Root on Xiaomi Redmi 4: how to unlock the bootloader and get superuser rights in 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 4 is one of the brand’s most popular budget smartphones, released in 2017. Despite its age, the device is still in active use due to its reliability and the ability to expand functionality. Obtaining superuser rights (root) opens access to hidden system settings, allows you to remove embedded applications, optimize performance and install custom firmware.

In this article, we will discuss the current ways to get root on Redmi. 4 (including Redmi modifications 4X, 4A, 4 Prime) in light of recent updates MIUI 14 Android 12/13. We'll focus on unlocking the bootloader, a key step that root is not possible without, and it's important to understand that there are risks involved in the procedure: loss of warranty, possible device "brick" or problems with the system. OTA-If you're not sure about your skills, you should go to the experts.

1.Preparation of the device: what to do before unlocking

Before you start unlocking the bootloader and getting root, you need to follow a few critical steps, and neglecting them can make it impossible to restore the smartphone in the event of a failure.

First, create a complete backup of your data. Use standard tools. MIUI (Settings → The phone. → Backups or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root, but you can make a copy on another device:

• 📱 Contact (export to) VCF-file)
• 📸 Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud)
• 🔑 Passwords from applications and Wi-Fi (write manually)
• 🎮 Save games (use Google Play Games or Helium)

Second, check the MIUI version and the device model. To do this, go to Settings → About the phone. Write down the exact data — it will be required to select the right firmware and tools. For example, Redmi 4X has the code name santoni, and Redmi 4 Prime — markw. Make sure that the battery is charged at least 70% — the unlocking process can take up to an hour.

⚠️ Note: If your device was purchased from the official Xiaomi store after 2020, there is a good chance that the bootloader is locked at the hardware level. In this case, unlocking through standard methods may not work – you will need to use paid services like DC-Unlocker or contact a service center.

Unlocking the bootloader: official and informal methods

The bootloader is locked on all Xiaomi devices by default; without it, custom recovery or root cannot be installed. Xiaomi’s official method requires you to link your Mi Account to your device and wait for permission (usually 72–168 hours).

The official unlock algorithm:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking in Settings → More → For Developers.
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool (version no lower than 5.5.224.30).
4. Sign in to the tool under the same Mi Account as on your phone.
5. Connect Redmi 4 in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down + Power) and follow the program instructions.

If the official method didn't work (e.g., the tool gives you a Couldn't unlock error), you can try informal methods, one of which is using the Fastboot Script utility to bypass account verification.

• 🔧 Established ADB and Fastboot on PC
• 📥 Download a script for your model (for example, unlock_bootloader_santoni.bat for Redmi 4X)
• 🔄 Disabled antivirus protection (scripts are often defined as malicious)

Installation of custom recovery (TWRP)

Once the bootloader is unlocked, the next step is to install custom recovery. TWRP (TeamWin Recovery Project) is the most popular solution that allows you to install firmware, make backups and get root. For Redmi 4, current versions of TWRP with support for Android 12/13 are available.

Installation instructions:

1. Download the latest version TWRP for your model from the official website twrp.me. 4X (santoni will do. twrp-3.7.0_9-0-santoni.img.
2. Move the file to the ADB folder and rename it to twrp.img for convenience.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
4. Reboot to recovery by holding Volume up + Nutrition.

If you load your phone into a standard recovery after installing TWRP, you've overwritten it. To avoid this, follow the command immediately after installation:

fastboot boot twrp.img

This will download TWRP without writing to the recovery section, allowing you to install Magisk immediately to block automatic overwriting.

4. Getting root rights with Magisk

Magisk is the most reliable way to obtain root rights on modern Xiaomi devices. Unlike the outdated SuperSU, it supports Magisk Modules, hides root from applications (for example, banking), and is regularly updated. The latest stable version at 2026 is Magisk v26.4.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Magisk from the official repository: GitHub Magisk (Magisk-v26.4.zip file).
2. Move the archive to your phone or flash drive.
3. Download to TWRP and select Install → specify the path to Magisk-v26.4.zip.
4. Swipe to confirm installation.
5. After completion, press Reboot System.

