How to Sweethe a Brick Xiaomi Redmi 4X: A Complete Recovery Guide

The situation when after experimenting with software, the smartphone turns into a “brick”, is familiar to many mobile enthusiasts. Xiaomi Redmi 4X, despite its reliability and popularity, is not immune to critical system failures, especially if the user tried to install a custom recovery or a new version of Android. The screen goes out, there is no vibration signal, and the only sign of life is a flashing charging indicator or complete silence of the gadget. At this point, it seems that the device is irretrievably lost, but in 90% of cases the situation is rectified.

Recovery requires not only the right sequence of actions, but also an understanding of the boot architecture of the Qualcomm Snapdragon processors on which this model runs. Mistakes in choosing a firmware version, interrupting the data writing process or crashing drivers are the main reasons for the “Hard Brick” state. However, the presence of a special EDL mode allows you to bypass the damaged bootloader and write the system image directly to memory.

Before you start taking action, you need to realize that any manipulation of low-level software carries risks. Incorrectly selected firmware can lead to the failure of communication modules or the camera. However, strict adherence to the algorithm described below will bring the Redmi 4X back to life. The main thing is to prepare everything you need in advance and take your time, since rush often causes repeated errors.

Diagnostics of the device state and determination of the type of lock

The first step is always to make an accurate diagnosis, and you need to understand exactly what the smartphone is in: it is a “Soft Brick” (cyclic reboot, Mi logo) or “Hard Brick” (complete lack of reaction). 4X There are several symptoms of complete incapacity, and when you connect to a computer, you hear a connection sound. USB-The device, but the screen is black, is a good sign – the power controller is working and the processor responds to external signals.

You should carefully check the Windows Device Manager. When you connect the "brick" in a special mode, the Qualcomm port should appear in the list of equipment. HS-USB QDLoader 9008. If an unknown device or device with an error is displayed instead, the drivers are not installed correctly or the phone has not entered boot mode. QUSB_BULK, You will need to force the test points on the board.

It is also important to check the behavior of the notification indicator. Orange flashing light usually indicates a dead battery or an attempt to enter Fastboot mode. If the indicator is lit red and does not flash, this may indicate a deep discharge or a problem with the charge controller, which requires a preliminary “pumping” of the battery before firmware.

⚠️ Note: If the computer emits a characteristic connection sound when connecting to the PC USB, but the device is not detected in the Device Manager, try replacing it USB-Use of faulty cable is a common cause of false diagnosis of a brick».

Tools required and driver preparation

A successful Redmi 4X resuscitation requires a specific set of software. The basic tool is the Mi Flash Tool, which can work with EDL mode. The version of the program should be up-to-date, but proven, since new builds sometimes contain errors. It is recommended to use the 2018 or 2020 version, which has proven to be stable when working with older models on Snapdragon.

Qualcomm drivers are critical. Without properly installed QDLoader drivers, your computer will not see your phone in deep boot mode. Often Windows automatically puts standard drivers that are not suitable for firmware. You need to manually update the driver in the Device Manager, indicating the path to the folder with Qualcomm drivers downloaded separately, and you will need ADB and Fastboot drivers for initial diagnosis.

Special attention should be paid to the choice of the firmware itself. EDL Only.tgz (Fastboot) images are suitable, not.zip (Recovery), and the image folder and script should be inside the archive. flash_all.bat. It is important to download the firmware for your regional or global (Global) version, but it is necessary to match the type of bootloader. If you previously had a Chinese bootloader, the global firmware may not stand up without unlocking.

Enter EDL (9008) mode on Redmi 4X

The most difficult step for many users is to put the phone into emergency boot mode. If the smartphone menu is available, this can be done through the command adb reboot edl. However, for the brick, this method does not work. For the Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codename santoni), there are two main ways of entering: software (via Fastboot) and hardware (disassembly).

If the phone responds to volume and power buttons and enters Fastboot mode, you can try to transfer it to EDL software. To do this, connect the phone in Fastboot mode to your PC, open the command line in the folder with ADB and type in the command: fastboot oem edl. If the bootloader is not locked or allows this command, the phone will go to the black screen, and the device manager will appear port 9008.

In the case when the Fastboot is not available or the command does not execute, you will have to resort to the hardware method. You need to remove the back cover (it is plastic and is removed by heating around the perimeter), unscrew the metal frame and find test points on the board. Closing the Test Point point by mass (metal screen) while simultaneously connecting USB-The cable is forced to put the processor in 9008 mode. 4X The test point is usually located next to the processor or under the metal screen of the modules.

⚠️ Warning: When disassembling your smartphone, be extremely careful with the fingerprint scanner plume and the main camera plume. They are very thin and easily break when handled carelessly. Turn off the battery plumes before any manipulation of the board.

The process of firmware through the Mi Flash Tool

Once you successfully log in to 9008 and install the drivers, you can start the recovery process itself. Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. In the main program window, click the Select button and specify the path to the unpacked firmware folder. Make sure there are no Cyrillic characters or spaces on the way to the folder, as the utility may not process the path correctly.

At the bottom of the program window, you need to select firmware mode. To fully restore the brick, only Clean All (full clean) or Clean All and Lock (clean and lock the bootloader) mode is suitable. Save User Data mode cannot be used in this case, as it is designed to update the operating system and can cause file conflict, which will lead to a cyclical reboot. Choose Clean All for guaranteed results.

Press Flash to start the process. The progress bar will show you the steps of writing partitions. The whole process takes 100 to 300 seconds. If there is an error at some point (like Flash Error or timeout), don't panic. Often it helps to reconnect the cable, change the cable. USB-port or select another version of the Mi Flash Tool. Upon successful completion, the phone will automatically restart.

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Clear All mode completely deletes all user data, including photos, contacts and applications, and it will be impossible to restore them after that without prior backup.

Analysis of errors and ways to eliminate them

There can be specific errors that require a personalized approach during the recovery process, and one of the most common problems is the Miss matching image and device error, which means you're trying to flash firmware that isn't designed for that device (like Redmi Note 4 instead of 4X) or another type of bootloader, and the solution is one: download the correct image that matches the codename santoni.

Another common error is “Firehose Error” or signature problems, which can occur if the device is locked bootloader, and you try to flash firmware with a different lock status, or if you use an unauthorized Mi Account (although for older models like this one). 4X This is less often required. There may also be an error if the file is prog_emmc_firehose_8937_ddr.mbn (First-level boot loader) is damaged or not suitable for the device memory version.

If the process hangs on a certain percentage (for example, 5% or 98%), this often indicates a problem with the process. USB-cable or port. USB 3.0 ports sometimes cause conflicts with Qualcomm drivers, so it is recommended to switch to the port. USB It is also worth trying another cable, preferably an original or high-quality analogue, capable of transmitting data, and not only current.

Below is a table with decryption errors and methods of their solution:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)