUI 11), follow this instruction. It is suitable for global and Chinese versions, but requires caution.

Step 1. Check the current version of MIUI

Write down the current version (e.g. MIUI 9.6.3.0).

Step 2. Download the correct firmware

The official firmware for Redmi 4 can be downloaded from MIUI Downloads.

• 📱 Model: Redmi 4X or Redmi 4 Pro/Prime.
• 🌐 Region: Global (for international version) or China (for Chinese version).
• 🔄 Type: Recovery ROM (Update without losing data or Fastboot ROM (flash-over).

Step 3. Update via Recovery

1. Move the downloaded.zip file to the root directory of internal memory (not to folders!).
2. Press the Volume Up + Power buttons to enter Recovery.
3. Select the language (if you have a choice), then tap on Install update.zip to System.
4. Confirm the installation and wait for completion (5-10 minutes).
5. Restart the phone (Reboot).

Step 4. Check the result.

After rebooting, go to Settings → About Phone and make sure the MIUI version is updated. If you have any errors (such as a logo hover), try repeating the process with Fastboot ROM or resetting (Wipe Data in Recovery).

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If after the MIUI update the phone began to slow down, try to roll back to the previous version or make a factory reset (Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset).

Alternative ways to extend the life of Redmi 4

If upgrading to a new version of Android is not possible or feasible, you can optimize your current firmware.

• ⚡ Turn off animations: go to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and install Windows animation, transition animation and Animator Duration on 0.5x or off..
• 🧹 Clear the cache: in Settings → Memory. → Clean up, delete unnecessary files. You can also clean the app cache manually (Settings) → Annexes).
• 🔋 Limit background activity: in Settings → Battery → Select mode to turn on charge saving and disable auto-run of unnecessary applications.
• 📱 Use lighter versions of apps like Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, Twitter Lite. They consume less resources.

If your smartphone is slowing down, consider installing a custom core (like FrancoKernel) or switching to a lightweight firmware (like MIUI Lite), but this requires unlocking the bootloader and TWRP skills.

Another option is installation. GSI-This is a pure Android without a shell. MIUI, It may not support some features (e.g., dual camera on the Redmi 4 Pro). XDA or 4PDA.

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Custom firmware and cores can speed up Redmi 4 significantly, but require technical knowledge. Without experience, it is better to limit yourself to optimizing the current MIUI.

Frequent problems after updating and their solution

Firmware updates, especially unofficial ones, are often accompanied by bugs, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If the IMEI is missing after the update, it's a critical problem, because without it, the phone won't be able to call or use the mobile Internet.

1. Download Maui META or SN Writer Tool (for MediaTek processors).
2. Connect the phone in Meta Mode (clasp Volume up) + Loudness down + USB-cable).
3. Enter the original IMEI (written on the box or under the battery).

⚠️ Attention: Recovery IMEI on Qualcomm processors (like in Redmi) 4X) requires QCN-file QPST. Mistakes can lead to permanent network loss!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 4 Android