If Magisk Manager does not appear in the application menu after the reboot, install it manually from GitHub (Magisk-v26.4.apk file). To check root rights, use the Root Checker application or run the command in the terminal:

su

If a superuser invite appears (# instead of $), the root is installed successfully.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 14, after Magisk is installed, the mobile network may disappear, due to modification of the boot partition. Solution: install a Magisk module called MIUI Anti-Rollback Fix or roll back to an older firmware version (e.g, MIUI 13).

Possible problems and solutions

The root process is rarely smooth, and here are some common mistakes and fixes that are relevant to Redmi 4 in 2026.

If you get the root phone stopped turning on ("brick"), don't panic. 90% of the time, the device can be restored via Fastboot:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the MIUI Downloads website.
2. Unpack the archive and launch the script flash_all.bat (For Windows, use the commands: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash system system.img fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
3. After completion, run fastboot reboot.

6.Optimize and customize after getting root

Root rights offer a wide range of options for fine-tuning Redmi 4. Here are some useful steps to follow after a successful rooting:

• 🧹 Removing Built-in Garbage: Use Titanium Backup or SD Maid for removing system applications (com.miui.analytics, com.xiaomi.midrop, etc.) Be careful - removing critical components may disrupt the system.
• ⚡ Accelerate work: Install the Magisk Universal module GMS Doze for Background Activity Optimization or Greenify for Forced Hibernation.
• 🔋 Battery Charge Limit (up to 80% charge limit) and Power Nap (improved sleep mode) modules will help reduce battery wear.
• 🎨 Customization of the interface: With the help of Substratum or Platinum Themes, you can change icons, fonts and style MIUI custom-free.

For safety, we recommend:

• Disable ADB over Wi-Fi in the developer settings if you are not using it.
• Install MagiskHide Props Config to mask root from banking applications.
• Update Magisk and modules regularly through Magisk Manager.

💡

If Google services (such as Play Market) stop working after you delete your system applications, install the GApps for MIUI module or restore deleted packages from the backup via TWRP.

7. Alternative methods: root without unlocking the bootloader

For users who fail to unlock the bootloader, there are alternative ways to gain limited root rights, which do not give full control over the system, but allow you to perform some actions that require increased privileges.

One of these methods is exploiting vulnerabilities in MIUI (exploits), such as the DirtyCOW utility (CVE-2016-5195), which allowed you to get temporary root on older versions of Android, but it no longer works on MIUI 14.

• 🔓 ADB Root: Some firmware can get temporary root through ADB This only works if the system already has a su binary.
• 📱 Extended rights apps: Shizuku and App Ops allow you to manage system application permissions without full root.
• 🔧 Patched Boot Image: Some developers offer modified boot.img They can be flashed through the Fastboot without unlocking the bootloader, but it's risky.

Important: Since MIUI 13, Xiaomi has closed most root exploits without unlocking the bootloader. The only reliable way is to unblock them is official or unofficial. If your goal is simply to remove ads or disable unnecessary services, consider alternatives like Blokada (an ad blocker without root) or ADB AppControl (application management via ADB).

8 Risks and Consequences: What You Lose by Getting Root

Despite the obvious benefits, root rights have serious disadvantages, and here's what you should consider:

• 🚫 Loss of warranty: Xiaomi will cancel the warranty if you find an unlocked bootloader or root.Even if you return everything back, there will be a record in the logs.
• 🔄 Problems with OTA-Updates: After root, system updates may not be installed. You will have to manually stitch new versions through the root. TWRP.
• 🛡️ Security vulnerabilities: Root opens access to system files, which increases the risk of malware infection.
• 📵 Some features are inoperable: Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff), Google Pay, Netflix and some games (for example, Pokémon GO) They can block work on rooted devices.

If you do decide to get root, follow the safety rules:

• Install modules only from the official Magisk repository.
• Check your system regularly for viruses with Malwarebytes or Kaspersky.
• Do not remove system applications unless you are sure of their purpose.
• Create backups before any manipulation of the system.

💡

Root rights give you full control of the device, but you are denied official Xiaomi support.

FAQ: Frequent questions about root on Xiaomi Redmi 4