Owners of budget-friendly but reliable Xiaomi devices often face the need to expand the functionality of their gadget. The Redmi 4X, released on the basis of the Snapdragon 435 processor, is still popular due to its autonomy and maintainability. However, the standard shell of MIUI imposes a number of restrictions that prevent the use of the potential of the device by one hundred percent.
Full system access allows you to remove embedded system applications, install specialized ad blockers at the kernel level, and even change the firmware to custom versions of Android. The process of obtaining administrator rights on Redmi 4X requires care and strict adherence to the sequence of actions. Any error at the stage of unlocking the bootloader or firmware recovery can lead to the failure of the device.
Before you take action, you need to realize that you are interfering with the operating system at a deep level. Garantie manufacturer in most cases is canceled after such manipulations. However, for experienced users, this is the only way to revive an old gadget or turn it into a powerful tool for testing.
Preparation of the device and the necessary software
The first and most important step is to prepare the workplace and the smartphone itself carefully, and you'll need a Windows computer that's working. USB-cable and stable Internet connection. Without pre-setting the developer menu, further action will not be possible, as Xiaomi has implemented serious security mechanisms.
You need to activate USB debugging mode and allow applications to be installed from unknown sources. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI seven times to activate the developer menu. Then, in the additional → For developers section that appears, turn on USB Debugging and Factory Unlock.
It is also critical to link your Mi Account to your device. In the settings menu, look for Advanced Settings → Access to your device and make sure that status shows “Status received.” If you don’t, Xiaomi servers won’t let you unlock the bootloader, and the process will stop.
⚠️ Warning: Before all procedures begin, be sure to create a full backup of data.The process of unlocking the bootloader will completely clear the internal memory of the smartphone, removing all photos, contacts and applications.
To work, you will need the following tools, which should be downloaded in advance:
- 📱 The official Mi Unlock Tool utility to unlock the bootloader.
- 💻 Drivers. ADB and Fastboot for PC and smartphone communication.
- 🔧 Recaveri file TWRP, adapted specifically for the Redmi model 4X (codename).
- 📦 Archive with root rights, such as Magisk or SuperSU.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
The most difficult and longest step is unlocking Bootloader. Xiaomi has made it very difficult to keep users safe, but for enthusiasts, it's just a formality. Once you apply for unlocking through the Safety Center or MIUI Forum app, you have to wait a certain amount of time, which usually takes 3 to 7 days for the server to check your device.
When the wait time is up, turn off your smartphone and turn it on in Fastboot mode, holding the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously. The screen will show an image of a hare repairing an android and the words Fastboot. Connect your phone to your computer and launch the previously installed Mi Unlock Tool. Log in the same Mi Account that is attached to the phone.
The software will automatically check the status of the device. If all the conditions are met, the Unlock button will appear. Press it and confirm the action. The process will go quickly, but at the end the device will be reset to factory settings. If you get the "Couldn't verify device" error, it may be too short of time since the application was submitted, and the procedure will have to be repeated later.
What if Mi Unlock can’t see the phone?
It is important to understand the difference between a simple unlocked bootloader and the established rights of the superuser. Unlocking Bootloader is only permission to modify the system partitions, but the access rights of Root appear only after installing special software. Without an unlocked bootloader, you will not be able to install custom TWRP recavators.
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
The Recovery Recovery Recovery Recovery Menu, which is available in every Android smartphone, has very limited functionality and does not allow you to install modified files. To implement administrator rights, we will need to replace it with TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), which supports file systems, installing zip archives and creating full backups.
The installation process is done via Fastboot mode. Place the downloaded image file (usually with the.img extension) in the folder with ADB tools on your computer. Open the CMD command line in this folder and enter a command to check the connection:
fastboot devicesIf you see the serial number of the device, it means that the connection is correct. Next, enter the command for the firmware recaveri:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-santoni.imgOnce you have a successful firmware, you can’t just reboot your phone in the normal way, as the standard MIUI system will automatically replace TWRP back with stock Recovery on the first run. So immediately after you complete the command, run the Volume Up + Power button combination, holding them until the TWRP logo appears.
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When you first download to TWRP, select the language (Swipe to confirm) and be sure to click the "Keep Read Only" button if you plan to test for now, but you need to allow modifications to install Root.
Installation of superuser rights through Magisk
The current de facto standard for root rights is Magisk. Unlike the old methods, Magisk works systemless, meaning no changes to the system partition, which allows for security checks on banking applications and games that block work on rooted devices.
To install, copy the Magisk.apk installer file (or rename it.zip) to the phone's internal memory. Load to the TWRP menu. If the phone has booted into a regular MIUI, reboot to the recavators. From the TWRP menu, select Install, find the Magisk file, and confirm the installation with a swipe.
Once you've finished, press the Reboot System button. The first download may take longer than usual -- that's okay, because the system rebuilds files. Once you turn on, you'll see a new Magisk app on the menu. Open it, and if the top green "Version:..." is on, then the Root rights are successfully obtained.
| Parameter | Stock MIUI | After Root (Magisk) |
|---|---|---|
| Access to system files | Limited. | Complete. |
| Removal of system applications | Impossible. | Maybe. |
| Work of banking applications | Work. | Working (with setup) |
| Update by Air (OTA) | Available. | Locked down. |
| Guarantee | It's working. | Cancelled. |
Possible errors and methods of their solution
One of the common problems with Redmi 4X is “bottleup” (infinite reboot) after installing an incompatible module or an incorrect version of TWRP. If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo, try going to TWRP and clear the Dalvik/ART Cache and Cache partitions.
Another common difficulty is network loss or broken audio, which often happens if Modem or EFS partitions are affected by firmware. That's why it's so important to have a backup of these partitions before starting any experiment, and it's extremely difficult to recover them without a backup and often requires a service center with a programmer.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to reflash modem or persist partitions from other models. IMEI and the ability to make calls.
If Mi Unlock makes an error that the account is not the same, check if you have added a second account to your phone settings. Xiaomi's security system requires that only one primary account is authorized on the device at the time of unlocking. Also make sure that the SIM card inserted into the phone has mobile internet paid for, as the server sometimes requires confirmation via the mobile network.
Safety and Consequences of Getting Root
Obtaining superuser rights isn't just a way to install a user-friendly program, it's a change in the security level of your device. With Root rights, any application you give permission to access the entire file system, which means that malware can steal passwords, crypto wallet keys, and personal correspondence.
Moreover, many applications, especially banking (Sberbank, Tinkoff) and payment systems (Google Pay, Mir Pay), refuse to work on modified devices. While Magisk Hide allows you to hide the presence of root rights, it is a constant game of cat and mouse: app developers are constantly updating detection methods, and Magisk developers are constantly updating methods of bypassing.
However, for the Redmi 4X, getting root rights is often the only way to extend the life of the device.Installing lightweight custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience allows you to get the current version of Android that the manufacturer no longer releases.
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Root rights give full control over the device, but remove the manufacturer responsibility for data security and stability of the system.