Reflashing Xiaomi Redmi 4: official and custom methods [2026]

Xiaomi Redmi 4 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2016-2017, but even years later it can be brought back to life with the right firmware. The current version of the software not only speeds up the device, but also closes security vulnerabilities, adds new features (for example, support for modern applications), or even turns the phone into a multimedia center with custom builds like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

However, Redmi 4 flashing (codenamed prada for global or markw for Chinese) is a pitfalls process. Failure to do so can lead to a "brick" (complete device failure), loss of IMEI or sensor issues. In this guide, we'll take a look at all the working ways of firmware in 2026, from an official update via MIUI Updater to installing custom firmware through TWRP and Fastboot. You'll also learn how to unlock a bootloader without waiting for 720 hours and where to download verified firmware files.

Warning: If your Redmi 4 is purchased in China (the C-suffix version in the model), it will require a separate firmware - global versions may not work. Check the model in Settings → About the phone → Model.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before You Start

The first step is to save all data. The firmware (especially through Fastboot or TWRP) erases the device's internal memory. Use Mi Mover (an embedded MIUI application) or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root) to back up:

• 📱 Contacts, SMS, call log (export to Google Account)
• 📷 Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud)
• 🎵 Music and Documents (check Download and DCIM folders)
• 🔑 Logins and passwords (use Google Smart Lock or Bitwarden)

The second critical point is battery power. Make sure the charge level is at least 60%. If the phone runs out during firmware, this can lead to the impossibility of recovery without a programmer (for example, Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008).

• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (cheap cables can interrupt the connection)
• 💻 Windows PC 10/11 (for Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool)
• 🛠️ Qualcomm and ADB Drivers (download official package from Xiaomi)

⚠️ Warning: If your Redmi 4 has been previously rooted or has a custom firmware, you need to return stock Recovery before the official firmware via Fastboot, otherwise an anti-rollback error may occur that will lock the device.

2. Official methods of firmware: MIUI Updater and Recovery

If you don’t need custom builds, but just need to upgrade to the latest version of MIUI, use built-in tools. This is the safest method, as it doesn’t require unlocking the bootloader or resetting data (unless otherwise stated).

Method 1: Update with MIUI Updater

Suitable for switching to a new version of MIUI without losing data:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
3. Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com (select Recovery ROM).
4. After downloading the file (usually weighing ~1.5–2 GB), click Update.

Method 2: Firmware through Recovery

If the phone is not turned on or MIUI Updater is not working:

1. Download Recovery ROM for your model (e.g. redmi4_global_images_V12.5.1.0.MCCMIXM_20211012.0000.00_10.0_global_1d1a2a1b2c.tar.gz).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of internal memory.
3. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. Select Install update.zip and confirm the installation.

⚠️ Warning: If you update through MIUI Updater with a "Can't verify update" error, it means that the firmware file is corrupted or not suitable for your model. Check the checksum (MD5) of the file using the HashMyFiles utility.

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Official firmware methods do not require unlocking the bootloader, but are limited to MIUI versions. Custom firmware or region change requires Fastboot or TWRP.

3. Unlock the bootloader: how to get around the wait of 720 hours

To install custom firmware or firmware through Fastboot, you need to unlock the bootloader.The official way Xiaomi requires:

1. Linking your Mi Account to your device.
2. Expectations of 720 hours (30 days) after the binding.
3. Use the Mi Unlock Tool.

However, there are some informal ways around this limitation that don’t work on all devices, but the chances are high for Redmi 4.

Turn on USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) | Connect Mi Account and confirm developer rights | Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website |Install ADB and Fastboot-->

The most reliable way to speed up unlocking is to use the EDL- mode (Emergency Download Mode).

1. Download a modified version of the Mi Flash Tool with EDL support.
2. Turn off the phone, then press Volume up + Volume down + Power for 10 seconds – the device will go to Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 mode.
3. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the fastboot firmware file and press Refresh. The device will be defined as COM-port.
4. Press Flash – the firmware will start without checking the status of the bootloader.

Important: After unlocking the bootloader, all data will be reset, and the IMEI can also be erased. To avoid network loss, save the IMEI before the firmware using the command:

adb shell


su




cat /data/.cid.info

Or use the MTK Engineering Mode app (QCN Rebuilder is suitable for versions with Qualcomm processor).

