How to flash Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: all the ways from official updates to custom software

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) remains one of the brand’s most popular smartphones despite the release of new models, due to reliable hardware, support from the development community and the ability to install alternative firmware even years after its release, but the firmware of this device has nuances, from unlocking the bootloader to choosing the right version of software for a particular modification (Global, China or India).

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of firmware Redmi Note 4 – from official updates through MIUI Updater to manual installation of custom builds like LineageOS or Pixel Experience. Particular attention will be paid to typical errors (for example, Error: 7 in TWRP or hanging on the Mi logo), as well as security – how not to turn the phone into a “brick” and what to do if this has already happened.

Important: The firmware procedure is different for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (most global models) and MediaTek Helio X20 (Chinese versions). Make sure you download the firmware for your chipset!

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 firmware is a process that requires preparation, and without it, the risk of errors increases significantly. Start by checking the current version of the software and device model:

• 📱 Find out the smartphone modification: go to Settings → About Phone → Model. If it says Redmi Note 4X, you have a version on the Snapdragon 625. If just the Redmi Note 4 is likely MediaTek Helio X20 (less commonly, Snapdragon 625 for the Indian market).
• 🔄 Check the MIUI version: in the same About Phone menu, look for the MIUI version. For example, MIUI Global 12.5.3 Stable.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to a minimum of 60 percent. When run through Fastboot or Recovery, discharging during the process can cause irreparable damage to the system partition.
• 📁 Backup: Use Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root). It is especially important to save application data, SMS and call log — they are erased when clean installation.

If you plan to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or HavocOS), be sure to unlock the bootloader. For official firmware via MIUI Updater or Recovery, this is not required.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with MediaTek Helio X20 unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool often results in Hard Brick (complete device failure). For these models, it is recommended to use alternative unlock methods through the SP Flash Tool.

Also prepare:

• 🖥️ Windows PC 7/10/11 (for firmware via Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original – cheap cables can cause connection errors)
• 📂 Firmware that matches your model (references to official and custom builds are in the following sections).

2. Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4

Without an unlocked bootloader, you won’t be able to install custom software or even official firmware through Fastboot. Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all devices, but provides an official unlock tool, the Mi Unlock Tool.

1. Mi Account binding: before unlocking, you must link the device to your Xiaomi account in Settings → Mi Account. Without this, the Mi Unlock Tool will not allow you to continue.
2. 168 hours waiting: Once an account is tied, Xiaomi blocks unlock for 7 days (168 hours) This rule applies to all devices released after 2018. For the Redmi Note 4 (2017), waiting is usually not required, but there are exceptions.
3. Install drivers: you must install ADB and Fastboot drivers on your PC. Download them from the official Xiaomi website or through Minimal ADB and Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Turn on the phone Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in About Phone).
3. Activate USB Debugging and OEM Unlock in Settings → Additional → For Developers.
4. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, and follow the instructions. If you get a waiting message, turn off the device and wait 168 hours.

⚠️ Warning: On some versions of the Redmi Note 4 with MediaTek Helio X20 unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool leads to Hard Brick. In this case, use an alternative method with the SP Flash Tool and the preloader.bin file (for more details, see the Fastboot firmware section).

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will reboot, and at the top of the screen when turned on, it will say Unlocked. You can now install custom firmware.

Linked to the Mi Account to the device

USB debugging enabled

The option “OEM Unlock” has been activated

Installed ADB/Fastboot drivers on PC

Backup of important data is made-->

3.Firmware methods Xiaomi Redmi Note 4

There are three main methods of firmware Redmi Note 4:

1. Through MIUI Updater is the easiest way to get official updates (doesn’t require unlocking the bootloader).
2. Through Recovery (TWRP) – for installation of custom firmware or official ZIP- archives.
3. Through Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool) – to restore the device after failures or install official firmware in.tgz format.

The choice of method depends on your goal:

Let’s look at each method in more detail.

4. firmware via MIUI Updater (without unlocking)

This is the most secure way to update, suitable for users who do not want to risk data or unlock the bootloader.The method works only for official MIUI firmware (stable or developers).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
3. Specify the path to the downloaded firmware file in.zip format (e.g., miui_MIDOGlobal_V12.5.3.0.RCFMIXM_5a8b4b3b1a_10.0.zip).
4. Confirm installation. The phone will restart and start the upgrade process (5-15 minutes).

