The process of flashing the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X smartphone (codenamed mido) is one of the most popular requests among enthusiasts, because this device is famous for its stability and the potential for customization. Replacing the standard operating system can be necessary to get out of the “brick”, remove advertising in MIUI, obtain superuser rights or simply install a newer version of Android, which the manufacturer no longer supplies officially.
However, before you start taking action, you need to clearly understand the risks and prepare the workplace. Wrong actions can lead to the loss of warranty (if it is still relevant) or, in the worst case, to a complete failure of the device, requiring the intervention of specialists with the programmer. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps from unlocking the bootloader to installing custom firmware, paying special attention to the nuances specific to the Redmi Note 4X model on the Snapdragon processor.
It is important to understand that firmware is not just copying files, but a complex procedure for writing system partitions of memory. Bootloader in Xiaomi devices is blocked by default, and this is the first barrier to be overcome. Without it unlocking, installing third-party Recovery or global firmware through Fastboot will be impossible.The process requires care, serviceable care, and a clean, clean, and secure environment. USB-cable and stable Internet connection for verification of Mi Account.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
The success of the operation depends on 90% of the quality of preparation. You will need a Windows computer (on macOS and Linux, the unlocking process may require additional dances with a drum), a serviceable service. USB-cable, preferably original or high-quality analogue with thick wires, you also need to install all drivers. ADB Fastboot and Qualcomm specific drivers that are often required to restore the Redmi Note 4X in the event of critical failures.
Make sure to back up all your important data, as when you unlock the bootloader and change the firmware type (for example, from China to Global), your internal memory will be completely cleared. Save contacts, photos and documents to the cloud or external media. Make sure that your smartphone battery is at least 60% so that the device does not turn off at the most inopportune time of recording system files.
⚠️ Note: Use of unoriginal or damaged USB-If the process is stuck on a certain percentage, replace the cable and port first. USB, connecting it directly to the computer motherboard, bypassing the hubs.
You will need to download specialized software to work. The main tool for methods through Fastboot is the Mi Flash Tool. The method through Recovery (without PC) will need root-rights file managers or specialized applications like Updater. All firmware files should only be downloaded from trusted resources, such as the official website miui.com or authoritative forums like 4PDA and XDA Developers, to avoid the introduction of malicious code.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Unlocking the bootloader (Unlock Bootloader)
The first and mandatory step for any major modification of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X is to unlock the bootloader.This is a procedure that removes the manufacturer's restrictions on writing the system partition. Without an unlocked Bootloader, you will not be able to install custom Recovery (such as TWRP) or third-party firmware. It is important to note that once unlocked, the software warranty is removed and the data on the device will be deleted.
The process starts by linking your Mi Account to your device. Go to your phone settings, select About Phone, and click on MIUI multiple times to activate developer mode. Then go to advanced settings, find Developer, and enable Mi Unlock status. Here, you also need to link your account, making sure the phone is connected to the mobile Internet (Wi-Fi may not work for binding).
After the account is linked, you have to wait a certain time, usually 168 hours (7 days), although sometimes the period can be reduced or, conversely, increased to 30 days depending on Xiaomi policy. SIM-After the wait period, you can run the Mi Unlock utility on your PC, log in to the same account and follow the instructions to unlock.
What do you do when you say, "Couldn't verify device?"
There is an important nuance for users who unlock the device. Sometimes the system suggests "add 360 hours" of waiting. This is standard Xiaomi security practice. Trying to bypass the wait through third-party paid services carries the risk of locking the device over IMEI at the level of the Xiaomi server, so it is better to wait for the official timer. After successful unlocking, the open lock icon and the inscription "Unlocked" will appear when you boot the phone.
Installation of TWRP Recovery
Standard_recovery_ Xiaomi has extremely limited functionality and does not allow you to install modified firmware or make full system backups. TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project is the gold standard custom recovery that gives you complete control of the file system. 4X (mido) there are many assemblies TWRP, but it is recommended to use stable versions that support data encryption and work with the data section.
Installation is done via Fastboot. Once the bootloader is unlocked, turn off the phone and press the volume down and power button simultaneously until the Fastboot logo appears. Connect the phone to your PC and run the command line or PowerShell in the ADB tool folder. The installation command is as follows:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-mido.imgImportant point: once you have Recovery firmware, you can’t just reboot your phone in the normal way, otherwise the standard MIUI will overwrite TWRP back to stock recovery. Immediately after you run the flash command, you need to pinch the button combination to log in to Recovery (usually Volume Up + Power) and hold them until the MIUI logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to keep the volume until the TWRP menu appears.
