Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4X smartphones often face a situation when after a scheduled system update the device begins to work unstable, the battery runs out faster, there are accidental reboots, and the interface slows down where everything used to fly, in which case the only effective solution is to return to the previous, more stable version of MIUI.
The process of downgrade on devices of this brand has its own technical features, which distinguish it from the usual firmware. You will have to face locks of the bootloader and strict rules of versioning of Recovery. Ignoring these nuances can lead to the fact that the phone will turn into a “brick”, so you need to act extremely carefully.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to return old firmware to Redmi 4X. You will learn how to prepare your computer, what drivers are needed and in what sequence to execute commands to successfully return the system to working condition without losing warranty at the software level.
Why the new MIUI version will work better
Xiaomi developers are constantly releasing updates, but not all of them are equally well optimized for all versions of iron. Redmi 4X is based on the Snapdragon 435 processor, which is sensitive to changes in energy management. The new version of the shell may contain errors that cause increased heating or improper operation of communication modules.
Often, users notice that after the update, some functions, such as automatic call recording or notifications in the background, stop working, due to changes in Android security policy that are implemented in new versions, but may conflict with the usual use of the smartphone.
In addition, newer firmware versions are often heavier and require more RAM resources. For a budget device with 2 or 3 GB of RAM, this can be a critical factor leading to constant cleaning of background applications. If you value stability above new features, a system rollback would be a sensible move.
Preparation for the firmware rollback procedure
Before you start any manipulation of system files, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. The most important thing is to make a full backup of the data, since the rollback process almost always involves completely removing information from the internal drive.
You will need quality. USB-The cable, preferably the original one, that came with the phone. Cheap cables may not provide stable connection, which is critical when running the firmware. Also make sure that the battery charge of the smartphone is at least 60%, so that the device does not turn off at the most inopportune moment.
Be sure to turn on the debugging mode for USB You can go to the developer menu. → About the phone and seven times quickly click on the build number. → For developers, activate the item USB-debugging.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Don’t forget to check your current firmware type: Global or China. You should roll back to the same region version. Trying to cross-firmware (for example, from Global to China or vice versa) without unlocking the bootloader will lead to an error and inability to boot the system.
Search and Version Compatibility Checks
The key to a successful downgrade is choosing the right firmware file. Xiaomi's protection system won't allow you to install a lower-numbered version if you try to do it in the standard way through the update menu.
There is an important rule: through Recovery, you can only update to the version with the same or higher number. To roll back, you will need to use Fastboot mode and MiFlash utility, or have an unlocked bootloader to install via TWRP.
Where do you find old firmware?
Pay attention to the type of firmware: Recovery (zip) or Fastboot (tgz). For a standard rollback without unlocking the bootloader, you will need a Fastboot version, which has the.tgz extension and contains scripts to clean all partitions.
The method of rollback through Fastboot and MiFlash mode
This is the most reliable way to get around the firmware version restriction, requiring a Windows computer and a MiFlash Tool installed. First, unpack the downloaded firmware archive into the root of the C disk so that the path is short, such as C:\rom.
Turn off your smartphone and enter Fastboot mode, holding the power and volume buttons at the same time, and the screen will show a picture of a hare repairing an android, connect the device to the computer with a cable.
Run MiFlash, press Refresh. If the drivers are installed correctly, your device will appear in the list. Choose the path to the firmware folder and in the lower right corner, be sure to select the option. clean_all. This will clean the phone completely and install a clean system.
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If MiFlash is a “flash error,” try another one. USB-port, preferably USB 2.0, or replace the cable. Also make sure that the antivirus does not block the program.
Press the Flash button and wait until the process is over. The green "success" in the Result column means the rollback has been successful. The phone will automatically restart, and the first boot can take up to 10 minutes.
Recovery rollback with unlocked bootloader
If your Redmi 4X bootloader is already unlocked, the process becomes simpler and more flexible. You can install any firmware version, including custom builds. To do this, download the zip archive of the desired version of MIUI and rename it to update.zip.
Place the file in the root of internal memory or on a memory card. Reboot to Recovery mode by clamping down the power and volume buttons. Select the language (volume buttons, power button selection) and go to the Wipe Data menu.
You need to make a full reset by selecting Wipe All Data. Then go back to the main menu and select Connect with MIAssistant (if you are flashing from a PC) or just Install update.zip (if the file on your phone and Recovery allows).
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The unlocked bootloader gives you complete freedom of action, but removes some layers of system protection and can prevent the operation of banking applications without additional settings (Magisk).
If you use a computer, run the command line in the firmware folder and type the command to install: adb sideload update.zip. The system will start checking and installing files. Once completed, select Reboot.
Common mistakes and ways to solve them
During the rollback process, users often encounter an error called "Can't verify update." This means that you try to install the version below the current one through the standard Recovery menu without unlocking the bootloader. The solution is one: use the method with Fastboot or unlock the bootloader officially through Mi Unlock.
Another common problem is that you're stuck on the Mi logo after you've firmware, which may indicate that the data partition is damaged, so you need to log in to Recovery and run Wipe All Data, then reboot.
If your computer doesn't see your phone in Fastboot mode, check Windows Device Manager "QUSB_BULK" Or have an unknown identifier, which requires manual installation of Qualcomm or Xiaomi drivers. USB Driver.
What to do if your phone is in an endless reboot?
Table of comparison of rollback methods
| Parameter | Fastboot (MiFlash) | Recovery (Unblocked BL) | Local Update |
|---|---|---|---|
| The need for a PC | I'll be sure. | Preferably (for ADB) | No. |
| Unlocking the loader | Not required | Required. | Not required |
| Downhraid possibility | Yes (any version) | Yes (any version) | No (only up or equal) |
| Data retention | No (full reset) | No (reset is recommended) | Maybe. |