Owners of the legendary flagship of 2014 often wonder what Android is on their device and whether it makes sense to continue to use it in modern realities. Xiaomi Mi4, built on the basis of a powerful by the standards of its time processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, originally went on sale with the operating system Android 4.4 KitKat in conjunction with the shell MIUI V5. However, the uniqueness of this device is the incredible support from the community of developers, which allows it to function even on versions that Xiaomi engineers could only dream of.
To date, the standard and most stable version supported by official channels is Android 6.0 Marshmallow, presented in the shell of MIUI 9. However, enthusiasts have ported to this smartphone and more recent versions, including Android 7, 8 and even 9 Pie, although their work can be unstable due to the hardware limitations of the chipset. Understanding which version of Android you have installed is critical to selecting compatible applications and flashing methods.
It's important to note that official support for the device has long since ceased, and any manipulation of software is now entirely done by independent developers. If you plan to bring the phone back to life or squeeze the most out of it, you will have to face the world of custom recoveries and informal builds. In this article, we will detail the evolution of firmware, the risks of updating and step-by-step instructions for those who are willing to experiment.
Official update history and MIUI version
Xiaomi Mi4’s journey into the software world began with Android 4.4 KitKat, a classic system that provided smooth interfaces and basic features. Users received updates via OTA (Over-The-Air), and the process went smoothly enough while Xiaomi released security patches and new features for MIUI V5 and V6.
With the release of Android 5.0 Lollipop, the system underwent a significant change in architecture, moving to a new ART runtime environment instead of Dalvik. For the Mi4, this update became available as part of MIUI 7 and later MIUI 8. However, it was at this stage that many users encountered the first signs that iron is starting to get tired: increased energy consumption and heating have become frequent companions of new versions. The last official “breath” was Android 6.0 Marshmallow in the shell of MIUI 9, which optimized the work with application permissions.
⚠️ Note: Trying to install an official firmware version that is newer than MIUI 9, no updates are possible via the standard menu.The system will give an error, as Xiaomi servers no longer contain the current packages for this model.
The differences between global (Global) and Chinese (China) firmware also played a major role: Chinese versions often received updates before, but did not have Google services built in, which required users to further manipulate their installation. Global versions were more stable, but were updated with a delay. Now this separation is no longer meaningful, since all official channels are closed, and the difference lies only in the preinstalled set of applications and language support.
Potential custom firmware: LineageOS and others
When the official updates ended, independent developers from the XDA Developers forum took the baton, thanks to which Xiaomi Mi4 got a second life. the most popular and stable custom firmware was LineageOS, which allowed you to install Android 7.1 Nougat, 8.1 Oreo and even 9.0 Pie. These versions of the system are devoid of the heavy shell MIUI, which greatly speeds up the device and frees RAM.
Custom firmware installation gives the user root rights by default and the ability to fine-tune the system. You can change fonts, animations, control processes and use functions that are not available in the drain. However, it is worthwhile to understand that custom builds can have bugs: for example, a broken VoLTE, camera problems or unstable Bluetooth. Each version of the firmware, whether it is Resurrection Remix or Pixel Experience, has its own features and degree of compatibility with Mi4 hardware.
- 🚀 LineageOS: Maximum stability and cleanliness of the system, close to the stock Android.
- 🎨 Resurrection Remix: A huge number of interface settings for advanced users.
- 📱 Pixel Experience: Trying to recreate the interface and functionality of Google Pixel smartphones on the old hardware.
Switching to custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader. In the case of the Xiaomi Mi4, this process has historically been easier than modern models, but still required special permission from the company or exploiting vulnerabilities in older versions of MIUI. Without an unlocked bootloader, installing third-party software is impossible.
Why do custom firmware work faster?
Technical characteristics and limitations of iron
Before making a decision to upgrade, you need to objectively evaluate the hardware platform. The heart of the Xiaomi Mi4 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor with four Krait cores running at frequencies up to 2.5 GHz. It is paired with the Adreno 330 graphics accelerator. For 2014, this was the top configuration, but modern heavy apps and web pages can cause difficulties for this chipset.
