Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and deep customization capabilities, gaining root rights allows you to access hidden Android features, remove system applications, optimize performance and install modified firmware. However, the process requires caution: wrong actions can turn the device into a “brick”.
In this guide, we will discuss three key steps: unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool, installing a custom TWRP recavator, and directly obtaining root with Magisk. We will focus on the specific nuances of the Redmi 4X model, including problems with drivers in Windows 11 and bypassing the limitations of MIUI on older versions of the firmware. If you are a beginner, do not miss the sections with warnings and preparation!
1. Device Preparation: What to Do Before Unlocking
Before you start unlocking the bootloader, you need to follow a few critical steps, neglecting them can lead to data loss, failure of the fingerprint sensor, or even complete failure of the device.
First, back up all your important data, use Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or local copying on your PC, especially when it comes to:
- 📱 Contacts and Messages (Export through Settings) → Google → Backup)
- 📸 Photo and video (transfer to memory card or PC)
- 🔑 Passwords from apps (write them manually or use Bitwarden)
- 🎮 Game savers (use Helium or root managers if they are already installed)
Second, check the MIUI version and build number. Go to Settings → About Phone. Redmi 4X only supports unlocking on official MIUI 8-12 firmware. If you have custom firmware installed (like LineageOS), go back to the stock version first via the Mi Flash Tool.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ Android 11+ The official unlocking of the bootloader can be blocked, in which case you will need to roll back to the older version of the software via Fastboot.
Also prepare:
- 🖥️ Computer running Windows 7/10/11 (on macOS/Linux Possible problems with drivers)
- 🔌 Original. USB-cable (faulty cable – a common cause of unblocking errors)
- 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60% (process can take up to 30 minutes)
- 📋 Mi Account tied to the device (unblocking is impossible without it)
2 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool
The official way to unlock a bootloader on Xiaomi is to use the Mi Unlock Tool utility. However, even here there are pitfalls: for example, a 72-hour wait after an account is tied or an error due to outdated drivers.
Follow the step-by-step instructions:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI Version. Return to the main settings menu where the Developer option appears.
- Enable USB debugging: In the Developer Menu, activate USB debugging and confirm the resolution when connecting to your PC.
- Link your Mi Account: in the same menu, find Mi Unlock Status → Add account and device. Without this step, unlocking will not be possible.
- Download the Mi Unlock Tool from the official en.miui.com/unlock website (the version must match your MIUI).
Now connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power until the hare appears in the eardress cap). Launch Mi Unlock Tool and log in to your Mi Account. If you see a message "Couldn't unlock, try again after XX hours" - wait for the timer to expire (usually 72 hours).
⚠️ Note: If the Mi Unlock Tool gives an error "Current account is not bound to this device", check: Is the account associated with Mi Unlock status on the phone. VPN Or proxy (they block access to Xiaomi servers) or antivirus software that blocks the utility is installed on the PC (add Mi Unlock to exceptions).
Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically restart. Check the bootloader status with the team in Fastboot:
fastboot oem device-infoThe answer should be Device unlocked: true.
Linked Mi Account in phone settings|Debugging is on. USB|Installed drivers Xiaomi on PC|Battery charge >60%|Download the latest version of the Mi Unlock Tool-->
3. Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
Xiaomi’s stock recavators don’t allow you to install modified firmware or root patches, so the next step is to install TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), a customized recavator with advanced features.
For Redmi 4X (santoni), TWRP 3.6.2 or later is suitable. Download the image twrp-3.6.2-santoni.img from the official website twrp.me. Make sure the file is for santoni - installing a recoverer from another model will lead to bricks!
Installation instructions:
- Move your phone to Fastboot mode (as in the previous section).
- Connect the device to your PC and check its detection by the command: fastboot devices If the list is empty – install Xiaomi drivers manually through Device Manager.
- TWRP command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2-santoni.img
- An unchanging step is to disable the recovery check (otherwise, the stock MIUI will reset TWRP on the first download): fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img The vbmeta.img file can be downloaded here.
Once installed, boot into TWRP immediately, holding Volume Up + Power when turned on. If you boot into the system, MIUI will automatically replace TWRP with stock Recovery!
What to do if TWRP does not start?
4. Getting root rights through Magisk
The most reliable way to root on modern Android devices is to use Magisk. Unlike the outdated SuperSU, Magisk supports root hiding from applications (such as banking or games) and runs on Android 7-12.
