How to activate Xiaomi Redmi 4X: From first turn on to full setup

Xiaomi Redmi 4X

2017

Redmi 4X requires manual unlocking of the loader

Mi Account

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all scenarios: first turning on a new device, unlocking after reset, avoiding activation errors and setting up Google services. MIUI for Redmi 4X (If your smartphone asks for the previous owner's password or if it says "This device is locked" error, you'll find solutions here.

Before you start, make sure you have:

• 🔌 Charging device (preferably original, with output) 5V/2A)
• 📶 Stable connection to Wi-Fi or mobile network
• 📱 SIM-Card (if you plan to use mobile Internet)
• 🖥️ Computer with Mi Unlock Tool installed (to unlock the bootloader)

1. First on: Basic setting

If you just got a Redmi. 4X out of the box or performed a full reset (Hard Reset), the first inclusion will run the setup wizard MIUI. This process is not much different from other Xiaomi smartphones, but there are nuances:

1.Push and hold the Power button for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears. 4X power button and volume control are located on the right side panel.

2. Select the interface language. Russian, English and Chinese are available by default for Russian firmware. If the language is not available, you will need to change the region after activation.

3. Connect to Wi-Fi.Redmi 4X standardize 802.11 b/g/n frequency-wise 2.4 GHz. If the network is not located, check if the Wi-Fi module is disabled in Settings → Wireless networks.

At the stage of linking the Mi Account, an error "Unable to sign in" may occur.

• 🌍 Regional restrictions (China firmware does not support global accounts)
• 🔒 Locking the device by the previous owner (requires unlocking through Find Device)
• 🕒 Server failures (try to try again in 10-15 minutes)

💡

If the customizable wizard is stuck in the update check phase, click Skip in the upper right corner. Updates can be installed later manually.

2 Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)

bootloader on Redmi 4X It's locked by default. It means you can't:

• 🔄 Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS)
• ⚙️ Get root rights through Magisk
• 📥 Install official updates via Fastboot

Unlocking will require:

1. Create/link Mi Account to your device (require to confirm email and phone!).
2. Connect Redmi. 4X PC in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down) + Power with the phone turned off).
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website en.miui.com/unlock.
4. Run the utility and follow the instructions (unblock waiting time is up to 72 hours for new accounts).

⚠️ Warning: After unlocking the bootloader, all data on the device will be reset! We recommend that you pre-copy important files to your PC or memory card.

3. bypass the error "This device is locked"

If, upon activation, Redmi 4X The message appears, "This device is locked. Please enter the password," which means that the smartphone is linked to the previous owner's account:

The safest way is to contact the previous owner and ask them to:

1. Go to i.mi.com.
2. Go to the Find Device section → pick up Redmi 4X.
3. Press Unbind Device (untie the device).

If you cannot contact, only the firmware remains through EDL. For that:

1. Download the firmware for Redmi 4X (santoni) from Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
2. Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver.
3. Connect the phone in mode EDL (Close the contacts of Test Point on the board).
4. Swipe the device through the Mi Flash Tool.

4.Set up Google Services and Play Market

On the Chinese firmware of Redmi 4X (suffix _CN) Google is missing services. To install them:

1. Download the Google Installer archive (e.g. from APKMirror).

2. Transfer the file to your phone and install it as a regular application (Settings) → Security → Unknown sources).

3. Launch Google Installer and follow the instructions. The utility automatically downloads:

• 📱 Google Play Services
• 🛒 Play Market
• 🔍 Google Search
• 📧 Gmail and YouTube

⚠️ Note: Some firmware may have an error after installing Google services, such as "Google Play Services keeps stopping:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Play Services and clear the cache/data.
3. Reboot the phone.

💡

Installing Google services on Chinese firmware can lead to a quick discharge of the battery. MIUI.

Activation after reset (Hard Reset)

If you have performed Hard Reset through Recovery (Loudness up) + Nutrition → Wipe Data, when the system is first enabled, may require:

• 🔐 Password from Mi Account (if the phone was tied)
• 📶 Network connection to verify license
• 📱 Confirmation through SMS (If two-factor authentication is enabled)

If you have forgotten the password from Mi Account, restore it through the official website:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
2. Click Forgot Password?
3. Enter the email or phone attached to your account.
4. Follow the instructions in the letter/SMS.

If recovery is not possible (for example, lost access to email), only the firmware through Fastboot with a full reset remains. FRP (Factory Reset Protection, for this purpose:

fastboot flashing unlock


fastboot oem edl




fastboot flash all [name firmware].tgz

6. Solving common activation errors

When activated, Redmi 4X Users often face the following problems:

If after activation of Redmi 4X does not SIM-map:

• 📶 Check if your model supports the desired frequencies (for example, the frequency of the model, LTE Band 20 for European operators).
• 🔧 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📱 Restart your phone in flight mode and back.

7. Post-activation optimization

After successful activation, we recommend following several steps to improve performance:

1. Disable unnecessary system applications: 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video (if you use alternatives) 📰 Mi Browser (replace with Chrome or Firefox) 🛒 GetApps (Xiaomi app store)

For disconnection: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Select the application] → Shut down.

Set up auto-start:

Go to Settings. → Permits → Autostart and disable autoboot for unnecessary programs.

Activate the Developer Mode:

7 times press the version MIUI In Settings → About the phone. Then into Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, turn on:

• 🔄 Debugging by USB
• 📱 Do not turn off the screen during charging
• ⚡ Acceleration GPU

To increase the time of autonomous operation:

• 🔋 Enable Battery Mode in Settings → Battery and productivity.
• 🌙 Activate Dark Mode (Settings) → Display. → Dark subject matter).
• 📴 Limit the background activity of applications in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi activation 4X