How to open Xiaomi Redmi 4X: unlock the screen, account Mi and FRP

Forgot the pattern lock on Xiaomi Redmi 4X or bought a used phone with a tied Mi Account? This model (codename santoni) is still popular due to its reliability, but old unlock methods often stop working due to security updates. In this article, current ways for 2026, including bypassing FRP (Factory Reset Protection), resetting password through Fastboot and legally deleting Mi Account without losing data.

We tested all methods on the firmware MIUI 12/14 and Android 7.1.2. Importantly, not all solutions are universal - the choice depends on the type of lock (screen, account, FRP) and the condition of the phone ( whether it is turned on, whether there is access to Recovery).

⚠️ Warning: Fastboot and custom firmware methods will void Xiaomi’s warranty and could lead to data loss.Bootloader models will require official unlocking via Xiaomi’s website (up to 720 hours of waiting time).

Why Redmi 4X is blocked and what to do first

The Xiaomi Redmi 4X can be blocked for several reasons:

• 🔒 A forgotten pattern lock/PIN-The code is the most common case. The system requests a password after rebooting or resetting settings.
• 📱 Link to Mi Account – the previous owner did not untie the account, and the phone requires the entry of a login / password after resetting.
• 🔄 FRP-Factory Reset Protection: This is activated after resetting via Recovery if your phone has a Google account enabled.
• 🛠️ Failed firmware update – the phone can hang on the logo MI or go off to bootloop.

Before you start complex manipulations, follow the basic steps:

Try to remember your password (the system gives you 5 attempts)|Connect your phone to charge at 30+ Minutes: A discharged battery can block access|Check if Find Device is enabled in Mi Account (you can unlock remotely)|Make sure you have a backup of your data (unlocking often erases it)-->

If the phone turns on but asks for a password, try the standard combinations: 1234, 0000, or the previous owner's date of birth. For Mi Account, check emails from service@account.xiaomi.com - there may be information about the associated device.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X newer-stitched MIUI 10 The method of unlocking through a call or emergency call fails.These vulnerabilities were closed in the 2019 security updates.

Method 1: Unlock with Recovery Mode (if known Mi Account)

If the phone asks for a screen password, but you remember the data from Mi Account, the safest way is to reset via Recovery. This method does not remove the account binding, but resets the lock screen settings.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (English / Chinese), then go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
5. After the reset, the phone will prompt you to log in to Mi Account – enter your details.

✅ Pros: Does not require a PC, retains the binding to the account (you can recover data from the cloud).

❌ Cons: Deletes all local data (photos, messages, applications).

💡

If the phone asks for the old screen password after reset, then Mi Account was not the primary one. Try logging in via Find Device on i.mi.com and removing the device remotely.

Method 2: Delete Mi Account via Fastboot (for advanced ones)

If Redmi 4X is tied to someone else’s Mi Account and the previous owner can’t untie it, you’ll have to use Fastboot.This method requires an unlocked bootloader and a PC with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed.

📌 What's the matter:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux and installed Platform Tools.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📱 Charged phone ≥50%.
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if not, read the section below).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot.


2. Connect the phone to the PC and check the connection with the command:


   fastboot devices


(Serial number should be displayed).




3. Download Mi Account Remove Tool (Redmi 4X version 2.4 is suitable).




4 Run the script remove_mi_account.bat and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Note: After deleting Mi Account via Fastboot, the phone may require re-activation. IMEI (To avoid this, save the NV data via the command before the procedure:

fastboot backup nvdata

Method 3: Bypass FRP (Google Account) on Redmi 4X

FRP-blocking (Factory Reset Protection) works if the phone was enabled Google account, and then reset via Recovery. Redmi 4X with Android 7.1.2 can bypass it through a vulnerability in the Wi-Fi settings.

Step-by-step:

1. On the welcome screen, connect to Wi-Fi (required!).
2. Return to the previous screen and click Add Network.
3. In the network name field, enter any text, highlight it and click Share.
4. Select a message (SMS) and create a new message.
5. In the "To" field, type ##4636## and press the call.
6. The test menu will open. Go to Settings → Restore and Reset and reset.

🔹 Alternative method (if the first one fails):

• On the Google account input screen, click on the text field and hold until the cursor appears.
• Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Help.
• In the browser, go to accounts.google.com and log in to your account.
• Go back to your phone settings and add a new Google account.

Method 4: Unlocking the bootloader officially

If you plan to flash Redmi 4X or delete Mi Account via Fastboot, you first need to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi allows this, but the process takes up to 30 days (720 hours of waiting).

Instructions:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it on PC.
2. Log in to Mi Account on your phone and link it to your device in Settings → Additional → Unlock the bootloader.
3. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot (Loudness Down + Power).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool.
5. Log in to the same Mi Account and follow the instructions. the program will show a waiting timer (usually 168 or 720 hours).

✅ After unlocking:

• 🔓 You can stitch up custom recovery (TWRP).
• 📱 Delete Mi Account via Fastboot.
• 🔄 Install unofficial firmware (for example, LineageOS).

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking bootloader erases all data from the phone, including photos and apps. Before the procedure, back up via ADB:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

Method 5: Firmware via EDL (if the phone is "brick")

If the Redmi 4X doesn’t turn on, is stuck on the MI logo or has gone to bootloop, the firmware in EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode will help, which works even on a locked bootloader, but requires special cable or test points.

📌 What's the matter:

• 🖥️ PC with Mi Flash Pro installed.
• 🔌 EDL-cable (or the ability to close test points on the board).
• 📄 Firmware for Redmi 4X (santoni) in.tgz format.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (if it doesn’t respond, keep power for 20+ seconds).
2. Connect. EDL-cable or close testpoints (on the Redmi board) 4X They're right next to the battery connector).
3. Run Mi Flash Pro, select firmware and press Flash.
4. Wait until the process is completed (the process takes 5-10 minutes).

🔹 Where to get firmware?

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL erase IMEI And the serial number, if you don't back up the NV data. IMEI *#06# and if necessary, re-establish the QCN-file.

💡

Firmware through EDL is the last chance to "reanimate" the phone, but requires soldering iron skills (to close test points) or special cable. If you are not sure, contact the service center.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you unlock Redmi 4X, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common solutions.

• 🔌 "Phone is not defined in Fastboot":
• 🔒 "Mi Account is not deleted via Fastboot":
• 📱 "After resetting, the phone asks for an old password":
• 🔄 "The phone is stuck on the logo. MI post-fix":

💡 Tip: Before any manipulations, check the firmware version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If the phone does not turn on, you can find out the version by the label under the battery (for example, V9.6.1.0.NCFMIFD).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions