Xiaomi Redmi 3S: what Android, update and firmware

Owners of the legendary Xiaomi Redmi 3S often wonder what version of the operating system their smartphone can pull in the current realities. This device, which came to market in 2016, was a real hit thanks to the successful combination of price and performance, but time takes its toll. At the time of launch, the device was running Android 6.0 Marshmallow with a proprietary shell MIUI 7, which was a great indicator at the time. However, over the years of operation, the software has undergone significant changes, and many users are trying to squeeze the maximum possible from the iron.

Today, it is important to understand that official support for the model has long been discontinued, and the latest available update “over the air” is MIUI 9 based on Android 7.1.1 Nougat. Attempts to install newer versions, such as Android 8 or 9, require manual flashing and the use of custom builds, which carries certain risks. In this article, we will discuss in detail which Android is best left for everyday use, and also consider the possibilities of enthusiasts ready for experimentation with TWRP Recovery and root rights.

Don’t ignore the fact that even on the old hardware, the correct optimization of the software part can significantly extend the life of the gadget. If you are wondering whether it is possible to get Android 10 or newer on the Redmi 3S, the answer will be ambiguous: officially – no, but through ports from other devices (GSI) – theoretically possible, although the stability of the work will be questionable. Next, we will dwell on the technical nuances that every owner of this device needs to know before starting any manipulation with the firmware.

The official history of Android updates

The history of the software for Xiaomi Redmi 3S (codename prada) has developed quite dynamically in the first two years after the release. Initially, the smartphone came with a “clean” Android 6.0, which is characterized by high stability and economical battery consumption. Xiaomi developers quickly updated the device to MIUI 8, retaining the base of the sixth Android, but adding many visual improvements and functional chips that have become the standard for the ecosystem of the brand.

The final leg of official support was the upgrade to Android 7.1.1 Nougat in conjunction with the shell of MIUI 9 and MIUI 10 (in some regions), which was a significant leap, as the seventh version brought support for multitasking, improved notification management and a more modern system of permissions for applications. However, it was at this stage that many users noticed that the hardware, in particular the Snapdragon 430 processor and 2/3 GB of RAM, began to experience difficulties with the heavy interfaces of new versions of MIUI.

Importantly, moving to newer versions of Android without changing the shell often led to a decrease in autonomy. MIUI 10 based on Android 7.1 was the last stable version that could be installed officially through the update menu. Anything beyond this version is considered unofficial and requires intervention in the system partition of the device. For those who appreciate the stability of communication and basic functions, stopping at the latest official release is often the most sensible decision.

⚠️ Warning: Trying to update Redmi 3S Android 7.1 is not officially available, but it is not possible to install global firmware from other models (e.g. Redmi). 3S Prime) via Mi Flash can result in bootloader lock or network signal loss.

Users who have not been updated in years should be prepared for the fact that many modern applications will gradually cease to support Android 6.0 and 7.0. Google Play Services and key services of Google require current versions of the operating system for the correct operation of banking applications and instant messengers.

Technical limitations of Redmi 3S iron

To understand why Xiaomi Redmi 3S stopped with Android 7.1 in the official lineup, you need to look at its technical stuffing.The heart of the smartphone is the 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor, which at the time of release was a great solution for the mid-segment. However, the architecture of this chip and its graphics core Adreno 505 have limitations in supporting new instructions and drivers necessary for the full operation of Android 8.0 Oreo and higher.

The second critical node is the amount of RAM. The basic version of the smartphone was equipped with only 2 GB of RAM, and the Prime version – 3 GB of RAM. Modern versions of Android, especially in conjunction with heavy shells like MIUI, require a minimum of 3-4 GB of free memory for comfortable operation. Trying to run Android 9 or 10 on 2 GB of memory will lead to constant operation of the ZRAM mechanism, constant reboots of the interface and extremely slow response of the system.

Also worth mentioning are the limitations of the built-in drive. The Redmi 3S eMMC 5.1 standard is far below current UFS standards for write and read speed. When you install heavy modern firmware, it becomes a bottleneck: the system takes a long time to load, applications open with a delay, and background processes can hang over, and it is a combination of these factors that makes it pointless to race for Android versions on this device without switching to lightweight builds.

• 📱 Processor: Snapdragon 430 (Armv8) — Supports Android 9 in theory, but drivers are limited.
• 💾 Memory: 2/3 GB LPDDR3 — Critical parameter for new versions of Android.
• 🚀 Storage: 16/32 GB eMMC 5.1 — Low recording speed affects system performance.
• 🔋 Battery: 4100 mAh – new versions of Android can consume more charge faster due to background processes.

How to check the current version of Android and MIUI

Before you start any actions to update or reflash, you need to accurately identify the current state of the software of your Redmi 3S. This will help to avoid installing incompatible versions of the firmware, which can turn the smartphone into a “brick”.

To do this, go to the Settings menu, then go to the bottom and select About Phone. In the list that opens, you will see the MIUI Version bar (e.g. MIUI 10.2.3.0) and the Android Version bar. This is the data you need to rely on when looking for files to update. Also, here is the build number, which is important for understanding the regionality of the firmware (Global, China, Russia).

More information, including bootloader status and security patch level, can be obtained through the developer menu. If you have USB debugging enabled, connect your smartphone to your computer and type in the command line:

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release

This command will output an exact digital version of Android. It is also useful to know the model number, which should be MDI (for the global version) or IDO (for the Chinese version, known as Redmi 3S Prime in some regions), these models should not be confused when running firmware, since they have different partition markups.

Capabilities of custom firmware and GSI

For those who don’t like stopping on Android 7.1, the only way out is the world of custom firmware. The XDA and 4PDA community has created many ports for Redmi 3S. The most popular are LineageOS, Pixel Experience and various builds based on AOSP (pure Android), which allows you to install Android 8.1, 9.0 and even 10.0 (through the GSI project — Generic System Image).

However, installing such systems requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom TWRP recavator. This process is not technically difficult, but requires care. Castom firmware lacks a heavy MIUI shell, which gives an increase in performance on the old hardware. The interface becomes more responsive, advertising disappears in system applications, and memory management becomes more efficient.

However, there is a downside to the coin: Custom firmware often has a camera that is not working properly (due to the lack of original Qualcomm drivers), VoLTE and VoWiFi. Data security can also be compromised if you use builds from unknown authors. In addition, banking applications may not work without additional manipulations with root-rights concealment (Magisk).

⚠️ Note: Installation of custom firmware (Custom) ROM) It cancels the warranty (if it's still valid) and increases the risk of the device failing.

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Tip: Before installing custom firmware, be sure to make a full backup of the EFS and Persist partition via TWRP. Losing these partitions will make it impossible to restore IMEI and communication modules.

Instructions: Manual update via Recovery

If you decide to stay on the official line of programs, but want to upgrade to the latest available version (MIUI 10 / Android 7.1) manually, as OTA-You can use the Recovery method, and it's a safe way to unlock the bootloader, and you need to download the firmware archive in.zip (Recovery) format. ROM), Not.tgz (Fastboot) ROM).

Rename the downloaded file to update.zip and place it in the root of the smartphone’s internal memory. Next, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and click three dots in the corner of the screen. Select firmware file, find your archive and confirm the action. The phone will reboot and begin the installation process.

It's important to make sure that the firmware file is relevant to your region. If you have a Global version, you can't put a China ROM without completely cleaning the data and changing the region, otherwise you can get a cyclic reboot. Redmi 3S is relevant stable builds Global Stable.

• 📥 Download the correct firmware (Recovery, Global, Stable).
• 📂 Rename the file to update.zip and put it in the root of memory.
• ⚙️ Run the update via the About Phone or Recovery menu.
• ⏳ Wait until the end without interrupting the eating process.

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Recovery ROM is the safest way to upgrade the Xiaomi Redmi 3S to the latest official version without data loss and the risk of breakdown.

Frequent problems after updating and their solution

Even when updated with official methods, older devices can experience failures, the most common problem after switching to MIUI 9/10 is fast battery discharge and heating, which is because the new file system indexes data, and the old settings can conflict with new energy saving algorithms.

The solution is most often a full reset to factory-built Wipe Data after the update, which allows you to clear the cache of old apps and system settings that may have moved from the previous version of Android with errors. Before reset, be sure to save important contacts and photos to the cloud or computer.

Another problem is the lack of internal memory: new versions of Google services and the MIUI shell take up much more space. If you have a 16GB version, the system can take up almost half of the volume, you should use a microSD card and transfer all media files to it, and you should also set the camera to save photos immediately to the map.