How to flash Xiaomi Redmi 4X: all ways to update the firmware

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed Santoni) is still a popular budget smartphone, but its owners often face the need to reflash the device, the reasons are different, from the desire to install a fresh version of MIUI to the need to restore the “brick” after a failed update. In this article, the full Redmi 4X firmware guide through Fastboot, Recovery and MIUI Updater, taking into account all the nuances of 2026, including unlocking the bootloader and choosing the right version of the software.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi’s firmware is different from other brands: it has its own tools (like MiFlash), limitations (linking a Mi Account account), and even regional versions of firmware. We’ll break down each method in steps so you can choose the best option – whether it’s an official “over the air” update or manually installing custom firmware through TWRP.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start firmware, make sure that all the prerequisites are met, otherwise you risk getting a brick or losing data.

First, check the version. MIUI And the device model. Go to Settings for that. → On the phone, in the line "Version" MIUI» You will see the current firmware (for example, MIUI Global 12.5.3 Stable) and Redmi must be listed in the "Device Model" 4X or 2017116 (Article for Chinese version) if the model is different (e.g. Redmi Note) 4X), This instruction won't fit!

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%. When you run through Fastboot, the smartphone should not turn off.
• 📱 Back up your important data (photos, contacts, messages) and use Mi Cloud or third-party tools like Titanium Backup.
• 🔐 Find out the status of the bootloader. If it is blocked (by default on all Xiaomi), it will have to be unlocked.
• 💻 Install drivers for Xiaomi on PC. Download them from the official website or through Mi PC Suite.

⚠️ Warning: If you flash a smartphone with a locked bootloader through Fastboot but didn't unlock it beforehand, the device will turn into a "brick."This process is irreversible without the official Mi Unlock unlocker!

Also prepare. USB-cable (preferably original) and Windows computer 7/10/11 (MiFlash macOS is not supported. If you plan to install custom firmware, you will need additional TWRP Recovery and archive with firmware in.zip format.

2 Unlock the bootloader on the Redmi 4X

All Xiaomi smartphones have a bootloader by default, which means you can’t flash the device through Fastboot or install TWRP until you unlock it. It takes up to 360 hours (15 days) of waiting, so start in advance.

To unlock, you will need:

1. Mi Account linked to a phone (required to have a confirmed number!)
2. Mi Unlock Tool (download from the official website)
3. Developer mode enabled and debugging over USB.

Algorithm of action:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include: 🔓 Unlocking OEM (It may not be available on some versions. MIUI). 🔌 Debugging by USB.

Mi Unlock Tool

Mi

Follow the instructions of the program. During the check-up phase, a message may appear to indicate that you need to wait (for example, “168 hours left”).

⚠️ Warning: If you previously linked another Mi Account to this phone, unlocking may not work, so you'll have to reset the device to factory settings and link the new account.

After successful unlocking, the bootloader will remain open even after firmware is installed, but when settings are reset, it may lock again. To avoid this, install TWRP or custom firmware immediately after unlocking.

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If the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a “Couldn’t unlock” error, try using a different version of the program (e.g. 5.5.224.30) or connect your phone to another version. USB-port (preferably 2.0).

3.Redmi 4X firmware methods: which one to choose?

There are three main methods of firmware Redmi 4X, each of which is suitable for different situations.

If your Redmi 4X is stable and you just want to upgrade your MIUI to the latest version, use MIUI Updater. If the device doesn't turn on or you need clean firmware, choose Fastboot. For enthusiasts who want to install LineageOS or Pixel Experience, TWRP will be the method.

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For most users, the best option is to run through Fastboot with the official stable version of MIUI, which guarantees stability and minimal error risk.

4. Firmware via Fastboot (MiFlash Tool)

This method is suitable for “clean” firmware installation, when you need to return the smartphone to a factory state or restore it after a failure.

Step 1. Download the firmware for Redmi 4X (Santoni) from the official website:

• 🌍 Global (for international versions).
• 🇨🇳 China (Chinese models only).
• 🇪🇺 EEA (Europe).

Note the version: Stable or Developer. For everyday use, choose Stable.

Step 2: Unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MiFlash\rom).

Step 3: Install the MiFlash Tool (download here) and connect the phone to your PC in Fastboot mode:

1. Turn off the smartphone.


2.Put Volume down + Power and hold until the Fastboot logo appears (the Mi Bunny robot labeled FASTBOOT).




3. Connect the USB- cable.

Step 4. In MiFlash:

1. Press Select and select the folder with unpacked firmware.
2. At the bottom of the drop-down menu, choose clean all (full cleaning) or clean all and lock (clean + lock the bootloader).
3. Press Refresh – your Redmi 4X should appear in the list of devices.
4. Click Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

Download firmware for Santoni|Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic|Install MiFlash and drivers|Unlock the bootloader (if not done)|Charge the phone to 60%+-->

⚠️ Note: If MiFlash is making a critical partition flashing error is not allowed, you are trying to flash the wrong version. MIUI (For example, Chinese firmware on the global model!