Inside. TWRP The first thing you should do is make a full backup of your current system, and that's your insurance policy in case the new firmware is unstable, select the Boot, System, Data, and Vendor partitions, then swipe to back up your internal memory, or SD-Also in the map. TWRP You can clear the Data and Cache (Wipe) partitions, which is critical when changing the firmware type (for example, from Chinese to Global) to avoid cyclic reboot (bootloop).
💡
When you first install TWRP on MIUI 10/11/12, you may need to enter a screen unlock password or a pattern lock. If you forget the password or it wasn't, you may have to format the Data partition by entering "yes", which will completely delete all files from the phone.
Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)
The Fastboot firmware method using the Mi Flash Tool is the most reliable way to restore the device or upgrade to another version of MIUI. This method requires a.tgz firmware (Fastboot ROM) to be unpacked into the root of the C disk or a short path folder without Cyrillic in the title. The path to the folder should not contain spaces.
Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator and press the "Refresh" button. If the drivers are installed correctly, your serial number device will appear in the list. Select the unpacked firmware folder. Pay special attention to the three firmware modes at the bottom of the window: "clean all", "save user data" and "clean all and lock." All mode cleans the data completely, which is recommended when changing the region. Clean all lock mode does the same, but re-locks the bootloader - only use it if you return the phone to the original global firmware for sale to another person or the cleaner.
| Firmware mode | Data retention | Recommendation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| clean all | No (deletion) | No (remains unlocked) | Recommended for the installation of custom assemblies |
| save user data | Yeah (saving) | No. | Update the MIUI version within a region only |
| clean all and lock | No (deletion) | Yeah (lockdown) | For stock-only Global ROM before sale |
After selecting the mode, press "Flash". The process will take from 200 before 500 At this time, you can't turn off the cable or interrupt the power. When you finish the status, you'll see "success" and the phone will automatically restart. 10-15 minutes as the system optimizes applications.
Update via Recovery (without PC)
If you already have a bootloader unlocked and TWRP installed, or if you just want to update the official firmware without using a computer, you can use the Recovery method. For official firmware in.zip (Recovery ROM), there is a hidden feature in the standard update. You need to download the firmware file, rename it to update.zip and put it at the root of internal memory.
Then, in the Update app, click multiple times on the MIUI logo to add features. Select "Select firmware file" and specify your update.zip. Once confirmed, the phone will check the file and prompt you to reboot for installation. However, this method often blocks installing firmware with another region (for example, you can't put Global on China ROM without unlocking).
To install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, Resurrection Remix) through TWRP algorithm is as follows:
- ⚡ Download the firmware archive and, if necessary, Google Apps (GApps) packages and encryption patches.
- ⚡ Boot in. TWRP (Volume Up. + Nutrition).
- ⚡ Run Wipe (Dalvik Cache, System, Data, Cache) and you don't need to touch the Internal Storage section if you have files in there.
- ⚡ Go to Install, select the firmware archive and swipe to install. Then install GApps in a similar way.
- ⚡ Press "Reboot System".
⚠️ Note: When transitioning from MIUI custom-made (AOSP) Make sure to format the Data partition by entering "yes" in the Wipe partition. Without this step, the phone will go into a cyclical reboot due to a conflict of encryption systems.
Possible errors and their solution
Redmi Note's firmware process 4X One of the most common Mi Flash Tool errors is flash error or miss matching image and device, the first often due to a bad cable, drivers or antivirus that blocks the recording. The second means you are trying to flash firmware for another model (e.g. Redmi Note 4 MediaTek instead of Snapdragon) or an incompatible version (Global on China without cleaning).
If the phone after firmware hangs on the logo MIUI more 20 So, you've got bootloop, and then you've got to go back to Recovery (TWRP or stock, and make a Wipe Data/Factory If that doesn't work, it's possible that the firmware is damaged or not designed for your device (IMEI null), which is solved by restoring a backup copy of the partition EFS, If it was done in advance, or re-flashing with preservation NV-data.
If the phone stopped responding to buttons and does not enter the Fastboot (black screen), but the computer makes a USB connection sound, it may have fallen into EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode. To exit it on the Redmi Note 4X, it often helps to close test points on the board (opening is required) or use a special ADB command if debugging was enabled. Signing in to EDL also allows you to flash the phone through an authorized Mi (Mi Account), but this is a paid service from official services.
💡
The main reason for failures in firmware is inattentive reading of instructions for a particular firmware version and ignoring the need for complete data cleaning when changing the type of software.