Firmware recovery on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: all working methods in 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) remains a popular smartphone even years after its release, but failed experiments with custom firmware, update failures or viruses can lead to the “bricking” of the device. Restoring the original firmware (stock ROM) is the only way to bring the phone back to life if it does not turn on, hovers on the Mi logo, or works with errors.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to return firmware to Redmi 4X in 2026: through Fastboot, Recovery and the official MiFlash tool. Particular attention will be paid to typical errors (for example, Invalid image or Anti-rollback check), choosing the correct version of firmware and security measures to avoid turning your phone into a “brick.” If you have never flashed a smartphone before, do not worry: the instructions are adapted for beginners, with step-by-step screenshots and an explanation of each action.

Before you start, check: your Redmi 4X should have a battery charge of at least 50%, and on your computer – Qualcomm and ADB drivers installed. If the phone does not respond to buttons, try first hard reset.

1.Preparation: What it takes to restore firmware

Before you start firmware, gather everything you need. Without proper preparation, the risk of errors increases significantly, especially if it is a question of unlocking the bootloader or working with Fastboot.

You'll need:

• 📱 Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 4X (santoni model with a battery charge of 50%. If the phone does not turn on, use a charger with a current of at least 2A.
• 💻 Computer on Windows 7/10/11 (64-bit On MacOS or Linux, the process is possible, but requires additional settings.
• 🔧 Drivers: Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 and ADB/Fastboot. Download them from the official Xiaomi website or through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Important: the firmware should be in line with your device’s region. For example, if you bought your phone in Russia, choose MIUI Global or MIUI Russia. Installing firmware for another region (e.g. China) can lead to problems with Google Play and localization.

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi is 4X It was purchased with a bootloader that you'd have to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool, and without that, you wouldn't be able to get the firmware through the Fastboot, and it takes up to 720 hours (30 days) to unlock the Mi Account.

Before downloading the firmware, check its Android version and build number. For example, for Redmi. 4X current firmware based on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow or Android 7.1 (Install a newer version (e.g. Android) 8+) Unofficial methods can cause irreversible damage to the module. Wi-Fi/Bluetooth due to the Anti-rollback error.

2. Method 1: Fastboot firmware recovery (recommended)

Fastboot is the most reliable method, because it works even if the system is not booting.

• 📵 The phone does not turn on or hovers on the Mi logo.
• 🔄 There was a failure during the update by air (OTA).
• 🛠️ We need to get stock back. ROM post-stitch.

This method requires official firmware in.tgz or.zip format (not recovery ROM!) download it and unpack it into a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MiFlash\santoni).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power for 10 seconds to enter Fastboot mode. The screen should show the hare in the eardress cap.
2. Connect the phone to your computer. Open Command Prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), move on. If not, install the drivers again.
3. Go to the folder with the unpacked firmware and start the firmware script: fastboot flashall Or manually scrolle each section (recommended for power users): fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash recovery.img fastboot flash system.img fastboot flash flash userdata userdata.img
4. Upon completion, type in fastboot reboot

The first download after the firmware can take up to 10-15 minutes.

Downloaded the official firmware for santoni|Phone's 50-charged%+|Qualcomm drivers are installed and ADB|Loader unlocked (if required)|Backup of data (if the phone is turned on)-->

⚠️ Note: If you have an Anti-rollback check fail error when you are firmware, you are trying to install an older version of the firmware than the one that was before. MIUI Or use the MiFlash tool with the clean all tick.

3. Method 2: Firmware through Recovery (if the phone is turned on)

If your Redmi 4X is turned on but is unstable, you can restore the firmware through Recovery, a method that is easier than Fastboot, but only suitable for official firmware in.zip format (so-called recovery ROM).

How to stitch:

1. Download recovery ROM for santoni from the official website (the file will weigh ~1.5-2 GB).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory (not to Download or MIUI!).
3. Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. Choose a language (if you have a choice: 🔧 Install update.zip to System (or similar item). ✅ Confirm installation.

