Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X is one of the most popular devices in the history of the Chinese manufacturer, largely due to the combination of the performance of the Snapdragon 625 processor and affordable price. However, the standard features of the MIUI operating system often limit advanced users, not allowing you to remove system debris, make full backups or install custom firmware. It is to expand the functionality and deep customize the device owners resort to installing a modified bootloader known as TWRP Recovery.
The procedure for replacing the stock recovery with a modified one opens up access to the file system, allowing you to perform complex operations to modify software. In this article, we will analyze each step in detail: from obtaining rights to unlock the bootloader to directly installing Team Win Recovery Project and obtaining Root rights. Careful follow the instructions minimizes risks and will turn your gadget into a powerful tool with advanced features.
Before you start taking action, you need to realize that any manipulation of system partitions carries potential risks. The success of the operation depends on the quality of preparation, the presence of the original cable and attention to detail at every step. We will consider not only technical commands, but also nuances that are often missed by beginners, which can lead to errors in the firmware process.
Preparation of equipment and software
Quality workplace and software environment training is the foundation of successful smartphone modifications. You will need a personal computer running Windows, as most tools for working with Fastboot and Windows are used in the computer. ADB It's the most stable environment in this environment, and it's also critical to use the original. USB-cable that comes with the device, or its high-quality analogue, capable of transmitting data, and not only charging the battery.
You need to install universal ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer, which provide communication between the PC and the smartphone in special boot modes. Without these components, the computer simply will not see the device in the right mode, and all commands will be ignored. In addition, you should download the current version of the TWRP image, specially assembled for the Redmi Note 4X model (codenamed mido), since using files from other models will cause the touchscreen to fail or completely lock.
Remember to make a full backup of all important data, including contacts, photos and documents, to an external medium or to the cloud.The process of unlocking the bootloader, which is a mandatory preliminary step, invariably leads to the complete removal of all user data from the internal drive. The Redmi Note 4X model has several revisions of the processors, so make sure that the downloaded TWRP image is marked as compatible with the Snapdragon 625.
- 📱 Xiaomi Redmi Note Smartphone 4X battery-charged%.
- 💻 Windows computer 7/8/10/11 and installed drivers.
- 🔌 Original. USB-data-line.
- 📥 Downloaded image twrp.img and archive with Root rights (e.g. Magisk).
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
Xiaomi has implemented strict protection against unauthorized software tampering, so the first step is always to unlock the bootloader, which requires registering a Mi Account, linking it to the device through the Developer Menu, and waiting for the end of the waiting time, which can be from 7 to 168 hours, a security mechanism designed to prevent theft of devices and installation of malware by attackers.
After receiving the SMS notification of permission to unlock, you need to run the official utility Mi Unlock Tool on your computer. The smartphone is transferred to Fastboot mode by simultaneously pressing the volume and power reduction keys, then connects to the PC. The utility will check the status of the account and, if all the conditions are met, unlock the bootloader, which will be confirmed by the corresponding message on the phone screen and in the program.
⚠️ Note: The process of unlocking the bootloader automatically performs a full data reset (Wipe Data). All photos, applications and settings will be permanently deleted, so creating a backup is a must before starting the procedure.
It is important to note that after unlocking the bootloader, some security features such as Widevine are available. L1 (viewable HD-content in streaming services) and the work of banking applications through NFC, Banking applications often require additional MagiskHide configuration or the use of special modules that hide the fact of the system modification from applications with high security requirements.
Installation of drivers and setting up ADB
Successful communication between your computer and smartphone in debugging and fast boot mode requires the correct installation of drivers. Often the Windows operating system automatically installs the basic drivers, however, to work with Fastboot, you may need to manually update the device driver in the Device Manager. Select a device with a yellow icon or Android designation, select a driver update and specify the path to the folder with Xiaomi drivers or the universal Google USB driver.
Connection check is done via the command line. After you turn on the USB debugging mode in the developer menu and connect the cable, enter the adb device command. If a device with a serial number and device status appears on the list, then the connection is established. For Fastboot mode, the fastboot device command is used, which also must display the serial number of the connected smartphone.
adb devices
fastboot devicesIf the commands do not give a result or write unauthorized, check the screen of the smartphone: it should appear on the dialog box with a request for debugging permission, where you need to check the box “Always allow” and click “OK.” Lack of response may also indicate a malfunction. USB-port or cable, so it is recommended to try other connectors, preferably connected directly to the motherboard, rather than through the motherboard. USB-hub.
