How to securely get the root rights on Xiaomi Redmi 4X in 2026

Why do you need to root on Redmi 4X and what are the risks?

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is still a popular budget smartphone thanks to its robust hardware and custom firmware support. Getting root rights opens up access to advanced features from removing embedded software to fine-tuning performance, but the process has nuances, especially on current versions of MIUI 14 and Android 7/8.

In this article, the only working method for 2026, taking into account changes in Xiaomi’s policy to unlock the bootloader, we will analyze each step from preparation to installation of Magisk (an alternative to the outdated SuperSU), as well as how to avoid the brick and bypass typical errors, such as anti-rollback on old firmware.

⚠️ Critical warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets the smartphone to factory settings.If you're using Redmi 4X And if it's your main phone, backup your phone first with Mi Cloud or Mi Cloud. TWRP (if already established).

Preparation: What to do before unlocking

Before you start getting root rights, make sure that all the preliminary steps are followed, and ignoring them can lead to blocking the IMEI or the inability to flash the device.

  • 📱 Check the model: Go to Settings → The phone, the model should be a Redmi. 4X (For other modifications (e.g. Redmi) 4/4A) instruction will not fit.
  • 🔄 Update. MIUI: Install the latest official firmware through Settings → Update the system. This minimizes the risk of errors when unlocking.
  • 🔐 Link Mi Account: Without a tied Xiaomi account, it is impossible to unlock the bootloader. Check that you can log in to Mi Account on your phone.
  • 💻 Install drivers: There must be drivers on the PC ADB Download them from the official Xiaomi website or through the Mi Flash Tool.

Also prepare:

  • 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or quality) cheap cables can interrupt the connection during firmware.
  • 🔋 Battery charge at least 70%, and if the phone runs out during the process, it's going to be hard to recover.
  • 📁 Backup data. Unlocking the bootloader erases everything, including photos and apps.
📊 You’ve already got root on Xiaomi?
Yeah, on another phone.
No, it's my first experience.
I tried it, but it didn't work.
I don't know what root is.

Unlock the bootloader: the official way from Xiaomi

Since 2023, Xiaomi has tightened the rules for unlocking the bootloader, now taking up to 72 hours (previously 7 days), but requires binding to the account.

  1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI Version. Return to the main settings menu and the Developer option will appear.
  2. Enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking: In the Developer Menu, activate: USB Debugging OEM unlock (may be called Factory unlock)

Link the device to your Mi Account:

In the same menu, find Mi Unblock Status and click Add Account. The system will request a password from your Mi Account.

Download the Mi Unlock Tool:

The official utility can be found here (registration required) and use the version at least 5.5.224.30 - older versions may not work.

Now connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode:

  1. Turn off the Redmi 4X.
  2. Press Volume Down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.
  3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool.
  4. Sign in to your Mi Account in the utility and follow the instructions. The process will take up to 3 days - do not disconnect your phone from your PC at this time!

Linked to Mi Account|Developer Mode Activated |Debugging enabled via USB|Downloaded Mi Unlock Tool 5.5.224.30+|Fastboot-->

TWRP Recovery Installation: Alternative Recovery

After unlocking the bootloader, the next step is to install a custom Recovery TWRP. It's going to allow you to run Magisk and create backups. 4X fitting 3.7.0_9-0 or newer.

Download TWRP for Santoni from the official website:

https://twrp.me/xiaomi/xiaomiredmi4x.html

The file will be in.img format (for example, the file will be in.img format, twrp-3.7.0_9-0-santoni.img).

Installation via Fastboot:

  1. Place the downloaded twrp.img file in the folder with ADB (e.g., C:\platform-tools).
  2. Open the command prompt in this folder (click Shift + right mouse button → Open the PowerShell window here).
  3. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices must display the serial number of your Redmi 4X.
  4. Please. TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-santoni.img
  5. Reboot to Recavator: Fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-santoni.img

⚠️ Note: If after rebooting TWRP It does not start and the phone is loaded into a standard recavery. MIUI, So the system overwrote it, so to avoid that, right after the installation. TWRP smear the Magisk or disable_force_encrypt.zip (If you are planning to use encryption).

What happens if TWRP doesn’t start?
If the fastboot boot command is loaded into the MIUI Recovery, try it: 1. Repeat the flag command --disable-verity: fastboot boot twrp.img --disable-verity 2. Sweep no_verity_opt_encrypt.zip through TWRP (If you can get it started at least once). 3. Use a patched image boot.img with already sewn Magisk (the method is described below).

