How to reflash Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X: the full guide

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X has been considered a legend of the budget segment for several years thanks to its reliable Snapdragon 625 processor. However, time is not spared by the software: official updates have long been discontinued, and some applications stop working on older versions of Android. That is why the question of how to reflash the device for installing a custom build or a clean global version remains extremely relevant for thousands of users.

The process of replacing the operating system on this device has its own unique features related to the architecture of the processor and the type of memory. Unlike newer models, it often requires manual switching of boot modes and special attention to Qualcomm drivers. For the Redmi Note 4X codenamed "mido", it is categorically impossible to use firmware from Redmi Note 4 MediaTek (prada), as this will lead to irreversible damage to the device. In this article, we will discuss all stages of preparation and installation of software.

Before we take action, we need to be aware of the risks and prepare tools. Any interference in the system partition carries the potential for data loss or the device becoming a brick. We will look at methods for advanced users who want root rights, and for those who just want to return to work the official shell of MIUI.

Workplace preparation and necessary tools

The success of the operation depends on 90% of the quality of preparation. You will need a computer running Windows, because the drivers for the Fastboot and EDL modes work best in this environment, and using virtual machines or emulators can cause a connection to break at a critical point in data writing.

Quality. USB-Cheap charging-only cables will not provide stable data transmission, which will cause firmware errors. It is recommended to use the original cable or certified analogue no longer than 1 meter long. USB The computer's motherboard is serviceable and gives sufficient voltage.

To work, you will need the following set of software:

• 📦 Official Mi Flash Tool (2017 version or newer to support new drivers).
• 🔓 Mi Unlock Tool to unlock bootloader (Bootloader).
• 💾 Drivers. ADB qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
• 📲 Firmware file in.tgz (Fastboot) or.zip (Recovery) format).

Remember to make a full backup of important data. The process of unlocking the bootloader, which is a mandatory step for installing a custom recavator, automatically erases all user data from the internal drive. Save contacts, photos and documents to an external medium or to the cloud storage.

Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader

The first and most important step is unlocking the bootloader, and without that step, you can't modify the system partition or install third-party Recovery, which requires you to link your Mi Account to your device and wait for a set period of time set by the manufacturer.

First, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings. → About phone and quickly press 7 times on the item Version MIUI. After you have become a developer, go to the advanced settings and find the item for developers (OEM Unlock) and Debugging USB.

Next, link the device to your account. In the developer menu, select Mi Unlock Status and click the add acc button. Make sure that mobile internet is on, Wi-Fi is better off to avoid verification server errors. Once successfully linked, the system can tell you to wait 168 hours (7 days) or 360 hours (15 days) before trying again.

⚠️ Warning: After the waiting time has expired, do not change your Mi Account on your device or log out, otherwise the timer will reset and you will have to wait again.

When the wait period expires, turn off your phone in Fastboot mode. To do this, turn off your phone and press the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously until the image of the hare appears in the eardress cap. Run the Mi Unlock Tool program on your PC, log in to the same account and press the Unlock button. The process will take a few minutes, after which the phone will automatically restart and clear the data.

Install TWRP Recovery via Fastboot

The standard Recovery Xiaomi has limited functionality and does not allow you to install modified firmware or make full backups. TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is the gold standard custom recovery, which gives full control over the file system.

Download the current image twrp.img, Designed specifically for the Redmi Note 4X (Don't use generic images, they may not work properly with memory markup. Place the file in the root of the folder where you installed it. ADB-Open the command line in this folder.

Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (Loud Down + Power). Enter the connection check command:

fastboot devices

If the serial number is displayed in response, the connection is correctly set. Now enter the command to temporarily load the Recovery:

fastboot boot twrp_mido.img

Using boot instead of flash allows you to run TWRP without immediate memory recording, which is safer for the first test.

