How to flash Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro (Prime, Premium) on Android 10

Differences between latest Android versions

Typically, smartphones are released on the firmware that is current at the time of presentation. Because of this, Xiaomi devices of 2021 are based on Android 7 and 8, 2021 - 8 and 9, and 2021 - on 9 and 10. Over time, they are updated, thanks to which users are guaranteed more stable operation of the gadget, as well as a bonus in the form additional functions. We suggest considering the features of the latest Android firmware. Thanks to this, it will become clear why each device needs to be updated.

Android 8 Features:

• Changed design;
• Ability to “put to sleep” notifications;
• Invisible download of update files;
• Added picture-in-picture function for multi-window mode;
• Dynamic change of icons;
• Autofill fields.

Android 9 Features:

• New interface;
• Added a button to take a screenshot;
• More pleasant animation;
• Screen cutout support;
• Gesture control system;
• Increased autonomy;
• Setting user restrictions on the amount of time you interact with the gadget;
• Automatically enable do not disturb mode.

Android 10 Features:

• Support for bendable devices;
• New themes and fonts;
• Increased level of confidentiality;
• Built-in screen recording function;
• Additional photo post-processing capabilities;
• HDR10+ support;
• Added interaction with music controllers.

What versions of Android do Xiaomi smartphones support?

Unfortunately, not every device can be updated to the latest version of Android OS. Many smartphones no longer support the latest firmware. Therefore, before installing a new version of Android, you need to make sure that the device will work with it.

The following Xiaomi devices received support for Android 8:

• Redmi 5, 5 Plus, Note 5A, 5A, Note 5A Prime;
• Mi 5, 5S, 5S Plus, 5C, 6, 8, 8 SE, 8 EE, 8 Pro;
• Mi Mix, Mi Mix 2, 2S;
• Mi Max, Mi Max 2.

The following devices support Android 9:

• Pocophone F1;
• Mi A1, A2, A2 Lite;
• Mi Mix 2S, 3;
• Mi 8, 8 SE, 8 EE, 8 Pro, 9, 9 SE;
• Redmi 7, Note 7, Note 7 Pro.

At the end of 2021, the following will be updated to Android 10:

• Mi 8, 8 SE, 8 EE, 8 Pro, 9, 9 SE;
• Mi Mix 2S, 3;
• Redmi K20, K20 Pro, Note 7, Note 7 Pro.

Once you have made sure that your existing smartphone supports the required OS version, you can safely update the gadget in any convenient way.

Mi line

Some premium devices are similarly no longer supported, with both the first and second generation Mi Max with all versions standing out, as well as the more expensive Mi Mix model and modifications of the flagship Mi 5.

It should be noted that the update of the proprietary software shell is completely different, since the presented devices may be able to switch to MIUI 11, but the add-on will be used based on Android generation Oreo or Nougat.

Tips before installing the update

Every user is interested in ensuring that the firmware update evokes extremely positive emotions. To do this, several requirements must be met.

• The phone must be charged at least 25-30%;
• It is recommended to reset to factory settings (this item is required if the smartphone has root access, if you need to roll back the firmware, if the previous installation of updates caused errors).

Those who decide to reset their smartphone to factory settings before updating the OS should take care of creating a backup copy. In the “Settings” application, you need to open the “Security” section and first click on “Backup”, and then on “Make a backup”.

The backup file should be transferred to the computer, and after flashing, returned to the smartphone to restore information.

Answers to popular questions

When can we expect the release of Android 9 for Redmi Note 5? This model is already undergoing beta testing. Install the weekly version and test it for yourself now. What firmware does the new operating system run on? For now it is Miyuai 10, but the new MIUI 11 shell is expected to be released in the near future. Follow our news so as not to miss details about this version. On Xiaomi Mi 8 does not receive the update to Android 9, what should I do? First, make sure that you are the owner of MIUI Global. It is quite possible that when purchasing a device, you came across an unscrupulous seller who kept silent about the Vietnamese device. If the device definitely has Global ROM, wait, updates may be delayed in certain regions. How to return to the previous version of MIUI? To do this, read our special article on the topic that interests you. We recommend rolling back only one version so that you can easily update again if you want.

So we discussed the process of installing the new Android on Xiaomi phones. The most important thing is to wait for the release of the final build, which is based on the new Android 9 Pie. And if there is no release at all for your model, install custom firmware.

We hope that you will be able to update, and that your smartphone will function perfectly and delight you with new features. If you have additional questions, write, we will always answer and help.

Android is a free operating system for mobile devices (TVs, tablets, phones, watches, etc.). The first version was released in 2008 - since that day the platform has received more than 40 updates. Innovations help fix old bugs and add new features.

As of 2021, the latest version is Android 10.0, but it is installed at less than 0.01%. Its predecessor, version 9.0, released in 2021, is more popular - 10.4%.

• Review of Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus - the best budget smartphone of early 2018

And the most popular version is Android 8.0, installed at 15.4%. Innovations do not bypass Xiaomi gadgets either – their owners recently received the seventh and eighth versions. The rest have to manually install Android.

Content

Over the air update

The simplest and most popular method used by most Xiaomi device owners. In the case of an over-the-air update, there is no need to download additional applications and files. All operations are performed through preinstalled programs. You need to go to the “Settings” application, open the “About phone” item and click on the “Updates” line.

Update after downloading the firmware file

If you cannot reflash by air, you can use another method. It differs from the previous one in that the owner of the smartphone must first download the update file to the smartphone from the official Xiaomi website.

1. Place the downloaded archive in the “downloaded_rom” folder, which is located on the device’s internal memory (internal storage or SD);
2. Go to the updates section and select the downloaded firmware file.

Further actions are completely similar to updating over the air.

How to update Xiaomi: All methods

There are several methods that allow you to update to the latest version of the system.

Automatic update over the air

The main advantage of this method is saving files located in the gadget’s memory. The method is called OTA, derived from the English Over The Air. You can use it if you have a Mi account. You can find out if an update is available by doing the following:

1. Go to “Settings” of your smartphone;
2. Open the “About phone” tab - “System updates” - “Check now”;
3. Wait a while until the system finishes searching for software.

If the outcome is positive, a window will appear asking you to download the software package. Once the installation is complete, it will automatically reboot. All innovations will be available immediately, so you don’t need to do anything else.

As a result, the advantages of OTA are expressed in:

• ease of use;
• no need to connect the device to a PC;
• instant detection of available versions.

There are two downsides - a mandatory reset to factory settings if you have root rights, and the impossibility of using it on unofficial firmware.

Manual update – “three points” method

The method of performing an update through the “three dots” was named after the menu expansion button. Using this method involves downloading the latest firmware yourself from the manufacturer’s website. Before doing this, you need to figure out what type is installed. There are four types: global, European, Russian, Chinese. It will not be possible to update from, for example, the Russian version to the global one in this way, so you should follow these steps to understand which firmware version you have installed on your phone:

1. Open the “About phone” tab in the “Settings” section;
2. In the “MIUI Version” line, pay attention to the text part, usually consisting of 7 characters;

3. Check the fourth and fifth letters (MI – worldwide, RU – Russian, EU – European, CN – Chinese or custom Vietnamese).

With this information, you need to go to the Xiaomi website, from where you can download compatible firmware to your PC or internal device storage. If you don't know where exactly, follow these steps:

• Go to the website https://ru.miui.com;
• In the top menu, click “Firmware”;
• You will be redirected to a page where all the firmware for different devices is posted;
• In the firmware section, select your phone model and click Submit;
• You will be redirected to a page where different firmware will be posted;
• Select your version and click Download;

• Once the file is downloaded, you will then need to download it to your phone.

Next, you need to perform the following steps to update the phone via firmware:

1. On your smartphone, open “Settings”, then go to the “About system” tab, at the bottom of the screen click on “System update”;

2. In the application, click on the number “10” several times to display the “Select firmware file” item in the menu opened by the button with the image of three dots;

3. In the drop-down list, select the appropriate item, specify the path to the file (if using external media, you must first connect the phone to it);

4. In the window that appears, click “Restart and Update”.

Attention ! If you cannot proceed to point No. 4 due to an error, you need to check the integrity of the downloaded archive and find out whether it is suitable for a specific device. If the problem persists, it makes sense to contact the official Xiaomi forum or thematic forums where the Russian-speaking community predominates. Also, if problems arise, you can leave your comment under this material, and we will help you solve the problem as soon as possible.

Flashing via Recovery

During the installation of new firmware, old data will be deleted, so you must make a backup using one of the methods described in the article. As part of the process, you will also need to download the software package from the brand's official website onto your computer or smartphone. For quick navigation, you should not move the archive to any folder - the option of placing it in the root directory is optimal. Next you need to perform several step-by-step actions:

1. Turn off the device, wait for the vibration signal;
2. Turn on the gadget by simultaneously pressing the power button and turning up the volume;

3. Do not release the keys for 8-10 seconds;
4. Select the interface language, select “Install update.zip to System”, on the next tab read the risk warning and click on the “Yes” button;

5. Wait until the progress bar is full, exit the mode by pressing “Reset”.

There is an alternative transition method : in the “About phone” settings section, in the “System update” item, you need to open the menu and click on the “Reboot to Recovery mode” button, and then confirm your actions.

Flashing via Fastboot

This flashing method involves using the MiFlash computer program available for Windows. Unlike the previous method, where if you follow the instructions, there will be a loss of data, the recovery of which is possible thanks to backup, here the files remain when in the “Save all user data” mode. Technical limitations in the operation of the application require unpacking it and the firmware archive into folders that do not contain any characters other than Latin letters and numbers.

The procedure is, in principle, not complicated:

• The first step is to specify the path by clicking on the “Select” button to select the firmware file;

• Next, indicate the path to the firmware file that you downloaded from the official Xiaomi website;

• Now click Refresh. If there are no errors, information about the firmware and progress will appear in the table cells. Look at the screenshots below for what it should look like;

• In the bottom line you need to select the option to save user information. Clean all - firmware with complete removal of information, save user data - firmware with saving user data, but correct operation of the software is not guaranteed, clean all and lock — full reset to factory settings;

• Next, you need to switch the smartphone to Fastboot mode by pressing the volume down and power off buttons;

• The screen will display an image of a hare wearing earflaps and the corresponding inscription. All that remains is to connect the gadget via wire and click on “Flash”, and then wait for the process to complete. During flashing, it is important to prevent the cable from being disconnected and exiting Fastboot.

The first launch after the firmware will be long - this is due to one-time work to optimize the gadget’s file system and carry out the initial setup. All you can do is wait for the procedure to complete.

Flashing via Recovery

If the update fails using the previous methods, the user will have to use third-party programs. One of these could be the Official TWRP App, but you must first download the firmware file to your smartphone. It is recommended to perform further actions in accordance with the algorithm:

• Open root rights for Xiaomi or Redmi;
• Go to the Official TWRP App and install the firmware through it;
• Turn off your smartphone, then hold down the volume rocker and power button;
• In the menu that opens, reset the data by creating a backup in advance;
• Click “Reboot Recovery”;
• Click “Install” and select the update file;

• After installing the firmware, reboot the OS using the “Reboot System” command.

Updating to Android 9 on Legacy Phones

Your phone entered the market several years ago, after which it stopped receiving official versions of the system from developers? Such circumstances are typical for most users, but it is not necessary to immediately think about buying a new device.

Indeed, it will not be possible to use the international stable version of the system, which is represented by the most current modification of Android. However, the solution to the problem lies in third-party developments, which are significantly common among experienced users.