Reboot to System

If Recovery doesn't have an update.zip installation, you have custom recovery (e.g. TWRP).

1. In TWRP, select Install → specify the path to update.zip.
2. Before you run your firmware, make Wipe → Format Data (this will delete all data!).
3. Switch update.zip and reboot.

Instructions:

1. Download and install MiFlash (version 2020 or later).
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder (for example, C:\santoni_edl).
3. Turn off the phone to enter the room. EDL: 🔄 If the phone responds to buttons: Press Volume up + Loudness down + Power for 10-15 seconds. 🔧 If it doesn't respond: disassemble the phone and lock the testpoints (contacts on the motherboard). 4X These are two contacts next to the battery, marked as EDL.

Device Manager

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

MiFlash

Refresh

COM-port

clean all

clean all and lock

Flash

After the firmware is installed, the phone will restart. If the screen remains black for more than 10 minutes, try to pinch the power for 20 seconds to force the reboot.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL drop off IMEI And the serial number on some models. 4X This is unlikely, but if the network is missing after the firmware, check it out. IMEI *#06# and restore it with Engineer Mode or Chimera Tool.

5. Typical errors and their solutions

When you restore firmware on Redmi 4X, users often encounter errors, most of which are solved with simple actions, but some require deep intervention.

If the phone doesn’t turn on after firmware, try:

• 🔄 Fly through. EDL check-boxed.
• 🔌 Check the battery (it may have run out during the process).
• 🛠️ Take to the service center if the problem is hardware (for example, the motherboard is damaged).

💡

If the network is missing after firmware, check the settings APN. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN) Add your operator’s settings manually.

6 How to Avoid “Burping” Your Phone

The main reason Redmi 4X is turning into a brick is because of negligence in the firmware, and to minimize risks, follow these rules:

To the firmware:

• 📋 Check the phone model in settings (Settings) → The phone. → It must match the firmware (Santoni for Redmi). 4X).
• 🔋 Battery charge at least 50%. When discharged during firmware, the phone may fail.
• 🔍 Download firmware only from official sources: MIUI Download or Xiaomi Firmware Updater.

During the firmware:

• 🖥️ Don’t use your laptop on a battery – connect it to the network.
• 🚫 Do not interrupt the process (do not pull the cable, do not restart the PC).
• 🔄 If the firmware is frozen, wait 20-30 minutes before forced reboot.

After the firmware:

• ⚙️ Don't update through OTA Wait for stable work for 1-2 days.
• 📱 Make a backup through Mi Cloud or TWRP.
• 🔒 If you unlock the bootloader, lock it back through fastboot oem lock (optional).

If you’re a beginner, start by running firmware through Recovery (if the phone turns on) or MiFlash in EDL mode. The Fastboot method requires more experience, as errors are more critical here.

💡

The most common mistake of beginners is trying to flash Redmi 4X firmware from Redmi 4/4A/4 Pro. These models have different hardware platforms (santoni vs prada/rolex), and such firmware is guaranteed to kill the device.

7. Alternative methods: if nothing helps

If the standard methods didn’t work, try these options:

1. Firmware via SP Flash Tool (for Mediatek)

The Redmi 4X is built on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor, but if you mistakenly downloaded the firmware for the Mediatek version (such exist in some regions), use the SP Flash Tool:

1. Download the SP Flash Tool and firmware in.scatter format.
2. Launch it. flash_tool.exe, download the scatter file.
3. Connect your phone to the switched off (without battery if possible).
4. Press Download and wait until it is finished.

2. TestPoint recovery (if not included in EDL)

If the phone is not identified in EDL, you have to manually close the test points on the motherboard. For the Redmi 4X, they are located next to the battery (two contacts labeled EDL). Use tweezers or a needle to close them for 5-10 seconds, then connect the cable to the PC.

3. Contact the service center

If all methods are exhausted, and the phone does not respond, contact the authorized service Xiaomi. The cost of restoring firmware through JTAG or ISP is ~ 1500-3,000 rubles (depending on the region).

FAQ: Frequent questions about firmware recovery