Once loaded into TWRP, the interface may be in English. If the screen is not responsive to touch, you may have used the image for the wrong version of Android. In the main menu, select the Wipe section, then Advanced Wipe, and select the Dalvik/ART Cache, Cache, and Data sections. Don't erase the Internal Storage section if you want to save the firmware files that are in your phone's memory.

Firmware via Mi Flash Tool (Fastboot Mode)

The official and most reliable way to bring a smartphone back to life or install a clean MIUI is to use the Mi Flash utility, which requires a firmware in the format of Fastboot (.tgz extension), which must be pre-extracted by an archiver (for example, 7-Zip) into the root of the C disk so that the path does not contain Cyrillic and is short.

Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button to detect the connected device. If the phone is defined as a QDLoader 9008 or COM-The port, so it's in emergency boot mode, which is also acceptable, but requires specific drivers.

The most important step is to choose the firmware mode at the bottom of the window:

• 🟢 Clean all: Completely clean all data and install a new system, recommended when switching between Android versions or regions.
• 🟡 Save user data: Installation on top of old data. May cause errors and cyclical reboots if software versions are very different.
• 🔴 Clean all and lock: Complete cleaning and re-locking of the bootloader. Use this item only if you are installing the original global firmware on the global version of the device.

⚠️ Note: The option "Clean all and lock" on custom firmware or when changing the region (for example, from Chinese to Global) will lead to "bricking" the phone with the need to disassemble and solder contacts to enter the Internet. EDL.

After selecting the path to unpacked firmware and cleaning mode, press the Flash button. The process will take 200 to 600 seconds. The progress bar will be filled in green. Upon completion, the status will appear "success", and the phone will automatically restart. The first download can last up to 10 minutes.

Comparison of Firmware Methods: Fastboot vs. Recovery

The choice of firmware method depends on your goals and the current state of the device. Below is a table that helps determine how to install the software.

The Fastboot method is the most in-depth, as it overwrites all memory partitions, including boot sectors and modems, ideal for treating software bugs, viruses or preparing the device for sale, but requires the bootloader to be unlocked.

Installation via Recovery (zip archive) is more flexible, allowing custom cores, patches, Magisk modules and various Android builds (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) to be installed, which does not require a computer directly at the time of firmware, but can be thrown directly into the phone's memory.

Solving Typical Errors and Problems

One common problem is the Mi Flash Mi Flash "Missmatching image and device" error, which occurs when you try to flash firmware for one model to another or use the 2018 Mi Flash utility for older devices. Solution: use Mi Flash 2017.04.25.0 and check the code name carefully.

Another common situation is a cyclic reboot (Bootloop) after installation. If you used the Clean all method, the problem may be a broken firmware file or a faulty firmware file. USB-Try reflashing it by changing the port and the cable. If you have custom firmware, try making Wipe. Dalvik/Cache into TWRP.

If the computer does not see the phone in Fastboot mode, although the drivers are installed:

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port, preferably USB 2.0 (black) not 3.0 (blue).
• 💻 Check the Device Manager: Are there any devices with a yellow exclamation mark.
• 🔋 Charge your phone to minimum. 50-60%, Since at low charge the loading modes may not be activated.

⚠️ Note: If the camera or flashlight is not working after the firmware, you have installed firmware from another model (e.g. Redmi Note 4 MediaTek.

In case of complete inoperability (black screen, charging only reaction), you will need to enter EDL mode. For the Redmi Note 4X, this is often done by disassembling the back cover (it is plastic, it is removed easily) and closing the contacts of the test point on the board with a short circuit when connecting USB.

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Before you run your firmware, change your Google account password to a simple one (like 12345) and then delete your account from your phone’s settings.This will help you avoid FRP (Factory Reset Protection) blocking when the phone after you reset requires a password from an old Google account that you may have forgotten.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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The main key to success when firmware Redmi Note 4X — use of Fastboot-version of firmware for the model "mido" and stable USB-Don't be afraid to experiment with custom Recovery, as it unlocks the potential of an old but powerful iron.