RAM is 3GB, and internal storage varies from 16 to 64GB depending on the modification. It is important to note the lack of a microSD card slot, which makes choosing a version with a large amount of internal memory critical when buying a used device. Also worth mentioning is a screen with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels, which still looks decent due to the high density of pixels.
| Component | Specification | Impact on Android |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 801 (4 cores) | Limits the work of heavy games and Android 10+ |
| RAM | 3GB of LPDDR3 | Enough for Android 7-9, not enough for modern browsers |
| Memory. | 16/64GB eMMC | Low recording speed affects system performance |
| Screen. | 5.0" IPS, 1080p | Optimal resolution for GPU performance |
The main bottleneck in installing modern versions of Android is the type and speed of the built-in eMMC memory, which is significantly inferior to modern UFS standards. This leads to the fact that even a light interface can slow down with several background processes at the same time.
Instructions for preparation for reflashing
If you decide that the current version of the system does not suit you and you want to try a fresher Android, you need to carefully prepare. The first step is to back up all important data, since the process of flashing involves completely clearing internal memory.
Make sure that the battery is charged at least 60-70%. Breaking the recording process at a critical moment can cause the phone to turn into a brick and stop turning on. USB-cables, as cheap cables often do not provide a stable connection for large amounts of data.
☑️ Firmware preparation
To interact with a phone at a low level, you'll need a set of tools on your computer, primarily drivers for Qualcomm and Xiaomi, and ADB and Fastboot utilities. Without them, your computer won't be able to "see" the phone in bootloader mode. Put these components in the C root folder or add paths to them in Windows environment variables.
⚠️ Note: Use of unoriginal cables or USB-ports with insufficient current (for example, at old hubs) can lead to power outages during firmware, which is fatal for the device.
The process of installing a custom TWRP Recovery
The key step in the upgrade is to install a modified Recovery menu. Xiaomi's standard menu allows you to only reset or update officially. We need a TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) that gives full access to the file system. There are several versions of TWRP for the Xiaomi Mi4, but it is recommended to use stable builds labeled as "stable".
The installation process takes place via Fastboot mode. To enter, turn off your phone and press the volume and power buttons simultaneously until the image of a hare appears in the headphones (or the word Fastboot).
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x.x-mako.imgOnce you've recorded it successfully, it's important to go straight to Recovery mode, pressing the power button and increasing the volume. If you just reboot your phone as normal, standard Xiaomi firmware can automatically replace TWRP with a stock menu, so the first run should be in recovery mode.
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After installation TWRP Make a full backup of the current system SD-It's the only insurance if the new firmware is broken.
Frequent problems and methods of their solution
In software experiments, users often encounter various errors, and one of the most common problems is the "bootloop" - the endless reboot of the phone, which can be due to the incompatibility of the Android version with the kernel or damage to system files when writing, usually a complete reset (Wipe) of the Data, System and Cache partitions.
Another common problem is that Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is broken after custom firmware is installed, and this is because proprietary drivers (blobs) can conflict with the new version of the kernel, in which case flashing the modem or finding a specific build where the bug has already been fixed by the developer helps, and there is also a problem with the proximity sensor that stops turning off the screen during a conversation.
- 🔋 Fast discharge: Often treated by battery calibration or installation of cores with improved energy saving.
- 📶 No network: Check if the modem region matches yours SIM-Sometimes it helps to flash the radio module.
- ❄️ Overheating: Characteristic of unoptimized Android 8 builds+, Solution – Reverse to a lighter version.
If the phone stopped responding to buttons and does not turn on, you may need to enter EDL (Emergency Download Mode). For the Xiaomi Mi4, this is often done by disassembling the case and closing contacts on the board, or by special ADB commands if the bootloader is still available. In EDL mode, the phone is defined by the computer as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 device, which allows you to restore it even after critical errors.
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Most of the Xiaomi Mi4 software problems are solved by a complete reset (Clean Install) and using proven TWRP builds, rather than simply installing a new firmware on top of the old one.