How to flash Xiaomi Redmi 4X: all the ways from the official MIUI to custom builds

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is still a popular budget smartphone, despite its release in 2017, and its owners face the need to flash the firmware for various reasons, from the desire to install a fresh version of MIUI to combat the “brakes” on older builds. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of firmware Redmi 4X — from official to custom, taking into account the features of the model and typical errors.

It's important to understand that firmware is not just a Settings update; it's a process of replacing system software that can both revitalize a device and turn it into a brick if you break the sequence. We'll describe in detail each step, including preparation, firmware selection and recovery from failed attempts. We'll focus on unlocking the bootloader, a mandatory step for most methods.

This article is relevant for all Redmi 4X modifications (2/16 GB, 3/32 GB, 4/64 GB) and covers firmware based on Android 6.0-9.0 (depending on the version of MIUI). If your device is not already supported by official updates, here you will find alternative solutions.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Unprepared firmware is like repairing a roof in the rain: even if you do, the consequences will be dire. Start by checking the current state of the device and backing up the data.

The first thing you need to do is find out the MIUI version and the status of the bootloader.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Remember or write down the current version (e.g. MIUI Global 12.5.1 Stable).
3. Turn off your phone, then press Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot. If you see the word Device unlocked, the bootloader is unlocked. If Device locked, it needs to be unlocked (more on that below).

Next, it is mandatory:

• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 60% – the firmware can take up to 30 minutes, and discharging in the process will cause a failure.
• 📱 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup or manually copy files to your PC (photos, contacts, SMS).
• 🖥️ Prepare a PC with Windows 7/10/11 (for the Mi Flash Tool or Linux/macOS (for ADB/Fastboot).
• 🔌 Use the original. USB-cables – cheap cables can interrupt data transmission.

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi is 4X purchased in China (version for the domestic market), firmware global MIUI It can block the network. Check the model in Settings. → The phone. → Model: If it ends in C (e.g. 2017121), it is the Chinese version.

2 Unlocking the bootloader: a mandatory step for most methods

Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all devices, including the Redmi 4X. This means that without official unlocking, you will not be able to flash custom software or even update via Fastboot. The process takes up to 72 hours and requires an account to be linked to Mi Account.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool (the official tool from Xiaomi).
2. Sign in to Mi Account on your phone (Settings → Xiaomi Account) and on your PC in Mi Unlock Tool.
3. Enable OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers (if no point, tap 7 times on the MIUI version).
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
5. Run the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions. Usually, unlocking occurs after 3-5 attempts (Xiaomi limits the number of requests per day).

Once you've successfully unlocked, you'll see a message called Unlocked successfully. Now you can start to run the firmware. If the tool gives you a Couldn't unlock error, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect your phone (sometimes changing helps) USB-port).
• 🕒 Wait 24-72 hours – Xiaomi may delay unlocking for new accounts.
• 📱 Make sure that SIM-The card in the phone is tied to the same region as the Mi Account (for example, if the account is created in Russia, SIM It must be a Russian operator).

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader resets the phone to factory settings! All data will be deleted. If you didn't backup the previous step, file returns will be impossible.

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

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

Let’s look at each method in detail, with step-by-step instructions and nuances.

4. firmware via MIUI Updater (no PC)

The easiest way to update the Redmi 4X, If you don't want to risk data or unlock the bootloader, it's only for official firmware. MIUI Stable or Beta.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
3. Download the desired version of MIUI from the official website (select Recovery ROM for your santoni model).
4. Transfer the firmware file (.zip format) to the root of the phone’s internal memory.
5. Return to System Update, select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

It takes 10 to 20 minutes. The phone will reboot several times -- don't interrupt! After you update, check the MIUI version in the settings.

⚠️ Note: If after firmware through Updater phone is stuck on the logo MI For more than 10 minutes, reset via Recovery (clip Volume Up). + Power when the device is turned off, then select Wipe Data).

💡

If official firmware is not suitable due to regional restrictions, you can use it. MIUI EU (European assembly without Chinese services, download it on the forum Xiaomi.EU. MIUI, but requires an unlocked bootloader.

5. Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)

This method is suitable for "clean" installing official firmware, crash recovery, or flashing to another version of MIUI (like Chinese to global).The only way to bring the phone back to life is if it doesn't turn on or is stuck in a bootloop.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows PC with Mi Flash Tool installed (you can download here).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (choose Fastboot) ROM for santoni).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.
• 🔋 Phone with a charge of at least 50%.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\santoni_global).
2. Install Mi USB Driver drivers (unless installed automatically).
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In the program, click Select and specify the path to the folder with unpacked firmware.
6. Select firmware mode: Clean all - complete cleaning (recommended when changing the version of MIUI), Clean all and lock - cleaning + lock bootloader (only for official firmware!), Save user data - data storage (not always stable).

Flash

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart. The first run can take up to 15 minutes -- that's okay.

Make sure the loader is unlocked|Download firmware specifically for the Santoni model|Disable antivirus on PC|Use the back. USB-port (for stable connection)|Check that the Mi Flash Tool sees the device (the list should show) COM-port)-->

6. custom firmware installation (TWRP + LineageOS/Pixel Experience)

If the official firmware doesn’t suit you, you can install custom software such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or HavocOS, which will give you a more recent version of Android (up to 11-12), but require additional actions.

To install custom firmware you need:

1. Unlock the bootloader (as described above).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
3. Download the firmware itself and GApps (Google services, if needed).

Instructions for installing TWRP:

1. Download the latest TWRP for santoni from the official website (.img file).
2. Transfer the phone to Fastboot and connect to the PC.
3. Open the command line in the folder with ADB/Fastboot The command is: fastboot flash recovery. twrp-3.7.0_9-0-santoni.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-santoni.img
4. The phone will load into TWRP. Immediately make a backup of the current firmware (Backup → Select Partitions → System, Data, Boot).

Now you can install custom firmware:

1. Download firmware (e.g. LineageOS 18.1) and GApps (e.g. Open GApps, pico or nano).
2. Transfer files to your phone (you can use it) MTP into TWRP or OTG-cable).
3. In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
4. Return to the main menu, click Install and select the firmware file, then GApps.
5. After installation, run the Reboot System.
6. If the phone doesn't respond: Check the battery power - plug it into charging for 30 minutes, then try again. If the indicator doesn't burn, there may be an iron problem (e.g., the power controller burned).

If none of the methods worked and the phone still doesn’t turn on, the cause could be:

• 🔋 Damaged battery (try to connect external power via EDL-cable).
• 🔧 Damaged motherboard (requires diagnosis in the service).
• 🔌 Problems with USB-port (try another cable or port on PC).

⚠️ Note: If you have been flashing custom firmware and the phone stopped turning on, do not try to sew the official MIUI You can use a Fastboot with a locked bootloader, which will cause hard brick!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi firmware 4X