How to open the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 4X: all ways to unlock

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (The codename santoni is still a popular budget smartphone, but its owners often face lockdown problems, PIN-code, Mi Account after a reset, or even hardware locking due to a damaged fingerprint sensor all require different approaches. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to unlock, including official and alternative methods, taking into account the features of the model.

It’s important to understand that the Redmi 4X came with different firmware versions (MIUI 8-12 out of the box) and hardware revisions (e.g., Snapdragon 435 or 430 chips). Some methods only work on certain versions of MIUI, while others are universal. We will specify the limitations for each method so that you don’t waste time on useless actions.

If your phone is locked after you bought it, there's a risk that the previous owner didn't untie the Mi Account, and in that case, a standard Recovery reset won't help, you'll need to bypass the binding, and we've prepared a separate section for those cases with the latest solutions for 2026.

1 Unlock through reset in Recovery Mode (if not tied to Mi Account)

The easiest way is to hard-dump through the recovery menu, which is suitable if:

• 🔓 You have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code, but Mi Account is not tied (or you remember data from it).
• 📱 The phone responds to the power and volume buttons.
• ⚙️ You have a standard firmware installed. MIUI (non-custom).

To log into Recovery Mode on Redmi 4X, follow the following steps:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up at the same time and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see a menu in Chinese (even if you have global firmware).
4. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select the Wipe Data item (usually the third one on top).
5. Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data (first item in the next menu).
6. Once completed, select Reboot and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Warning: If after a reset, the phone requires you to enter Mi Account details that you don't remember, this method didn't work.

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2. bypassing Mi Account after reset (relevant for MIUI 8-12)

If you don’t know the username/password of the previous owner after a hard reset, Redmi 4X requires authorization to Mi Account, you will need to bypass the binding. Since MIUI 13, Xiaomi has closed most of the vulnerabilities for bypassing, but alternative methods are still working for Redmi 4X (the maximum official version is MIUI 12.5).

Method 1: Test Menu (EDL Mode)

• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC using the original cable USB Type-C.
• 📱 Turn off the device, then press the Volume up. + Loudness down + Power for 10-15 seconds. The screen stays black, that's okay. EDL).
• 💻 On PC, run the Mi Flash Tool (you can download from the official Xiaomi website) and select the firmware for Redmi 4X (santoni).
• 🔄 Press Refresh – the program must determine the phone in mode COM9008.
• 📝 Choose Clean All and wait for the firmware to be completed (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL It erases all data, including Mi Account, but requires an unlocked bootloader. If the phone hasn't been unlocked before, this method won't work - it will require official permission from Xiaomi (see Section 4).

Method 2: Via a vulnerability in MIUI 8-10 (old firmware only)

If neither method works, there are two options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi service center with documents on the phone (if you are the owner).
2. Buy unlock from trusted masters (cost) ~1500–3000 ₽ 2026).

3. Unlock via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If it's Redmi. 4X The previous debugging was included USB (USB Debugging, you can delete the file with the password through ADB. This method works even if the screen is locked, but requires pre-setting.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (use the original cable).
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the commands in order: adb devices (to display your device) adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
4. After the reset, the lock will be reset.

⚠️ Attention: If debugging is on USB It wasn't included in advance, it won't work. MIUI 11+ Xiaomi has blocked access to these files through the ADB.

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4. Official unlocking of the bootloader (for firmware custom Recovery)

If you plan to flash Redmi 4X through TWRP or Fastboot, you first need to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi lets you do it officially, but the process takes up to 360 hours (15 days) of waiting.

Steps to unlock:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Sign in to the program under the same Mi Account as on the phone.
3. Connect Redmi 4X in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
4. Click Unlock in the program. If the account is not tied to the device, a waiting message (usually 168 or 360 hours) will appear.
5. After the expiration of the deadline, try again - the bootloader will be unlocked.

⚠️ Note: Unlocking the bootloader erases all data on the phone, including internal memory. Xiaomi can also block the ability to unlock if the phone was purchased informally (for example, “gray” imports).

5. Unlock via TWRP (if the bootloader is already unlocked)

If the Redmi 4X bootloader is already unlocked, you can install a custom TWRP recovery and reset your password through it or flash clean firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Download TWRP for santoni from twrp.me (the version should match your model).
2. Turn your phone into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down).
3. Connect to your PC and type the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img (where twrp.img is the downloaded file).
4. Then type: fastboot boot twrp.img to temporarily boot into TWRP.
5. From the TWRP menu, select Wipe → Format Data (this will delete all data, including locking).
6. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Installation TWRP on the Redmi 4X If you have a blocked bootloader, you will get a "brick" -- don't try this method unless you're sure of the bootloader's status.

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If your phone is stuck on the Mi logo after TWRP, try flashing the original boot.img via Fastboot: fastboot flash boot.img.

6 Hardware methods (if the phone does not respond to buttons)

If the Redmi 4X doesn’t turn on, doesn’t respond to charging or buttons, the problem may be:

• 🔋 A discharged battery (even if the indicator is on).
• 🔌 Damaged charging connector or cable.
• 🛠️ Faulty power button (frequent problem after falls).
• 💾 Damaged firmware (for example, after a failed update).

What you can do on your own:

1. Charging check: Connect to another cable and power supply (preferably the original 5V/2A). Hold on charging for 30 to 60 minutes - sometimes the phone shows no signs of life until the battery has gained at least 5%.
2. Hard reboot: Press Power + Volume up + Volume down for 20 to 30 seconds. This will work even if the power button is partially faulty.
3. PC Connection: If the phone is identified in Device Manager as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, it can be restored via the Mi Flash Tool (see section 2).

If nothing helps, there is likely a problem with the hardware:

• 🔋 Battery: Bloating or deep discharge (replacement, cost needed) ~800–1500 ₽).
• 🔌 Charging connector: Oxidation or break of contacts (repair) ~1000–2000 ₽).
• 📱 Charge: Damage to the power controller (repair from 2500) ₽).

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If the phone does not respond to charging, but when connected to the PC makes a sound – the problem is in the screen or plume, not in the board.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi 4X