How to Install Android 10 on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: A Complete Guide with Nuances

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codename santoni) has not officially received an update to Android 10 — the latest version for this device is MIUI 11 based on Android 7.1 Nougat. However, enthusiasts have developed informal firmware to update the smartphone to the current OS. In this guide, we will analyze all the steps of installing Android 10 on Redmi 4X, including unlocking the bootloader, installing a custom recovery and choosing the optimal firmware.

The process requires care: wrong actions can lead to a “brick” (complete failure of the device) or loss of data. We will describe each step in detail, point out typical errors and offer solutions for possible problems. If you are new to smartphone firmware, we recommend that you first study the theory of bootloader, TWRP and custom ROM.

Important: Redmi 4X has several modifications (2/16 GB, 3/32 GB, 4/64 GB), but all of them support the methods described below, the main difference is the amount of internal memory that affects the choice of firmware (some builds require at least 32 GB).

1. Device Preparation: What to Do Before Firmware

Before installing Android 10, a number of mandatory steps must be taken, and neglecting them can lead to data loss or inability to complete the process.

First, back up all your important data. The firmware erases your device's internal memory, including photos, contacts and messages. Use Mi Cloud, Google Photos or physical copying on your PC.

• 📱 Contacts (export to.vcf)
• 📷 Photos and videos (save to external drive)
• 🔑 Passwords from apps (write down or use password manager)
• 🎮 Game saves (if important, move to the cloud)

Second, check the MIUI version and the bootloader status. Go to Settings → About the phone and write down the current firmware version. If the device hasn't unlocked before, the bootloader will be locked, which is fine, but you'll have to unlock it (more on that in the next section).

Third, charge the battery to at least 70%, interruption of the process due to discharge can lead to a "soft breeze" (the device does not turn on, but is restored via the Fastboot).

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows 10/11 or Linux (MacOS is not recommended due to driver issues)
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or qualitative analogue)
• 📁 Folder with the required files (links are given below)

2 Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)

The bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi 4X is locked by default. To install custom firmware, it must be unlocked through the official Mi Unlock Tool. The process takes from 3 to 720 hours (depending on Xiaomi policy).

First, link your Mi Account to your device:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account and log in.
2. Enable Settings → Additional → For developers → Unlock OEM.
3. In the same menu, activate debugging via USB.
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.

Next, download the Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi's official website (the version should match your OS). Launch the program, log in under the same account as your phone, and follow the instructions.

• 🔗 Account must be older than 30 days (otherwise unlocking is not available).
• 📅 Waiting times can be as high as 720 hours (30 days) — that's normal.
• 🔄 If the process is stuck at 99%, do not turn off the cable, wait 10-15 minutes.

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If the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a "Couldn't unlock" error, try using the old version (2.3.803.1) or running it in Windows 7 compatibility mode.

Once successfully unlocked, the device will automatically reset to factory settings. This is normal – this is how Xiaomi ensures the security of user data.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will void the Xiaomi warranty. If the device is warranty, weigh the risks. Also, after unlocking some features (such as Mi Pay or Find Device) may not work properly.

3. Installation of custom TWRP Recovery

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is an alternative recovery that allows you to install informal firmware. For the Redmi 4X, there is a special build adapted for the santoni.

Download the latest stable image of TWRP for santoni from the official website. At the time of writing, the current version is 3.7.0_9-0. You will also need the Fastboot utility (part of the Android SDK Platform-Tools).

Installation process:

1. Unpack the platform-tools in the root of the C:\ disk (the path should not contain Cyrillic).
2. Rename the downloaded TWRP file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
4. Connect the device to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
5. Once completed, type: fastboot boot twrp.img This will temporarily boot TWRP without writing to the main memory (in case of errors).

If the TWRP has successfully booted, swipe to allow modifications to prevent the stock recavator from automatically restarting.

⚠️ Warning: Some versions of MIUI may automatically restore stock recavities after installation of TWRP. To avoid this, immediately after downloading to TWRP, go to Mount → Disable Forced Encryption (if there is such a point) or paste Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt (file available on the XDA Developers forum).

4.Selecting Android 10 firmware for Redmi 4X

For Redmi 4X, there are several unofficial firmware based on Android 10. Each has its own features:

We recommend Havoc OS or LineageOS 17.1 as the most stable options.The Pixel Experience can slow down due to high hardware requirements - the Redmi 4X has just 2-4 GB of RAM.

