Xiaomi Redmi 4 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, which is still used by many users. However, over time, official support for the device ceases, and older versions of MIUI cease to receive security updates. Firmware through the computer allows you not only to update the system to the current version, but also to install custom builds like LineageOS or Pixel Experience for advanced features.
In this article, we will discuss two main ways of firmware: through MiFlash Tool (the official method using fastboot) and through TWRP (for installing custom firmware), focusing on device preparation, unlocking the bootloader and the typical errors that users encounter. If you have never flashed a smartphone before, don’t worry: the manual is adapted for beginners, but with all the technical nuances.
Preparation for firmware: what to do before the start
Redmi 4 firmware requires prior preparation, otherwise the risk of "bricking" the device increases significantly. The first thing you need to do is unlock the bootloader. Without this, neither the official nor custom firmware will install. Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all devices by default, so you have to go through the procedure through the Mi Account.
The second is to back up your data. The firmware completely erases internal memory, including photos, contacts and apps. Use the Mi PC Suite or manually copy files to your computer. Also check if the battery is high enough: a minimum of 50%, otherwise the device may shut down during the process.
- 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (requires account binding).
- 📱 Model check: Redmi 4 has several modifications (markw, prada, rolex). → The phone. → Model.
- 🔋 Battery charge at least 50% (optimally — 70-80%).
- 💾 Backup via Mi Cloud or locally on PC.
⚠️ Note: If you bought Redmi 4 "with hands", make sure that the device is not tied to someone else's Mi Account. Otherwise, after firmware, the phone will require entering the username / password of the previous owner (Mi Cloud Lock).
Official firmware through MiFlash: step-by-step instructions
The MiFlash Tool is suitable for installing official firmware from Xiaomi (stable or development versions of MIUI), which works in fastboot mode, so it does not require custom recovery installation, the main advantage is the minimum risk of errors, since the utility automatically checks the firmware compatibility with the device model.
Download the latest version of the MiFlash Tool from the official website (Tools section). You will also need.tgz firmware for your Redmi 4. Please note: Markw (global version) and prada (Chinese) files are not interchangeable!
Download MiFlash Tool and unpack to the root of the C:| disk
Download the official firmware (.tgz) for your model |
Install Xiaomi drivers (via Mi PC Suite or manually) |
Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings |
Put your phone in fastboot mode (power clip) + Volume Down)|
Connect your smartphone to your PC through the original USB-cable
-->
Follow the instructions:
- Unpack the archive from the MiFlash Tool into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MiFlash).
- Unpack the firmware (.tgz) in a separate folder. flash_all.bat.
- Run MiFlash.exe on behalf of the administrator.
- In the Select field, specify the path to the folder with unpacked firmware.
- Connect your phone in fastboot mode (a screen with a rabbit and the words Fastboot).
- In MiFlash, press Refresh – the device must be determined (it will appear). COM-port).
- Select firmware method: Clean all – clean (recommended); Clean all and lock – clean + lock bootloader (official firmware only); Save user data – save user data (not always stable).
Flash
⚠️ Note: If MiFlash gives you an error "Couldn't find fastboot", check the driver installation (COM and LPT) The Qualcomm device should be displayed HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
💡
If the firmware is stuck in the waiting for device stage, try changing it. USB-port (better to use) USB 2.0 on the back of the PC) or disable the antivirus – it can block the utility.
Installation of custom firmware through TWRP
If you don't like the official MIUI, you can install custom firmware like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or HavocOS, which requires custom TWRP recavators that replace Xiaomi's standard recovery, and it's important that this method requires an unlocked bootloader and a higher level of technical training.
Download it first.
- 📱 TWRP Redmi 4 (should be modeled as markw, prada or rolex) official builds are available at twrp.me.
- 💾 Custom firmware in.zip format (for example, from the forum) XDA Developers).
- 🔑 Magisk (optional, for root rights).
The TWRP installation process:
- Turn your phone into fastboot (press Power + Volume Down).
- Connect to your PC and check the device definition by command: fastboot devices must display a serial number.
- Please. TWRP Team: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.7.0-0-markw.img (substitute twrp-3.7.0-0-markw.img in the name of your file).
- Reboot to Recavers: fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0-0-markw.img
After getting into TWRP:
- Make a backup of the current firmware (optional, but recommended).
- Run Wipe → Format Data (required for custom firmware!).
- Install.zip with firmware through Install.
- If necessary, go to Magisk for root rights.
- Reboot to the system.
What to do if TWRP does not start?
Unlock the bootloader: without it anywhere
Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all devices, including Redmi 4, to prevent unauthorized system changes. Without unlocking, you will not be able to flash either official or custom firmware. The procedure takes 3 to 30 days (depending on Xiaomi's policy) and requires you to link your Mi Account to the device.
Step-by-step:
- Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
- Enable OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate the developer menu).
- Sign in to Mi Account on your phone and Mi Unlock Tool on PC (should be one account!).
- Connect your phone in fastboot mode and press Unlock in the utility.
- Wait for SMS or unblock notifications (can take up to 720 hours).
| Unblocking status | What do you do? |
|---|---|
| ✅ "Unlocked successfully" | The bootloader is unlocked, you can sew it. |
| ⏳ "Couldn't verify device or "Wait" 168/360/720 hours" | Wait until the time is set, repeating the attempt periodically. |
| ❌ "Current account is different from the account info on the device" | Make sure that you have one account on your phone and Mi Unlock Tool. |
| 🔄 "Device is locked. Relocking" | Repeat the procedure from the beginning, it is possible that the account is not tied to the device. |
⚠️ Note: If you bought Redmi 4 on AliExpress or other sites, there is a high risk that the device is already tied to someone else's account, in which case unlocking the bootloader is impossible without the consent of the previous owner. → Mi Account → Devices.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Redmi 4 firmware is often accompanied by errors, especially for beginners.
- 🚫 Fastboot Invalid Image Error: Reason: Wrong firmware version or corrupted file Solution: Re-download the firmware and check its hash amount (for example, through a hash). 7-Zip).
- 🔌 Phone not defined in MiFlash: Reasons: no drivers, faulty cable or port.Solution: install drivers manually through Device Manager or use the original Xiaomi cable.
- 🔄 Hanging on the logo MI after firmware: Reason: incompatible firmware or incomplete data cleanup Solution: repeat firmware with full wipe TWRP Choose Format Data).
- 📵 No network after custom firmware installation: Reason: no modem modules for your model. Solution: Sweat modem and firmware files separately from the official firmware.
Critical error: if after firmware through MiFlash the phone stopped turning on and does not respond to charging, most likely, the firmware was installed for another model (for example, prada instead of markw). EDL-mode (emergency download mode), but this requires an authorized Xiaomi account or box for repair.
💡
Always check firmware compatibility with your Redmi model. 4. Even small differences in code (e.g. markw vs. markw_global) It could lead to a "brick".
How to return the official MIUI after custom firmware
If custom firmware is unstable or you want to return the warranty, you can roll back to the official MIUI.
- Download the official firmware in.tgz format for your model.
- Unpack it and find the file. flash_all_lock.bat (He'll lock the bootloader after the firmware).
- Transfer the phone to fastboot and connect to the PC.
- Launch it. flash_all_lock.bat on behalf of the administrator.
- Wait for completion and reboot.
After this procedure, the bootloader will lock again, and you will have to re-unblock to install custom firmware. If you plan to return to the custom in the future, use this option. flash_all.bat lock-free.
💡
Before returning to the official firmware, remove the root rights (if installed) through Magisk → Uninstall. This will prevent conflicts when updating via OTA.