Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 firmware via Fastboot: a complete guide with unlocking the bootloader

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) remains one of the most popular smartphones for firmware experiments years after its release. Fastboot firmware is a reliable way to install official or custom software when standard methods (via Updater or Recovery) don’t work, but the process requires preparation, from unlocking the bootloader to installing the right drivers.

In this article, you will find the current instructions for 2026, taking into account changes in Xiaomi policy (including the mandatory binding of the Mi Account to the device), we will analyze two scenarios: firmware official MIUI (to restore functionality) and install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), and you will learn how to avoid common errors such as anti-rollback or problems with Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers.

Warning: Fastboot resets all data on your device. If you need to save photos or contacts, back up in advance. If you're a beginner, we recommend starting with the official firmware to minimize the risks.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start firmware, make sure you have everything you need. Redmi Note 4 has multiple versions (for example, with a Snapdragon 625 or Helio X20 processor), and the firmware is not compatible for them. You can check the model in the settings along the Settings path → About Phone → Model or on the sticker under the lid (if the battery is removable).

Also, pay attention to the MIUI version: if you are running an older version than the one installed now, anti-rollback protection may work and the phone will turn into a brick. To avoid this, always check version compatibility on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums.

• 📱 Device: Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (mido) with a battery charge of at least 60%.
• 💻 Computer: Windows 7/10/11 (for Mac/Linux Additional drivers will be required).
• 🔌 Cable: original USB-cable (cheap cables can cause connection errors).
• 🔓 Mi Account: Linked to the device (required to unlock the bootloader).
• 📁 Firmware: official (from Xiaomi website) or custom (from a verified source).

If you are using a custom firmware, you will need to:

• 🔧 Unlocked boot loader (instruction below).
• 📦 TWRP Recovery (Mido version).
• 🛡️ Disabled dm-verity check (otherwise the device will not boot).

2 Unlock the bootloader on the Redmi Note 4

Without unlocking the bootloader, you can only flash Redmi Note 4 through the Fastboot with Xiaomi's official firmware. For custom firmware or TWRP, unlocking is mandatory. The process takes up to 720 hours (30 days) due to Xiaomi's policy, but we'll show you how to speed it up to 168 hours (7 days) in a legal way.

Important: once unlocked, all data on the phone will be erased, and the warranty (if it is still valid) will be canceled, and the binding of the Mi Account to the device becomes mandatory, without it, the phone will not turn on after the firmware.

Link your Mi Account to your device (Settings → Mi Account)

Enable debugging via USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap → Developer → Debugging by USB)

Turn it on. OEM-unlocking (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers → Unlocking OEM)

Download Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi official website

Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off) → power down + Vol Down)-->

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it on PC.
2. Sign in to the program under the same Mi Account as on your phone.
3. Connect Redmi Note 4 in Fastboot mode (turn off the phone, then press Power + Vol Down until the bunny with the inscription Fastboot appears).
4. In the program, click Unlock. If you receive a message to wait, wait for the specified time (usually 168 hours).
5. Once unlocked, the phone will automatically restart and reset.

⚠️ Warning: If you unlock a Couldn't unlock error or Current account is different from the account info on the device, check: Mi Account on the phone and Mi Unlock Tool are the same. USB and unlock OEM. You use the original cable and port. USB 2.0 (USB 3.0 can cause problems).

3. Install drivers for Fastboot on Windows

Without the right drivers, the computer won't recognize Redmi Note 4 in Fastboot mode. Most often, problems arise with the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver, which is required to run through the Mi Flash Tool. If the driver isn't installed, you'll see a device with a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager.

We recommend using the Mi Flash Tool for official firmware and Fastboot Enhance or Minimal ADB for custom, and below is a manual manual installation guide.

How to install drivers manually:

1. Download the archive with Qualcomm drivers and unpack it.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (or EDL if required).
3. Open Device Manager → find a device with an exclamation point (usually in the Other Devices section).
4. Right-click → Update the driver → Search for drivers on this computer → specify the folder with unpacked drivers.
5. After installation in Device Manager should appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 or Android Bootloader Interface.

1. Press Win + X → select Command Prompt (Administrator).
2. Enter the command: bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on.
3. Restart the PC and re-install the drivers.

