How to unburrow Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: the complete guide

The situation when your Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 suddenly stops responding to commands, gets stuck on the logo or shows a black screen is familiar to many owners. In the enthusiastic environment, this state of the device is aptly called โ€œbrickโ€, and it can occur for various reasons, from a failed update to experiments with root rights. However, you should not panic ahead of time, since in most cases the hardware of the smartphone remains completely functional.

Restoring the Redmi Note 4 requires coolness and a clear algorithm of actions. It is important to understand that there are several levels of bricking, and the method of treatment depends on the stage of booting the device stops. We will look at proven methods of resuscitation that will help bring the gadget back to life without going to the service center.

Before taking action, you need to understand the risks. Any software interference carries a potential risk of data loss. The firmware process can be interrupted and drivers can conflict with the computer operating system. Therefore, the preparatory stage is critical to the success of the entire operation.

Diagnostics of the device state: determine the degree of the problem

The first step in the recovery process is to accurately determine the current state of the smartphone, which depends on the choice of tool and firmware method. Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 can be in one of several boot modes, each of which has its own characteristics and limitations.

The easiest case is a bootloop, where the phone is endlessly rebooted, showing the Mi logo. In this case, the system is damaged, but the bootloader is functioning. Much more serious is the situation when the screen is completely black and the device does not respond to the on buttons, or the charging indicator is lit without signs of life. This may indicate the need to use EDL (Emergency Download) mode.

โš ๏ธ Note: If the device is connected to the computer, the connection sound is made USB, But the screen is still black, which is a good sign. USB-The port is working and the phone is most likely in deep sleep or in a sleep mode. EDL.

For accurate diagnosis, you need to connect your smartphone to your PC through a high-quality USB-You can use the cable to open Device Manager in Windows:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ If the list includes an Android device or ADB Interface means the phone is partially working and you can try resetting via Recovery.
  • ๐Ÿ’ป The appearance of the Fastboot device (often with a hare image) indicates that the bootloader is unlocked or active, which allows you to use the Mi Flash Tool.
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ If under โ€œPorts (COM and LPT)ยป appeared in Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, so the phone is in mode EDL, What gives maximum rights to restoration.
๐Ÿ“Š What is the status of your Redmi Note 4?
Stuck on the Mi logo
Black screen, but vibrating
It's not fully included.
Shows Fastboot error

Understanding which mode is available will save you hours of futile attempts. Donโ€™t try flashing a device through Fastboot if itโ€™s not in that mode, just as itโ€™s pointless to search for Qualcomm ports if the phone boots properly into the system.

Preparation of the workplace and the necessary software

The success of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 recovery operation depends 90% on the quality of preparation. Chaotic actions with inappropriate drivers or corrupted firmware files are the main reason for failure. You will need a stable computer running Windows, as tools for Linux or macOS can work unstable or require complex configuration.

The key is to install the right drivers. Without them, the computer will not see the phone in the right mode. This is especially true for EDL mode, which requires Qualcomm drivers. You also need to download the current version of the Mi Flash Tool utility, which is the official tool for firmware for Xiaomi devices.

โ˜‘๏ธ Preparations for recovery

Done: 0 / 5

The firmware file must be chosen with great care. Redmi Note 4 (codename markw) has versions for the global market, China and Russia. It is critical to download the version that matches the region of your device, or use the global version to change the region, but with an understanding of the risks of blocking.

Be sure to enable USB debugging and installation permission from unknown sources if the phone responds to commands at all, and if it is completely unusable, these steps are skipped, as the menu will be accessed through hardware buttons.

Method One: Resetting through Recovery Mode

If your Redmi Note 4 is still responding to button combinations, start with the safest method, Recovery Reset.This mode is built into the phone and does not require a computer connection, which minimizes the risks. To log in, you need to turn off the device and press the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously.

In the Recovery menu, you navigate with volume buttons, and you're selected with a power button, and you need to find Wipe Data or Wipe All Data, which will delete all user data by returning the settings to the factory settings, which often solves the problem of software conflicts.

However, if the standard Recovery menu doesnโ€™t help or the phone goes back to restart, you can try to update the system manually. To do this, you need to put the update.zip firmware file in the root of internal memory (if it is available) or use Apply update from ADB mode if you can connect.

โš ๏ธ Note: When performing a reset via Recovery, all your photos, contacts and apps will be permanently deleted. Make sure you have a backup of important data in the Mi Cloud cloud or on your computer in advance.

Once the cleaning process is complete, select Reboot to System. The first download can take up to 10-15 minutes, which is normal for Android after a reset. If the logo appears and the system boots, the problem is solved.

Method Two: Fastboot and Mi Flash

A more powerful recovery tool is Fastboot mode. To put the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 into this mode, you need to press the Volume Down and Power buttons when the phone is turned off until an image of a hare repairing an android appears. Connect the device to a PC.

Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button; if the drivers are installed correctly, your device's serial number will appear in the list. It is important to choose the correct firmware mode in the bottom corner of the window: Clean all (complete cleaning), Save user data (save data) or Clean all and lock (clean and lock bootloader).

Firmware modeData retentionLocking the loaderRecommendation
Clean allNo.No (unblocked)For change of region or after root
Save user dataYes.No.When the system fails, but data is needed
Clean all and lockNo.Yeah (original)Only for official global firmware
What to do if Mi Flash gives an error? If you see a "Flash All Except Data Storage" or similar error, try changing the file. USB-port, cable, or version of a program. Switching the mode in the utility from "Clean all" to "Save user data" and back also helps.--> Choose the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware and press Flash. The process will take 200 to 500 seconds. Do not turn off the cable or touch the phone until the green success label appears.
Regime. EDL (Qualcomm 9008 โ€“ Heavy Artillery When the phone does not respond to any buttons and does not enter the Fastboot, there is the last frontier โ€“ the mode EDL. For the Redmi Note 4, entering this mode often requires disassembling the case, since the software input can be blocked. You will need to remove the back cover and find two contacts on the motherboard, closing these contacts with tweezers (or simply connecting them) and simultaneously connecting them. USB-You're going to put the processor in boot mode, and the Qualcomm port should appear in the Device Manager. HS-USB QDLoader 9008.Firmware in this mode often requires an authorized Xiaomi account or a special version of Mi Flash with administrator rights. EDL It allows you to reflash even a completely dead phone, overwriting all memory parts, including the bootloader. However, this is the most risky method: an error in choosing a firmware file can lead to irreversible consequences. If you do not have experience in disassembling smartphones, it is better to consult a specialist to enter the mode. EDL. Incorrect closure of contacts can damage the motherboard, turning a software problem into a hardware problem. Possible errors and ways to fix them In the process of restoring the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, you may encounter various errors. One of the most common is Missmatching image and device. It means youโ€™re trying to flash firmware thatโ€™s not designed for your model (like the Redmi Note). 4X The solution is one: download the correct file. Flash Error or freeze on a certain percentage is often associated with drivers or USB-port. Try to reconnect the cable to the port. USB 2.0 (black), not USB 3.0 (blue) as older Xiaomi devices work better with the second standard, and reinstalling Qualcomm drivers will also help. ๐Ÿ”ฅ Phone warms up when connected: immediately disconnect the device.Maybe short circuit or battery malfunction. ๐Ÿ”„ Infinite reboot after firmware: try Clean all instead of Save user data, old files may conflict. โŒ The computer can't see the phone. EDL: Check if the Qualcomm driver is installed and try another cable that can transmit data, not just charge. โš ๏ธ Warning: If after all the firmware attempts, the phone continues to behave inadequately, the problem may lie in a malfunction of flash memory or other components. ๐Ÿ’กThe success of the Redmi Note 4 recovery depends on the exact matching of the firmware version of the device model and the quality of the device. USB-Don't ignore the error logs if the program gives them away. Screenshot of the error message often helps find a solution in developer forums. Patience and mindfulness are your main allies in the fight against brickworkยป. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions Is it Safe to Unlock the bootloader for Recovery? Unlocking the bootloader is safe on its own, but it erases all data. However, for some recovery methods to be used (e.g., via Fastboot with specific commands), unlocking may be mandatory.Official unlocking through Mi Unlock requires a 168-hour wait.Can you unblock the Redmi Note 4 without a computer? Fully "unbuilt" device that does not boot, without a computer is almost impossible. The computer is necessary to transfer the firmware file and control the recording process. Mobile applications are not suitable for this. IMEI When using official methods and original firmware IMEI However, when using custom Recovery or incorrect actions in the mode EDL risk of loss IMEI, What would require it to be restored through a special engineering code or backup. Where would you find an exact model of my Redmi Note 4? The model is listed on the box, under the battery (if it's removable, but it's not removable in the Note 4), or in the documents. 4X โ€” You can't confuse them, the firmware's not compatible.