The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, often referred to as Nickel (codenamed nikel or mido), has been in service for years due to its reliability and excellent performance. However, over time, the standard MIUI shell may no longer suit the user due to advertising, lack of necessary features or simply accumulated system errors, in which case the only right decision is a complete flashing device that can give the gadget a second life.
The process of restoring or updating software requires careful follow-up and careful follow-up. Wrong actions can cause the phone to stop turning on or lose its charging ability, which is why you need to prepare carefully before you start any manipulations, download all the necessary files and make sure that you understand every step of the process.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can install new firmware on the Redmi Note 4. You will learn how to switch to Fastboot mode, how to use the official Mi Flash Tool utility and what to do if the device has gone into the brick. We will look at the nuances of unlocking the bootloader and installing custom recaves such as TWRP.
Preparation for the flashing procedure
The first and most important step is to prepare the workplace and the smartphone itself. You will need a Windows computer (preferably version 10 or 11), which is in good working order. USB-Minimal interference cable and charged phone battery, don't ignore the battery requirement, which should be at least 60% so that the device doesn't turn off at the critical moment of system file recording.
You also need to back up all your important data. With a complete clean-up flash, all your information will be permanently deleted. Copy photos, contacts, and documents to a cloud service or external drive. Also, make sure there's enough free space on your computer to unpack your firmware files, which can weigh up to 2-3 GB.
⚠️ Note: Use firmware from other models (e.g. Redmi Note) 4X) Always check the code name of your version: nikel for MediaTek and mido for Snapdragon.
For comfortable work, it is recommended to use the original cable or a high-quality analog with thick wires. Cheap charging cables often do not withstand the current required for stable data transfer, which can cause an error in the middle of the process and damage memory partitions.
Unlock the bootloader and obtain access rights
Xiaomi's official firmware has a locked bootloader, which prevents the installation of modified software. To stream the phone through Fastboot or install custom recavators, this blocker must be removed. The process requires registering a Mi Account and linking the device to it through the settings menu.
After the binding SIM-You need to activate the developer mode for the card and account. → About the phone and seven times quickly click on the version MIUI. Then, in the Developer Menu that appears, find the Mi Unlock Status and turn it on. The system will warn you of the risks — we agree and wait.
- 🔓 Unlocking is possible only through the official utility Mi Unlock Tool.
- ⏳ After filing an application, it is often required to wait 7 to 168 hours before retrying.
- 📱 All data on the phone will be deleted at the time of unlocking the bootloader.
- 🌐 Mi Unlock requires a stable Internet connection.
It is important to understand that unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the device for security reasons. If you are not ready to lose photos and contacts right now, it is better to postpone this procedure until you can make a full backup. After successfully unlocking, the download screen will display an open padlock icon or the inscription Unlocked.
📊 What is the processor installed in your Redmi Note 4?
MediaTek (Nikel)
Snapdragon (Mido)
I don't know. I'll look.
I'm planning on buying a b/u.
Finding and Choosing the Right Firmware
Choosing the right operating system is a key success. There are two main processor types for the Redmi Note 4, and the firmware for them is completely incompatible, and you can determine the type of processor through the CPU-Z application or by looking at the device model in the settings: the global version on Snapdragon is often labeled as MDG6G, and on MediaTek – MDG5G.
The firmware is divided into Recovery (.zip format) and Fastboot (.tgz format). The first is designed to be updated through the recovery menu or built-in updater, the second is for clean installation through the computer. For complete reset and error fixing, we will use the Fastboot version, since it rewrites all partitions clean.
Where can I download a secure firmware?