After installation, return the check back with the bcdedit command /set nointegritychecks off.-->

4. Firmware of official MIUI via Fastboot

You can even install official firmware with a locked bootloader, which is useful if the phone doesn't turn on, it's stuck on the logo, or you need to return the stockware. We'll use the Mi Flash Tool, a tool from Xiaomi that automates the process.

Important: Choose firmware for your version of the device (Snapdragon or Helio X20), download official firmware on MIUI Downloads, look for files with the extension.tgz or.zip and labeled Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and unpack the archive with the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\mido_global_images_...).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and run on behalf of the administrator.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (turn off → press Power + Vol Down).
4. In the program, press Refresh - should appear COM-port.
5. Press Select and select the folder with unpacked firmware.
6. 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 – data storage (not always stable).

Flash

⚠️ Note: If the firmware is interrupted with an anti-rollback error, you are trying to install an older version. MIUI, This is a different kind of thing than the one on the phone, and you need to flash the anti-rollback fix that you can find on the phone. 4PDA or XDA.

5. Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.)

Custom firmware opens up new possibilities: clean Android without ads, regular security updates and improved performance. For the Redmi Note 4, the most stable options are LineageOS 16/17.1 (Android 9/10) and Pixel Experience (branded with a design from Google Pixel).

Important: Custom firmware requires an unlocked bootloader and TWRP Recovery, and you also need to disable dm-verity, otherwise the phone won't boot, and here's a general-purpose instruction that's suitable for most firmware.

What you need:

• 📱 Unlocked loader (see section 2).
• 📦 Firmware in.zip format (for example, lineage-17.1-20260510-UNOFFICIAL-mido.zip).
• 🔧 TWRP Recovery for mido (version 3.6.0 or later).
• 🔒 Disable DM-Verity (file) no_verity_opt_encrypt.zip).
• 🔄 Gapps (if the firmware is without Google services, download OpenGapps for your version of Android).

Step-by-step:

1. Install TWRP Recovery via Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.0-mido.img fastboot boot twrp-3.6.0-mido.img After that, the phone will boot to TWRP.
2. Backup (optional): In TWRP, select Backup → tick Boot, System, Data → swipe for confirmation.
3. Clear the sections: Go to Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data → Swipe.
4. Install firmware: Press Install → select firmware file.zip → swipe for confirmation.
5. Install Gapps (if necessary): Repeat step 4 by selecting an archive from Gapps.
6. Disable DM-Verity: Install no_verity_opt_encrypt.zip (This will prevent you from hanging on the logo).
7. Reboot: Press Reboot System. The first download can take 10-15 minutes.

💡

Once custom firmware is installed, Magisk (root) is installed separately via TWRP. Some firmware (e.g., Pixel Experience) already includes root access, but it needs to be activated in the settings.

6. Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with the instructions being followed accurately, there can be errors, and we’ve collected the most common issues when running Redmi Note 4 firmware through Fastboot and how to fix them.

If your error is not listed in the table, try the following universal steps:

• 🔄 Reconnect your phone (sometimes changing the port helps) USB).
• 📥 Download the firmware again (maybe the archive has not downloaded completely).
• 🖥️ Try another computer (especially if you have a driver problem).
• 📖 Check logs in the Mi Flash Tool or TWRP (They will give you the exact reason).

7.How to return the official firmware after custom

If you have experimented with custom firmware, but want to return the official MIUI, you can do it in two ways:

1. Using Fastboot (recommended): Use the Mi Flash Tool and run through the official Clear all firmware.
2. Through TWRP: download the official firmware in.zip (not.tgz!) and install it as a custom one, but this method is less reliable and can lead to errors.

Important: If you want to sell your phone or take it to the service, return the official firmware and lock the bootloader. In the Mi Flash Tool, select Clean all and lock mode. After that, the phone will be like new (but unlocking the bootloader will require a re-wait of 168 hours).

Step-by-step instructions for returning to MIUI:

1. Download the official firmware for Fastboot (not Recovery!) from Xiaomi's website.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without spaces and Cyrillic.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and Clean all mode (or Clean all and lock if you want to block the bootloader).
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Note: If you have been following the official MIUI The phone requires authorization to Mi Account, but you don't remember the password, restore it through the Mi Account website!

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note firmware 4