The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) is still one of the most popular smartphones for firmware experiments — despite its release in 2017. Its robust Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 platform, removable battery and active community support make the device ideal for customization. However, the firmware of this device has nuances, from unlocking the bootloader to choosing the right version of ROM for a particular modification (global, Chinese, Indian).
In this article, you’ll find the most current ways to get Redmi Note 4 firmware in 2026, from official updates via MIUI Updater to custom builds like LineageOS or Pixel Experience. We’ll look at each step: driver preparation, bootloader unlocking (including bypassing Xiaomi’s new restrictions), region-specific firmware and system recovery after failed attempts. Particular attention is paid to typical errors such as the device’s flash when you’re firmware through Fastboot or hanging on the MI logo after installing an incompatible ROM.
If your Redmi Note 4 is slowing down, running out quickly, or you want to get the latest version of Android, this guide will help you get it right the first time. For beginners, we have prepared step-by-step screenshots and video guides, and for experienced users, we have advanced recommendations for optimization and debugging.
Preparation for firmware: what to do before the start
Redmi Note 4 flashing requires preliminary actions, without which the risk of turning the phone into a “brick” increases significantly. Start by checking the current version of the firmware and device model – this is critical for choosing the right ROM file.
Open the settings → About the phone and write down:
- 📱 Device model (e.g. Redmi Note) 4X Redmi Note 4 Global).
- 🔢 Version. MIUI (for example, MIUI 12.5.3 Stable).
- 🔧 Assembly number (e.g, NRD90M Android 7.0).
- 🔒 bootloader status (unblocked/blocked).
Next, prepare the tools:
- 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (for the Mi Flash Tool or Linux/macOS (Fastboot via the terminal).
- 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better of the kit – cheap cables can cause data transmission errors).
- 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60% (when discharged during firmware, the device may turn off).
- 📁 Backup of data (firmware erases internal memory!).
Use Mi PC Suite to back up or manually copy files from /DCIM, /Downloads and /MIUI folders to your computer. Don’t rely on cloud services – when you change your firmware, your Xiaomi account binding may change.
Unlock the bootloader on Redmi Note 4: bypass the limitations of Xiaomi
Xiaomi has tightened its bootloader unlock policy for older models, including the Redmi Note 4. Now, it requires an account to be linked to the device and waits up to 720 hours (30 days) on the first request to get permission.
Steps to unlock:
- Link your Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
- Activate Developer Options (7 times click on the MIUI version in About Phone).
- Enable OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in Settings → More → For Developers.
- Download Mi Unlock Tool (version no lower than 5.5.224.24).
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down + Power) and follow the program instructions.
If the tool is running a "Couldn't unlock" or "Device not connected" error:
- 🔌 Check the cable and port USB (Try the port USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
- 🔄 Reinstall Qualcomm drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008 manually via Device Manager.
- ⏳ Wait 3-5 minutes after connecting your phone to Fastboot – sometimes the program determines the device for a long time.
What if the Mi Unlock Tool can't see the phone?
⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data, including files in internal memory, will be reset, and Xiaomi may also block certain features (such as Mi Pay or Find Device) on unofficial firmware.
Redmi Note 4 Firmware: Which One Should You Choose?
The choice of method depends on your goal and the current state of the phone, and below is a comparison table with the pros and cons of each option.
| Method | Suitable for | Advantages | Deficiencies | Do you need unlocking? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI Updater | Official updates | Secure, save data, automatic compatibility check | Limited version selection, slow updates | No. |
| Recovery (TWRP) | Castomic ROMs, modified firmware | Flexibility, backup capability, installation ZIP-file | Risk of errors in choosing incompatible firmware | Yes. |
| Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool) | Recovery after failure, clean installation | Reliably, suitable for "brick" devices | Deletes all data, requires PC | Yes. |
| EDL Mode | Recovery after a hard breeze | It works even if the phone doesn’t turn on. | It is difficult for beginners, requires an authorized account | Yes. |
For most users, the best way to do this is through TWRP, which allows you to install custom firmware and backups. If your phone doesn't turn on or gets stuck on the logo, use Fastboot or EDL.
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Before you run through Fastboot, check the hash amount of the downloaded ROM file (MD5 or SHA1), which will prevent you from installing the damaged firmware. Compare the hash with the official one on MIUI Downloads.
Fastboot Firmware: Step-by-step instructions with Mi Flash Tool
This method is suitable for installing official firmware or recovering the phone after a crash. All data will be erased, so pre-backup.
What you need:
- 📥 Official firmware for Redmi Note 4 (select regional version: Global, China, India).
- 🖥️ Mi Flash Tool (version 2020.3.14.0 or later).
- 🔧 Qualcomm drivers and ADB (It is automatically installed when connecting the phone).
Instructions:
- Unpack the downloaded firmware (file with extension.tgz) in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
- Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
- Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
- Click Select and point the way to the firmware folder.
- Select Clean All or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader again).
- Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).
☑️ Preparation for firmware through Fastboot
⚠️ If the Mi Flash Tool is an error "flash_all_lock.bat failed", try: Run the program on behalf of the administrator. disable driver signature verification in Windows (bcdedit) /set nointegritychecks on in the command line with admin rights. Use a different firmware version (e.g., instead of Global try China).
Installation of custom firmware through TWRP
To install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom ROMs, you will need TWRP recavators. The official version for the Redmi Note 4 (mido) can be downloaded at twrp.me.
Procedure:
- Download TWRP.img and firmware in.zip format (e.g. LineageOS 18.1).
- Transfer your phone to Fastboot and pass TWRP Team: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-mido.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-mido.img
- In TWRP, make a backup of the current firmware (Backup → Select partitions → Swipe to Backup).
- Wipe Dalvik, Cache, System, Data (Wipe → Advanced Wipe)
- Install. ZIP-firmware file (Install) → Select a file → Swipe to Confirm Flash).
- After installation, run GApps (if you need Google services) and Magisk (for root rights).
Critical! For the Redmi Note 4 with a Snapdragon 625 processor, you can’t use firmware for models on the Helio X20 (like the Redmi Note 4 MTK), which will result in a hard brick that can only be fixed through an EDL with an authorized account.
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Always check firmware compatibility with the CPU model! For mido (Snapdragon), only ROMs marked mido or SD625 are suitable.
Typical errors and their solutions
Even with the correct instructions, there can be problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to correct them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Error: failed to load auth image (in Mi Flash Tool) | Incompatible firmware version or blocked bootloader | Use the firmware for your model (for example, mido_global_images...) and unlock the loader. |
| Phone stuck on MI logo after firmware | Incompatible firmware or incomplete partition cleaning | Re-sweeten with full Wipe (Clean all in Mi Flash Tool or Format Data in TWRP). |
| E: Unknown command [log] in TWRP | A damaged firmware file or an incorrect version of TWRP | Download the firmware again and check for MD5. Update TWRP to the latest version. |
| No network after firmware | There are no modem modules or incorrect firmware version | Sweep through the official firmware via Fastboot or install a patch with modem for your region. |
If the phone does not turn on after a failed firmware:
- 🔄 Try going to Fastboot (Loudness Down). + Food) and to sew official ROM via Mi Flash Tool.
- 🔧 If Fastboot is not available, put your phone in mode. EDL (Close the test points on the board or use adb reboot edl if the phone reacts at all).
- 📞 Contact the service center if you are not sure of your actions - recovery through EDL experience.