Getting root rights through Magisk: a modern alternative to SuperSU

Magisk is not just a root rights tool, but also a module system that allows you to hide root from applications (such as banking or games). 4X Magisk version 26.4 or later.

Installation instructions:

  1. Download the latest version of Magisk from the official repository: https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/releases The file you need is Magisk-v26.4.zip (not.apk!).
  2. Transfer the archive to your phone or flash drive.
  3. Boot to TWRP (Put Volume Up + Power on the phone off).
  4. In TWRP, select Install → Select Magisk-v26.4.zip → Swipe to Confirm Flash.
  5. After installation, reboot to the system.

💡

If your phone doesn’t pass SafetyNet after installing Magisk (Google Pay, Netflix doesn’t work), install Universal SafetyNet Fix via Magisk Manager.

Alternative methods: patched boot.img and Fastboot

If TWRP refuses to be installed or you prefer minimal changes to the system, you can get root through patched boot.img. This method does not require custom recovery and is suitable for MIUI 14.

Instructions:

  1. Download the original boot.img for your version of MIUI, which can be extracted from the official firmware (.tz archive) or found on the 4PDA/XDA forums.
  2. Move boot.img to your phone and install Magisk Manager.
  3. In Magisk Manager, select Install → Select and Patch a File and specify the path to boot.img.
  4. After the patching, the file will be saved as magisk_patched.img download.
  5. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode and run a patch image: fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
  6. Reboot. Root will be active without TWRP.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 14 patchy boot.img It can call a bootloop if it activates the dm-verity option:

  1. Switch back to the original boot.img.
  2. Use it. TWRP fitting disable_dm_verity_forceencrypt.zip.
  3. Repeat patching boot.img with the dm-verity disabled.

💡

Patch boot.img is the cleanest way to get root, as it doesn’t affect the system partition, but it requires a repatch after each MIUI update.

How to hide root from apps (Magisk Hide and Universal SafetyNet Fix)

Many apps (banks, games, Google Pay) block access when root is detected. To get around this, Magisk has a built-in Magisk Hide mechanism, as well as additional modules.

Magisk Hide setup:

  1. Open Magisk Manager and go to Settings.
  2. Activate the Magisk Hide option.
  3. Return to the main screen and press Magisk Hide (shield icon).
  4. Check the apps that you want to hide root (for example, Sberbank Online, Google Play Services).
  5. Reboot the phone.

If Magisk Hide doesn’t work (e.g. Google Pay is still Detect root), install the Universal SafetyNet Fix module:

  1. Download the module from GitHub (file) safetynet-fix-v2.4.0.zip).
  2. Install it through Magisk Manager (Modules → Install from storage).
  3. Restart your phone and check the SafetyNet status in Magisk Manager (should be Pass).

You can also use YASNAC (Yet Another SafetyNet Attestation Checker) to check SafetyNet, and if you pass the test (ctsProfile: true), Google Pay and banking applications will work.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I get root on Redmi 4X without unlocking the bootloader?
No. On all Xiaomi smartphones since 2016, unlocking the bootloader is mandatory for installing TWRP or Magisk. The workarounds (such as exploits) for the Redmi 4X do not work on current versions of MIUI.
Will I lose my warranty after I get root?
Formally, yes. Xiaomi considers unlocking the bootloader a violation of the warranty, but in practice, service centers often turn a blind eye to root if the problem is not related to the software part (for example, a broken screen), to return the warranty, you just need to flash the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool and lock the bootloader back.
How to update MIUI after getting root?
Updates by air» (OTA) root doesn't work, it rolls back changes. To update: Download the full firmware package (.tz) for your model from the official website. TWRP (No Wipes!!! After updating, re-sweep Magisk (or patched). boot.img). ⚠️ Do not update via Fastboot – this will remove root and can block the bootloader.
What if the camera or fingerprint sensor stopped working after root?
This is a typical problem when using incompatible Magisk modules or custom cores. Solutions: Remove all installed Magisk modules and restart. Sweep the stock core (boot.img) through Fastboot. If the problem persists, perform a full reset via TWRP (with data saved in Internal Storage).
Can I get it back (remove root and block the bootloader)?
Yes. For this: Sweat the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (select clean all). Lock the bootloader with the command: fastboot oem lock Make factory reset via MIUI Recovery. ⚠️ After locking the loader, the installation TWRP Magisk will be impossible without re-unlocking (and waiting 72 hours).