The installation process of TWRP Recovery
The main step of the modification is to write the image of the modified bootloader to the appropriate memory partition. First, place the image file twrp.img in the folder with ADB tools on your computer for convenience. Transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode and connect to the PC, then open the command line in the tool folder. The firmware command looks like fastboot flash recovery twrp.img, where twrp.img is the name of your file.
☑️ Checklist before firmware
After a successful image recording, it is important not to allow the system to boot into standard mode, since the MIUI stock firmware has a protection mechanism that automatically overwrites the modified Recovery back to the original one at the first boot, and to avoid this, immediately after running the firmware command, you need to press the combination of power keys and increase volume, holding them until the MI logo or TWRP menu appears.
If you did everything right, instead of the standard Android menu or the MIUI logo, you will see the touch-controlled Team Win Recovery Project interface. The first run may take a little longer than usual, as the system checks the integrity of the partitions. In case the phone still boots into the regular system, the fastboot flash recovery firmware and login to the recovery will have to be repeated, since the standard system has healed the change.
| Fastboot Team | Description of action | Outcome of implementation |
|---|---|---|
| fastboot devices | Connection check | Display of the serial number |
| fastboot flash recovery twrp.img | Recording of the image of Recovery | Successful installation of TWRP |
| fastboot boot twrp.img | Temporary launch (without recording) | Download to TWRP once |
| fastboot reboot | Rebooting the device | Getting out of Fastboot mode |
Primary setting up and obtaining Root rights
After first logging into TWRP, the system can request a screen unlock password if it has been set. If the password is not accepted or you have forgotten it, you can format the data section through the Wipe → Format Data menu by entering yes, but this will delete all files. To Russify the interface in the main menu, select the Language button and specify Russian if it is available in your build, or skip this step by targeting icons.
To secure rights and access to a superuser, you need to flash the Magisk or SuperSU archive. Copy the firmware zip archive to your phone's internal memory or a connected microSD card. From the TWRP menu, select Install, find the archive, and confirm the swipe installation. This will make changes to the system partition to allow you to manage application access rights.
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After installing Magisk, be sure to log into the Magisk Manager app on Android and enable the “Zygisk” or “MagiskHide” feature to hide root rights from banking apps.
Once you have completed your firmware, press the Reboot System button to reboot to the operating system. The first startup after obtaining root rights can last up to 5-10 minutes, a normal phenomenon called “first boot.” After downloading, check for the Magisk or SuperSU application and use the su service through the terminal or a special application to verify the success of the procedure.
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
In the process of modifying the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X, users often encounter an error FAILED (remote: device is locked).This means that the bootloader is still locked, and partition writing commands are blocked at the hardware level. The solution is one: re-enter the unlock procedure through the Mi Unlock Tool and wait for the lock to be removed from the Xiaomi servers.
⚠️ Note: If after firmware the phone goes into an endless restart (bootloop), try to go to the TWRP And you can clean the Dalvik and Cache cache through the Wipe menu, and if that doesn't work, maybe the image of the recovery isn't compatible with your firmware version or the device revision.
Another common problem is the touchscreen assembly in the TWRP itself, where the screen reacts chaoticly or not at all, indicating that an image is used that is not adapted to a particular Android version or display type, in which case you need to find an alternative recover assembly specifically labeled as compatible with your version of MIUI (Global, China, Developer).
What is Anti-Rollback and how is it dangerous?
In case of critical errors, when the phone does not respond to buttons and does not turn on, you may need to use EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode. To enter this mode on the Redmi Note 4X, you often need to disassemble the case and close test points on the board, or use special ADB commands if debugging was enabled in advance. EDL mode allows you to flash the device at a deep level through the Flash Mi Tool program.
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The main reason for failures when installing TWRP is inattention to the device version and trying to use files from other Xiaomi models, so always check the code name (mido) before downloading.