How to open Xiaomi Redmi 4: unlock the bootloader, reset password and bypass Mi Account

Xiaomi Redmi 4

Mi Account

Redmi 4

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock the Xiaomi Redmi 4 (including modifications to Prime and Pro), from official methods to engineering solutions. Particular attention will be paid to data security - many instructions on the Internet suggest resetting the device to factory settings, but this is not always necessary. We will show how to save files if possible, and warn about pitfalls that can turn a smartphone into a brick.

Before you start, check out your device model. Redmi 4 has three main versions:

• 📱 Redmi 4 (markw) – standard version with Snapdragon 430 processor;
• 📱 Redmi 4 Prime (prada) - improved version with Full HD-screen;
• 📱 Redmi 4 Pro (prada) - option with 3/32 or 4/64 GB memory.

Unlocking methods may vary depending on the version! Also note that firmware based on MIUI 12 and later have enhanced protection, and some methods may not work.

1 Unlock the bootloader on Redmi 4

Officially unlocking the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool is the only legal way to access custom recovery (TWRP) firmware, or ROM.

• ⏳ Wait 72-360 hours after linking your account to your device;
• 🔗 You need an active Mi Account that is not blocked for suspicious activity;
• 📱 The device must be on the official firmware MIUI (customless).

If you have already tried to unlock the bootloader and received the error Couldn't unlock or Current account is different from the account info on the device, this means that:

1. The Mi Account on your phone does not match the one you signed in to the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. The device was reset to factory settings, and the account binding was reset;
3. You use the unofficial version of the Mi Unlock Tool (download only from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it on PC.
2. Turn on the phone Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB).
3. Connect Redmi 4 to your PC and log in to Mi Unlock Tool under the same account as you do on your phone.
4. Follow the instructions of the program. If you receive a message that you need to wait, wait for the timer to end.

⚠️ Warning: If you reset your phone to factory settings without detaching your Mi Account, it will be impossible to officially unlock the bootloader! EDL-regime (see section 4).

Sign in to Mi Account on your phone|Enable debugging on USB|Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website|Connect the original USB-cable|Disable antivirus on PC-->

2. Reset the pattern lock or password without loss of data

If you have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code, but remember the Mi Account, you can try unlocking your phone without resetting to factory settings. MIUI 8–11 (on new versions, Xiaomi has closed this vulnerability).

Method 1: Using a Mi Account (if your phone is connected to the Internet)

1. After 5 failed attempts to enter the password, the button Forgot the password will appear.
2. Click on it and log in to your Mi Account.
3. Reset the password and set a new one.

Method 2: Through ADB (if USB debugging was enabled)

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
2. Enter the commands: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
3. After resetting, the password will be reset.

⚠️ Attention: If debugging is on USB has not been activated before locking, this method will not work! in which case, reset via Recovery will be required (section 3).

On the Redmi 4 Pro with MIUI 12+, this method does not work due to the changed lock file structure. Use Fastboot or EDL reset.

3 Hard Reset (Hard Reset) via Recovery

If other methods fail, you can reset to factory settings via Recovery Mode, which removes all data from internal memory, including photos, messages and installed apps, and you can't back up if your phone is locked.

How to Sign In to Recovery on Redmi 4:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the buttons Power + Volume up at the same time.
3. Hold until the Mi logo appears, then let go.

From the Recovery menu (in Chinese or English) select:

• 🔄 Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (complete reset);
• 🔧 Reboot → Reboot to System (Reboot).

If after resetting the phone requires you to enter your Mi Account data (called FRP-lock), go to section 5.

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Recovery removes all data, but does not remove the link to your Mi Account. If you forget your account details, you will need to be crawled through an EDL or service center.

4. bypassing Mi (FRP) account on Redmi 4

After resetting via Recovery, Xiaomi Redmi 4 may require you to enter the Mi Account data that was associated with the device. If you do not remember the username / password, you can not officially unlock the phone - you will have to use undocumented methods.

Method 1: Through Test Mode (for MIUI 8-10)

1. On the account entry screen, click Add Account.
2. Enter any email and password, then click Login.
3. An error will appear – click OK, then quickly tap the email input field and select Help.
4. In your browser, go to https://account.xiaomi.com and log in to your account (if you remember the data).

Method 2: Through EDL-Mode (Emergency Download Mode)

This is the most reliable method, but requires:

• 🖥️ Windows PC;
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original);
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool and firmware for your model;
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (or willingness to unlock it).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Install Qualcomm drivers (for example, via QDLoader).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume up + Volume down, then plug in to the PC - the phone should be defined as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL erases all data, including IMEI! After the procedure, recovery is required. IMEI via the engineering menu (#4636##).

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

If the bootloader on your Redmi 4 is already unlocked, you can flash custom Recovery (TWRP) and reset your password or delete Mi Account through it.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ PC with installation ADB and Fastboot;
• 📱 File. TWRP For your model (you can download it on the official website);
• 🔧 Magisk firmware (if you need to get root).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
2. TWRP command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. In TWRP, go to Advanced → File Manager and delete files: /data/system/gesture.key /data/system/locksettings.db
4. Reboot to the system.

On the Redmi 4 Pro with MIUI 12+, this method may not work due to anti-Rollback protection, in which case use the firmware via EDL.

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If after the firmware TWRP The phone is fixated on the Mi logo, try flashing it. Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt through TWRP. This will disable the integrity check.

6.IMEI recovery after firmware

If you flashed Redmi 4 over EDL or Fastboot, you could erase IMEI, the unique device identifier, without it, the phone would not catch the network, and you can restore the IMEI through the engineering menu.

Method 1: Engineering Menu (for Qualcomm)

1. Open the dialer and type ##4636##.
2. Go to Phone Information → Settings.
3. Turn on Flight Mode, then select Set Radio Band.
4. Enter the IMEI (specified on the box or under the battery) and save.

Method 2: ADB (if the engineering menu is blocked)

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open ADB.
2. Enter the commands: adb shell su echo'AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1"' > /dev/pttycmd1 echo'AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2"' > /dev/pttycmd1 (substitute IMEI_1 and IMEI_2 statuary).
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect input IMEI It can permanently block the modem! Make sure you enter the correct numbers (IMEI You can check it on a box or under a battery).

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you unlock Redmi 4, users often face some problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

If none of these methods worked, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., a damaged memory chip or USB controller), in which case we recommend contacting the service center.

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Before any firmware check the compatibility of files with your model! firmware from Redmi 4 Prime to Redmi 4 will lead to a "brick".

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions