Owners of the legendary Xiaomi Redmi 4X often face the need for deep intervention in the software of the device. Whether it is a forgotten pattern lock, a “brick” after a failed update or the desire to install custom firmware for the sake of a fresh version of Android – all these scenarios require a clear understanding of the algorithms of action. The model, known for its reliability and metal body, is still in demand, so its maintenance remains relevant.
In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to restore and flash your smartphone. You will learn how to enter special boot modes, what tools will be needed on your computer and how to avoid common errors that can lead to a complete loss of warranty or health of the gadget. Careful reading of each step will save you from unnecessary problems.
Before you start any manipulation, make sure you are aware of the risks. Any interference in the system partition is always a risk of data loss. Reset via Fastboot completely erases all information from internal memory, including photos and contacts. Therefore, pre-backup is a must-have step that should not be neglected under any circumstances.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
The success of the operation depends on 90% of the preparation. 4X, fit USB-cable (preferably original or high-quality analogue with thick wires) and a computer running Windows. ADB Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool if you plan to completely reflash.
The first thing you need to do is activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7-10 times on the MIUI Version. After the notification “You became a developer”, go back to the main settings menu, find the “Advanced Settings” section and select “For Developers”.
In the developer menu, find and activate the “Debugging by” items USB» and «USB-Debugging (security settings). It is also worth turning on the option “Charge through” USB», So you can keep your phone awake during data transmission, check the battery power, it should be at least 60%.
☑️ Firmware preparation
If you plan to unlock a bootloader, you'll need a Mi Account with a phone number attached. In the Mi Unlock Status menu, you'll need to link your account to your device. Remember, after you apply for an unlock, you often have to wait 72 hours to 7 days.
Enter Recovery and Fastboot modes
To perform most recovery operations, you need to be able to translate your smartphone into special service modes, and Xiaomi has two main ones: Recovery (recovery mode) and Fastboot (loader mode), which are entered when the device is turned off with a combination of volume and power buttons.
To get to Recovery, press the Volume Up button ("Loud +") and the Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power, but continue to keep the volume up until the multi-point menu appears. In this mode, the control is carried out by the volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the Power button.
⚠️ Warning: The stock Recovery menu may not have the "Wipe Data" option, or it may require you to enter a password from Mi-acca. If the system requests a password you forgot, a normal reset via Recovery will not help - you will need a Fastboot mode.
Fastboot mode is activated by pressing the volume button ("Loudness -") and the power button. The screen will show an image of a hare repairing an android labeled "FASTBOOT." This is a low-level mode that allows the computer to directly interact with the phone's memory, which is the most common way to "treat" bricks and install official firmware.
What if your phone is not included in Fastboot?
There is also an EDL mode (Emergency Download) that is used to save completely non-working devices, and logging into it on Redmi 4X often requires disassembling the case and closing special contacts on the board (Test Point) when connecting the cable to the PC. The screen remains black, but the “Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008” port will appear in Windows Device Manager.
Resetting to factory settings (Hard Reset)
The easiest way to bring your phone back to life when your lock screen password is lost or malfunctioned is through Hard Reset, which removes all user data, apps, and settings, bringing the device back to the “out of the box” state. It’s important to understand that files on your SD card are usually saved, but it’s best to retrieve them.
You can reset via the Recovery menu. Once you log in (as described above), select a language (if the menu allows) and find the Wipe Data option. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The system will warn you about the loss of data again - agree.
- 📱 The reset process takes 10 to 30 seconds, after which the phone will automatically restart.
- 🔒 If the phone was enabled “Search for the device” (Mi Cloud), after reset, you will need to enter the login and password from your Google or Mi Account.
- 🔄 The first launch after the reset can last until 5-7 Minutes are normal, the system optimizes files.
If the phone is switching on but not running smoothly, you can try resetting through settings. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset. Select Settings Reset and confirm action. This method is less reliable if there are serious system errors, because it depends on the performance of the MIUI itself.
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Before performing Hard Reset, remove SIM-This eliminates the risk of accidentally formatting external drives or losing contacts stored on the SIM card.
Once the procedure is complete, the phone will require initial setup, be prepared for some applications to request re-authorization, and if you forget your Mi Account password, you can re-access via i.mi.com from another device.
Official flashing through the Mi Flash Tool
When a simple reset is not enough, a complete firmware reflash is required. Redmi 4X (codename santoni) is best served by the official Mi Flash Tool, which allows you to install a clean system by fixing file system errors and replacing damaged system partitions.
Download the archive with the firmware type "Fastboot" (extension.tgz, not.zip) from an official site or a proven resource like miui.com. Unpack the archive in the root of the C disk so that the path is short, for example: C:\xiaomi\santoni. The path should not contain Cyrillic or spaces.
Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button — if the drivers are installed correctly, your phone with an alphanumeric code will appear in the list. Choose the path to the folder with the Select firmware button.
| Firmware mode | Description of action | Data retention |
|---|---|---|
| clean all | Complete cleaning and installation of the new system | No (all removed) |
| save user data | Reinstallation of the system with file saving | Yes (risky) |
| clean all and lock | Cleaning, installation and locking of the loader | No (all removed) |
At the bottom of the window, select "clean all" mode for guaranteed results. Click "Flash" and wait for the process to complete. Green bar and success status signify success. The phone will automatically reboot to the new system.
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The clean all and lock mode is only possible if the phone bootloader is already unlocked or if you are flashing a region that matches the region of the device, otherwise you may get an error or lock the device.
Unlocking the bootloader (Unlock Bootloader)
To install custom recavators (such as TWRP) and obtain root rights, you need to unlock the bootloader. This is an official procedure from Xiaomi, but it takes time. Without an unlocked bootloader, installing third-party modifications is impossible.
Use the official Mi Unlock Status utility. Sign in to your Mi Account on your PC and phone. In the Mi Unlock app on your smartphone, click Add account and device. If you're "Unlocked" you're lucky, but it's rare on new devices.
Once you have linked your account, start the unlock program on your computer, turn your phone into Fastboot mode, and press Unlock. If less than 168 hours (7 days) have passed since the link, the program will tell you to wait.
- 🕒 Waiting time is counted from the moment of the first binding of the akka device.
- 🌐 You cannot log out of your Mi Account on your phone while waiting.
- ⚠️ Once unlocked, the data on the phone will be deleted for security reasons.
There are paid services that offer instant unlocking, but they require the transfer of account data to third parties, which is not secure, and the official path, although long, guarantees the absence of viruses and locks on the part of the manufacturer in the future.
Importantly, once the bootloader is unlocked, a warning will appear every time the phone is turned on that the device is not checked.This is normal for modified devices and is only removed by re-locking (which is not possible with custom firmware) or humility.
Resolving frequent problems and errors
Redmi 4X owners can experience a cyclic bootloop, where the phone constantly displays the logo and reboots, often by logging into Recovery and selecting the Wipe Data item, and if it doesn't work, only flashing through Fastboot.
Another common problem is the disappearance of IMEI or a broken network, which can happen after a regionally incompatible version of software is firmware (e.g. Global to the Chinese version without cross-flash), and IMEI recovery requires backups of Persist and Modem partitions that experienced users make in advance.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to restore IMEI editing system files without backup can lead to a complete loss of the ability to register in the network.
If the phone warms up and discharges quickly after firmware, try making a full vape (clean) via TWRP or Mi Flash in “clean all” mode.
For diagnostics (iron) in Xiaomi phones there is an engineering menu. Dial the code ##6484## in the call app. Here you can check the screen matrix, touchscreen, vibration, sensors and speakers, which will help you to understand whether the problem is software or hardware.