Reflashing Xiaomi Redmi 4X: official and custom methods

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (The codename santoni is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and the ability to install modern firmware. MIUI It ends, and users face slowdowns, no security updates, or a desire to install custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience. In this guide, we will discuss all the current ways to reflash Redmi. 4X in 2026 - from official updates to the installation of informal assemblies through the TWRP.

It’s important to understand that the firmware procedure is always fraught with risks, from data loss to device buildup, especially with bootloader models. In this article, you’ll find not only step-by-step instructions, but also unique solutions for typical Redmi errors. 4X, such as hanging on the logo MI Or the "Anti Rollback" error. We'll also compare the pros and cons of each method so you can choose the best option.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start flashing, you need to follow a few critical steps, neglecting them can lead to irreversible consequences, including loss of life. IMEI or complete failure of the device.

First, back up all your data. Even if you plan to upgrade without resetting, there's always a risk of failure. Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or local copying on your PC.

• 📱 Contacts (export in.vcf format)
• 📷 Photos and videos (check hidden folders like this) DCIM/.thumbnails)
• 🔑 Saved passwords from the browser and applications
• 📄 SMS and the call log (applications like SMS Backup & Restore)

Second, check the current version. MIUI And the status of the bootloader:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → MIUI version
2. Write down the full build number (for example, V12.5.3.0.RFMCNXM)
3. Find out the status of the bootloader: turn off the phone, then press Volume down + If you see "This device is locked," the bootloader is locked.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X firmware MIUI 10 may work Anti Rollback protection.This means rollback to an older version MIUI Before you run the firmware, be sure to check the compatibility of versions on the Xiaomi Firmware Download website.

Finally, prepare the necessary tools:

2 Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi 4X

Most of the methods of firmware (except for the official ones) OTA-Updates) require an unlocked bootloader. 4X This process consists of three stages: linking the Mi Account, waiting for permission and directly unlocking.

The first step is to link your Mi Account to your device:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account and log in.
2. Turn on the settings. → Additionally. → For developers → Unlocking OEM (If the item is missing, tap 7 times on the assembly number MIUI, activate the developer mode).
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the permission to debug via USB.

You must obtain permission to unlock through the official Mi Unlock Tool app:

• 🖥️ Download and install Mi Unlock Tool on PC (Windows only).
• 🔗 Run the program on behalf of the administrator and log in under the same Mi Account as on your phone.
• ⏳ Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down) + Meals) and wait for a successful binding message. It usually takes 72 to 168 hours to wait.

After obtaining the permit:

1. Reconnect your phone in Fastboot mode.
2. In Mi Unlock Tool, press "Unlock." It'll take a while. ~10 seconds.
3. Upon completion, the phone will automatically reboot with reset settings.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI After unlocking the loader may disappear IMEI. To restore it, you will need a patch. modem.img through QCN Restore Tool.We recommend you to save a backup copy of the folder /efs unlock.

Linked to the Mi Account to the device|Unlocking enabled OEM customized|Drivers installed ADB/Fastboot PC-only|Data backup created|The phone is charged at least to 60%-->

Official firmware methods 3.

If your goal is to upgrade to Redmi 4X before the last official MIUI Without losing warranty, use one of two proven methods: Air Update (OTA) or firmware through Fastboot.

Update through MIUI Updater (OTA)

The easiest and safest method, but it only works if:

• 📲 The device is not rooted.
• 🔓 bootloader locked
• 🔄 Current firmware is not modified

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Select Service Pack".
3. Specify the path to the downloaded.zip file (for example, miui_HM4XGlobal_V12.5.3.0.RFMCNXM_...).
4. Wait for the file to be checked and click "Update".

If the update is “hanging” during the verification phase, try:

• 🔄 Rename the firmware file by removing unnecessary characters (for example, leave only the update.zip).
• 📁 Move the file to the root of internal memory (not to folders).
• 🔌 Connect your phone to charge during the update.

3.2. firmware via Fastboot (MiFlash)

This method is suitable for recovery of "brick" device or forced installation of official firmware. You will need a PC with installed Platform Tools and MiFlash.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Fastboot-ROM for your model from Xiaomi’s website (select the version for santoni).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\rom\santoni).
3. Turn off the phone and turn it into Fastboot mode (Loud down + Power).
4. Connect the device to your PC and start MiFlash.
5. In the program, click "Select" and specify the path to the folder with the firmware.
6. Select firmware method: Clean all – clean (recommended when changing region) Clean all and lock – cleaning + Save user data boot loader locking – data retention (not always stable)

Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ If MiFlash is making an error 0x80070002, Check: Is the path to the firmware correctly indicated (there should be no gaps in the folder name) or is Qualcomm driver installed HS-USB QDLoader 9008: Is the antivirus disabled (it can block fastboot.exe).

4. Install custom firmware through TWRP

If you want to install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom firmware, you will need to TWRP Recovery: This method gives you complete control of the device, but it requires an unlocked bootloader and mindfulness.

Installation of TWRP Recovery

For Redmi. 4X It is recommended to use an informal assembly TWRP from brunobg7 (It's better at encrypting data. Download the latest image. twrp-3.7.0_9-0-santoni.img site TWRP.

Installation via Fastboot:

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


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

After the first loading in TWRP You will be asked to enter a password (if the data is encrypted). If you do not know it, execute Format Data (this will delete all data!).

Firmware custom ROM

Installation algorithm:

1. Download the firmware (for example, lineage-20-20260310-UNOFFICIAL-santoni.zip) GApps (if you need Google services).
2. Move files to your phone or flash drive (FAT32).
3. V TWRP execute: 🧹 Wipe → Advanced Wipe (tag Dalvik, Cache, System, Data) 📁 Install → Choose. ZIP firmware 🔄 Repeat for GApps (if necessary) 🔧 Reboot → System

The first boot can take up to 15 minutes. If the system doesn't start for more than 20 minutes, go back to the boot. TWRP Check the logs (advanced) → Copy Log).

💡

If after the customization ROM stopped working sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer), download and pass through TWRP file sensors_fix_santoni.zip. It can be found on the XDA-Developers forum in your firmware theme.

5. Solving typical firmware errors

Even with accurate follow-up to the instructions, Redmi users 4X We're going to have a lot of mistakes, and we're going to look at some of the most common ones and how we can fix them.

Error "Anti Rollback" (BRICK)

At Xiaomi Redmi. 4X Anti Rollback protection is activated when you try to roll back to firmware older MIUI 9.5.3.0 This results in a complete locking of the device (black screen or logo getting stuck).The only way to restore it is to flash the official Fastboot-ROM of the new version through MiFlash with the checkmark Clean all and lock.

If it doesn’t help, try:

• 🔧 Use it. EDL-mode (emergency firmware via Qualcomm) HS-USB QDLoader 9008).
• 🔗 Contact Xiaomi Service Center with proof of purchase (sometimes unlocking through an authorized account helps).

Error "This package is for santoni devices; this is a rolex"

This error occurs when trying to flash firmware for Redmi 4X (santoni) on Redmi 4/4A (rolex) or vice versa. Check the device model:

• 📱 Enter #4636### and watch "Model number".
• 🔍 On the box or under the battery (if removed) must be a sticker with the inscription 2017041 (this is Redmi). 4X).

5.3 Loss. IMEI post-fix

If after installing the custom firmware disappeared IMEI or mobile network, restore it through QCN Restore Tool:

1. Download the utility. QCN Restore Tool and Qualcomm Driver.
2. Enter the original menu (#36446337##) IMEI (indicated on the box or under the battery).
3. Create a backup copy modemst1 and modemst2 through MTK Droid Tools (for Redmi) 4X On a Snapdragon processor, this method is not suitable – use it. QCN).

⚠️ Attention: Recovery IMEI on the Redmi 4X Android-based firmware 10+ may require a patch modem.img For this, fastboot flash modem. NON-HLOS.bin fastboot flash fsg fsg.mbn Files NON-HLOS.bin fsg.mbn is taken from the official Fastboot-ROM.

💡

Before any firmware save the original files modem.img, persist.img and folder /efs. This will allow for the restoration IMEI and network settings in 90% case.

6. System optimization after firmware

After successfully installing a new firmware (especially custom firmware), it is recommended to follow several steps to improve performance and stability:

Setup of the kernel and scheduler

On custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) you can optimize the work of the processor:

1. Install the Kernel Adiutor or FrancoKernel Manager app.
2. Choose a cfq or noop scheduler for better responsiveness.
3. Limit the maximum CPU frequency to 1.4 GHz (this will reduce heat and increase running time).

Disconnection of unnecessary services

To extend the autonomous operation time:

• 🚫 Turn off Mi Cloud Sync and Auto-Update in the settings.
• 📵 Stop background activity for apps like Mi Video, Mi Music.
• 🔋 Activate Battery Saver mode and turn it off AOD (if).

Restoration of functionality

Some Xiaomi features may not work on custom firmware:

7. Alternative firmware methods

If the standard methods didn't work, consider alternatives. They require more experience, but sometimes they are the only solution.

7.1. Firmware through EDL (emergency)

A method to recover "brick" devices when the phone is not even turned on in the Fastboot.

• 🖥️ Windows PC
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original)
• 📦 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format
• 🔧 MiFlashPro or QFil

Instructions:

1. Open the phone and close the contacts. EDL (boardside the battery).
2. Connect the phone to a PC – it should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
3. In QFil, specify the path to the file. prog_emmc_firehose_8917.mbn and sew rawprogram0.xml.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Resets all sections, including /efs. No backup. IMEI It's going to be very difficult to restore network function, and this is recommended only in desperate situations.

Installation via OrangeFox Recovery

OrangeFox - The Alternative TWRP with improved encryption support and A/B-For Redmi. 4X current-age OrangeFox-R11.1_2-santoni.

Advantages:

• 🔐 Support for encryption FBE (File-Based Encryption)
• 🛠️ Built-in file manager and terminal
• 🔄 Possibility of firmware on both slots (A/B)

The installation is similar. TWRP, but with additional options:

fastboot flash recovery OrangeFox-R11.1_2-santoni.img


fastboot boot OrangeFox-R11.1_2-santoni.img

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi firmware 4X