The Android operating system can become unstable over time, accumulating errors or being subjected to viral attacks. Owners of budget but reliable Redmi 4 series smartphones often face the need to deep clean or flash the device to restore its functionality. Recovery mode is the main tool for performing such system operations, allowing you to reset data or install a new firmware.
There are two main types of recovery: the standard MIUI Recovery, which is built into every phone by default, and the custom TWRP, which requires unlocking the bootloader. The choice of method depends on your goals: if you just need to reset a forgotten password or clear the cache, you will have enough of a regular menu. To install third-party firmware, such as LineageOS or global versions of MIUI, you will need a more difficult way using Fastboot.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of entering recovery mode, the risks associated with data loss, and the step-by-step algorithm for installing the custom menu. It is critical to understand that unlocking the bootloader to install TWRP completely erases all data from the device, so you need to create a full backup of important information before starting any manipulations.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
Before you start taking action, make sure your Xiaomi Redmi battery is in place. 4 chargeable 60-70%. Interrupting the firmware or reset process due to battery discharge can lead to serious errors in the bootloader. USB-cable, as cheap analogues often do not provide a stable connection for transferring system files.
To work with custom recaps, you'll need a computer with ADB and Fastboot drivers installed. These tools allow the computer to interact with low-level smartphone services. If you're only planning a regular reset, having a PC is not strictly mandatory, but highly desirable for keeping backups.
☑️ Preparation for the Recovery
Remember to back up your contacts, photos and messages. In Recovery mode, file system access is limited, and it will be impossible to recover deleted files without a pre-built backup. Use Mi Cloud or Google Drive cloud services to sync your data before you start work.
Entrance to the regular Recovery menu on Redmi 4
The standard recovery menu is a secure environment built into by Xiaomi developers, designed for basic system maintenance, such as a factory reset or reboot, and you can log in without unlocking the bootloader and having root rights, making it available to anyone.
To enter, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up and the power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume down until the main menu with several items appears in English or Chinese.
⚠️ Warning: If the menu is displayed in Chinese, don't panic. Navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down) and the selection is confirmed by the power button.
In this menu, you can't install arbitrary zip archives with firmware unless they're signed with a Xiaomi digital key. However, the cache and data partition cleanup functions work well, and this is the best option if the phone goes into a cyclic bootloop after a failed update.
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If the phone doesn’t respond to button clamping, try connecting it to the charger for 10-15 minutes, and then repeat the login procedure.
Differences between Stock MIUI and TWRP Recovery
Users often confuse the standard menu with the custom menu, but there is a fundamental difference in functionality between them. Stock Recovery has a limited set of commands and closed code, which guarantees stability, but limits the possibility of modification. TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is an open platform that allows you to perform complex operations with the file system.
The main advantage of TWRP is that it supports touch control and the ability to install unsigned firmware, and it allows you to make full backups of the system (Nandroid Backup), which keep the exact state of the phone at the time of copy creation, and this allows you to experiment with different versions of Android, knowing that you can roll back at any time.
To install TWRP on Redmi 4 (codename prada for Prime or ido for the regular version) requires pre-unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock utility. Without this procedure, installing third-party software is impossible, since the bootloader will check the digital signature and block the download of the modified image.
Risks of installing TWRP
It is important to choose a recovery image that strictly matches the model of your processor. For Redmi 4 with Snapdragon 425 processor and Redmi 4 Prime with Snapdragon 435, different files are used, and their interchangeability can lead to the inoperability of the touchscreen or other modules.
Step-by-step installation of custom TWRP
The installation process begins with unlocking the bootloader, which takes 3 to 7 days to wait after submitting an application on Xiaomi. Once you get permission and successfully unlock, download the current twrp.img image file for your model. Place this file in the ADB tool folder on your computer and rename it to recovery.img for convenience.
Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode by pressing the volume and power button when the device is off. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the ADB folder. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices. If the serial number is displayed in response, the connection is established correctly.
fastboot flash recovery recovery.imgOnce the image is successfully firmwareed, you need to immediately go to recapture mode, preventing the system from booting in standard mode. To do this, use a button combination or command: fastboot boot recovery.img. This action will temporarily start TWRP, after which you can install the zip file with the TWRP installer itself to fix the result.
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The key point of installation is to prevent automatic download to the system immediately after the image firmware, otherwise the regular Android menu will overwrite the TWRP back.
Inside TWRP, the first thing you do is back up your current system, if possible. Then go to Wipe and format the Dalvik, Cache, System, and Data partitions, and then you can start installing the new firmware through Install.
Performing reset and cleaning of sections
One of the main functions of the recovery is a complete reset of the device (Factory Reset), which is necessary when selling the phone, transferring it to another user or in case of critical software failures. Data/Factory Reset and confirm the action.
The cleaning process takes anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes, depending on the amount of memory filled, at which time the progress bar or text log of the operations performed can be displayed on the screen, interrupting this process is highly undesirable, as it can damage the file table.
| Section | Appointment | Effects of cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Cache | Temporary application files | Safe, speeds up work. |
| Data | User data and settings | Complete reset to factory condition |
| Dalvik | Android Cash Rentaim | Required after the firmware change |
| System | Operating system files | Remove the OS (the phone will stop loading) |
Once the cleanup is complete, select Reboot -> System. The first run after the reset will last longer than usual, sometimes up to 10-15 minutes, as the system creates new configuration files and cache.
Solving Typical Problems and Errors
A common problem with Redmi 4 is the signature verification error when trying to install firmware in the regular backup. the message "Can't verify update package" means that the file is not original or intended for another regional version, in which case only switching to TWRP or using the official utility Mi Flash in Clean All mode will help.
After installation TWRP phone stopped seeing SIM-The cards or the sound is not working, most likely, the partition persist or modem was damaged. You can only restore them from a pre-made backup or by reflashing the full dump of stock firmware.
If the device hangs on the Mi logo after all the manipulations, try a combination of buttons to log into the Fastboot and reflash the device through the computer. Sometimes it helps long (about 15-20 seconds) holding the power button for a forced reboot, followed by entering the receptacles to rewire the data.