Xiaomi Redmi 1S: How to Upgrade to the Latest Version

Owners of the legendary Xiaomi Redmi 1S (model 2014011) often face a dilemma: whether to try to “revive” the device with modern methods or to accept the official stop of support. This smartphone became a hit sales thanks to the excellent ratio of price and performance based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, officially stopped on Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) and the shell of MIUI 9. However, enthusiasts continue to look for ways to introduce more recent versions of Android or at least optimize the existing system for comfortable use of messengers and light applications.

The software upgrade process on this device is radically different from current Xiaomi models. You can no longer just click the “Update” button in the settings and wait for Android 10 or 11 to boot. You will need manual intervention, search for specialized builds and a clear understanding of the risks. Unofficial firmware can give the device a second life, but require careful attention to driver compatibility and restore the functionality of the basic modules.

In this guide, we will look at all the available upgrades, from standard updates inside the system to complete flashing through Recovery mode. You will learn where to look for secure files, how to avoid “bricking” the device and whether it is worth spending time on this process in the current realities. Proper preparation and understanding of the Redmi 1S architecture is the key to the success of any software operation.

The first thing that a user who is looking for an answer to the question of how to update Xiaomi Redmi faces 1S — It's the absence of new official packages on the company's servers, and the device's support was discontinued a few years ago, and the last stable version that you can get out of the box or through the regular updater is from an era. MIUI 9.This means that many modern apps that require Android 5.0 and higher simply won’t install from the Google Play Market without additional manipulation.The official update path is to check for packages directly in the device’s menu. To do this, you need to go to the Settings section. → The phone. → System update: If the server sees the available packet, it will suggest downloading it. 1S You will see a message that the latest available version is installed. This is not a mistake, but a planned end of a product lifecycle, and there is a misconception that changing the region in settings can open up access to newer versions of software, and in the case of global and Chinese firmware for older devices, this method hardly works. The architecture of the Snapdragon 400 processor and drivers written for it does not allow you to officially run Android version above 4.4. Any promises of an “official” update to Android 7 or 8 are a marketing ploy or an error of incompetent sources. ⚠️ Warning: Attempts to install official firmware from other Xiaomi models (even with a similar name) through a standard bootloader will result in a signature verification error or a complete system failure. However, even with the official version of MIUI 9, you can try to clear the update cache to re-initiate the packet search, sometimes it helps if the previous download attempt was interrupted, you need to clear the Update application data through the application management menu. But remember: the newer MIUI 9 you will not officially receive, and all further steps will be exclusively about custom solutions.

Before moving on to radical measures such as installing custom recaps or informal Android builds, thorough preparation is needed. Data backup is the first and most important step that cannot be ignored. The firmware process often involves completely clearing internal memory, and losing contacts or photos can be an unpleasant surprise. Use built-in MIUI or synchronization with a Google account to store important information. It is also recommended to create a full copy of the system through Recovery mode if the current version is stable. This will roll back in the event of a failure. Make sure that the battery is not charged at 60-70%, as a result in a sudden loss of data from memory loss, it can lead to less than a memory loss. ☑️ Redmi Preparation Checklist 1SMake a full backup of contacts and photo Charge the battery to a minimum 70%Make room for internal memory (minimum) 2 GB)Find the exact device model (armani)Download the required firmware file: 0 / 5 An important step is to unlock the bootloader, although for such older Xiaomi models this often happens automatically when you try to install global firmware over Chinese or vice versa, TWRP) Access to the system partition is mandatory. 1S And fortunately, there are a lot of ready-made solutions and instructions for getting Root rights and installing a modified bootloader for this model. USB This is hidden by default, and to activate it, you need to quickly click seven times on the build number in the About Phone section». After the corresponding notification appears, go to the advanced settings and activate the Debugging switch on USB. This will allow the computer to see the device in deep access mode, which is necessary to work with the computer. ADB-team.

Choosing the software is the most important thing, and since official updates are not available, the full potential of the device is being unleashed in the development communities, such as: 4PDA or XDA Developers. for Xiaomi Redmi 1S (The code name armani has three main directions of development: stock ROM Android-based 4.4, custom ROM Android-based 5-7 (LineageOS, Resurrection Remix and ports MIUI The Global, China and Developer versions are different, and the global firmware has Google Play built in and many languages are supported, but they are heavier. The Chinese versions are lighter, but they lack Google services out of the box and may have trouble with notifications. 1S The most stable are the assemblies. MIUI 9, For fans of “pure” Android, it is better to look at LineageOS versions. 12.1 or 13.0. Where to look for secure firmware?File source should be only verified forums (4PDA, XDA) Avoid sites with names like "free-rom-download-fast" because they often distribute modified software with malicious code. Always check the checksum (MD5) When downloading, pay attention to the type recovery for which the firmware is intended. There are packages for installation through Recovery (zip archives) and images for fast-tracking (fastboot images). For most users who do not have an unlocked bootloader or experience with the command line, only zip archives installed through a modified Recovery are suitable (TWRP or CWM). It is also important to consider the amount of internal memory. Some heavy builds with modern interfaces can take up almost all of the available, leading to a constant shortage of space for installing applications. The optimal choice for Redmi 1S is light builds based on Android 5.1 or 6.0, which provide a balance between application compatibility and hardware performance.

Install updates via Recovery Mode The most common way to upgrade Redmi 1S — This is installing a zip firmware file through Recovery mode. Xiaomi's standard recovery menu has limited functionality, so pre-installing custom Recovery, such as: TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project, which is almost mandatory, allows you not only to install any firmware, but also to make full backups of the system. The installation process begins with placing the downloaded firmware file (usually has the extension.zip) in the internal memory of the device or on the microSD card. After that, the phone turns off completely. To enter Recovery mode, you need to pinch the button combination: Volume Up + Power. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to keep the volume up until the menu appears. On the menu. TWRP The algorithm of actions is as follows: first, the data is cleaned (Wipe), then the file is installed (Install).It is important to observe order, since switching from one version of Android to another (for example, from 4.4 to 6.0) requires a complete cleanup of the Data and Cache partitions. If you skip this step, the device can get into a reboot cycle (bootloop). 📂 Select Wipe and slide to clean (or select Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, Data, System). 📥 Press the Install button and find the previously copied firmware zip file. ✅ Confirm the swipe installation and wait for the process to be completed (green bar). 🔄 After successful installation, press Reboot System. ⚠️ Note: When switching between different versions of Android (Cross-grade) or when changing the firmware type (C) MIUI On LineageOS, make sure to do a full Wipe. Ignoring this rule is the most common reason for a phone to fail after an update.

Alternative methods: Fastboot and MiFlash For more advanced users or in cases where the device does not boot into the system, there is a method of firmware through Fastboot mode. This method requires a Windows computer and the MiFlash Tool installed. It allows you to roll out the system image cleanly, ignoring the state of the phone's current software. 1S in Fastboot mode, you need to turn off the phone and clamp the combination Volume Down + Power. You'll see a picture of a hare fixing an android on the screen, signaling that the device is ready to receive commands. USB-Windows Device Manager must identify a device called the Android Bootloader Interface». Files for this method are usually distributed in the form of archives that need to be unpacked into the root of the disk (the path should not contain Cyrillic alphabets or spaces). In the MiFlash program, you need to choose the path to the firmware folder, select the Clean All mode and press the Flash button. The process takes longer than installing through Recovery, but is a more reliable method of recovery. 📊 What kind of update do you prefer?OTA (Through Recovery (zip file) Through Fastboot (MiFlash)Root rights and manual modification

Even with strict adherence to the instructions, there can be unexpected situations. One of the most common problems is a bootloop (infinite reboot). If after installing a new firmware, the phone is stuck on the Xiaomi or Android logos, do not panic. In most cases, re-entering Recovery and executing the Wipe command helps. Data/Factory Reset and Wipe Cache Partition. Another common error is "Error." 7» or "Signature verification failed" when installed via Recovery, which means that the firmware file is damaged when downloaded or is not suitable for this device model. 1S), Not for Redmi. 1 If the network is lost or Wi-Fi is not working after the update, this indicates the loss of the partition with the radio module. In such cases, you need to search and flash the radio.img file separately or use firmware that already has the right modem drivers integrated into it, and the problem may lie in the incompatibility of the basic version of Android and drivers.

For ease of perception of information, we will bring the main characteristics of the updating methods into a single table. This will help you choose the best way to upgrade your Xiaomi Redmi. 1S depending on your skills and goals. OTA (Officially, Recovery (TWRP) Fastboot (MiFlash) Complexity Low Average High Data Loss Risk Low High (Wipe required) Maximum (complete cleanup) Available versions Only MIUI 9 Anybody (Android) 4-7) Official and custom PC Necessity No (for download only) Necessary Installation Time 20-40 mine 5-10 mine 10-20 mine 💡For an ordinary user who wants to simply refresh the system, the best choice is to install a stable custom assembly through the system. TWRP, This allows you to access newer versions of Android without having to manipulate your PC.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can I upgrade Redmi? 1S The Snapdragon 400 hardware doesn't physically support these versions, and there are informally Android 7, 8, even 9 ports, but they're extremely slow, they're very buggy, and they're not usable on a daily basis. The optimal ceiling for comfortable work is Android 6.0. Is it safe to get Root rights on this device? 1S It's relatively safe, because the model is very popular and the methods are well-studied, but getting superuser rights (via Magisk or SuperSU) always carries a risk. Banking applications will stop working without additional Root hiding settings. What if the phone stopped turning on after firmware? Try entering Recovery mode + Power) and reset to factory settings (Wipe Data). If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to flash through Fastboot using the original image or restore through Qualcomm tools (QFIL), If the bootloader is seriously damaged, where can I find drivers for Redmi? 1S? Drivers are usually installed automatically with the Mi. PC Suite or Mi Flash Tool. If your computer can't see your phone in Fastboot mode, download the "Xiaomi" package. USB Drivers or Qualcomm ADBC Driver" from the official website or verified forums.Whether to update Redmi at all 1S In 2026, the only way to make sense is if you use your phone as a player, as a navigator, as a child's toy, and if you use it as a stock phone, you should keep it for calls and messengers. MIUI 9, because it's the most stable, and the firmware can give you access to new applications, but often at the expense of autonomy and speed.