Xiaomi Redmi 4X, released in 2017, is still a popular device due to its reliability and autonomy. However, modern messengers such as WhatsApp constantly require newer versions of the operating system and increased resources to work correctly.
The process of installing a new version on MIUI shell devices can have its own nuances, different from the standard procedures on other Android smartphones, especially for managing permissions and cleaning the cache, which often block a successful installation. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to update the messenger software.
We will look at both standard methods through official stores and manual installation if automatic upgrades are not possible, and we will also focus on the typical errors that occur on the Snapdragon 435 processors that this model is equipped with.
Checking the current version and system requirements
Before you start any action on downloading files, you need to understand which version of the system and the application you are dealing with. Redmi 4X can work on different versions of Android (from 6.0 to 7.1 depending on the firmware), and this critically affects compatibility. Modern versions of WhatsApp require at least Android 5.0, but for stable operation of new features it is desirable to have more recent software.
To find out the current version of the messenger, open the app menu, go to Settings and select About. This will show the build number. Compare it to the current version available on the network. If the difference is significant, or the application does not start at all, you need intervention.
It is also important to check the free space in the device’s memory. Messengers grow over time, taking up gigabytes of space with media files. If there is less than 500 MB left on the disk, the system can block the installation of updates, even if the file itself weighs a little.
⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulation of system files or reinstall applications, make sure you have a backup of your correspondence in Google Drive or local storage so you don’t lose important contacts and message history.
Verification of the operating system version is done via the Settings path → About Phone → Android version. If your version is lower than the one required for a new WhatsApp build, you will have to look for lightweight versions of the app or stay on the old build as long as possible.
Update via Google Play Store
The easiest and safest way to get a new version of the app is to use the official Google Play Store. On Xiaomi devices, this service often runs in the background, but sometimes requires manual launch to check for updates. Automatic updates can be disabled to save traffic or battery power.
Open the Play Store app on your smartphone. In the upper left corner, click on the profile icon or menu (three horizontal bars). In the list that opens, select App and Device Management. Here you will see the Update Availables section, where you list all the programs that need attention.
If you have WhatsApp on the list, click the Update button next to the name. If the button is inactive or the message "Device is not supported" is displayed, this means that your current version of Android is too old for the latest release of the messenger, in which case the store will offer to find alternatives or only the option of manual installation will remain.
- 🔄 Make sure that the Play Store settings do not limit the upgrade to Wi-Fi only if you use mobile internet.
- 📱 Check if the date and time on the device are set correctly, as desynchronization can block the connection to Google servers.
- 🗑️ Clear the cache of the Play Store itself through the app menu if the update list doesn’t show up or hangs over.
Sometimes the download process can be interrupted due to unstable connection, in which case try to switch between Wi-Fi and the mobile network, and it is also worth checking if the cache of Google Play services is full, which is a common problem on older versions of MIUI.
☑️ Check before updating
Hand-mounted APK-file
If the app store doesn't see updates or if it issues a compatibility error, the only working option is manual installation, which requires downloading the installation file (APK) directly from the developer's servers, which is a safe method if you only use an official resource.
Open your browser on your Redmi 4X and go to whatsapp.com/android. This is a direct link to download the latest available version. Click Download Now. The browser may issue a warning that the file may be dangerous, which is the standard Android reaction to downloading executable files from outside.
Once the file is uploaded, the system will request permission to install from unknown sources. On the MIUI shell, this menu may look specific. You will need to allow installation for the specific browser you use (e.g., Chrome or the standard Mi browser). Go to the security settings and activate the switch.
Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Special Rights → Installation of Unknown ApplicationsFind your browser on the list and let it install. Then go back to the downloaded file and run it. The installation process takes a few seconds. If you see the message "Application not installed," check if you have a newer version of the system that conflicts with the CPU architecture, although this is rare for Redmi 4X.
What to do if the installation is blocked by an antivirus?
Solving memory and cache problems
The Redmi 4X model often shipped with limited internal storage (16 or 32GB) that fills up quickly.Space shortage is the main reason WhatsApp updates may not start or end in a bug.The system simply can't unpack temporary installation files.
The first step is to clean up the junk files. The built-in Security app (green zipper icon) has a cleaning function. Run a scan and delete the proposed files. However, this is often not enough. You need to manually check the messenger folders.
Go to the file manager and find the WhatsApp folder (or Android/media/com.whatsapp on newer versions of Android). Inside you are interested in the Databases and Media folder. Older database backups can take hundreds of megabytes. Leave only the last one, the rest can be safely deleted.
| Type of data | Location. | Can I remove it? | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash app. | Settings → Applications | Yes. | Speed up the work, do not delete the correspondence |
| Old databases | Database folder | Yes (except for the last one) | Free up the place, history will be preserved. |
| Statuses (Status) | Folder.Status. | Yes. | Remove viewed contact statuses |
| Photos sent | Media/Sent folder | Yes. | Delete copies of the photos you sent |
It’s also worth clearing the cache of Google Play Services itself. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Google Play Services → Memory → Clear the cache. This action often solves problems with hanging downloads.
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Use the Cleanup feature in the Security app regularly to make room for system updates and new versions of applications.
Error: “Your version of WhatsApp is outdated”
One of the most annoying problems is the appearance of a screensaver requiring you to update, and the update button does not work or leads to nowhere, which often happens when WhatsApp servers forcibly disable support for old encryption protocols used in older versions.
If the standard update doesn't work, try to completely uninstall the app and reinstall it. Important: make sure that you back up before you delete, otherwise you'll lose all messages. After you delete, restart your phone to free up system resources, and then put the fresh version.
In some cases, the problem lies in the conflict of dates: If your Redmi 4X time went out (for example, the battery died on the board when a long downtime), the security certificates will not be checked, and the connection to the update server will be blocked.
⚠️ Warning: Never download modified versions of WhatsApp (such as GBWhatsApp, WhatsApp Plus) from dubious sites in an attempt to circumvent the restriction.This can lead to the blocking of your number by the messenger administration and theft of personal data.
Check if the phone has a modified firmware or ROOT-rights that can change hosts system files by blocking access to update servers, which require resetting network settings or returning to stock firmware.
Use of alternative app stores
If Google Play doesn’t work on your device for some reason (for example, it’s locked or glitchy), you can use reputable alternative directories. For Xiaomi owners, GetApps (formerly the Mi App Store) is a good option, which is pre-installed on most devices.
APKMirror is also a reliable source. It's not a store in the full sense, but an archive of verified developer signatures. Here you can find a specific version of the app if the latter is unstable on your Android 6.0/7.1. Look for versions marked "armv7" because the Snapdragon 435 processor uses this architecture.
When installed from third-party sources, MIUI will strongly warn of risks. This is a normal protective reaction. You will need to confirm the installation by ignoring the wait timer (usually 10 seconds) if you are sure of the file.
- 📲 GetApps – Xiaomi’s official store, often has optimized versions of popular apps.
- 🌐 APKMirror is the best resource for finding specific versions APK digitally-signed.
- 🛡️ APKPure is a popular alternative store that has its own client application for easy updates.
Using alternative sources allows you to bypass regional restrictions or errors of a particular Google account. However, remember that auto-update in such cases may not work properly, and you will have to periodically check for new versions manually.
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For Redmi. 4X The most stable versions are official versions with Google Play or verified versions. APK-file armv7 APKMirror.