Where to download the official firmware:

• 🌍 Official website MIUI - Choose the Redmi Note 4/4X (mido) version.
• 📁 Xiaomi Firmware Updater is an archive of all versions MIUI with the ability to filter by region.

⚠️ Warning: If you try to update a Can't verify update, the firmware file is corrupted or not intended for your model. Check the checksum (MD5) of the downloaded archive.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require unlocking the loader.
• ✅ Stores user data (unless otherwise specified in the firmware description).
• ✅ Minimum risk of error.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It only works with official firmware.
• ❌ Does not allow custom software installation.

💡

MIUI Updater is the best choice for beginners, as it does not require unlocking the bootloader and saves user data.

5. Firmware through TWRP Recovery (Castom firmware)

If you want to install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom firmware, you will need TWRP Recovery, an alternative recovery menu. For Redmi Note 4, it is recommended to use TWRP version 3.6.2 or later.

Steps:

1. Install TWRP: Download the TWRP image for mido from the official website. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power). Open the command line in the folder with ADB and execute: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2-mido.img fast bootboot twrp-3.6.2-mido.img
2. Backup: In TWRP, select Backup and select System, Data, Boot. Save backup to the SD- card or PC.
3. Install firmware: Download ZIP- with firmware (e.g., with XDA Developers). In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik, Cache, System, Data (for clean installation). Press Install, select ZIP- file and confirm installation.

Popular custom firmware for Redmi Note 4:

• 📱 LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11) – stable build with minimalist interface.
• 📱 Pixel Experience (Android 12) is a firmware with the Google Pixel design.
• 📱 HavocOS – customizable firmware with many settings.
• 📱 crDroid is a performance-optimized build.

⚠️ Attention: When installing custom firmware on Redmi Note 4 with MediaTek Helio X20, an Error error often occurs: 7 in TWRP. This is due to kernel incompatibility. Solution: Before installing firmware in TWRP, follow the command: echo "SYSTEM_ROOT=true" >> /data/.magisk or use a patch to bypass the check.

After installing the firmware:

1. Clean Dalvik/Cache in TWRP.
2. Restart the device. It can take 10 to 20 minutes to launch the first one.

6. Firmware via Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)

This method is used to:

• Restore the device after crashes (for example, if the phone is not turned on).
• Install official firmware in.tgz format.
• Upgrade to a new version of MIUI if other methods do not work.

Instructions:

1. Download the official firmware for Fastboot (.tgz format).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your PC.
3. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode.
5. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
6. In the program, click Select, specify the path to the unpacked firmware, then Refresh (the device should appear).
7. Select firmware mode: Clean all (recommended when crashes occur); Clean all and lock (clean + lock the bootloader (use if you sell a phone); Save user data (does not always work correctly).

Flash

For devices running MediaTek Helio X20, use the SP Flash Tool instead of the Mi Flash Tool:

1. Download SP Flash Tool and firmware in MT6797_ format.
2. Launch the SP Flash Tool, download the scatter.txt file from the firmware archive.
3. Connect the phone turned off (no buttons!) to the PC.
4. Press Download and wait for the process to end.

⚠️ Warning: When you run through SP Flash Tool, never tick PRELOADER — this will lead to Hard Brick! Make sure there is no preloader.bin in the list of selected files.

If the phone does not turn on after the firmware via Fastboot:

• Check that the firmware is suitable for your model (Snapdragon or MediaTek).
• Repeat the process with another version of MIUI (e.g., an older version).
• If nothing helps, contact the service center (you may need to reflash EDL- mode).

1. Reinstall the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver manually through Device Manager.

2. Use another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

3. Run the program on behalf of the administrator.-->

7.Typical errors and their solutions

When you run Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, users often encounter errors.

If your error is not listed in the table:

• Check the logs in TWRP (Advanced → Copy Log).
• Search for the solution on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums.
• If the phone doesn’t turn on, try flashing the official MIUI through Fastboot (see previous section).

💡

90% of the firmware errors in the Redmi Note 4 are due to the incompatibility of the firmware and the device model. Always check the code name (mido) and chipset (Snapdragon 625 or MediaTek Helio X20).

8. FAQ: Frequent questions about the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 firmware