Xiaomi Redmi Note 2: Which version of Android and how to upgrade to the current

Why it’s important to know the Android version of Redmi Note 2

Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 was released in 2015 and became one of the most popular budget devices of its time. However, since then, almost 10 years have passed, and the world of Android has grown rapidly. Today, many owners of this device are faced with problems of application compatibility, security vulnerabilities and slow operation of the system, all of which are directly related to the version of Android installed on the smartphone.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what version of Android was originally on the Redmi Note 2, what updates the phone officially received, and what you can do today to somehow upgrade its software, and how to check the current version of the OS, what risks are unofficial firmware, and whether it’s worth spending time upgrading such an old device.

Spoiler: There's never been an official update to Android 7.0 Nougat or newer for this model, but there are alternatives, you can read more about them.

What version of Android was on the Redmi Note 2 out of the box?

Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 went on sale in August 2015 with preinstalled operating system Android 5.0 Lollipop. However, like all Xiaomi devices of the time, it worked not on “pure” Android, and on the proprietary shell MIUI. Specifically, we were talking about the version of MIUI 6, which was optimized for weak by modern standards “iron”.

Here are the key characteristics of the original firmware:

• 📱 Android: 5.0.2 Lollipop (API 21)
• 🔄 MIUI: 6.0 (stable branch)
• 📅 Release Date: August 2015
• 🛠️ Linux kernel: 3.10.65

Interestingly, even though the Redmi Note 2 had a 64-bit MediaTek Helio X10 processor, the first firmware was 32-bit. Only later, with the release of MIUI 7, did support for 64-bit architecture come along, which improved performance slightly.

Android updates for Redmi Note 2: Full Story

During its existence, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 received only two major Android updates from the manufacturer, typical of budget smartphones of the time — companies rarely supported them longer than 1-2 years.

Important: Xiaomi never released an official firmware on Android 7.0 Nougat or later for the Redmi Note 2. The last stable update was MIUI 8.5 based on Android 6.0, released in early 2017. All subsequent updates were only security patches and minor patches for MIUI, but did not affect the Android version.

Why did the support stop so quickly?

• 📉 Weak "iron" (2 GB of RAM, Helio processor) X10) No new versions of the OS were delayed.
• 💰 Xiaomi is focusing on new models (Redmi Note) 3/4)
• 🔒 MediaTek has stopped providing drivers for old chipsets

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The latest official version of Android for Redmi Note 2 is 6.0 Marshmallow. newer OS from Xiaomi is not supported.

How to check the current version of Android on Redmi Note 2

If you're still using this smartphone or you've bought it by hand, the first thing you should do is find out which firmware is on it, and you can do this in two ways:

Method 1: Through system settings

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon)
2. Scroll down and select About Phone
3. Click on the MIUI version - here will be the shell version
4. Slip a few times on the Android version bar to see the full information

Method 2: Engineering menu (for advanced)

If the standard settings do not show the version, you can use the hidden menu:

Enter the dialer in ##4636##


Go to the tab "Phone Information"




Find the lines "OS version" and "kernel version"

Open Settings → The phone.|Find the line "Version" MIUI"|Check out the "Android Version"|Record the data for further use-->

⚠️ Note: If the settings are Android 7.0 or newer, it is likely that the phone has custom firmware installed (unofficial).This can lead to performance problems, camera or sensors. Officially, Xiaomi never released Android 7+ for this model.

Can I upgrade Redmi Note 2 to Android 7, 8 or later?

Unfortunately, there is no official upgrade path to Android 7.0 Nougat or newer versions, but there are several alternatives, each with its own pros and cons:

1. Custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

The development community has created several unofficial firmware based on new versions of Android.

• 📱 LineageOS 14.1 (Android 7.1 Nougat) is the most popular
• 🎨 Pixel Experience (Android 10) – with a Google Pixel interface
• 🔧 AOSP Extended (Android 9 Pie) for experimenters

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, which will completely reset all data on the phone.In addition, there is a high risk of losing the functionality of the camera module, fingerprint sensor or Wi-Fi. Before installing, be sure to check the reviews on the forums. 4PDA or XDA Developers about a specific build.

2. MIUI Ports (unofficial versions) MIUI 9/10)

Some enthusiasts have ported new versions of MIUI (like MIUI 9 or even MIUI 10) based on Android 6.0. It's not an update to Android per se, but it gives a more modern interface and some features from new versions.

Update via Xiaomi.eu (unofficial MIUI)

The Xiaomi.eu project releases modified versions of MIUI with advanced features. For the Redmi Note 2, the latest available version is MIUI 10 based on Android 6.0. This is not an update to Android, but the firmware contains security patches and new interface features.

Problems after the update: what to expect

Even if you manage to install a newer version of Android, be prepared for the following problems:

1. Performance: Android 7+ requires more resources than Redmi Note 2 can provide. Expect lags, slowdowns and overheating.
2. Camera: In 90% of cases, the main camera (13 MP) will not work correctly - artifacts, lack of autofocus or complete module failure are possible.
3. Battery: New OS versions are optimized for modern processors. The Helio X10 will increase battery consumption by 30-50%.
4. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: May be periodically shut down or work unstable due to the lack of official drivers.
5. Banking apps: Many banks block access to their services on devices with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware.

⚠️ Note: If you use Redmi Note 2 as a second phone for calls and social networks, upgrade to Android 7+ It's more likely to hurt than help, and the best way to do that is to stay on the last official firmware (MIUI 8.5) and install the light versions of the applications (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, Messenger Lite).

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Before installing custom firmware, make a full backup through TWRP (custom recovery), save copies of boot, system and data partitions to your computer, which will help you roll back if something goes wrong.

Alternatives to the update: how to extend the life of Redmi Note 2

If the goal is simply to make the phone more user-friendly, you don't have to update Android. Here are a few working ways to improve the user experience:

• 🧹 Cleaning up the system: Remove unnecessary applications through Settings → Applications. Use them. SD Maid to clean up the cache.
• ⚡ Light Firmware: Install a modified version MIUI 8 without unnecessary services (for example, MIUI Lite).
• 🔋 Battery replacement: The original 3,080mAh battery by 2026 likely lost 50% of capacity. ~1500 rubles and will significantly improve autonomy.
• 🛡️ Disabling background processes: C Settings → Battery → Power Management Disable Auto-Run Unnecessary Applications.
• 📱 Use as a media player: Install VLC or MX Player and use your phone to watch videos/listen to music via Bluetooth speaker.

If you really need a new version of Android, consider buying a used smartphone at the price of the Redmi Note 5/6 (2018), these models officially support Android 9-10 and cost on the secondary market from 3-5 thousand rubles.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi Note 2 and Android