It is quite natural that the Pie version will not be officially optimized; many custom add-ons are constantly being popularized. The owner of the device will only need to select the desired variation from the resources of developers or a specialized forum w3bsit3-dns.com.

In practice, no guarantees regarding high-quality performance are provided, so failures cannot be ruled out. Because the technical parameters may not match.

But if you really want to get acquainted with Android 9, you can try the proposed method. It is not officially possible to use such solutions, so you can use Fastboot mode or a third-party recovery menu.

Flashing via Fastboot

The last of the possible methods, which should be considered last due to the complexity of the actions performed. To install the update you will need (marked new) on your computer. Next you need to follow the instructions:

• Turn off your smartphone;
• Press and hold the volume rocker and power button until a special menu appears;
• Connect Xiaomi to the PC (if the device is not displayed, click “refresh”);

• Download the firmware file to your computer and unzip it;
• In the MiFlash program, specify the path to the firmware by pressing the “Select” button;
• Click “Refresh” in the menu with a list of connected devices and click “Clean All” to delete information from the smartphone after making a backup;
• Click “Flash” to start the update and wait for the process to complete (SUCCESS will appear).

Updates to Android 9 on Xiaomi Mi A1, Mi A2 and A2 Lite

The line of Xiaomi smartphones under the Android One program went on sale in December, and you can make sure that the transition to a new version of Android is available through the “About phone” section in the smartphone settings. It should be noted that the devices of the proposed category do not operate under MIUI, so the functionality differs from those in other devices of the Chinese company, which are complemented by a proprietary shell. However, if you need to use more current software, you can use recovery CWM.

You should assume that you have gained a holistic understanding of the Android 9 installation process, however, for practical use, it is recommended to wait for the release of the official version of the system specifically for your model.

Otherwise, it is recommended to use a third-party solution, so you can expect that all instructions and subsequent installation will be completed without problems. If you have any questions, please contact the comments section or individual forums.

Flashing devices that do not support the new Android

Not all Xiaomi smartphones have officially received support for Android 8 and 9, not to mention version 10. However, it is still possible to install firmware on an outdated device, although there are many risks associated with this. For example, no one guarantees that after updating the gadget will work without errors. But if this point does not put you off, then you can use custom (unofficial) firmware.

Links to download such updates are posted on specialized forums like 4pda. Installation occurs in the same way as with the official firmware.

Which Xiaomi models will definitely not receive Android Pie 9 and why

In practice, a significant part of the smartphone range will not be able to update to the Pie version, and low-budget models that have been on the market for a relatively long time are assumed. The main reason for such situations is the available power, since the chipsets used do not allow the use of demanding software modifications, so implementation by a Chinese company is too difficult. Additionally, the current circumstances are most effective in motivating users to purchase new gadgets.

Flashing from TWRP

Required device state and files:

The procedure is as follows:

1. Restore the device to factory settings.
2. Download and save the firmware file to microSD.
3. Launch.
4. Go to the Install section and specify the path to the archive with the firmware.

5. Confirm the start of the procedure by swiping to the right and wait for the reinstallation to complete. It takes 10-15 minutes.

To summarize, we can say that installing an update on smartphones with active support from developers is much easier than on smartphones with expired support.

Xiaomi has begun distributing new firmware for its devices, based on the stable eighth version of Android called Oreo. The shell has changed the screen lock interface and improved the security features of the operating system. How to install Android 8 on Xiaomi Redmi 5 in various ways will be discussed below.

Do I need to update the firmware and waste time?

The main point of updates is to eradicate bugs, problems and shortcomings, of which there are plenty in the Android operating system:

• For example, system applications freeze or crash.
• Blurred corners of pictures with a good camera.
• The smartphone does not turn on at all.
• The smartphone goes into an endless reboot.
• When you turn on Wi-Fi, the battery runs out within a couple of hours - a problem with energy consumption.
• There can be a lot of glitches; there are times when the phone itself starts calling the first number in the phone book. Hardly anyone is happy with this behavior.

