How to flash Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 through your computer: a complete guide with pictures and tips

Why Computer Firmware Is the Best Choice for Redmi Note 4

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 firmware via PC remains the most reliable way to upgrade or restore a smartphone when standard methods through Settings → System Update do not work. This method allows you to install both official global / Chinese MIUI builds and custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience. The main advantage is control over the process: you choose the firmware version, clear the cache and avoid “semi-updates” that often cause bugs.

Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) Released in 2017, but still in demand due to the balanced characteristics: Snapdragon 625 processor, 3/4 GB of RAM and removable battery for 4100 mAh. However, over time, official support for MIUI ends, and users face problems from the lack of security updates to sudden restarts. firmware through the computer solves these tasks, but requires care – an error at the stage of unlocking the bootloader or selecting the wrong version of software can turn the phone into a “brick”.

In this article, we will discuss three key scenarios when firmware via PC is needed:

• 🔄 Downgraid from the new version MIUI stable (e.g., with a stable MIUI 12 on MIUI 11 because of bugs).
• 🛠️ Recovery after failed "over-the-air" update" (OTA), When the phone got stuck on the Mi logo.
• 🚀 Install custom firmware for advanced features (e.g. support for Google Camera or Android 12)+).

Preparation for firmware: what to do before the start

Before you connect Redmi Note 4 to your computer, make sure that all the preliminary steps are followed. Firmware without a backup will lead to its complete loss - even files on internal memory (photos, videos, messages) will be erased. Use cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) or physical copying on your PC via a computer. MTP-regime.

List of mandatory actions:

Create a backup copy of data (contacts, SMS, photos)

Check the phone model in Settings → About Phone → Model (should be Redmi Note 4/4X)

Charge the battery by at least 60% (optimally - 80%)

Download Mi USB Driver and ADB/Fastboot

Prepare. USB-cable (original or data-supported)

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Pay special attention to unlocking the bootloader. On the Redmi Note 4, it is locked by default, and you can't flash your phone through the Fastboot without unlocking it.

1. Linking your Mi Account to your device (in the settings of Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud).
2. Applications for unblocking via the official Mi Unlock tool (can take up to 72 hours).
3. Confirmation via SMS (phone number must be linked to Mi Account).

⚠️ Note: If you bought Redmi Note 4 "hands-on", check the status of the bootloader through the command fastboot oem device-info. If the answer Device unlocked: false, unlock is required. Devices with a link to the account of the previous owner will not be unlocked – you will need a reset via Mi Account.

Firmware selection: official MIUI vs custom builds

The type of firmware not only determines the functionality of the phone, but also the stability of its operation. MIUI divide:

• 🌍 Global (Global) – optimized for the international market, support Google services, updated less often in China.
• 🇨🇳 Chinese (China) – contain exclusive features (e.g. Mi Pay), but without Google Play and in Chinese.
• 📱 EEA (Europe – similar to global standards but subject to European standards (e.g. restrictions on data collection).

For Redmi Note 4, the current versions of MIUI can be downloaded on official resources:

Custom firmware (such as LineageOS 18.1 or HavocOS) gives you access to new versions of Android (up to 12+), but requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked loader.
• 🛡️ Established custom recaveri (TWRP).
• 📥 Manual selection of compatible version (for mido).

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Before downloading the firmware, check its hash amount (MD5) using the HashMyFiles utility. This will protect against corrupted files that can interrupt the firmware process.

Step-by-step: Firmware through MiFlash Tool

This method is suitable for installing official MIUI firmware in.tgz or.zip format. MiFlash tool works only with unlocked bootloader and in Fastboot mode.

Step 1: Install drivers and MiFlash

1. Download the MiFlash Tool (version 2020 or later).
2. Install Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers (included in the MiFlash package or downloaded separately).
3. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\redmi_note_4_global).

Step 2: Transfer your phone to Fastboot mode

1. Turn off the Redmi Note 4.
2. Press Volume Down + Power for 10 seconds until the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.

Step 3. Firmware through MiFlash

1. Run MiFlash on behalf of the administrator.
2. Click Select and point the way to the firmware folder.
3. At the bottom, select firmware mode: clean all – complete cleaning (recommended when changing the version of MIUI). clean all and lock – cleaning + lock the bootloader (only for official firmware!). save user data – saving user data (risky).

Refresh

COM-port

Flash

⚠️ Warning: If MiFlash is running a critical partition flashing error is not allowed, then clean all and lock mode is chosen for the unofficial firmware. Switch to clean all and try again.

Firmware custom recavery (TWRP) and custom firmware

To install unofficial firmware (for example, LineageOS or Resurrection Remix) you first need to flash custom Recovery. TWRP. This tool replaces the standard Mi Recovery recovery and allows you to install the ZIP-file.

Step 1 Download TWRP for Redmi Note 4

Official version TWRP For mido, you can find it on twrp.me. Download a file with the.img extension (e.g., download it, twrp-3.7.0_9-0-mido.img).

Step 2: Install TWRP via Fastboot

1. Put your phone in Fastboot mode (as described above).
2. Open the command line (Win) + R → cmd) and go to the folder with ADB/Fastboot:
3. Check the connection of the device:
4. TWRP:
5. Reboot to the Recovery:

Step 3: Install custom firmware

1. Download firmware (such as LineageOS) and GApps (Google Services Package) to a memory card.
2. In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache

Install

GApps

Reboot → System

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Custom firmware often requires additional patches (e.g. Magisk for root rights or Displax for display bug fixes).

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with the right instructions, the firmware process may not go according to plan.

If after firmware Redmi Note 4 hovers on the Mi logo or cyclically reboots:

1. Transfer the phone to Fastboot (Loudness down + Power).
2. Sweep the same MIUI version again through MiFlash with the clean all option.
3. If it doesn’t work, install an older version of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 11 instead of MIUI 12).

⚠️ Note: After installing custom firmware, VoLTE support may disappear (voice on the phone) 4G) For Redmi Note 4, this is solved by installing the VoLTE Fix patch through the Internet. TWRP.

How to return the official firmware after custom

If experiments with custom assemblies did not meet expectations, you can return the Redmi Note 4 to the “factory” state in two ways:

Method 1. via MiFlash (recommended)

1. Download the official MIUI firmware in.tgz format.
2. Unpack it in a folder and run it through MiFlash with the clean all and lock option.
3. After rebooting, reset settings to Settings → Additional → Restore and reset.

Method 2. via TWRP (if the bootloader is unlocked)

1. Download the official firmware in.zip format (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it on a memory card.
3. In TWRP, select Install → update.zip and confirm the installation.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions