Xiaomi Redmi firmware 4X on pure Android: from unlock to installation

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni, it is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, but its signature shell. MIUI If you are tired of advertising, unnecessary services and want to get a “naked” Android with fast work and current updates – this guide is for you.

Redmi firmware 4X on pure Android (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience or AOSP) It requires care: errors at any stage can turn a phone into a brick, and in this guide, we will take you through all the steps from unlocking the bootloader to installing GApps, and how to avoid typical problems. 1–2 It takes an hour to get a computer Windows/Linux.

Before you start, check your device model in Settings. → The phone. → Model, firmware for Redmi. 4X (Santoni not suitable for Redmi 4/4A/4 Also make sure the battery is charged at least on the 70% — This is critical to avoid failure.

1.Preparation: What will be needed for firmware

To flash Redmi. 4X On Android, you will need to:

• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi Smartphone 4X (codename santoni) with charge ≥70%.
• 💻 Computer running Windows 7/10/11 Linux (MacOS will require additional drivers).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original or high-quality).
• 📁 Firmware-based AOSP (For example, LineageOS 16/17/18 or Pixel Experience).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if not already unlocked – instructions below).
• 🛠️ The Mi Unlock Tool: Mi Unlock Tool, ADB & Fastboot, TWRP Recovery.

Download all the files you need in advance and unpack them into a separate folder on your computer.

• 🔗 Firmware AOSP: LineageOS or Pixel Experience.
• 🔗 TWRP Recovery: The latest version for Santoni on the official website.
• 🔗 Google Services: Choose the Option arm64 → 10.0 → Pico or Nano on OpenGApps.
• 🔗 Mi Unlock Tool: download from the official Xiaomi website (you will need a Mi Account).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use firmware from unknown forums or torrent trackers! they may be embedded with malicious scripts or spyware. Official sources are your only safe choice.

Also, back up all the data: the firmware completely erases the internal memory.

• 📲 Mi Cloud (for contacts, notes, photos).
• 💾 Local copying on PC through MTP (Put your phone on like a flash drive).
• 🔄 Apps like Swift Backup (require root if already installed).

2 Unlock the bootloader on the Redmi 4X

The bootloader on all Xiaomi smartphones is locked by default. Without it, custom firmware cannot be installed. The process takes 72–168 hours (3–7 days) due to Xiaomi’s security policy.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone: Go to Settings → Mi Account and log in. Enable Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Unlocking OEM. Connect your phone to the Internet (required via mobile network, not Wi-Fi).
2. Download Mi Unlock Tool: The utility is available on the official website (you will need to log into the Mi Account). Unpack the archive and launch miflash_unlock.exe on behalf of the administrator.
3. Start unlocking: Turn off the phone, press Volume down + Power to log into Fastboot. Connect your phone to your PC and in Mi Unlock Tool, press Unlock. If you see a "Wait to" error, you have to wait (the deadline will appear in the utility).

⚠️ Warning: If you previously linked another Mi Account to this phone, you'll have to unplug it through your personal account!

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically restart. TWRP Recovery – custom recovery, which will allow you to flash clean Android.

1. Use another. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

2. disable the antivirus and firewall on the PC.

3. Reinstall drivers ADB/Fastboot via Mi Flash Tool.-->

3. Installation of TWRP Recovery on Redmi 4X

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project is an alternative recovery that allows custom firmware to be installed, backups made and system repairs. For Redmi 4X Use the latest stable version from the official website.

Installation instructions:

1. Download. TWRP for santoni: The file has the.img extension (e.g, twrp-3.7.0_9-0-santoni.img). Put it in a folder with ADB & Fastboot (you can download it here).
2. Launch your phone in Fastboot mode: Turn off the device. Press Volume down. + Power and hold on for 10 seconds.
3. Please. TWRP via Fastboot: Open the command line (Win) + R → cmd) in the folder ADB. Enter the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-santoni.img After successful firmware type: fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-santoni.img (It'll temporarily load. TWRP non-recording).

If it goes well, you will see the menu. TWRP Important: Don't restart your phone right after you've installed it. TWRP! First, you need to disable forced recovery. MIUI.

Do the following in TWRP:

1. Go to Mount. → System and tick it.
2. Go back to the main menu and select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Cross the path. /system/bin and delete the file install-recovery.sh (That'll prevent replacement. TWRP on the stock Recovery when reloading).

