Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Pro (also known as duggan) often face the need to reinstall the operating system, which can be due to software failures, the desire to upgrade to a newer version of MIUI or the transition to custom Android firmware, a process that requires care, but with strict adherence to the algorithm, it is completely safe for the device.
Before you start to take action, you need to clearly understand what model you are holding. The global version of RMX1921 and the Chinese version have differences in hardware, which is critical when choosing a firmware file.
In this guide, we will go through all the steps in detail, from tool preparation to the final system setup, you will learn how to unlock the bootloader, install drivers, and choose the right method of installing software for your particular case.
Workplace preparation and backup
The beginning of any interference with the software of a smartphone should begin with the preservation of personal data. The firmware process involves the complete cleaning of the internal memory of the device, so creating a backup is a must.
You will need quality. USB-Cheap charging cables often do not support data transfer at high speeds, which can interrupt the process of writing system files. Also make sure that the battery charge of the smartphone is at least 60%.
⚠️ Note: If a connection breaks during the recording of system partitions, the device may turn into a “brick” and require complex recovery through the system. EDL-regime.
To work on the computer must be installed current drivers ADB and Fastboot. Without them, Windows will not be able to correctly recognize the smartphone in debugging mode. Download platform tools from the official website of Android developers.
☑️ Firmware preparation
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
Xiaomi’s standard security policy prohibits unblocked software installation, the first and most important barrier to overcome, which takes days to a week to wait for a response from the company’s servers.
To start, link your Mi Account to your device. Go to your phone's settings, select About Phone, and click on MIUI multiple times to activate the developer menu. Then, in the advanced settings, look for Mi Unlock Status and do the binding.
After receiving a SMS confirmation of successful unlocking (usually comes in 7-168 hours), you can start to. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool utility on your PC, turn off your smartphone and enter Fastboot mode by clamping down the volume and connecting the cable.
It's important to understand that unlocking the bootloader automatically triggers the Wipe Data process, which is a mechanism to protect user information from malicious malicious behavior, and if you don't back up, you can't restore files.
Selection of firmware type: Global, China or Custom
The firmware market for the Redmi Note 4 Pro is huge, and it's easy for a beginner to get confused in acronyms. Global Stables are the most stable and lack Chinese software, but updates come later. China ROMs get new products first, but require additional customization to work with Google services.
Custom builds like LineageOS or Xiaomi.eu are created by enthusiasts and often devoid of advertising, have optimized power consumption and a fresh version of Android. However, their stability is not guaranteed by the device developer.
⚠️ Note: Firmware from another model (for example, from the usual Redmi Note 4 with a Snapdragon processor) is categorically incompatible with the Pro version (Helio). X20) and knock out the phone.
When choosing a version, look for the Recovery type. The most common version you need to install via your computer is the Fastboot version (extension.tgz), and the Recovery version (extension.zip) version to update through your phone menu. Always check the checksum of the file before writing.
Below is a table that helps you decide on the type of software depending on your goals:
| Type of firmware | Stability | Google's presence | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Stable | Tall. | There is. | Regular users |
| China ROM | Tall. | I need a setup. | Experienced users |
| Xiaomi.eu | Medium | There is. | Fans of settings |
| LineageOS | Depends on the build. | Optionally. | Enthusiasts |
Installation of drivers and setting up ADB
The computer must see the smartphone not only as a drive, but also as a debugging device. USB". Without this step, the console commands will not be executed.
Often Windows automatically installs the basic drivers, but for full operation it is better to use the universal Xiaomi USB Drivers package. After installing the drivers in the Device Manager, when connecting the phone in Fastboot mode, the "Android Bootloader Interface" item should be displayed.
You can check the connection via the command line. Type in the command fastboot devices. If you see the serial number of the device in response, then the connection is correct and you can proceed to the next step.
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Use it. USB-ports on the back of the system unit (direct to the motherboard), as the ports of the front panel can give unstable voltage.
Firmware via Fastboot (MiFlash method)
The most reliable way to restore or update the Redmi Note 4 Pro is to use the MiFlash utility, which allows you to completely rewrite all memory partitions, excluding software conflicts.
Unpack the downloaded firmware to the root of the C disk so that the path does not contain Cyrillic characters and spaces. Launch MiFlash.exe, press the Refresh button and make sure your phone is identified in the list. Select the "Clean all" mode for complete cleaning or "Clean all and lock" mode to return to factory condition with the bootloader locked.
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot rebootPress Flash and wait for the process to be completed, and the progress indicator will be filled in green, and the status will be marked "success." After that, the phone will automatically restart. The first download can take up to 10-15 minutes.
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Use the “Clean All” mode in MiFlash to avoid errors and cyclical reboots after changing the firmware region.
Installation of custom Recovery (TWRP)
For those who plan to install custom firmware or make full system backups, you need to replace the standard backup with TWRP. This extended recovery menu allows you to obtain superuser rights (Root) and modify system files.
Download the image twrp-3.x.x-x-duggan.img, Put the file in the tool folder. ADB. Translate your phone to Fastboot mode and execute the command in the terminal: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-duggan.img.
An important nuance: once the TWRP firmware is installed, you can’t boot immediately into the system in the standard way, since the regular bootloader can overwrite the Recovery back, you need to immediately pinch the button combination to log into Recovery or use the command fastboot boot twrp.img for the first run.
⚠️ Note: At the first loading in TWRP It's going to ask you to enter your password. Enter your phone's screen unlock password. If you didn't have a password, just swipe the slider.
Once you successfully install TWRP, you have full control of the file system, and you can install firmware archives, patches to unlock the region, and magic root modules.
Frequent mistakes and ways to solve them
During the firmware process, users often encounter a "Missmatching image and device" error, which means that the selected firmware file does not match the processor model or region. X20), Not for markw).
Another common problem is the MI logo hanging (Bootloop), which is solved 90 percent of the time by re-running in Fastboot mode with the "Clean all" option. If that doesn't help, it may be the persist partition that calibrates the sensors.
If the computer stops seeing the device, try it. USB-cable or port. The problem may also be the lack of driver signatures in Windows. 10/11. In this case, you need to temporarily disable the driver signature verification when booting the OS.