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart. It can take up to 10 minutes to turn on the first one, don't interrupt. MI, Try to go to Recovery (Loudness up). + Powering) and making Wipe Data.

5. Firmware through Recovery (TWRP)

This method is suitable for custom firmware installation (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience) or modified versions of MIUI. The advantage is the ability to selectively firmware (for example, only the system partition) and save data.

Step 1. Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi 4X. Download the latest version from the official website (.img file).

1. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (as in the previous section).


2. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot and do:




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




3.Reboot to Recovery:




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

Step 2. Download the firmware in.zip format (for example, with XDA Developers and transfer it to your phone or SD-map.

Step 3. In TWRP:

1. Make a backup of the current firmware (Backup) → Select sections → Swipe to Backup).
2. Press the Wipe. → Advanced Wipe and mark: 🧹 Dalvik / ART Cache 🗃️ System 📄 Data (if you need a clean installation) 🔄 Cache

Install

Swipe to Confirm Flash

Reboot System

If the phone does not load after firmware, try:

• 🔄 Refuse the Wipe System by first making the Wipe System.
• 🔧 Install a different firmware version (the selected build may not be compatible with your region).
• 🛠️ Back on the stock. MIUI via Fastboot.

6.Update via MIUI Updater (no PC)

The easiest way to upgrade to Redmi 4X is to use the built-in MIUI Updater utility, which does not require unlocking the bootloader and is suitable for installing official over-the-air updates (OTAs).

Step 1. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update.

Step 2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select Service Pack. If the update is available, the system will prompt you to download it automatically.

Step 3: Wait for the file to load (it can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on the speed of the internet).

Step 4. After download, click Reboot and Update. The phone will install the update itself and restart.

⚠️ Note: If you update through MIUI Updater appears with the error “Can’t update: 🔄 Download the full firmware package (.zip) from the official website and select it manually. 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes the error is related to unstable internet). 🔧 Reset network settings in Settings → Wireless networks → Reset your network settings if your Redmi 4X Not seeing any updates available, you may be using the latest version MIUI In this case, you'll have to go through Fastboot or Recovery. 7 Frequent errors and solutions. 4X Users often face typical problems. Here are the most common ones and ways to fix them: Error Reason Decision This package is for "santoni" devices; this is a" Firmware is not suitable for your model Download the correct version for Redmi 4X (Santoni) Error: Failed to process command in MiFlash Lack of rights or drivers Launch MiFlash on behalf of the administrator, reinstall drivers phone is stuck on the logo MI After firmware Incompatible or not cleaned Cache Go to Recovery and make Wipe Cache Anti-rollback check fail Try to roll back to an older version MIUI Switch only the version that is newer than the current Mi Unlock Tool does not see the device Not enabled debugging by USB Check the developer’s settings, try another one. USB-port if it has disappeared after the firmware IMEI or the network is not working, most likely the modem partition is damaged. You can restore it by downloading the stock firmware for your model, unpacking it, and finding the files. non-hlos.bin and modem.bin. Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Modem NON-HLOS.bin fastboot flash fsg fsg.mbn If none of the methods did not help, contact the Xiaomi service center or the forum 4PDA, where the current instructions for Redmi are collected 4X. FAQ: Answers to popular questions Can I use Redmi? 4X No, for Fastboot or installation TWRP Unlocking is mandatory. The only way to upgrade without unlocking is to use it. MIUI Updater (if available) OTA-Which firmware is better to choose: Global, China or EEA? Depends on your model: Global for international versions (supports Google Services); China for Chinese models only (no Google, but there are Chinese services). EEA — For Europe (similar to Global, but with some limitations), you can't stitch the Chinese version onto a global phone (and vice versa) because it's going to lead to errors! How do you get back the stock firmware when the phone is a brick? If Redmi is a brick? 4X No power on or stuck on the logo: Download the official firmware for your model. Sweep it through Fastboot with MiFlash, selecting the clean all option. If the phone is not defined by the PC, try clamping Volume down. + Power for 20-30 seconds to force login to Fastboot.Can I flash Redmi 4X Android 10 or later? Xiaomi has not officially released MIUI Android 10 based+ for Redmi 4X. However, there are custom firmware (for example, LineageOS 17.1 based on Android 10), which can be installed via the Internet. TWRP. Consider that they can be unstable, and why does the camera or the fingerprint sensor not work after the firmware is installed? This is a typical problem when installing unofficial or ported firmware. Solutions: Sweat the official MIUI through Fastboot. Install a patch for the camera (if available for your firmware). Check if your model supports the fingerprint sensor in the selected firmware (for example, in some builds LineageOS it does not work).