Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: How to Sweeten – The Complete Guide

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, especially the Snapdragon version, has established itself as one of the most reliable devices in the history of the brand, but even such a device requires a software update over time. The Redmi Note 4 firmware can be required for various reasons: from the banal desire to install a fresh version of Android to the need to “revive” the phone after unsuccessful experiments with system files. The process of restoring or updating MIUI is not as difficult as it seems to beginners, but requires carefulness and strict adherence to the algorithm of actions.

Before you start taking action, you need to understand that you are going to interfere with the system partition memory. Any interruption of electricity or disconnection of the cable at a critical moment can lead to serious consequences, which is why the preparation of the workplace and the battery status are critical steps that can not be ignored under any circumstances.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the available ways to install software, from simple updates through menus to advanced methods via Fastboot mode using a computer, you will learn how to prepare the necessary files, what drivers to install and how to avoid the typical mistakes that users encounter when independently flashing their gadgets.

Preparation for firmware: drivers and tools

The first step to successfully installing a new system is to prepare the software on your computer. USB-cable, preferably an original or certified analogue, which is guaranteed to transmit data, not only charges the device. Without a reliable connection, the process of writing data into the phone's memory can be interrupted, which will lead to an error.

Specialized services should also be established ADB-Drivers and utilities for working with Xiaomi devices. The computer must "see" the phone in different modes of operation, including boot mode. Fastboot mode often requires a separate installation of drivers, which can be found in the platform. SDK Platform-Tools.

• 📥 Download the latest firmware version for your model (Global, China or Google) EU) from the official website or verified sources.
• 💻 Install Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers (depending on your device’s CPU version) on your computer.
• 🔌 Prepare. USB-cable with a tight connector fit and without damage to the insulation.

Note that some methods may require a Mi Account and device to be linked to it a few days before the manipulation begins, a standard security procedure implemented by the manufacturer to protect user data from unauthorized access.

Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader

Factory Bootloader in Xiaomi devices is blocked by default, which does not allow you to make changes to the system partition or install custom recavers.To remove this restriction, you will need the official Mi Unlock Tool. The unlock process erases all data from the internal drive, so pre-backup is mandatory.

After applying for unlock via phone settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version), you need to wait a certain time, usually between 7 and 168 hours (one week), during which the system checks the device for suspicious activity.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, some security features, such as Google Pay (now Wallet) or banking apps, stop working unless additional root-rights hiding techniques are used. DRM-Widevine status, which can reduce the quality of video playback in streaming services.

To enter unlock mode, press the negative volume and power buttons simultaneously until the Fastboot logo shows up on the screen with a rabbit fixing an android. Connect the device to your PC, launch Mi Unlock, and follow the instructions on the program screen.

Install firmware through Recovery (without PC)

The easiest way to upgrade or reinstall the system is to use the built-in recovery menu, which is suitable if the phone is turned on and can download the Recovery menu. You will need a firmware file with the.zip extension, which you need to put in the root of internal memory or on a microSD card.

To enter recovery mode, press the plus volume and power buttons. From the menu that appears, select the language (usually English and Chinese) and go to the installation point. If you use the global version, the interface will be clear and intuitive.

Select a firmware file from the list and confirm the action. The process will take 5 to 15 minutes, during which time the log of operations will be displayed on the screen, and after completion, the phone will automatically restart to the new system.

💡

Before installing via Recovery, rename the firmware file to “update.zip” – this will make it easier to find it in the file list if the menu does not display long names.

Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool

Fastboot firmware is the most reliable method and is often used to restore bricks or completely clean the device of any traces of previous modifications. This requires unpacking the firmware archive (.tgz format) into the root of the C disk so that the path does not contain Cyrillic or spaces.

Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the "refresh" button and make sure the device is identified (its serial number will be displayed). Choose the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware and click the "flash" button.

• 🟢 Clean all – complete data cleanup and clean system installation (recommended).
• 🟡 Save user data – attempts to save user data (may cause errors when changing region).
• 🔴 Clean all and lock – complete cleaning and re-locking of the bootloader (hazardous if the firmware is not original!).

It is important to choose the right mode at the bottom of the program window. the Clean all and lock option will return the bootloader lock, which is necessary to sell the device or return the warranty, but you can not use it with custom firmware - the phone will stop booting.

The process of writing data to the memory of Redmi Note 4 is displayed as a progress bar. Do not touch the cable or turn off the computer until the message of successful completion appears, and then the device will go into a reboot, which can last up to 10 minutes when you first install it.

Installation of custom TWRP Recovery

For advanced users who want to install superuser rights (Root) or custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), you will need to replace the regular recovery with TWRP. This modified recovery menu allows you to make full system backups and install modified packages.

Installation is done via a computer using the command line or the Fastboot utility. The twrp.img image file must be in the tool folder. The installation command looks standard for all Android devices.

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot boot twrp.img

Once the command is completed, the phone will immediately boot to the new menu, and it is critical to immediately flash a patch that prohibits replacing the Recovery with a regular one, otherwise, the first time you restart, Xiaomi will automatically restore the original menu.

💡

The first launch after installing TWRP should occur immediately, without the usual download in Android, otherwise the standard recovery will replace the modified one.

Possible mistakes and ways to solve them

There can be various errors in the firmware process, from "Error 1" in Mi Flash to endless restart (bootloop), most often the problem lies in drivers or a corrupted firmware file. Check the integrity of the downloaded archive by comparing the checksum with the one listed on the site.

If the phone is stuck on the MI logo, try resetting through Recovery (Wipe Data).If that doesn't work, you'll need to flash through Fastboot in Clean All mode. In rare cases, when the device isn't detected by the computer at all, it may be necessary to disassemble and close test points to enter EDL mode.

⚠️ Attention: Entering mode EDL (Emergency Download on new versions MIUI Often requires an authorized Xiaomi account with paid access. Be careful when buying such services from third-party wizards. Driver errors in Device Manager (yellow exclamation mark) are solved manually through Update Driver» → «Choose from the list of available. Choose Android Bootloader Interface or similar. What is Hard Reset and when you need it? Hard Reset is necessary if you experience persistent crashes, application errors or rapid battery drain after firmware. It deletes all user data and returns the settings to factory settings, eliminating file conflicts of the old system (FAQ) Is it possible to flash Redmi Note 4 Global to the Chinese version? Technically possible, but strongly discouraged due to differences in radio modules and frequencies. When changing the region from Global to China, some lanes may stop working LTE (Band 7, 20), which will worsen the quality of communication. In addition, Chinese firmware does not have Google services by default and there are Chinese applications. Will the warranty fly after the firmware? Yes, unlocking the bootloader and installing unofficial software will void the manufacturer's warranty. Software-based verification methods show the device's status as "Modified" and only return it if you lock the boot boot back (fastboot oem lock) and install the original official firmware, but traces of interference may remain in the logs. Which firmware is best for the Redmi Note 4 Snapdragon? official global firmware MIUI It is most stable and optimized for everyday use. For enthusiasts who care about the cleanliness of the system and the latest version of Android, custom builds based on AOSP (for example, LineageOS), but they can have bugs in the camera or sound codecs. How to enter Fastboot mode if the buttons do not work? If the volume buttons are faulty, you can try using the software method through ADB. Enter the command adb reboot bootloader in the command line while the phone is on and debugging over USB. Also helps the adb reboot command with the subsequent quick input command to go to the bootloader, but it requires s.