Download the latest version of Magisk (e.g. Magisk-v26.4.zip) from the official GitHub repository. Don't use files from third-party resources - they may contain malicious code!
Installation via TWRP:
- Copy the Magisk-v26.4.zip file to a memory card or internal phone memory.
- Boot to TWRP (hold Volume Up + Power when turned on).
- Click Install → select the Magisk file → swipe for confirmation.
- After installation, restart to the system (Reboot → System).
Check for root using the Magisk Manager app (it will install automatically) or the command in the terminal:
suIf you request permission, root is installed successfully. If not, repeat the installation by pre-executing Wipe → Format Data in TWRP (this will delete all data!).
💡
If after installing Magisk phone fixes on the logo MIUI, try to sew Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.zip (download XDA). This patch disables forced encryption, which sometimes conflicts with root.
Possible problems and solutions
Even with the correct following of the instructions, errors can occur, and here is a table of the most common problems and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The "Couldn't unlock" error in Mi Unlock | Not tied to account or not expired waiting time | Check the binding in Mi Unlock Status and wait 72 hours |
| The phone is not defined in fastboot devices. | Lack of drivers or faulty cable | Install drivers manually through Device Manager or try another cable |
| After TWRP firmware loads stock recavery | Not disabled vbmeta check | Switch vbmeta.img and re-install TWRP |
| Magisk is not installed, the error is "Failed to mount /system". | System partition or incompatible version of MIUI is damaged | Swipe the stock firmware through Mi Flash, then repeat the installation |
| The sensor is not working after installing root | Conflict with Magisk modules or damaged recaveri | Remove all modules in Magisk or reflash TWRP |
If your problem is not described in the table, check the error logs in TWRP (they are saved in /sdcard/recovery.log) or contact the XDA-Developers forum, specifying:
- 📱 Exact model of the device (Redmi) 4X santoni)
- 🔧 Version MIUI Android
- 🖥️ The version of the tools used (Mi Unlock, TWRP, Magisk)
- ❌ The exact text of the error
💡
If banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) have stopped working after receiving root, turn on the “MagiskHide” option in Magisk and add the applications to the hide list. Also install the Universal SafetyNet Fix module to pass SafetyNet.
6.What to do after getting root?
Now that you have root rights, you can customize the Redmi 4X completely. Here are some useful steps:
Optimizing productivity:
- 🚀 Uninstall your system applications with Titanium Backup or System App Remover.
- 🔄 Change the planner. CPU Interactive or performance through Kernel Adiutor.
- 🗑️ Clear the Dalvik cache and ART into TWRP speed up the system.
Advanced settings:
- 🔊 Increase the volume of the speaker by editing the file /system/etc/mixer_paths.xml.
- 📶 Unlock additional ranges 4G assisted MTK Engineering Mode (for versions with Snapdragon 435 processor, this is irrelevant).
- 🔋 Disable Force Encrypt to speed up your work.
Safety:
- 🔒 Install AFWall+ for flexible management of network access applications.
- 🛡️ Set up XPrivacyLua to restrict application rights.
- 🔑 Update Magisk and modules regularly through Magisk Manager.
Remember, root rights give you complete control of the system, but also deprive you of warranties and increase the risk of malware infection. Do not install modules from unreliable sources and regularly back up your system through TWRP!
7. How to get it all back (rollback to stock firmware)
If you need to return the phone to its original state (for example, for sale or warranty repair), follow the following steps:
Method 1: Mi Flash Tool (recommended)
- Download the stock firmware for Redmi 4X from the official Xiaomi website (choose the Fastboot version).
- Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic symbols on the way.
- Download the phone to Fastboot mode and connect to the PC.
- Run the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder, and press Refresh → Flash. Select the clean all option for full cleanup.
Method 2: TWRP (if the bootloader is unlocked)
- Download stock firmware in.zip format (e.g. MIUI 12 for santoni).
- Download to TWRP and run Wipe → Advanced Wipe, mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
- Install the firmware through Install and restart.
⚠️ Warning: After rolling back to stock firmware: The bootloader will remain unlocked (this is irreversible for Redmi) 4X). Netflix apps, Pokémon GO and banking services may not work properly until the passage of SafetyNet. For a complete reset of unlock meters (if required for warranty) contact the service center Xiaomi.