Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (especially the Snapdragon 625) is one of the most popular devices for software experimentation. The ability to replace the standard recovery menu with TWRP gives owners access to full control over the system, allowing them to install custom firmware, make full backups and obtain root rights.
Before you start manipulating, you need to be clear about the risks. Any interference with the Android system partition is potentially dangerous. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to safely prepare the device, unlock the bootloader and install a modified recovery menu. You will gain comprehensive knowledge of working with Fastboot and ADB for your model.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
You should start with a thorough preparation of the workplace and software. You need a computer running Windows or Linux, which is working. USB-cable (preferably original) and charged smartphone. TWRP Recovery, created specifically for the code name of your device, midot (for Snapdragon), using the image for the version of MediaTek (kenzo) will lead to a "brick" gadget.
You also need to install ADB and Fastboot drivers on your PC, without which your computer will not be able to properly interact with your phone in bootloader mode. Download the archive with platform tools from the official developer site and unpack it to the root of disk C: for ease of working with the paths. Remember to make a full backup of important data, as the process of unlocking the bootloader will completely destroy the information on the device.
On the smartphone, you need to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About the phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI version field. After the notification appears, return to the Advanced Settings menu → For developers. You need to include Debugging by USB and Factory Unlock. This is a basic set of actions without which further steps are impossible.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
The most difficult step for many users is the official unlocking of Bootloader. Xiaomi has implemented this security measure, so you will not be able to easily flash third-party software. You will need a Mi Account account that must be linked to the device. In the Developer menu, click on the "Mi Unlock Status" and follow the instructions for linking your account to the device ID.
After the binding, you need to wait a certain time — usually 168 hours (7 days), although sometimes the period can be reduced to 36 hours. During this period, you can not log out of your account on your phone or reset your settings. After the waiting time, download the Mi Unlock Tool utility to your computer, launch it and log in to the same account as on your smartphone.
Put your phone into Fastboot mode, pressing both the power and volume buttons simultaneously. Connect the device to your PC and press the Unlock button in the utility. The process takes a few minutes, after which the phone will restart and all data will be deleted. Unlocking the bootloader automatically voids the software warranty and makes the device vulnerable to some banking applications, if root rights are not hidden.
Install TWRP via Fastboot
When the bootloader is unlocked, you can go to the direct installation of TWRP. The previously downloaded image of the recovery (file with the extension.img) rename to twrp.img and place in the folder with the tools ADB. Open the command line in this folder. To do this, press the Shift and right click on the empty place, selecting "Open PowerShell window" or "Open terminal".
Enter the command to check the connection with the device: fastboot devices. If you see the serial number in response, then the drivers are working correctly. Next is the firmware command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img. Once successfully executed, it is important to prevent automatic reboot to the standard system, since it can overwrite the custom recaveri stock.
Immediately after the firmware, execute a command to force reboot to recovery mode: fastboot boot twrp.img or manually press the combination of power buttons and increase the volume until the Mi logo appears, and then release the power button, continuing to keep the volume. If you saw the TWRP menu with touch control, then the installation was successful.
☑️ Pre-firmware check
First launch and setup of the Recaveri
The first sign-in to TWRP may require additional actions. The menu may request a screen unlock password — enter your pin or pattern lock. Also often there is a question about modifying the system partition. The system will ask, "Allow modifications?". To install custom firmware, you need to swipe the slider to the right, confirming the change. If you do not, the next reboot, the stock system may wipe the recavers.
There are a few critical sections on the main menu. The Backup section allows you to create a full copy of the current system with all the data. The Wipe section is designed to clean the memory partitions you need before installing a new firmware. The Install section is used to download zip archives with firmware, patches or Magisk modules. The interface is fully adapted for touch control, making navigation intuitive.
If you plan to use banking applications, immediately after installing TWRP and obtaining superuser rights, it is recommended to install a patch to hide the root. Otherwise, security systems like SafetyNet will block payment services, and you should install a patch to encrypt data so that the system does not ask for a password every time you download.
What if TWRP doesn’t see internal memory?
Xiaomi memory partition table
Understanding the structure of memory partitions helps avoid errors when cleaning your device. Below is a table of the main partitions you will encounter in the Wipe menu.
| Section | Description | Risk of removal |
|---|---|---|
| Dalvik / ART Cache | Android virtual machine cache | Low (recreated) |
| System | Operating system files | High (phone won't boot) |
| Data | User data and applications | Medium (loss of photos, contacts) |
| Cache | Temporary system files | Low (cleaned safely) |
When installing custom firmware, it is common to clean Dalvik, System, Cache, and Data partitions, an action called "Clean Flash." Be extremely careful when choosing partitions to format, especially if the device stores important data that is not stored in the cloud.
Common mistakes and ways to solve them
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is a frequent process of getting users into trouble, and one of the most common is the "Bootloop" when the phone is endlessly rebooted, often when you try to boot a system with an incompatible module or after a failed firmware, the solution is to log in to TWRP and perform a complete cleanup (Wipe Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
⚠️ Note: If the screen is black after firmware, but the phone vibrates or makes sounds, you may have flashed an image that is not intended for your screen version (Incell vs. IPS). In this case, only reflashing the stock image through Fastboot will help.
Another common mistake is not being able to connect to your PC in Fastboot mode. USB-Connecting to another port (preferably) USB 2.0) or reinstall the drivers. Also check if the antivirus or firewall is blocking the Mi Unlock or fastboot.exe utility.
Sometimes, after installing TWRP, the camera or fingerprint sensor stops working, which indicates that the firmware is not fully optimized for your region or version of the hardware, in which case, firmware fixing patches (Fix) or returning to a stable version of MIUI, followed by re-unlocking.
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Tip: Always check the checksum (MD5 or SHA) of the downloaded firmware file. If the hash does not match the developer's website, the file is corrupted when downloaded and is dangerous to use.
Return to stock firmware
If you fail or decide to sell the device, you need to return to the factory state. For Xiaomi, there are two ways: through the Recovery menu (only if it works) and through Fastboot. The most reliable method is using the Mi Flash Tool utility and the firmware image in.tgz (Fastboot ROM).
Download the stock firmware for your model and region. Unpack the archive so that the path to the folder is Cyrillic-free. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, connect your phone in Fastboot mode. Press Refresh, select the path to the firmware folder. At the bottom of the window, select Clear all mode and press Flash. The process will take 200-500 seconds.
⚠️ Warning: When using the Mi Flash Tool, do not disconnect the cable or interrupt the process until the progress bar reaches 100% and a message of success appears. Interrupting during the partition writing phase can turn the phone into a brick, recoverable only through the programmer.
After successful firmware, the phone will boot into a clean MIUI system. The bootloader will remain unlocked (unless you choose the option "Clean all and lock", but locking with custom software is prohibited). For full sale of the device, it is recommended to exit all accounts after the first download and reset through the phone settings.
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Returning to the runoff via the Mi Flash Tool is the only guaranteed way to restore the system to work after serious modification errors.