Xiaomi Redmi 4X: full instructions for setting up, firmware and repair

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, which is still actively used due to its reliability and upgradeability. However, with the release of new versions of MIUI and Android, owners face compatibility issues, slowdowns and system errors. In this guide, we will analyze all the key aspects of working with the device, from basic configuration to solving complex technical issues.

Although it's long since retired, it's still up to date with a community of developers and enthusiasts, and here you'll find instructions for unlocking the bootloader, installing custom firmware, optimizing the battery, and even repairing hardware. Importantly, you do all the hardware and firmware manipulation at your own risk, because the warranty has expired.

1.Initial setup after purchase or dump

If you’ve just purchased the Redmi 4X from hand or dropped it to factory settings, the first run will require a few mandatory steps.The device runs on MIUI, so the process is little different from other Xiaomi smartphones, but there are nuances.

First, select the language (Russian is available by default in global firmware). Then connect to a Wi-Fi network - this is critical, since without the Internet you can not activate your Mi Account account and download updates. If the network is not determined, check the router settings: Redmi 4X does not support Wi-Fi 6 standards and may conflict with some modern routers.

• 🔄 System Update: Immediately after activation, check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Update system. Install only stable versions - beta firmware may contain critical bugs.
• 🔒 Account binding: without Mi Account, you will not be able to use cloud services, theme store and some security features.
• 📱 Screen settings: in Settings → Disable the autobrightness screen – the light sensor at Redmi 4X Often it is not working properly, which leads to a quick discharge of the battery.

⚠️ Warning: If you bought the device with your hands, be sure to reset to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and reset: The previous owner may have left a linked Mi Account, which blocks access to certain features.

2 Unlocking the loader and installing custom firmware

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) supports unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool.This opens up the possibility of installing alternative firmware such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Havoc-OS. However, the process has limitations:

• 🔓 Unlocking is possible only with a Mi Account tied (at least 30 days of activity).
• ⏳ The official tool requires waiting 72-360 hours after the first account is linked to the device.
• 🛠️ For custom recavery firmware (TWRP) You will need fastboot and drivers ADB.

Step-by-step instructions for unlocking:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
3. Activate USB Debugging and OEM Unblocking in Settings → Additional → For Developers.
4. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data, including internal memory, will be reset. Backup in advance through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

For custom firmware installation:

1. Download the appropriate TWRP image for santoni (e.g. from twrp.me).
2. Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. V TWRP run the Wipe → Format Data (required!), then go through it. ZIP-firmware.

3. Optimization of performance and battery

The Redmi 4X is equipped with a Snapdragon 435 processor and 2-3 GB of RAM, which is modest by modern standards, but the right settings allow you to significantly improve the smoothness of the work:

• 🚀 Turn off animation: in Settings → For developers, set the scale of the animation window, the scale of the animation transition and the scale of the duration of the animator on the 0.5x Or offline.
• 🧹 Background cleaning: in Settings → Annexes → Autorun disable autorun for unnecessary programs (especially social networks and instant messengers).
• 🔋 Battery Mode: Activate Economy Mode in Settings → Battery and performance. This will limit background activity and increase running time.

Additional tweaks are available for advanced users via Magisk (requires root):

• Greenify module for aggressive hibernation of applications.
• Displax module for fine-tuning the screen and battery.
• ViPER4Android module for sound enhancement (relevant for listening to music).

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If the phone is very warm, remove the case while charging and avoid using resource-intensive applications (games, video editing) when connecting to the network.

4. Solving network and communication problems

Redmi 4X supports 4G LTE networks, but an outdated modem can cause problems connecting to modern towers.

• 📶 No network: check if activated SIM-map in Settings → SIM-Maps and mobile networks. If the problem persists, update. IMEI (root).
• 📞 Poor Call Quality: Turn off VoLTE in Settings SIM-Cards – this function often works unstablely.
• 🌐 Slow Internet: Change the type of network with LTE on 3G manually, if the speed in 4G lackluster.

To restore the IMEI (if it is lost after the firmware):

1. Install MobileUncle Tools from APK (requires root).
2. Enter the engineering code: ##4636##.
3. Select Phone Information and click Restore IMEI.

⚠️ Attention: change IMEI Use this method only to restore the original number after a failure.

Repair of hardware components

Xiaomi Redmi 4X has a removable battery (3,860 mAh), which makes it easier to replace it, but other components (screen, speaker, camera) require accuracy.

• 🔋 Battery bloating: If the case is deformed, replace the battery immediately. Use only original or certified analogues (e.g. from Baseus).
• 📸 Broken camera: rear camera module (13 MP) can be replaced on its own, but a soldering iron is required to detach the plume.
• 🔊 The speaker is not working: most often the problem is the oxidation of the contacts.

Replacement of the screen will require:

1. Buy the original display module (with touchscreen and frame).
2. Disconnect the battery and all plumes with a plastic blade.
3. Transfer the fingerprint scanner to the new screen (if any).

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Self-repair is justified only if you have experience, and to replace the motherboard or chips, it is better to contact a service center.

6.Firmware Update and Downgrade

Official support for the Redmi 4X ended in 2020, but enthusiasts continue to release unofficial builds of MIUI and Android.

• 📥 Official way: Download the latest stable firmware from miuirom.xiaomi.com and run through Settings → Updating the system → Three points. → Select a firmware file.
• 🔄 Through TWRP: download ZIP-custom firmware file (for example, MIUI 12.5 from xiaomi.eu) and install through the Recovery.
• ⬇️ Downgrade: If the new firmware is unstable, roll back to the previous version via fastboot: fastboot flash system system.img fastboot flash boot boot.img

Before updating, check firmware compatibility with your Redmi 4X modification:

• santoni is a global version (2/16 GB, 3/32 GB).
• santoni_in — Indian version (may not support some frequencies) 4G).

⚠️ Note: firmware of incompatible version (e.g, santoni_in santoni will cause network loss and other errors. Always check the code name of the device!

7. Alternative uses

If the Redmi 4X is no longer the main smartphone, it can be adapted for other tasks:

• 🎮 Game console: install emulators (RetroArch, PPSSPP) And connect the gamepad to Bluetooth.
• 📷 Camera: with custom firmware (eg, GCam) the camera gives better quality pictures than on stock MIUI.
• 🖥️ Mini-PC: Connect to the TV through OTG-adapter HDMI and use as a media center (Kodi, YouTube Vanced).
• 🔒 Test device: ideal for debugging apps or testing custom firmware without risking the main phone.

To transform into a media center:

1. Install Magisk and USB Host Mode.
2. Connect. OTG-port-house USB and HDMI.
3. Configure the image output via Second Screen (requires root).

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To improve the sound when connecting to the TV, use the external USB-A sound card (e.g. Creative Sound Blaster).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi 4X