Make a backup of the current firmware (optional)|Download firmware and GApps on your phone|Check the version. TWRP (It should support Android. 10/11)|Disable signature verification in settings TWRP-->

4. Selection and downloading of firmware AOSP

For Redmi. 4X A few options for pure Android:

For beginners, we recommend LineageOS or Pixel Experience, which are the most stable and have fewer bugs.

• 📱 Android 10 is the best choice for Redmi 4X (maximum compatibility).
• 📱 Android 11/12 — It may be due to weak iron (Snapdragon) 435).

Download firmware (.zip) and GApps (for example, OpenGApps-arm64-10.0-pico) directly to the phone or SD-Don't unpack the archives!

⚠️ Note: If you choose firmware on Android 11+, Some features may not work properly (e.g. camera or Bluetooth) Before installing check reviews on the XDA-Developers forum.

5. Firmware of pure Android through TWRP

Now, to the most important step, installing the firmware, follow the instructions carefully to avoid errors.

Procedure:

1. Boot in. TWRP: Turn off the phone. Press the volume up. + Food and hold until the logo appears TWRP.
2. Make a full reset (Wipe): Go to Wipe → Advanced Wipe. Mark: Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Cache. Swipe to confirm (this will delete all data!).
3. Install firmware: Go back to the main menu, select Install. Find the downloaded.zip with the firmware and confirm the installation. Don't restart once you're done!
4. Install GApps: Press Install again and select the archive from GApps. Confirm the installation.
5. Reboot the system: Select Reboot → System. The first start can take 5-15 minutes - do not interrupt the process!

If the phone stays on the logo for more than 20 minutes after the reboot, it's a mistake.

1. Boot back in. TWRP (Loudness up + Nutrition).
2. Repeat the steps of Wipe and install firmware.
3. If the problem recurs, try a different firmware version or GApps.

💡

Never install firmware and GApps in one step through "Add more Zips" TWRP! This can lead to a conflict of system files. Set them separately.

6. Set up a clean Android after firmware

After a successful boot, you have to first set up the system.

• 🔄 Recover data: If you have backed up through a Google Account, log in and restore contacts, apps and settings. Files (photos, videos) copy from your PC or SD-map.
• ⚙️ Update the system: Go to Settings → System system → Update the system and check the firmware relevance. LineageOS updates come weekly, Pixel Experience updates come once a month.
• 🔋 Optimize the battery: Turn off background activity of unnecessary apps in Settings → Activate Charge Savings mode in battery settings.
• 🛡️ Check security: Install Google Play Protect in Google Play settings. Update all apps through Play Market.

If you notice bugs (for example, it doesn’t work) NFC or double camera, check it out:

• 🔍 Compatibility with your model (Santoni).
• 📋 Presence of patches on the forum XDA.
• 🔄 Possibility of rollback to the previous version of the firmware.

To return to MIUI You'll need to run the official firmware through Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool, but this will block the bootloader again, and you'll have to repeat the unlocking process.

7.Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the exact following of the instructions, there can be problems.

If your problem is not listed in the table, look for a solution to:

• 🔗 XDA-Developers (Redmi 4X)
• 🔗 4PDA (firmware)
• 🔗 Telegram chat for Santoni owners

⚠️ Note: If you have lost your firmware after IMEI (No network, no way to reboot your phone! MIUI via Fastboot, otherwise you risk losing IMEI forever.

8. Alternative methods of firmware

If you can't get the Redmi. 4X through TWRP, There are two alternative methods:

Method 1: Fastboot Firmware (for power users)

This method is suitable for installing official and some custom firmware without TWRP. It will:

1. Download firmware in.tgz format (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
2. Unpack the archive and launch the script flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (Linux).
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and wait until it is completed.

Method 2: Using OrangeFox Recovery

OrangeFox - The Alternative TWRP It's set up in a similar way. TWRP, But the interface is more user-friendly for beginners.

The benefits of OrangeFox:

• 🔧 Built-in firmware integrity check.
• 📁 Support OTA-customization.
• 🛡️ Protection against accidental removal of critical sections.

But for Redmi. 4X TWRP It is a more proven solution, as it has more assemblies and guides.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi firmware 4X