However, there are those who simply want to install everything new in order to get new functions and capabilities, so to speak, to start changing something in their life from a small point of view.

Difference between Android 7 and 8

The developers of the Oreo platform have made great efforts to improve the speed and operating time of gadgets.

The manufacturer claims that the OS increases the performance of the smartphone by a quarter, and the battery will last several times longer.

Significant innovations:

• added PiP mode, allowing you to divide the display into two independent screens for simultaneous work in two applications;
• the work of the electronic assistant has been optimized; it has learned to recognize requests by voice and text;
• Customization of the device “for yourself” is simplified, thanks to proper sorting of sections;
• Errors from previous revisions have been resolved and the device security service has been updated.

To make a decision for the owner of Xiaomi Redmi 5 which Android is better, old or new, you need to compare both versions.

The advantages of Oreo compared to Nougat are expressed in the table:

Update “through 3 points”

1. Download firmware:

1. Go to the official website with MIUI firmware.
2. Find the device you need. For convenience, you can press Ctrl+F and enter the model name.
3. In the “Stable ROM” block, click “Download full ROM”.

• Rename the file to update.zip and save it in the root of the device’s internal memory.
• Open the “Update” application or go to “Settings” => “About phone” => “System update”.

• Click on the ellipsis in the upper right corner and select “Select firmware file.”
• Specify the path to the file.
• Confirm the start of the procedure and wait for completion. It lasts 10-20 minutes.

Once the update is complete, the smartphone will automatically reboot.

Instructions on how to install firmware on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus

By using the instructions you agree to this document. Just in case, make a backup of the files that are dear to you!

1. Charge your phone to at least 40%. It is important.
2. In order to flash the device, download the TWRP Manager , you can download it yourself or get it in the archive with the firmware you choose below.
3. Install TWRP Manager on Android (installation is as simple as any application)
4. Now download the firmware file by placing it on your smartphone’s memory card. The file itself is located at the bottom of the article; first, you can read the instructions.
5. We launch TWRP recovery mode - turn off the phone, then press the power button and the volume up button at the same time, soon you will see the inscription “ recovery ” on the screen and a menu will appear as in the screenshot below.
6. The first thing you need to do is reset; to do this, press the Wipe button. The data will be cleared.
7. After that, press back and select Reboot recovery and confirm your action by swiping across the screen (by dragging the slider to the right)
8. Next, click on the Install button, select the file with the firmware and confirm the action again.
9. Attention! The firmware process is not displayed on the display! All you have to do is make coffee and wait for the process to complete.

All! Now you have brand new firmware and new features.

Download firmware

It's a matter of business, but we would recommend installing Android at least seven, because everything lower is already obsolete.

1. Android 9.0 or just a pie is a new step in the development of mobile operating systems, the height of the genius of overseas programmers! URL: uptruefile.info/android9pie
2. 8.1 Oreo is the former peak of genius of the same overseas programmers. URL: uptruefile.info/android8oreo
3. Seven Nougat is a good operating system for mid-range or budget hardware. URL: uptruefile.info/android7nougat
4. Six Marshmallows - you can install it only if you are nostalgic for the sixth Android, otherwise it is not necessary, the same can be said about the fifth version. URL: uptruefile.info/android6
5. Android 10 Q 2021. URL: uptruefile.info/android10
6. Android 11 2021. URL: uptruefile.info/android11

Preparation

To install system software in Xiaomi Redmi Note 4(X), several tools are used, and some of them do not even require the user to have a PC. At the same time, before starting the firmware, it is recommended to carry out preparatory procedures, which will allow you to seamlessly reinstall or change the software, as well as restore the software part of the device if necessary.

