Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro (also known as Redmi 4 Prime) often face the need to reinstall the operating system, which can be caused by software failures, the desire to update the version of MIUI to the current one, or the need to change the firmware region from Chinese to global.
Before you start active actions, you need to clearly understand what type of recovery you need. There are two main scenarios: updating or rolling back through the standard Recovery menu and completely flashing in Fastboot mode using specialized software. The choice of method depends on the current state of your gadget and the availability of access rights.
It is important to be aware of the risks associated with tampering with system files. Mistakes can lead to loss of warranty or turn a smartphone into a brick. However, if you follow the algorithm strictly and use proven tools, the process is successful in the vast majority of cases. Below we will discuss in detail each step of the preparation and execution of the procedure.
Preparation of equipment and choice of firmware
The first step is to ensure a stable connection between the mobile device and the computer. USB-A cable that can transmit data, not just charge the battery, and cheap cables often cause communication disruptions at critical points in the recording of system partitions.
The next critical point is choosing the right firmware file. For the Redmi 4 Pro (codename markw), there are different versions of the shells. An error in choosing a file can cause a touchscreen, camera or communication module to fail, and the files are divided into Recovery (extension.zip) and Fastboot (extension.tgz).
To install via a computer, we need the Fastboot archive, which contains a complete image of the system, bootloader and radio module, download files only from official resources or verified mirrors, such as miui.com or xiaomi.eu. Checking the checksum of the file before writing will help avoid installing corrupted data.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your smartphone battery is at least 60% powered, and a sudden power outage during partition writing can irreversibly damage the file system structure.
- 🔌 Use it. USB-Port 2.0 on the motherboard, as 3.0 ports sometimes cause problems with Qualcomm drivers.
- 💾 Free up at least 10 GB of free space on the C system disk for unpacking images.
- 📱 Backup all important contacts and photos as the data will be completely deleted.
The preparation process also involves installing the necessary drivers. Without the correct ADB and Fastboot drivers, the computer will not be able to recognize the smartphone in the desired mode. Usually they are installed along with platform tools, but in some cases, manual installation through Device Manager is required.
Even if you plan to reset completely, saving important documents on a cloud service or external drive will take a few minutes, but save you from losing valuable information.
Unlock the bootloader and set up Mi Account
Officially flashing the global version over the Chinese version or changing the region often requires an unlocked bootloader. Xiaomi has implemented this security measure to prevent device theft and malware installation.
First, link your Mi Account to your device. Go to settings, select About Phone, and click on MIUI multiple times to activate Developer Mode. Then, in the advanced settings, find bootloader Status and anchor.
Once you've tied it, you'll have to wait for the system to set it, which is usually 168 hours (7 days), but sometimes you'll have shorter wait times, and then you can run the Mi Unlock Tool on your computer to unlock it, and you'll have to connect it to Fastboot.
There is a nuance with regional restrictions: If your account is registered in a region where the unlock service is temporarily unavailable, the procedure may not work, in which case experienced users change the SIM region or use a VPN, although this is a workaround.
It is important to understand that unlocking the bootloader leads to a complete data reset (Wipe Data).The security system automatically cleans all user partitions on the first run after removing the lock, so re-backup before this step becomes critical.
- 🔑 Remember the password from Mi Account, as after flashing will require authorization.
- 📶 Use a stable internet connection when sending an unblock request.
- ⏳ Don’t try to reset the timer, it can increase the waiting time.
Installation of drivers and software
Successful communication between a PC and a smartphone requires a suite of specialized software, the Mi Flash Tool, the official Xiaomi utility, which supports Qualcomm-based devices, including the Redmi 4 Pro.
Download the latest version of Mi Flash from the official website. When installing, select the driver installation option if offered. In some antivirus programs, the program may be identified as suspicious due to the depth of access to the system, so it is recommended to temporarily disable protection or add an exception.
Special attention should be paid to Qualcomm drivers. If the device is in EDL (Emergency Download) mode, standard ADB drivers will not work, in this case, you need to manually install Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers through Windows Device Manager.
The path to the driver folder usually looks like this:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Xiaomi\MiPhone\Qualcomm\DriverThe driver installation is checked through Device Manager. When you connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode, the Android Bootloader Interface should appear on the list. If Unknown Device is hanging instead, the driver is installed incorrectly.
