Unlocking Xiaomi Redmi 4X: Official and Unofficial Ways (2026)

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is still a popular budget smartphone, but its owners often face the need to unlock the bootloader. Without this, you can not install custom firmware, obtain root rights or restore the device after a software failure. In 2026, the unlock procedure changed: Xiaomi tightened the requirements for Mi accounts, and old methods of bypassing (for example, through EDL) ceased to work without additional manipulation.

In this article, we will discuss the current ways to unlock Redmi 4X in view of the latest Xiaomi policy updates, including the official method through the Mi Unlock Tool, alternative solutions for blocked accounts and instructions for recovery after unsuccessful attempts. We will also discuss the unique feature of this model: unlocking through Fastboot is possible even on older versions of MIUI, but requires the device to be linked to an account 72 hours before the procedure.

Why do I need to unlock the bootloader on Redmi 4X?

The bootloader lock on the Xiaomi Redmi 4X is a protection measure against unauthorized firmware changes, but it creates limitations:

🔧 Impossible to establish TWRP or other custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
🛡️ No access to root rights (via Magisk or SuperSU).
🔄 You can not restore your smartphone through Fastboot if the firmware is damaged (requires an official.tgz file with the unlocked bootloader).
📱 Some applications that require low-level access are limited (e.g. Greenify, AdAway).

It’s important to understand that unlocking resets all data on the device (including internal memory) and can lead to a loss of warranty if the smartphone was officially purchased. However, for the 2017 Redmi 4X, this is no longer relevant – the warranty period has long expired.

⚠️ Note: If you are buying a Redmi 4X hand, make sure that the previous owner untie the device from his account Mi. Otherwise, after unlocking the smartphone may be locked at the activation stage (Mi Account Lock).

Unlocking with Mi Unlock Tool

This is the only method Xiaomi supports, but it requires stringent conditions.

Link your Mi Account to your device: 📱 Go to Settings. → Mi Account and log in. 🔗 Turn on synchronization and confirm binding through SMS email. ⏳ Wait 72 hours (3 days) This is Xiaomi's requirement for Redmi. 4X.
Put the debugging on. USB unlock OEM: 🔧 Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times click on the version MIUI. 🔓 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include: Debugging by USB Unlocking OEM (It may be called a factory unlock)
Install the Mi Unlock Tool: 💻 Download the latest version of the utility from the official Xiaomi website (only for Windows). 🔌 Get Redmi on board. 4X to PC via the original cable and select Fastboot mode (click Volume Down) + Power with the phone turned off).

Launch unlock.

🖥️ In Mi Unlock Tool, log in to the same Mi Account as your phone.
🔓 Press Unlock and wait until it is completed (usually takes 1-5 minutes).

If it's successful, you'll see a message that's Unlocked successfully. You can now run TWRP or custom software.

Linking your Mi Account to your device|Enable debugging on USB unlock OEM|Download Mi Unlock Tool (Last version)|Wait 72 hours after the account is linked|Use the original USB-cable-->

⚠️ If the Mi Unlock Tool is “Couldn’t unlock” or “Device not supported: 🔹 Version MIUI (It should be global stable, not Chinese or beta). 🔹 Account status (no restrictions or bans should be imposed). 🔹 Correctness of binding (72 hours - a prerequisite!).

Alternative Unlocking Methods (if the Official One is Not Working)

If the Mi Unlock Tool refuses to unlock the Redmi 4X, you can try workarounds, which are less reliable and can lead to a blink (complete failure) of the device, but sometimes save in desperate situations.

1. Unlocking through EDL (Emergency Download Mode)

This method works if you have an authorized EDL account (e.g., from Xiaomi Service Center).

🔧 Special cable. EDL (or circuitry).
💻 Mi Flash Pro or QFilm.
📄 Official firmware file for santoni in.mbn format.

Process:

Transfer the smartphone to EDL mode (close test points or use the command adb reboot edl if debugging is enabled).
Connect to your PC and run the firehose through Mi Flash.
Use the Mi Unlock Tool to unlock (sometimes it works even without a 72-hour wait).

Risks of the EDL method

If the firmware is not correct in EDL mode, the smartphone can turn into a “brick” (it will not respond to charging or the on button), recovery will require soldering work or replacement of the motherboard, which is only suitable for advanced users or service centers.

2 Unlocking through older versions of Mi Unlock Tool

Some users report that the 2018-2019 versions of the utility (e.g. Mi Unlock Tool 3.5.503.24) can unlock Redmi 4X without a 72-hour wait.

Download the archive version of the utility (for example, with XDA Developers).
Turn off the Internet on your PC (so that the program does not update).
Connect your phone to Fastboot and try unlocking it.

Success is not guaranteed – Xiaomi regularly closes these loopholes.