Hardware platform

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is a model produced in several versions, which differ not only in the design of the case, the amount of RAM and permanent memory, but, and most importantly, in the hardware platform. To quickly determine which version of the device is in the hands of the user, you can use the table:

All of the following software installation methods are applicable only to Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 devices based on the MediaTek Helio X20 (MT6797) processor. In the table these versions are highlighted in green!

The easiest way to determine the phone version is by looking at the device box.

or a sticker on the body.

And you can also make sure that you have a MediaTek-based model in your hands by looking at the MIUI settings menu. The “About phone” item shows, among other things, the number of processor cores. The value for MTK devices should be as follows: “Ten cores Max 2.11Ghz”.

Selecting and downloading a software package

Probably, before starting to reinstall the OS in Xiaomi Redmi Note 4(X), the user has determined the final goal of the procedure. That is, the type and version of software that should be installed in the end.

To make sure you make the right choice, and also find links to download different versions of MIUI, you can read the recommendations in the article:

Lesson: Select MIUI firmware

A link to one of the custom solutions for Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 will be provided in the description of the method for installing modified OSs.

Installing drivers

So, the hardware version has been clarified and the required software package has been downloaded. You can proceed to installing drivers. Even if you do not plan to use a PC or tools that require pairing a device via USB when performing operations with the software, installing drivers on an existing computer or laptop in advance is highly recommended for every device owner. Subsequently, this can greatly facilitate procedures involving updating or restoring the device.

Download drivers for Xiaomi Redmi Note 4(X) MTK firmware

The process of installing system components that may be required is discussed in detail in the material:

Lesson: Installing drivers for Android firmware

Backup copies of information

Despite the fact that the software part of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is almost impossible to be irreversibly damaged, the loss of information contained in the device before the Android reinstallation procedure is an almost inevitable situation when carrying out serious operations with memory. Therefore, creating backup copies of everything you need before installing system software is a recommendation and a necessity. Various methods for backing up information from Android devices are described in the material:

Lesson: How to backup an Android device before flashing it

For most users, it is enough to use the Mi-Account capabilities as a backup tool. Do not neglect the functions that the service provides; besides, they are very easy to use.

Read more: Registration and deletion of Mi Account

Backup in MiCloud, if carried out regularly, gives almost 100% confidence that all user information will be easily restored after the firmware is updated.

Run in different modes

Procedures that involve overwriting memory sections of any Android device using many methods require the use of special device startup modes. For Redmi Note 4, these are the “Fastboot” and “Recovery” modes. Acquiring knowledge of how to switch to the appropriate modes can be classified as preparatory procedures. It's actually very easy to do.

• To start the smartphone in “Fastboot mode”, on the device in the off state, simultaneously hold down the “Volume-” + “Power” hardware buttons and hold them until the image of a rabbit performing manipulations with the robot and the inscription “ FASTBOOT."
• In order for the smartphone to start in “Recovery” mode, you must hold down the “Volume Up” and “Power” hardware buttons, also after turning off the device. The screen when loading into standard Xiaomi recovery will look like this:

  In the case of custom recovery, the environment logo will appear, and then menu items will appear automatically.

Unlocking the bootloader

Almost all methods of flashing Xiaomi Redmi Note 4(X), with the exception of the usual update of the official version of MIUI in the device, require unlocking the bootloader.

The bootloader of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4(X) based on MediaTek can only be unlocked using the official method! All unofficial methods of resolving the issue are designed to be applied to devices with a Qualcomm platform!

The official way of carrying out the unlocking process is carried out according to the instructions from the material available at the link:

Lesson: Unlocking the bootloader of Xiaomi devices

It should be noted that although the bootloader unlocking procedure is standard for almost all Xiaomi Android devices, the fastboot command used to check the status may differ. To find out whether the bootloader is locked for the model in question, you need to enter the command in Fastboot:

fastboot getvar all

Press “Enter” and then find the line “unlocked” in the console response. The value “no” of the parameter indicates that the bootloader is locked, “yes” means that it is unlocked.