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If Windows 10 doesn’t install the driver automatically, try disabling the mandatory driver signature check when you boot the system.
The process of firmware through the Mi Flash Tool
Now, to the main part of the instructions, you need to start downloading the file with the firmware. Please note that the folder path must not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces, otherwise the program may not see the files, C:\ROM\.
Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button to make sure the program sees the connected device. If the smartphone is identified, the serial number will appear in the list. If not, check the cable and drivers.
Press the Select button and point the path to the unpacked firmware folder. Once you select the path, the program will analyze the file structure. Make sure there are no extra nested folders on the way, choose the one where the file lies. flash_all.bat picture.
⚠️ Attention: At the bottom of the Mi Flash Tool window, there are three firmware modes. For a clean installation, select "clean all" to delete all data and avoid version conflicts.
The process is started by the Flash button, and from that moment, partitions are recorded, the progress bar will be displayed on the screen of the smartphone, and the program will show the status of the operation being performed, interruption of the process is strictly prohibited.
- 🟢 Green status "Success" means successful completion.
- 🔴 Error red status indicates a failure requiring a repeat attempt.
- 🟡 Yellow status means waiting or performing intermediate operations.
The firmware time varies from 200 to 500 seconds. Once completed, the smartphone will automatically restart. The first download can last up to 10 minutes, as the system optimizes applications and creates new configuration files.
☑️ Pre-launch checklist
Specificity of firmware modes and comparison tables
When using the Mi Flash Tool, the user is faced with a choice of method of cleaning the data. Understanding the difference between the modes of "clean all", "save user data" and "clean all and lock" is critical to the final result. Wrong choice can lead to a cyclic reboot.
Save user data allows you to save photos and apps when you update, but it only works when you change the version to a newer one within a region. Trying to save data when you change the firmware type (for example, CN to Global) is almost guaranteed to lead to errors.
Clean all and lock mode returns the bootloader to a closed state, useful if you're selling the device or want to return it to factory condition for warranty service, but if you've refashioned the region, locking the bootloader can lock the device.
| Regime. | Data retention | BL lockdown | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| clean all | No. | No. | Change of region, rollback of version |
| save user data | Yes. | No. | Updating within the region |
| clean all & lock | No. | Yes. | Back in stock, selling |
Special attention should be paid to lock mode. If you install global firmware on a Chinese device and close the bootloader, the phone can go into perpetual boot, and you can lock the bootloader after changing the region only if the device initially supported this region hardware.
Visually, the process in the program is displayed as a progress bar and a text log, so you can track what partition (system, boot, recovery) is being written at the moment, which helps diagnose a problem if the process is hanging on a certain percentage.
Error Resolving and Recovery after Failure
Even with careful preparation, errors can occur. Mi Flash Tool error codes, such as "Flash Error" or connection timeout, are often associated with drivers or cable. Reconnecting the device to another port or replacing the cable often solves the problem.
If your smartphone is in a bootloop cycle, try resetting through Recovery. Press the volume and power buttons to enter the recovery menu, and select "Wipe Data." This will delete the conflicting settings files.
In more complex cases, when the phone does not respond to buttons (EDL mode), you will need to disassemble the case to close the contacts Test Point on the board, which will put the processor in deep boot mode, allowing you to flash the device even with a broken bootloader.
⚠️ Warning: Disassembling the case and closing the contacts Test Point voids the warranty.
It is a common mistake to use an incompatible version of the bootloader. For the Redmi 4 Pro, it is critical to use firmware codenamed markw. Firmware from other models (such as prada or ros) will not work and can damage the hardware.
What if Mi Flash can’t see your phone?
After successful firmware, it is recommended not to set the phone up immediately as the main one, let it work an hour in standby mode so that the system completes the background indexing processes, which will help to identify possible hidden defects in the installation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I flash Redmi 4 Pro without unlocking the bootloader?
Will my photos and contacts disappear when you re-flash?
How do I know what version of the bootloader I have?
What is EDL mode and how to get into it?
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Successful reflashing of Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro depends on the correctness of the selected firmware file (markw) and the quality of the product. USB-Take your time and check every step.