3. bypassing the Fastboot version of MIUI

If unlocking fails, you can flash the global stable version of MIUI through Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool. This does not unlock the bootloader, but sometimes allows you to bypass the account anchor errors.

Instructions:

Download Fastboot firmware for Redmi 4X (for example, from here).
Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
Connect your phone to Fastboot and select Clean All mode.
Press Flash and wait until it is completed.

📊 What Unlocking Method Have You Tried on Redmi? 4X?

Official (Mi Unlock Tool)

Through EDL

Old version of Mi Unlock

Fastboot version of MIUI

Nothing helps.

Table: Frequent errors and their solutions

Mistake.	Reason.	Decision
Couldn’t unlock. Try again later	72 hours after the account was linked	Wait 3 full days (check time on Xiaomi servers, not local)
Current account is different from the account info on the device	The account on the PC and the phone do not match	Re-authenticate to Mi Unlock Tool and on your smartphone under one account
Device is locked. Unable to verify	The device does not support unlocking (rarely for the Redmi 4X)	Try flashing a different version of MIUI or using EDL
Mi Unlock Tool doesn't see the phone	Fastboot drivers not installed	Install Mi PC Suite or drivers manually through Device Manager
This device is bound to a Mi account	The phone is linked to another account (after reset)	You need to enter the data of the previous owner or contact the service

What to do after successful unblocking?

When the bootloader is unlocked, new opportunities open up before you, but it is important to act carefully:

🔧 Install. TWRP: Download the latest version TWRP For santoni (e.g., from here). Sweat through Fastboot with the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
📱 Sweat custom firmware: Popular options for Redmi 4X: LineageOS 16/17, Pixel Experience, Havoc-OS. Follow the instructions in the forum XDA or 4PDA.
🛡️ Get root rights: Install Magisk through TWRP (You can download from GitHub. Use Magisk modules to hide root from banking apps.

⚠️ Note: After installing custom firmware may stop working OTA-You'll have to update manually through TWRP or Fastboot.

💡

Before you run custom software, back up the persist partition in TWRP, which will help restore IMEI and modems if something goes wrong.

Recovery after a failed unlock

If the Redmi 4X is no longer on or hovers on the Mi logo, don't panic. In most cases, the device can be brought back to life:

1. The smartphone does not turn on (black screen)

Reasons:

🔋 Battery is dead (even if charging is connected).
🔧 Failed firmware through Fastboot or EDL.
🛠️ Damage to the loader.

Decision:

Connect the charge for 30-60 minutes (even if there is no indication).
Try going to Fastboot (Loudness Down + Nutrition).
If it doesn’t respond, use EDL (requires disassembly and closure of contacts).

2. hung on the Mi logo or loading in a loop

This is a bootloop problem, which is a problem after a bad firmware.

🔄 Reset the settings through TWRP (Wipe → Format Data, then reboot).
📱 Sweep through the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode.
🔧 If not. TWRP — Please run the Fastboot version. MIUI via command: fastboot flash all [name file].tgz

3. Loss of IMEI or network

If the IMEI is missing or the mobile network is no longer working:

Check for files in /efs or /persist (via TWRP).
Restore the backup copy persist (if you did).
Use tools like the SN Write Tool or Maui META to restore IMEI (requires EDL).

💡

If you unlock Redmi after you unlock it 4X stopped SIM-The maps are likely to have damaged the section. modemst1/modemst2. It can only be restored through a full-time EDL-mode.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi 4X

❓ Can I unlock Redmi? 4X data-free?

Unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool or Fastboot always results in a complete reset (including internal memory).

❓ Why Mi Unlock Tool Writes “50%” or “99%” and Hanges?

This is a well-known problem associated with: 🔹 Unstable Internet connection (the utility checks the account status on Xiaomi servers). 🔹 The Mi Unlock Tool is an outdated version. 🔹 Antivirus blocking (disable Windows Defender or add utility in exceptions) Solution: restart the program, use a different version or try from another PC.

❓ Can I unlock Redmi? 4X Chinese-made?

Technically, but the probability of success is lower. Chinese versions of MIUI (for example, for the CN region) often have additional restrictions.

❓ What to do if the previous owner has not untied the account?

It's one of the most difficult situations: 🔹 Try contacting the previous owner and asking to untie the device through the Mi personal account. 🔹 If you cannot contact us, contact the Xiaomi service center with proof of purchase (check, contract). 🔹 In extreme cases, you can try to flash the device through EDL, But it's risky (brick possible) without detachment of the account, unlocking the bootloader is impossible - the smartphone will be blocked after reset.

❓ This is a good guide for Redmi 4 (not for the first time). 4X)?

No. Xiaomi Redmi 4 (codename prada) and Redmi 4X (santoni) are different models with different bootloaders. Redmi 4 may require a different approach (e.g. unlocking through Deep Flash Cable). Always check the device's code name in Settings → About Phone → Kernel Version.