Reflashing Xiaomi Redmi 4A through the computer: from unlock to install MIUI

Why do you want to re-watch Redmi 4A in 2026?

Even 7 years after the release of Xiaomi Redmi 4A remains a popular budget smartphone – thanks to reliable hardware (Snapdragon 425, 2/3 GB of RAM) and support for custom firmware. However, the official MIUI updates for this model have long been discontinued: the latest stable version – MIUI 12.5 based on Android 6.0. This means no security patches, slow operation of modern applications and compatibility problems.

Flashing through your computer solves these problems: you get up-to-date Android 10/11 (through custom builds like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), speed up the system, advanced settings, and even support for Google Camera (GCam), but the process requires caution: an error in unlocking the bootloader or installing TWRP can turn the phone into a brick. This guide provides step-by-step instructions with the nuances of 2026 (for example, changes in Xiaomi’s policy to unlock the bootloader).

⚠️ The critical point: if your Redmi 4A purchased after 2019, there is a good chance that the bootloader is locked at the hardware level (Hardware Lock), in which case the flashing is possible only through authorized Xiaomi service centers - independent attempts will lead to irreversible blocking. IMEI.

Preparation for firmware: what to do before the start

The first step is to check the current status of the phone. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and write down the current firmware. If the version is older than MIUI 9, first upgrade to the latest official version through Settings → System Update. This minimizes the risk of conflict when installing custom software.

Next, prepare the computer:

• 🖥️ Install the Mi Flash Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi) and ADB/Fastboot Download them from en.miui.com (Tools section).
• 📱 Turn on Debugging. USB on the phone: Settings → Additionally. → For developers (if there is no item, tap 7 times according to the version) MIUI).
• 🔋 Battery charge at least 70%. When discharged during firmware, the phone may fail.
• 🔐 Create a backup of data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup or Mi Cloud. Castom firmware will erase all files!

⚠️ Warning: If you're using Windows 11, turn off driver digital signature verification. To do this, reboot your Shift PC, select Diagnostics → Additional parameters → Loading parameters → Reboot, then press. F7 (without it, Fastboot won't recognize the phone.

Unlocking the bootloader: the most difficult stage

Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all devices, including Redmi 4A. To unlock it, you need the official Mi Unlock Tool, but since 2020 the process has become more complicated: now you need to link your Mi Account to your phone and wait 72-168 hours (depending on the region).

Instructions:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from en.miui.com/unlock and install it on PC.
2. Sign in to your phone with the same Mi Account as the Mi Unlock Tool.
3. Put your phone in Fastboot mode: Turn it off, then press Volume Down + Power before the Mi Bunny logo appears.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool. Press Unlock and a waiting timer (usually 72 hours) will appear.

⚠️ If the error is Couldn't unlock or Current account is different from the account info on the device, then:

• 🔄 Mi Account is not tied to the phone (you need to go to Settings) → Mi Account and Sync).
• 🕒 It’s not 72 hours since you first tied up (even if you’ve unlocked another phone before).
• 📵 The phone was purchased in China (requires a Chinese account Mi and the phone is not available). VPN).

Firmware selection: official MIUI vs custom builds

Once you unlock the bootloader, you have to choose the firmware. You have 3 options:

For beginners, we recommend the official MIUI (for example, the latest stable version for Redmi 4A - V12.5.1.0.MCCMIXM).

For custom firmware, use resources:

• 🌐 XDA Developers – build LineageOS and Pixel Experience.
• 📥 SourceForge – current corporate files.
• 🔧 Telegram channel MIUI Russia - Ported versions MIUI.

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Before downloading the firmware, check its hash amount (MD5) through the HashMyFiles utility. This will protect you from corrupt files that can “brick” the phone.

Installation of TWRP Recovery: a mandatory step for custom firmware

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is an alternative restore menu that allows you to install custom firmware, backup and restore the system. For Redmi 4A (device codename rolex), use TWRP version 3.6.2 or later.

Installation instructions:

1. Download TWRP for rolex from twrp.me (file with.img extension).
2. Place the file in a folder with ADB/Fastboot (e.g., C:\platform-tools).
3. Open the command prompt in this folder (click Shift + right mouse button → Open the PowerShell window here).
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2-rolex.img
5. After successful installation, restart to TWRP by clamping Volume Up + Power.

⚠️ Attention: if after installation TWRP The phone is loaded into standard recovery, so:

• 🔄 You forgot to turn off signature verification in fastboot (use the command fastboot oem) disable_verity).
• 📵 Incorrect version established TWRP (Check compatibility with rolex).
• 🔧 The bootloader is not unlocked (repeat the process with the Mi Unlock Tool).

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Without TWRP, you can’t install custom firmware or make a full system backup. Xiaomi’s official recovery blocks these features.

Firmware via Mi Flash Tool (official MIUI)

If you have chosen the official firmware, use the Mi Flash Tool, which is suitable for restoring the brick or returning to stock MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Download firmware in.tgz or.zip format (for example, rolex_global_images_V12.5.1.0.MCCMIXM_20211020.0000.00_6.0_global_1d1a7a3b8e.tgz).
2. Unclose the file into a folder without spaces and Cyrillic (e.g., C:\MIUI\rolex).
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
5. In Mi Flash Tool, select firmware mode: Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended when changing the MIUI version); Clean all and lock – cleaning + lock the bootloader (use if you sell a phone); Save user data – data storage (does not always work correctly).

Flash

⚠️ Critical error: if the Mi Flash Tool gives you Flash Done. Reboot, but the phone does not turn on (black screen or stuck on the logo), then it means:

• 🔌 You used the wrong firmware version (for example, for Redmi). 5A instead 4A).
• 🔄 Clean all failed – repeat the firmware with full cleaning.
• 📡 Problems with USB-Port or cable (try another port on PC).

Installation of custom firmware through TWRP

To install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom firmware, use TWRP. Important: Make sure the firmware is rolex compatible (codename Redmi 4A) before you start.

Instructions:

1. Download firmware (.zip format) and, if necessary, Gapps (Google services, for example, Open Gapps for Android 10).
2. Transfer the files to your phone or SD-map.
3. Boot to TWRP (click Volume Up + Power).
4. Make a full backup of the current system: Backup → Select all partitions → Swipe for confirmation.
5. Reset: Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Mark Dalvik, Cache, Data, System → Swipe
6. Install the firmware: Install → Select the file.zip → Swipe.
7. If you need Gapps, install them immediately after the firmware (without rebooting!).
8. Reboot your phone: Reboot → System.

⚠️ Note: if after installing custom firmware, the phone does not boot (hangs on the logo or an Encryption unsuccessful error appears), then:

• 🔐 You forgot to format the data section in TWRP (You need to select Format Data → insert).
• 📦 The firmware is incompatible with your model (check the codename rolex).
• 🔄 There was not enough space for Gapps (remove unnecessary apps through the Gapps). TWRP).

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After the first custom firmware download, wait 10-15 minutes, the system optimizes applications. Do not interrupt the process even if the screen does not respond!

Solving typical problems after firmware

Even with the right firmware installation, errors can occur, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If it's gone after the firmware. IMEI (No network, in Settings → The phone. → Status. SIM-The cards are empty, restore it through TWRP:

1. Download the EFS backup for Redmi 4A (search for XDA).
2. Transfer the file to the phone.
3. In TWRP, select Restore → Select EFS Backup → Swipe.
4. Reboot your phone and check the IMEI with *#06#.

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If the phone stopped seeing after the firmware SIM-Never insert a new card until you have recovered IMEI — This can block the communication module forever!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions