Xiaomi Mi4 was once the flagship, but time is inexorable, and modern applications require more resources than the standard operating system. If your device started to work slowly, stopped receiving official updates or you just want to experiment with custom Android builds, then flashing through the computer will be the optimal solution. This process allows you to completely clear the memory of errors and install a fresh version of the software, significantly prolonging the life of the gadget.
The process of restoring or updating software requires care, as interference with the system partition can cause the device to fail if the technology is broken. However, using the right tools and following the algorithm, you can return the phone to its youthfulness. It is important to understand that flashing the Xiaomi Mi4 through a PC gives more control over the process than updating “over the air”, and is often the only way to revive the “brick”.
Before you start taking action, you need to understand the risks and prepare the workplace. USB-cable and computer running Windows, as the main utilities are sharpened for this platform. Do not ignore the stage of preparation, because it depends on the success of the entire operation and the safety of your personal data.
Preparation of equipment and choice of firmware
The first step is to find the right software. For the Mi4 (codenamed cancro), there are many firmware options, from stock MIUIs to light custom builds like LineageOS. You should only download images from trusted sources, such as the official Mi Community forum or specialized branches on 4PDA and XDA Developers. An unverified file can contain viruses or be corrupted, which will lead to a cyclical reboot.
You need to decide on the type of firmware: Global (global), China (Chinese) or Developer (developers). The global version usually already contains Google services and support for many languages, including Russian, which makes it preferable for most users. Chinese versions often require additional customization to work with local services, and Developer versions are updated weekly and may contain errors.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the firmware you choose is specifically designed for your modification of the device. LTE and 3G, and for different processors, and their intersection can lead to hardware incompatibility.
Beyond the firmware file itself, you’ll need drivers to properly display your phone on the system. Often Windows automatically installs the underlying drivers, but Fastboot or Recovery mode may require Qualcomm or Xiaomi specific drivers. Their absence is the most common reason why a computer “does not see” the connected device at a critical moment.
Required tools and drivers
To successfully stream the Xiaomi Mi4 through your computer, you’ll need a suite of specialized software. The main tool for working with Qualcomm processor-based devices that is installed in the Mi4 is the MiFlash Tool. This is the official software from Xiaomi that allows you to interact with the phone in boot mode. ADB and Fastboot may also be needed to execute individual commands if the automatic mode does not work.
Quality USB-cable is not just an accessory, but a critical element of the circuit. Cheap cables designed only for charging often have no data lines, which will make connecting to a computer meaningless. Use the original cable or certified analogue, which does not exceed the length of the data link. 1-1.5 Meter to avoid voltage drop and signal loss during data recording.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Installation of drivers must be done before the phone is connected in a special mode. 10 or 11, The system may try to automatically find the driver, but often puts the driver on the device_generic_ For the MiFlash Tool to work correctly, when connecting your phone in Fastboot mode, the Android Bootloader Interface or Qualcomm device with the correct identifier must be displayed in the Device Manager.
Unlock the bootloader and log into Fastboot mode
Before a computer can write a new system, it is necessary to access partitions of memory. On Xiaomi devices, this is done through unlocking the bootloader. The official method requires filing an application through a Mi Account and waiting for 3 to 30 days. However, for older models, such as the Mi4, there are often methods of unlocking through third-party utilities or obtaining a temporary token, since official servers may no longer support the old models.
To enter Fastboot mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then, holding the Volume Down button, connect the USB cable to your computer. The screen should show a picture of a hare repairing an android and say FASTBOOT. If the phone just started charging, then the volume button was not pressed in time or it is faulty.
In some cases, especially when installing custom recavators, you need an unlocked bootloader. Without this step, trying to write the system partition through Fastboot will end up with a signature verification error. You can check the status of the bootloader in the same Fastboot mode - if it is written locked, then the protection is active, if unlocked - the path is free.
⚠️ Note: The process of unlocking the bootloader automatically performs a full data reset (Wipe Data). All photos, contacts and applications will be deleted, so creating a backup is mandatory.
The process of firmware through MiFlash Tool
The main stage of work is in the MiFlash Tool. After running the utility, you need to unpack the archive with the firmware in the root of the C disk so that the path to the files is short and does not contain Cyrillic characters. This requirement is critical, since older versions of scripts can not properly handle long paths or Russian letters in folder names.
In the program interface, click the Refresh button after connecting your phone in Fastboot mode. If the drivers are installed correctly, the device with its serial number will appear in the list. Then select the path to the Select firmware folder and determine the firmware method. For complete cleaning, it is recommended to choose the clean all option, which will delete all data and divide the memory again.
What do the firmware modes in MiFlash mean?
After selecting all the options, press the Flash button. The process will take 200 to 600 seconds. At this time, it is strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or interrupt the power of the computer. The progress bar will be filled, and the log at the bottom of the window will appear messages about the progress of writing partitions. Successful completion will be marked by the status of success in green.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Clean all mode | Complete memory cleanup | It is necessary when changing the type of firmware |
| Save user mode | Data retention | Update only for one version |
| The path to files | Archive location | Latin only, with no spaces (C:\ROM\) |
| Driver. | Communications interface | Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 or Fastboot |
Installation of custom Recovery (TWRP)
If you plan to install custom firmware or make full system backups, you'll need TWRP Recovery.This is an advanced recovery menu that replaces the standard Xiaomi Recovery.Installation is done via Fastboot by a command, which requires pre-installing the ADB platform on your computer.
To install, open the command line (CMD) file ADB Enter the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp_image_name.img. Once you've done the command, you can't just restart the phone, because the stock system can overwrite the Recovery back, and you need to immediately use the volume buttons to select Recovery mode and confirm the input.
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Before installing TWRP, backup the EFS partition via the terminal or special menu if such option is available to avoid losing IMEI and network data.
On the menu. TWRP You can access the file system, you can install it. ZIP-archives with firmware directly from a memory card or internal memory, and reset the Dalvik and Cache partitions. This gives you complete freedom of action, but requires an understanding of the structure of Android.
Possible errors and ways to eliminate them
The most common bug is Missmatching image and device, which means you're trying to write firmware that's not designed for that model (like Mi4c instead of Mi4) or firmware from another manufacturer.
A Can't flash this image error or a hang on a certain percentage often indicates problems with the image. USB-You can use a port, a cable, a driver. USB 2.0 (black connector) on the back of the computer, avoiding USB 3.0 (blue) as older Qualcomm devices work better USB 2.0.
⚠️ Note: If the phone is gone EDL (screen black, in the Qualcomm Device Manager HS-USB QDLoader 9008) and MiFlash write an authorization error, you may need an account with increased privileges or paid unlock through service centers.
Another common problem is the “brick” when the phone does not respond to buttons, in which case it helps to enter EDL mode by closing contacts on the board (test point method) or holding the power button for a long time (about 20-30 seconds).
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90% of errors in Xiaomi firmware Mi4 It is associated with the wrong driver, bad driver. USB-cable or attempt to record firmware from another phone model.