How to put Android 10 on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: official and unofficial ways

Xiaomi Redmi 4X

santoni

Android 6.0 Marshmallow

MIUI 11

Android 7.1 Nougat

Android 10

This guide will explain in detail how to upgrade Redmi 4X to Android 10 via custom firmware, what tools you will need and how to avoid the device blink if you install it incorrectly. We will look at two ways: through informal builds (for example, LineageOS 17.1 or Pixel Experience) and alternative methods using TWRP and fastboot. Importantly, the process requires unlocking the bootloader, which will reset all data on the phone.

If you're new to firmware, we recommend you take a close look at each step. Errors in the unlock or installation phase can lead to a loss of warranty (if it's still valid) or a device failure. Are you willing to take a risk for a new version of Android?

1. Device Preparation: What to Do Before Firmware

Before you start installing Android 10, you need to prepare the Redmi 4X and the computer. This stage is critical — skipping steps can lead to malfunctions in the firmware process.

First, check the current MIUI version and bootloader status. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If the device never unlocked, the bootloader will lock — that's OK. Also make sure the phone has enough charge (at least 60%) to avoid a sudden shutdown.

• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 60%, better 80%+.
• 📱 Backup: Copy photos, contacts, and files to your PC or cloud (firmware erases all data!).
• 🖥️ Drivers. ADB/Fastboot: Install them on PC (you can download from the Xiaomi website or through the Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔓 Mi Account: Link the device to your Xiaomi account (required to unlock the bootloader).

Pay special attention to unlocking the bootloader. Xiaomi lets you do it officially, but the process takes up to 72 hours (sometimes longer). If you have already unlocked the bootloader before, this step can be skipped. Otherwise, move to the next section.

2 Unlock the bootloader: the official way from Xiaomi

Unlocking the bootloader on Redmi 4X is a must-have step for custom firmware installation. Xiaomi provides the official Mi Unlock Tool, but with limitations: you will have to wait from 3 to 7 days for the company's servers to approve the request.

Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website (the version should correspond to your MIUI). Install the program on your PC, then:

1. Turn on the developer mode on your phone: go to Settings → About phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version.
2. Activate USB Debugging and OEM Unblocking in Settings → Additional → For Developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, and log in to your Mi Account.
4. Follow the instructions of the program. If you receive a message that you need to wait, wait patiently.

⚠️ If you see a "Couldn't unlock" or "Device not supported" error when unlocking, check: 🔹 Is the phone linked to your Mi Account (Settings) → Mi Account). 🔹 Is the phone connected to the Internet (required via mobile data or Wi-Fi). 🔹 Are you using it? VPN or proxy (Xiaomi blocks the unlock through them).

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings, and you can now move on to install TWRP, the custom recavator that will run Android 10.

3. Installation of TWRP Recovery on Redmi 4X

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is an alternative recovery that allows custom firmware, backups and system repair. There are stable TWRP builds for Redmi 4X (santoni), but it's important to choose the right version.

Download the latest version of TWRP for Santoni from the official website:

🔗 twrp.me/xiaomi/xiaomiredmi4x.html

The file will be in.img format (for example, the file will be in.img format, twrp-3.7.0_9-0-santoni.img). Also download the utility fastboot for PC (part of Android) SDK Platform Tools).

Now run the following commands in the terminal (preliminarily go to the folder from fastboot and TWRP):

adb reboot bootloader


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




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

Once completed, the phone will reboot to TWRP. Here you can back up the current firmware (recommended!) or immediately start installing Android 10.

bootloader unlocked |Installed TWRP| Downloaded firmware Android 10 for santoni|Data backup |Disabled antivirus on PC-->

4.Selecting Android 10 firmware for Redmi 4X

There is no official firmware for Android 10 for Redmi 4X, but there are several tried-and-tested custom builds:

• 📱 LineageOS 17.1 – stable firmware with minimalist interface, close to the stock Android.
• 🎨 Pixel Experience – firmware with design and chips from Google Pixel (including Google Camera).
• ⚡ Havoc-OS – customizable firmware with many performance settings.
• 🔄 Resurrection Remix – hybrid build with functions from different firmware.

We recommend LineageOS 17.1 for stability or Pixel Experience for maximum similarity to “pure” Android.

• 🔗 XDA Developers (Redmi) section 4X).
• 🔗 Official website of LineageOS.
• 🔗 Pixel Experience Downloads.

In addition to the firmware, download:

• 🔹 Google Apps (Gapps) – Google Services Package (choose option) arm64 → 10.0 → pico).
• 🔹 Magisk (optional) – to obtain root rights.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) already include GApps. Please specify this in the build description to avoid conflicts when installing.

5.Install Android 10 Step-by-step via TWRP

Now that you're done, we're going to install it, and this process erases all the data on the phone, so make sure you backup again!

Instructions:

1. Copy downloaded firmware, GApps, and Magisk files (if needed) to your phone’s internal memory or SD-map.
2. Download to TWRP: Turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume Up.
3. V TWRP Choose the Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark: 📛 Dalvik / ART Cache 🗃️ System 📄 Data 🔄 Cache

Swipe for confirmation.

Install

GApps

Magisk

Reboot → System

The first run can take 5-10 minutes - don't interrupt! If the phone has been stuck on the logo for longer than 15 minutes, try rebooting to TWRP and re-installing.

6. Set up Android 10 after installation

After successfully booting Android 10, you’ll have to set up the system first, a process similar to setting up a new phone, but there are a few nuances:

First, check the basic functions:

• 📶 Network: mobile Internet and Wi-Fi.
• 🔊 Sound: speakers and microphone.
• 📷 Camera: main and front.
• 🔋 Charging: Connect the charger.

If something is not working, check:

• 🔹 Compatibility with your model (Santoni).
• 🔹 Availability of firmware updates (some bugs are fixed in new builds).
• 🔹 Correct installation of GApps (if Google services are not available).

To improve productivity:

• 🔧 Turn off animations in Settings → System system → For developers (set the scale of animation on the 0.5x or off.).
• 🗑️ Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Data cache.
• 🔋 Activate Battery Saving Mode for Background Apps.

Problem 2: The camera is not working.

• 🔹 Reason: There is no driver or conflict with GApps.
• 🔧 Solution: Install an alternative camera app (e.g. Google Camera for Pixel Experience).Pick a patch for the camera (search on the XDA for your firmware).

Problem 3: Fast battery discharge

• 🔹 Cause: Background processes or unoptimized core.
• 🔧 Solution: Check the battery statistics in Settings → Battery: Turn off autosynchronization and background activity for unnecessary applications. Install a kernel with santoni optimization (e.g., FrancoKernel).

💡

If you have a critical error after your firmware (e.g., your phone is not switched on or not detected by your PC), don't panic. 90% of the time, you can fix it with fastboot or TWRP. The key is to keep the process running and follow the recovery instructions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing Android 10 on Redmi 4X