4. Firmware through Fastboot: step-by-step instructions

Fastboot is the most reliable way to flash Redmi 4 if other methods don't work.

• 🔄 Recovery after "brick" (if the phone is not turned on).
• 📥 Official firmware installations with full reset.
• 🔓 Changes in region (e.g., from Chinese firmware to global firmware).

To run through Fastboot, you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows and installed drivers ADB/Fastboot.
• 📂 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (download from the official website, select Fastboot ROM).
• 🔧 The Mi Flash Tool (2018 or later)

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\redmi4_fastboot).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
3. Connect your phone to your PC. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
5. Select firmware mode: Clean all - full reset (recommended when changing the region); Clean all and lock - reset + lock the bootloader (if you need to return the official status); Save user data - data storage (does not always work).

Flash

⚠️ Warning: If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a "flash not done" error, check: Correct firmware (for prada or markw). Archive integrity (check MD5). Chinese characters on the way to the firmware folder. Utility version (older versions do not support new firmware). If the error repeats, try manually flashing through fastboot commands (see next section).

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If the phone is stuck on the MI logo after Fastboot, press Power + Volume up for 20 seconds for a forced reboot. If that doesn't help, repeat the firmware with the Clean all option option option.

5. custom firmware installation (TWRP + LineageOS/Pixel Experience)

Custom firmware gives Redmi 4 a second life: updated Android, no ads in MIUI, better optimization.

• 📱 LineageOS 16/17.1 (Android 9/10) is a stable build with a minimalist interface.
• 📱 Pixel Experience (Android 11) is a firmware with the Google Pixel design.
• 📱 Havoc-OS - customizable firmware with many settings.

Requirements:

• ✅ Unlocked loader.
• ✅ Installed custom Recovery (TWRP).
• ✅ Backup copy EFS (folder with IMEI and modem data).

Step 1: Installation of TWRP Recovery

The official TWRP for Redmi 4 can be downloaded from twrp.me (select the prada model).

1. Download the twrp-3.6.2_9-0-prada.img file.
2. Move it to the ADB folder and rename it to recovery.img.
3. Turn on Fastboot on your phone and connect to your PC.
4. Fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
5. Recovery Reboot with the command: fastboot boot recovery.img

Step 2: Firmware custom OS

After installation of TWRP:

1. Download firmware (e.g. lineage-17.1-20210310-UNOFFICIAL-prada.zip) and GApps (if you need Google services).
2. Transfer the files to your phone or flash drive.
3. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache

Install

GApps

Restart (the first launch can take 10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: After installing custom firmware, Widevine L1 may stop working (no support for HD on Netflix, Disney+). To return it, file the Magisk Module Widevine Fix patch through Magisk Manager.

6. Solving problems after firmware

Even with the right firmware, there can be problems. Let's consider the most common and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Phone is not turned on (black screen)

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Battery is out. Connect charging for 30 minutes, then try logging in to Fastboot (Loudness down + Power).
• 🔄 Wrong firmware. Sweep the official Fastboot ROM through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean all option.
• 🔌 Problems with EMMC If the phone is defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, firmware will be required via EDL (see section 3).

Problem 2: No network (IMEI invalid)

If IMEI is missing after the firmware:

1. Check the current IMEI command: adb shell su service call iphonesubinfo 3
2. If the IMEI is missing, restore it from an EFS backup or using the QCN Rebuilder tool.
3. For Redmi 4 with Snapdragon 430 processor, Maui META utility (requires a 4PDA account) is suitable.

Problem 3: Hanging on the MI logo or bootloop

Causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Firmware conflict. Sweat the same version MIUI through Fastboot with Clean all option.
• 🔧 Incompatible core. If you've been using custom firmware, check it's compatible with your model (prada or markw).
• 📱 Damaged Recovery. Install stock Recovery with the command: fastboot flash recovery recovery_stock.img

7. Where to download firmware for Xiaomi Redmi 4

Official and custom firmware for Redmi 4 can be found on the following resources:

Before downloading the firmware, always check:

• 🔍 Compatible with your model (prada or markw).
• 📌 Android version (e.g. LineageOS 16 requires Android 9).
• 🔒 Checksum (MD5) – This will protect against corrupted files.

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If you download firmware from torrent trackers or file-sharing sites, check it with antivirus. Attackers often replace Xiaomi firmware with malicious files that can steal data or block the device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the firmware Xiaomi Redmi 4