Before downloading the firmware, check:

• 📌 The santoni version (not to be confused with rolex is Redmi 4A).
• 📅 Assembly date (select the latest versions, but not the experimental ones).
• 🔄 Presence of GApps (if you need Google services, download the version marked GApps included).

Also download:

• 🔗 Open GApps (select nano or pico to save space) - opengapps.org.
• 🔗 Magisk (for root rights, if necessary) - GitHub.

5.Install Android 10 Step-by-step via TWRP

Now, to the most critical step, which is installing the firmware, follow the instructions carefully, and keep your footsteps open.

Connect your smartphone to your PC and copy it to your memory:

• Firmware file (e.g. Havoc-OS-v4.9-20230510-santoni-Official.zip).
• GApps file (if not included in firmware).
• Magisk file (optional).

Next:

1. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
2. From the main menu, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark: Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Internal Storage Cache Swipe to confirm (this will delete all data!).
3. Go back to the main menu and select Install, specify the path to the firmware file and confirm the installation.
4. Repeat step 3 for GApps (if necessary).
5. If root is required, run Magisk in the same way.
6. At the end, select Reboot → System.

The first run can take 10-20 minutes — don't interrupt the process. If the device has been stuck on the logo for longer than 30 minutes, perform a hard reset (press Volume Up + Power for 15 seconds) and repeat the installation.

⚠️ Warning: If mobile data or Wi-Fi stops working after Android 10 is installed, check the settings of APN (for mobile internet) or reflash the firmware with a full waipe. Sometimes changing the kernel helps - look for alternative builds on XDA Developers.

6. Set up Android 10 after installation

After the successful launch of Android 10, you will have to first set up the system.

1. Performance optimization:

• 🔧 Turn off animation: go to Settings → System → For Developers and set all animation values on 0.5x or Off.
• 🔄 Enable Optimization MIUI (if available in the settings) – this will improve the smoothness of the interface.
• 📵 Limit application background activity in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Battery Optimization.

2. Solving typical problems:

• 🔊 If there is no sound, check the settings for Output (sometimes reset to Speaker instead of Phone).
• 📶 To fix network problems, go to Settings → Mobile Network → APN and add APN to your carrier manually.
• 🔋 If the battery is rapidly discharged, calibrate it: completely discharge the device, then charge to 100% without interruption.

Useful tweaks:

• 🎯 Install Kernel Adiutor (root required) to fine-tune the kernel and improve performance.
• 🛡️ Use Magisk Modules to add features (e.g. ViPER4Android to improve sound).
• 🔄 Include navigation gestures in the system settings for easy control.

If you have installed Magisk, check it through Magisk Manager, update the modules and kernel when new versions appear.

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After installing Android 10 on Redmi 4X, it is recommended to disable automatic firmware updates in the settings. Unofficial builds do not support OTA- updates - their installation can lead to a blink.

7. Possible errors and their solutions

Even with the exact following of the instructions, there can be problems.

If neither solution worked, check out the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums, which have themes with detailed error logs and recommendations for the Redmi 4X.

To diagnose problems, use:

• 📄 Logs from TWRP (retained in /sdcard/TWRP/).
• 📊 Logs from ADB (adb logcat > log.txt command).
• 🔍 DevCheck Appendix for Iron Analysis.

⚠️ Warning: If the sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer) have stopped working after Android 10 firmware, the problem is most likely kernel incompatibility. Try flashing an alternative kernel (e.g., FrancoKernel or ElementalX for santoni).

8.Return to MIUI: How to return stock firmware

If Android 10 is unstable or you don’t like the custom interface, you can return the official MIUI.

Method 1: Fastboot (recommended)

1. Download the latest stable Fastboot firmware for Redmi 4X from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder with platform-tools.
3. Turn off your smartphone and log in to Fastboot.
4. Run the flash_all.bat file (for Windows) or run the command: fastboot flash all file name file.img

Method 2: TWRP (if the Fastboot doesn't work)

1. Download Recovery firmware (.zip format) for Redmi 4X.
2. Place the file in the memory of the device.
3. Log in to TWRP and select Install.
4. Install the firmware, then run Wipe → Format Data (required!).

After the MIUI rollback, you will have to re-unblock the bootloader if you plan to return to custom firmware.

Note that when you return to stock firmware, all data will be erased and TWRP replaced with standard backups. If you need to save TWRP, after you have flashed MIUI, re-sweeten it through Fastboot.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing Android 10 on Redmi 4X