How to reflash Xiaomi Redmi 4A: 3 working methods + unlock the bootloader

Why do you want to re-watch Redmi 4A in 2026?

Xiaomi Redmi 4A (codenamed rolex) is still one of the most popular budget smartphones due to its reliability and the ability to install modern firmware. However, with the release of new versions of Android and MIUI, owners are faced with problems: slowdowns, lack of security updates or the desire to install custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

Firmware not only upgrades to the current version, but also increases performance by 30-40% due to optimized cores and removing excess Xiaomi software. For example, Havoc-OS firmware based on Android 11 runs on Redmi 4A faster than stock MIUI 12. But before you start, it is important to understand: official updates through MIUI Updater and manual firmware through Fastboot or Recovery are three different processes with different levels of risk.

This article includes current flashing methods (including bypassing the new Xiaomi restrictions of 2023-2026), a list of proven firmware and error solutions like Error: failed to write partition or hanging on the Mi logo. If your Redmi 4A “brakes” or does not update through the settings, you are in the right place.

1. Preparation for flashing: what to do before the beginning

Unprepared flashing results in a brick (defaulting device) in 90% of cases. Redmi 4A is especially vulnerable due to the old Snapdragon 425 processor and limited memory.

Charge the battery to 70% or more|Create a backup copy of data (photos, contacts, SMS)|Find out the current version MIUI In Settings → The phone.|Download the Qualcomm driver and ADB PC-based|Prepare. OTG-cable (for recovery through EDL)

-->

Critical moments:

• 🔋 Battery charge. If the smartphone is turned off due to a discharge during firmware, it can only be restored through the use of a new device. EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).
• 📱 Version. MIUI. Find out her in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If the version is older MIUI 10, first update to the latest official through MIUI Updater – This will reduce the risk of errors.
• 💻 Drivers. Without them, the PC won't see the phone in Fastboot mode. ADB & Fastboot Tools and Qualcomm Drivers.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Windows 11, disable driver signature verification via gpedit.msc → User configuration → Administrative templates → System system → Install the driver. Otherwise, the PC won't recognize the phone in Fastboot mode.

Also check if the bootloader is unlocked. Turn off the phone, press Volume Down + Power, and look at the screen: if you see Unlocked, you can flash custom firmware. If Locked, read Section 2.

Official MIUI|LineageOS|Pixel Experience|Havoc-OS|Other custom |I don't know

-->

2. Unlock the bootloader on Redmi 4A (bypassing restrictions 2026)

Since 2023, Xiaomi has tightened the unlock rules: it now requires a Mi Account to be linked to the device and wait 72 hours (previously 720 hours).However, there is a workaround for the Redmi 4A through the Mi Unlock Tool utility version 5.5.224.24 - it works with older models without long wait.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool 5.5.224.24 (only this version!).
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on version → return to Additional Settings → For Developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
4. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to the same Mi Account as your phone.
5. Transfer the phone to Fastboot (turn off, press Volume down + Power).
6. In the utility, press Unlock. If the Couldn't unlock error appears, try again in 10 minutes.

⚠️ Warning: If the utility requires 72 hours of waiting, you are using the new version of the Mi Unlock Tool or the Mi Account is not tied to the phone. VPN (India and repeat the procedure.

Once successfully unlocked, the bootloader will remain open even after resetting, allowing custom firmware and TWRP Recovery to be installed.

💡

If unlocking fails, try connecting your phone to another. USB-port (preferably 2.0) or use the original Xiaomi cable. Cheap cables often don't transmit data in Fastboot mode.

Method 3: Firmware via MIUI Updater (official method)

The safest way to upgrade is through the built-in MIUI Updater app, which is suitable if:

• 📱 You want to stay on the official firmware MIUI.
• 🔄 The phone is stable, but security updates are needed.
• 🚫 The bootloader is locked and you don’t plan to unlock it.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Select the service pack.
3. Download the official firmware for Redmi 4A (rolex) from MIUI Downloads (choose Stable or Weekly).
4. Put the.zip file in the root of internal memory (not in the folder!).
5. In MIUI Updater, select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

If after the update the phone is stuck on the Mi logo, reset via Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power until the Recovery menu appears.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).

💡

Official firmware via MIUI Updater is the only way to upgrade without the risk of “bricking”, but they do not give root rights or remove bloatware (preinstalled Xiaomi applications).

4. Method 2: Fastboot firmware (for official and custom firmware)

Fastboot is suitable for installing official Fastboot firmware (.tgz files) or custom firmware like LineageOS. It requires an unlocked bootloader and a PC with drivers installed.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware: Official: MIUI 12.5 Fastboot. Custom: LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11).

C:\rolex_fastboot

Shift + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here

Fastboot

Loudness down + Nutrition

fastboot devices

The serial number of the device should appear.

Mi Flash Tool

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Select a folder with unpacked firmware.
3. Press Refresh, then Flash (select Clean All for full cleanup).

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash recovery twrp.img




fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: If there is an error when running through Fastboot FAILED (remote:'Partition not found', so you're trying to flash firmware not for Redmi 4A (Check the file name – it should contain rolex.

After the firmware, the first turn on can take up to 10 minutes.

5. Method 3: Firmware through TWRP Recovery (for custom firmware)

TWRP Recovery is a customized restore that allows you to install firmware, backup and get root rights. Redmi 4A is suitable version of TWRP 3.5.2.

Steps:

1. Download TWRP 3.5.2 for Redmi 4A.
2. Transfer your phone to Fastboot and pass TWRP Team: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.5.2_9-0-rolex.img
3. Immediately after the firmware, go to Recovery (click Volume Up + Power), otherwise the stock firmware will overwrite TWRP.
4. In TWRP, backup (click Backup and select Boot, System, Data sections).
5. Download custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) and place it on SD-card.
6. In TWRP, click Wipe → Advanced Wipe and tick Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
7. Press Install, select a firmware file and confirm the installation.
8. After installing, swipe Gapps (if they are not included in the firmware) and Magisk (for root rights).

Recommended firmware for Redmi 4A (2026):

• 📱 LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11) - stable, without unnecessary applications.
• 📱 Pixel Experience (Android 12) – Google Pixel interface.
• 📱 Havoc-OS (Android 10) – maximum customization.
• 📱 crDroid (Android 11) – optimized for weak devices.

💡

Before installing custom firmware, check reviews on the XDA-Developers forum.Some firmware may not support a camera or mobile network on Redmi 4A.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the correct following of the instructions, there can be problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to correct them:

If your phone has turned into a brick (it doesn’t turn on, doesn’t respond to buttons), try to restore it through the phone. EDL-regime:

1. Download the EDL Tool.
2. Connect the phone to the PC when it is off, press Volume up + Volume down and insert the cable (should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008).
3. Swipe the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in EDL mode.

⚠️ Attention: To work in EDL-The mode requires an authorized Xiaomi account (cost – from the user’s account). $5 on specialized forums. Without it, the Mi Flash Tool will give you an error. SLA Auth Error.

7.How to return the stock firmware (if something went wrong)

If after experimenting with custom firmware, the phone began to work unstable, go back to the official MIUI.

1. Download the stock Fastboot firmware.
2. Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and click Refresh → Flash.
5. Select Clean All (total clean) or Clean All and Lock (to lock the bootloader).

Once the firmware is in place, the phone will return to factory settings, and if the bootloader is locked, it will have to be unlocked again (see section 2).

💡

Returning to stock firmware is the only way to guarantee that the NFC module (if you have one in your model) will work and fix errors with the mobile network after custom firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi flashing 4A