How to reflash Xiaomi Redmi 4X on Pixel Experience: from unlock to pure Android

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and the ability to install custom firmware. One of the most popular alternatives to the standard MIUI is the Pixel Experience, which offers pure Android with Google Pixel trademark features: regular security updates, minimalist interface and no unnecessary software. However, the process of flashing requires care: a mistake at any stage can turn the phone into a brick.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps from unlocking the bootloader to booting the system first, and how to avoid typical problems. You’ll learn which version of the Pixel Experience to choose for the Redmi 4X, what tools you’ll need, and what to do if your mobile network or camera doesn’t work after the firmware is installed. Importantly, for models with a Snapdragon 435 processor (all versions of the Redmi 4X), only the firmware for the santoni device is suitable – check this before downloading!

Why Pixel Experience and not MIUI?

Xiaomi’s standard MIUI firmware has its advantages – hardware optimization, advanced features (like second space or power saving modes), but many users prefer pure Android for several reasons:

• 📱 No ads and no bloatware: Pixel Experience doesn’t have Chinese apps or banner ads in the system menu.
• 🔄 Fast updates: the firmware updates monthly, while MIUI For older models, there are often no security patches.
• 🎨 Interface without frills: minimalist design, close to stock Android, without unnecessary animations and “chips” Xiaomi.
• 🔧 More control: the ability to fine-tune the system through ADB or Magisk modules.

However, there are downsides: some MIUI features (for example, IR Blaster for control equipment) can work unstable or absent. Also, Pixel Experience requires more RAM - Redmi 4X with 2/3 GB of RAM can slow down when multitasking.

Preparation for firmware: what to do before the start

Before you start flashing, make sure that all the prerequisites are met:

1. Backup. Firmware erases internal memory! Copy photos, contacts and files to your PC or cloud. You can use Swift Backup to backup applications.
2. Battery charge of at least 70%. interruption of the process due to discharge can lead to a hard brick (inability to turn on the device).
3. Install drivers. On the PC must be drivers for Xiaomi (download from the official website) and ADB/Fastboot (part of the Platform Tools from Google).
4. Unlock the bootloader. Without this step, custom recovery or software firmware is not possible (instruction below).

Also prepare the necessary files:

• 📁 Platform Tools (for the purposes of Windows/Linux/Mac).
• 🔓 Mi Unlock Tool (official utility for unlocking the bootloader).
• 🛠️ TWRP for Redmi 4X (version 3.7.0 or later).
• 🤖 Pixel Experience (select a stable version, such as plus or aosp).
• 🔐 Magisk (optional, for root rights).

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi is 4X It was purchased in China, and it may have a closed version. MIUI (In this case, unlocking the bootloader may take up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting due to Xiaomi's policy:

fastboot oem device-info

Look for Device unlocked: false. If it says true, the bootloader is already unlocked.

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader on Redmi 4X

Unlocking the bootloader is a must-have without which it is impossible to install TWRP or custom firmware. Xiaomi officially allows this, but the process requires binding the Mi Account and waiting (3 to 30 days depending on the version of MIUI).

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Options: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on this item.
2. Back to Settings → More → Developer’s Debugging and Activate: USB Debugging OEM Unlock (may not be available on some versions of MIUI)

Connect the phone to the PC, confirm access for debugging on the smartphone screen.

Mi Unlock Tool

Mi

MIUI

Once unlocked, the phone will restart and all data will be erased.

⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, Xiaomi may block some features, such as Mi Pay or Find Device, and some firmware will also display a warning to unlock when booting, which is normal and does not affect the system.

Step 2: Installation of TWRP Recovery

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a customized recovery that allows you to install firmware, make backups and obtain root rights. Redmi 4X (santoni) is suitable for a special build, as the standard version may not support data encryption.

Step-by-step:

1. Download TWRP for santoni (a file with the.img extension) and place it in the folder with Platform Tools.
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect the device to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices should appear serial number of the phone.
4. Squeeze the TWRP command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0-santoni.img (replace the file name with the current one).
5. Without turning off the phone, go to the recavers: fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0-santoni.img
6. In TWRP, allow system changes (swipe the slider when requested).

⚠️ Attention: If after installation TWRP The phone is loaded into the stock recavator, so MIUI I re-recorded it, to avoid that, right after I entered the TWRP Go to Mount. → Enable MTP And copy the Pixel Experience and Magisk firmware file to your phone (if you want root:

fastboot flash boot twrp-3.7.0-santoni.img

This will prevent the Recovery from being replaced during the reboot.

Step 3: Install Pixel Experience

Now that TWRP is installed, you can start with the Pixel Experience firmware.

• 📌 PixelExperience_plus_santoni-... — Google Apps and additional features (recommended for most users).
• 📌 PixelExperience_aosp_santoni-... — «Naked Android without Google services (suitable for power users).
• 📌 Marked versions UNOFFICIAL — Unofficial assemblies, may contain bugs.

Installation process:

1. In TWRP, click on Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache

Then swipe for confirmation.

Install

Pixel Experience

Magisk

root

Do not install it separately after the firmware

Swipe for confirmation and wait for the process to end (5-10 minutes).

Reboot System

1. Return to TWRP and repeat the installation without formatting Data.

2. Swipe the kernel (boot.img) from the firmware archive separately.

3. Make sure you download the firmware for santoni (not for redmi) 4/4a).-->

Typical problems and their solutions

Even if you install the Pixel Experience correctly, the Redmi 4X can still have problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If none of the solutions worked, try a clean installation:

1. In TWRP, run Format Data (enter yes to confirm).
2. Re-scan Pixel Experience and Magisk (if necessary).
3. After booting the system, configure it “from scratch”, without restoring application backups.

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on after the Pixel Experience firmware (black screen or flashing indicator), the boot section is likely damaged. Solution: flash the original boot.img from stock MIUI via fastboot: fastboot flash boot.img.

Optimizing Pixel Experience with Redmi 4X

The Redmi 4X isn’t the most productive smartphone (the Snapdragon 435 processor, 2–3 GB of RAM), so the Pixel Experience can run slower than the MIUI.

• ⚡ Turn off animations: in Settings → System system → For developers, install: Windows animation - Off. Transition animation - Off. Duration of animation — 0.5x
• 🔋 Limit the background processes: in Settings → Apps disable auto-start for unnecessary programs.
• 🗑️ Use lightweight apps: Replace heavy messengers (like Facebook) with Lite versions or web clients.
• 🔄 Turn it on. ZRAM: Install Swap module in Magisk & ZRAM Manager to increase virtual memory.

For advanced users, you can flash an alternative kernel, like FrancoKernel or Perseus, which is better optimized for the Snapdragon 435. However, this requires experience - the wrong kernel can cause a bootloop.

If the battery is running out too quickly, check:

• 🔍 Background activity in Settings → Battery. → Battery utilization.
• 📡 Network mode: switch from LTE on 3G, weak.
• 🌙 Dark theme and adaptive brightness.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi firmware 4X