Xiaomi Redmi 4X, released in early 2017, has long been considered a benchmark budget segment thanks to the metal body and processor Snapdragon 435.However, official support for the device ended on the version of Android 7.0 Nougat, which left owners without modern features and current security patches. the only way to breathe new life into the gadget is the installation of custom firmware based on Android 10.
This process requires carefulness and careful follow-up, because there are risks involved in interfering with the system partition. Unlike the standard airburst update, you have to unlock the bootloader and install the modified backups yourself, and even though the complexity is complex, the result is worth it: you get a modern interface, support for new applications and significantly increased performance.
Before you start the procedure, make sure you are fully aware of the consequences of your actions.The official warranty on the device has most likely already expired, but the risk of turning the phone into a “brick” with inept actions still exists. In this article, we will discuss in detail each step of the transition to LineageOS or similar builds based on the tenth version of Android.
Preparation of equipment and software
Success of the operation 90% It depends on the quality of the workspace and the tools, and you'll need the Redmi smartphone. 4X charged battery (minimum) 60-70%) And a computer running Windows, macOS or Linux, and you also need quality. USB-cable, preferably original or certified, to avoid connection breakdowns at a critical time.
You need to install the current ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer. Without these components, the system will not be able to recognize the device in bootloader mode. Windows users can easily use Google’s Platform-tools package, which contains all the necessary executables for working with the command line.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
In addition to drivers, you will need specific files for firmware. The main elements are the custom TWRP recavator image, adapted specifically for the santoni model (codenamed Redmi 4X), and the zip archive with the operating system itself. Also remember to download the GApps package (Google Apps) if it is not built into the firmware to access the Play Market.
⚠️ Warning: All data on the internal drive will be destroyed during the installation process. Copy photos, contacts and documents to the cloud server or computer in advance.
Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)
The first and mandatory step is to unlock the bootloader, which Xiaomi blocks at the software level by requiring special permission from MIUI servers, by linking the Mi Account to the device through the developer menu.
Activate Developer Mode by quickly tapping the build number seven times in the About Phone section. Then, in the menu that appears, look for Mi Unlock Status and do the binding. After that, wait 168 hours (7 days) until you unlock through the official Mi Unlock Tool utility on your PC.
What to do if the utility does not see the phone?
After the waiting time has expired, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to the same account and put the phone into Fastboot mode, pressing the volume down button when you turn on. Press the unlock button in the program. The process will take a few seconds, after which the device will restart, and all data will be deleted.
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
The standard recovery menu does not allow third-party firmware to be installed, so it needs to be replaced with the TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), a specialized touchscreen-controlled environment that gives full file system rights.
To install, copy the downloaded image file (usually with the.img extension) to the ADB tool folder on your computer. Rename it for convenience to twrp.img. Connect your Fastboot phone to your PC and open the command line in the utility folder.
Enter a command to check the connection:
fastboot devicesIf the serial number comes back, the device is ready to go. Now, run the command to the recovery firmware:
fastboot flash recovery twrp.imgAn important nuance for Redmi 4X: once the TWRP firmware is installed, you can’t boot into the system in the usual way, otherwise the staff loader will overwrite the Recovery back to the stock one. Immediately after you execute the command in the terminal, turn off the cable and press the Volume Up + Power button combination before the TWRP logo appears.
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After TWRP firmware, downloads to Android should only be made through the Recovery menu to avoid rollbacks.
Android 10 installation process
Once you've successfully logged in to TWRP, the first thing you need to do is clear partitions. Go to the Wipe menu and select Advanced Wipe. Tick the Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data, and Cache sections. Don't touch the Internal Storage section if you want to save files you've previously transferred to your phone, but you'd better format it for a clean installation.
Return to the main menu and select Install.Look for a previously copied zip archive with Android 10 firmware.Confirm the selection and move the slider to start the installation. The process will take 3 to 10 minutes depending on the speed of the memory card or internal flash memory.
Once you install the system, install the GApps package if you need it, and then select the Google Apps zip file from the Install menu and start the installation, and add Google Play services, which most modern apps don't work without.
| Component | Appointment | File format |
|---|---|---|
| TWRP Image | Recovery environment | .img |
| ROM (System) | Operating system | .zip |
| GApps | Google services | .zip |
| Firmware (Base) | Basic drivers (sometimes) | .zip |
First Start and Primary Setup
Once you have completed installing all the components, select Reboot → System from the TWRP menu. The first launch can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes as the system optimizes applications and creates cache. Don't be alarmed if the screen goes out or the logo hangs for a long time - this is an important background work.
When the device finally boots up, you’ll see Android 10’s Welcome Screen. Go through the standard setup procedure: select a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and log in to your Google account. The interface will be significantly different from the usual MIUI, offering smoother animations and native control gestures.
⚠️ Warning: If you see a black screen or a cyclic bootloop after booting, you need to go back to the boot. TWRP And you can do a full Format Data reset by typing the word "yes." That will remove the encryption of the old data section.
It is recommended to check the main modules: camera, microphone, sensor and Bluetooth. santoni firmware is usually stable, but specific features such as VoLTE or fingerprint scanner may not work properly depending on the version of the build.
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To improve autonomy after installation, immediately disable unnecessary geolocation functions and reduce the frequency of network surveys if you are in a weak signal zone.