How to update the firmware Xiaomi Redmi 4X Computer: 3 proven methods

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (The codename santoni is still a popular budget smartphone, despite its release in 2017. MIUI Many users face security issues, slow work, or a desire to install custom firmware, and updating through a computer is the only reliable way to do so. OTA-Updates stopped coming or the device is “locked” on the old version.

In this article, three working firmware methods (official through Mi Flash Tool, manual update via fastboot and custom Recovery installation), unique solutions for errors 0x1, 0x5 And the anti-rollback, and the training checklist, and we'll figure out how to avoid the brick when you upgrade to Android. 6/7 before MIUI 12/13 (LineageOS, even if the smartphone is not turned on or stuck on the Mi logo.

Why upgrading via PC is better than over the air (OTA)

OTA-The updates are convenient but have critical limitations for Redmi. 4X:

• 🔄 End of Support: The Last Official Firmware for Santoni — MIUI 11 (Android 7.1.2), released in 2020.New versions via OTA They don't come.
• 📵 Network Errors: On Older Versions MIUI Often fails to download files in volume >1GB, especially in unstable Wi-Fi.
• 🔧 Brush firmware: LineageOS, Pixel Experience or HavocOS can only be installed via PC.
• 🚨 Recovery after a crash: If the smartphone only boots to fastboot or EDL, It will be used exclusively from the computer.

In addition, the firmware through the PC gives you complete control over the process: you see the error logs, you can choose the version. MIUI (e.g. Global, China or EEA) Avoid automatic updates that sometimes “break” old devices.

Requirements for a computer and smartphone before firmware

Inappropriate hardware or software on a PC is responsible for 70% of firmware errors.

Download the official firmware with [miui.com](https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index) (just for your model!)

Install Qualcomm drivers and ADB (references in the section below)

Disable the antivirus (it can block MiFlash.exe)

Charge your smartphone at least 60% (better 100%)

Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times)

Use the original USB-cable (not cheap Chinese cable!)

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Minimum PC requirements:

Critical moments for Redmi 4X:

• 🔒 Unlock the bootloader: If you haven’t previously done the unlock, the smartphone won’t accept the firmware (anti-rollback error).

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If you have Windows 11, turn off signature verification before installing drivers: press Win + X → System parameters → Recovery → Reboot, then select Diagnostics → Additional parameters → Loading parameters → Reboot. → F7.

Method 1: Official update via Mi Flash Tool (for stock) MIUI)

This method is suitable if you want to install the latest official firmware from Xiaomi (for example, go with the newest official firmware). MIUI 9 MIUI It works even if the smartphone is not turned on, but must be determined by the PC in fastboot mode or EDL.

Step 1: Download firmware and tools

1. Download the correct version MIUI for Redmi 4X (santoni):

- Official website MIUI (Choose Stable, not Developer).

- For Europe/Russia, take the Global version or EEA.

The file will be in.tgz format – unpack it twice (get a folder with.img files).

2 Download the Mi Flash Tool (last version 2023):

Install the drivers:

- ADB and Fastboot (from Google).

- Qualcomm 9008 Driver (required for mode) EDL).

Step 2: Connecting your smartphone and firmware

1. Turn off Redmi. 4X And press the Volume down. + Food to enter fastboot (a hare image with an inscription will appear) FASTBOOT).

2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and check for detection:

fastboot devices

If the device doesn’t show up, reinstall the drivers or try another cable.

3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware. At the bottom, select the firmware method:

Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended).

- Clean all and lock - cleaning + Locking the bootloader (only if you don’t plan custom firmware).

Save user data – saving data (risky, can cause errors).

4. Press Flash and wait for completion (5-10 minutes). Do not turn off the cable, even if the process is 99% frozen!

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If Mi Flash is an error 0x1 or 0x5, Try: 1) Reboot your PC and smartphone; 2) Use another version of Mi Flash (e.g. 2018); 3 EDL (Requires authorization from Xiaomi).

Step 3: First Start After Firmware

After successful firmware, the smartphone will restart. The first launch can take up to 15 minutes - don't turn it off! If the device is stuck on the Mi logo for longer than 20 minutes:

• 🔄 Try hard reset: pinch the volume up + 10 seconds power.
• 📱 Try again by selecting another method in Mi Flash (e.g. Clean all and lock).
• 🔧 If nothing helps, go through. EDL (Requires authorization of Xiaomi account).

Method 2: Manual update via Fastboot (for power users)

If the Mi Flash Tool doesn’t work or you want to install specific firmware components (e.g., only one). boot.img or system.img), You can use manual firmware on fastboot, and this method requires command knowledge, but it gives you complete control.

Step-by-step instruction

1 Unpack the firmware (as in Method 1) and copy the.img files to the folder with the platform-tools (where fastboot.exe lies).

2. Open the command line in this folder (Shift) + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here and execute commands in order:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash recovery recovery.img




fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin




fastboot flash fsb fsb.img




fastboot flash splash splash.img




fastboot flash cust cust.img




fastboot flash cache cache.img




fastboot flash userdata userdata.img




fastboot flash dsp dspso.bin




fastboot erase config




fastboot reboot

3. If you need a clean installation, before restarting, perform:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache

Common mistakes and decisions

| Error | Reason | Decision |

|--------|---------|---------|

| FAILED (remote: device is locked) | The bootloader is not unlocked | Unlock through [Mi Unlock Tool](https://en.miui.com/unlock/) |

| FAILED (remote: partition not found) | Wrong.img file. | Check the file name (for example, system.img, Not system.img.br) |

| waiting for device | Drivers not installed | Reinstall. ADB Drivers or try another one USB-port |

| invalid sparse file format | A damaged firmware file | Download the firmware again (check the hash) MD5) |

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To speed things up, you can flash multiple partitions simultaneously in different command line windows, for example, run the firmware in one window. system.img, elsewhere — vendor.img.

Method 3: Install custom firmware through TWRP Recovery

If you want to install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom firmware, you first need to unlock the bootloader and install it. TWRP Recovery. This method is not official and may be ineffective if it is still valid).

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader

1. Link your Mi Account to your device: Settings → Xiaomi account → Tie the device.

2 Download the Mi Unlock Tool and log in.

3. Transfer your smartphone to fastboot and connect to your PC. In the utility, press Unlock (it may take 7-360 hours to wait!).

Step 2: Installation of TWRP Recovery

1. Download the latest version TWRP for Santoni from [the official website](https://twrp.me/xiaomi/xiaomiredmi4x.html) (file twrp-3.7.0_9-0-santoni.img).

2. Squeeze Recovery via fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-santoni.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-santoni.img

Step 3: Firmware custom software

1. Download firmware (e.g. LineageOS 18.1 for Redmi) 4X) GApps (if you need Google services).

2. Move files to your smartphone (via MTP into TWRP memory-card).

3.B. TWRP execute:

• 📛 Wipe → Advanced Wipe (tag Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
• 📱 Install → select the firmware file.
• 🤖 Install → Select GApps (if necessary).
• 🔄 Reboot → System.

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After installing custom firmware, do not update through OTA! Otherwise, you risk getting a brick. TWRP.

Solving Errors in Redmi Firmware 4X

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors, and here are some unique santoni solutions that you won't find in standard guides.

Anti-Rollback error (you can’t roll back on old firmware)

Redmi 4X It has anti-Rollback protection, which blocks the installation of firmware older than the current one:

FAILED (remote: anti rollback verify fail)

Decisions:

• 🔄 Switch the same or newer version MIUI (Check the number in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI).
• 📱 Use unofficial firmware without Anti-Rollback (e.g. modified versions from Xiaomi.eu).
• 🔧 If your smartphone doesn’t turn on, go through it. EDL (Requires authorization of Xiaomi account).

Mistake. 0x1 or 0x5 Mi Flash

Causes and fixes:

The smartphone does not turn on after firmware ("brick")

If Redmi 4X It does not respond to buttons and is not detected by the PC:

⚠️ Note: If the screen is black and the PC can’t see the device even in fastboot, the partition may be damaged. EFS (IMEI). In this case, only the firmware through EDL Using an authorized Xiaomi account (refer to the service center).

If the smartphone vibrates when connected to charging, but does not turn on:

1. Hold the Loud down. + Power for 20 seconds (forced reboot).
2. If the indicator lights up, try to log in to fastboot and walk again.
3. If the indicator does not burn, the problem is in the hardware (possibly the power controller burned).

How to return the official firmware after custom

If you’ve experimented with LineageOS or other firmware and want to go back to stock MIUI, follow this algorithm:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 4X (for example, MIUI 11 Global).

2.Install the Mi Flash Tool and select the Clean all method (this will delete all data!).

3. If the smartphone is not defined in fastboot, click TWRP Re-install the official firmware through Recovery (the file must be called) update.zip).

⚠️ Note: When returning to the MIUI after custom firmware be sure to reset to factory settings (Wipe) → Format Data in the TWRP). Otherwise, the system will be constantly restarted due to a conflict of modules.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi firmware 4X