Official firmware is best downloaded from miui.com or verified archives such as Xiaomi Firmware Updater. Avoid questionable forums where files could have been modified by malicious users. Always check the checksum (MD5) of the downloaded file, if possible.> When choosing a version, look at the region. Global firmware (Global) contains many languages and Google services out of the box. Chinese versions (China) may not have Russian and require the installation of Google services manually, but often run faster and more stable. European versions (EEA) are an intermediate option with the correct device settings and the rules for the smartphone. Windows 10 and 11 often automatically find the basic drivers, but for Fastboot and EDL mode, it is better to use the specialized Xiaomi USB Drivers package. Without them, the computer will not see the phone in the right mode, and the flasher program will not start the process. Once you install the drivers, download and unpack the Mi Flash Tool utility. This is the official software from Xiaomi for working with devices in bootloader mode. Unpacking the archive with the firmware you need to the root of the disk or in the short-path folder, avoiding Cyrillic characters in the folders names to avoid path errors. Device Manager Description What is Fastboot Android Bootloader Interface Standard firmware, unlock Recovery Android ADB Interface Update via Interface ZIP, discharge EDL (9008) Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader Brick Recovery, Deep Repair Run Mi Flash on behalf of the administrator. Press Refresh to make sure the program sees the connected device. If the device is displayed with a serial number, the drivers are installed correctly and you can proceed to select the firmware file. Otherwise, check the cable and reinstall the drivers. Fastboot firmware process Now we move to the most important step. Transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode: turn off the phone completely, then press the volume down button and, holding it, connect it. USB-computer-wire. On the screen should appear a hare in an orange hat, fixing the android, and the inscription FASTBOOT. ☑️ Checklist before start of firmware Drivers installedMi Flash launched from adminArchive firmware unpacked Phone in Fastboot mode Battery charged more 60%Completed: 0 / 5 In Mi Flash, click Select and select the path to the unpacked firmware folder. It is important to choose the folder that contains the image files, not the archive itself. After choosing the path, look at the three switches in the lower right corner of the program window: clean all, save user data and clean all and lock. The clean all option cleans the phone's memory completely by deleting all user data - a recommended option for a fresh start. The save user data option will try to save files, but often leads to errors and bugs after flashing. The clean all and lock option not only cleans the data, but also re-blocks the bootloader, which can be useful when returning the device to its original state for sale. ⚠️ Note: When selecting the "clean all and lock" option, make sure the firmware matches the region of the device.Blocking the Global bootloader on a Chinese device (or vice versa) can cause a cyclic bootloop.Push the Flash button to start the process. The progress bar will show you the steps of writing partitions. 200 before 600 Don't touch the cable or turn off the computer. Once it's done, the phone will automatically restart. The first boot can last until you've finished. 10-15 It's normal for the system to adjust the components, and it can solve common errors and problems, even if you follow the instructions very carefully, you can get errors. There is a common error called "Miss matching image and device", which means that the firmware of the phone model is not compatible, in which case you need to recheck the code name (nickel or mido) and download the correct file. USB-If the phone is stuck on the logo MIUI Or Android, try resetting with Recovery. Turn off your phone and press the volume button and the power button. From the receptacle menu, select Wipe Data. → Wipe All Data.This will delete all files, but often saves the system from software failures after a failed firmware.In the worst case, when the phone does not respond to buttons and does not enter the Fastboot, you may need a mode EDL (Emergency Download). To enter it on Redmi Note 4 often requires a short-term closure of the contacts of test points on the board or the use of a special plug in the circuit. USB-This mode allows you to flash your phone even with a completely damaged bootloader, but requires an authenticated Mi Account. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can you reflash the Redmi Note 4 without unlocking the bootloader? Officially, no. Installing global firmware on the Chinese version (and vice versa) requires an unlocked bootloader. However, if the firmware versions match by region, you can upgrade through the Recovery menu without unlocking, but it will be just an update, not a complete flash. What if the phone says "Device is locked" when booting? This message means that the bootloader is locked. If you just unlocked it, wait until the process is over (about 30 seconds) and the phone will reset itself. If the message is hanging all the time and the phone is not loading - there may have been an attempt to install a custom recovery without unlocking, which led to a failure. It will take stock firmware back through Fastboot. How long does it take to completely reflash? The process of writing data via the Mi Flash Tool takes about 3-5 minutes. However, the preparation (downloading the firmware, installing drivers, backup) and the first setup of the system after the firmware can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes depending on the speed of the Internet, but the power of the Pixel OS, the use of the customization, and the casteage, does the use of the newest software? Banking apps may stop working (safetynet bypass required), and the camera may shoot worse than stock MIUI For everyday use, stable stock Global firmware is often the best choice. 💡The main key to success is the exact correspondence of the processor model (Nikel/Mido) The error is critical at this stage.