Owners of budget but reliable Xiaomi Redmi 4 smartphones often face a situation when a device imported from China or bought on marketplaces has software restrictions. Regional blocking can manifest itself in the absence of Russian, the presence of excess Chinese software or the inability to use some of Google's services.
There are two main ways to solve the problem: installing a global version of the firmware without superuser rights or completely unlocking the bootloader and then flashing it. The choice of method depends on your goals and level of technical training. It is important to understand that interference with the code always carries certain risks, so before starting any manipulations you need to weigh the pros and cons.
In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of the procedure, consider the necessary tools and Step-by-step describe the algorithm of actions for the Redmi 4 Prime and Redmi 4X models. You will learn how to bypass the check of the Mi Account, properly prepare the device and avoid common errors that can lead to the inoperability of the smartphone.
Differences between China ROM and Global version
The main reason why users are looking for a way to unblock the Xiaomi Redmi 4 lies in the differences between the Chinese and global versions of the operating system: China ROM does not initially contain Google Play services, has built-in advertising in system applications and often lacks support for the Russian language, and it also has features specific to the Chinese market that may be useless or even interfere in other regions.
The Global ROM is adapted for international use, including a full set of languages, pre-installed Google services, no advertising, and optimized communication frequencies for European and American carriers, but simply installing the Global ROM on a device with a locked bootloader is impossible, the system will verify the digital signature and refuse installation.
⚠️ Note: Installing global firmware on the Chinese version of the device with a locked bootloader is possible only through special utilities like XiaomiADBFastbootTools, but this does not remove the lock completely and can lead to errors when updating.
The difference is also in availability. NFC-The Chinese version of Redmi 4 Prime module and its support in software. NFC It's often physically present, but it's software-enabled or only works with Chinese payment systems. NFC Pay via Google Pay (where it is still relevant) or transfer files.
📊 What is your version of Redmi 4?
Chinese (China ROM)
Global ROM (Global ROM)
Indian (India ROM)
European (EEA)
I don't know.
Before you start the active phase of unlocking, you need to carefully prepare the workplace and software. Chaotic actions without prior preparation often lead to the fact that the device goes into a reboot cycle or Fastboot mode, from which it is difficult to exit without losing data.
You will need quality. USB-cable, preferably original or certified, as cheap analogues may not provide stable connection when transferring large amounts of data. The computer must be running Windows (starting with version 7), as the drivers and utility Mi Unlock best function in this environment.
Make sure to back up all important data. The process of unlocking the bootloader involves completely resetting the device to factory settings. Photos, contacts and correspondence will be deleted without the possibility of recovery through standard means.
The critical step is to link the Mi Account to the device, and to do this, you need to log into your account, go to the Advanced Settings section, and select the bootloader status, and you need to activate the switch and follow the instructions on the screen. Once successfully linked, the system may require a wait of 72 hours to 7 days before permission to unlock.
Instructions for unlocking the loader
The process of unblocking the bootloader is the most important step, and it is the presence of an unlocked bootloader that gives the user full control of the device, allowing you to install custom receptacles, obtain root rights and change firmware to any compatible versions.
First, make sure that SIM-The card with the Mi Account to which the phone is attached is installed in the smartphone, and it is connected to the Wi-Fi network. Then switch the device to Fastboot mode: turn off the phone completely, then press the volume down button and the power button at the same time. On the screen should appear a hare in a hat-earshank, repairing the android, and the inscription FASTBOOT.
Run the Mi Unlock Tool on your computer and log in to the same Mi Account. Connect your smartphone with a cable to your PC. The utility must identify the device. Press the Unlock button. A warning will appear about risks and data loss - confirm the action. The process can take several minutes, after which the phone will restart.
fastboot devices
fastboot oem unlock
What to do if the utility gives an error of 10008?
Error 10008 often occurs due to problems with the network connection or servers Xiaomi. Try using mobile Internet (distribution from the phone) instead of Wi-Fi, as IP-Mobile address operators are less likely to be blocked by filters, and you can also try running the utility on behalf of the administrator and in Windows 7 compatibility mode.> It is important to note that after unlocking, battery life may decrease slightly due to changes in power saving algorithms in custom firmware, however, this is offset by the lack of background Chinese services. ROM Once the bootloader is successfully unlocked, you can switch to installing global firmware. The easiest and most reliable way is to use Recovery mode. You will need to download the current firmware archive in.zip format for your model (prada for Redmi 4 Prime, markw for Redmi 4X) from the official website or verified resources. The firmware file must be placed in the root of the internal memory of the smartphone or on the microSD card. Then the device is transferred to Recovery mode: turn off the phone and press the power button and the volume button. In the recovery menu, select the language (usually available in English and Chinese), then select Wipe Data for cleaning, and specify the path to the downloaded archive 5. The process can be blocked from the installation of the system 15 minutes. Model Codename Processor Type Memory Redmi 4 Prime markw Snapdragon 430 eMMC 5.0 💡Before the firmware check the checksum (MD5) downloaded file to ensure the integrity of the archive and the absence of download errors. TWRP For more advanced users, the installation method through custom recaveri is available TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project. This method provides more features, such as creating full partition backups and installing modified Android builds. TWRP Fastboot is produced by the fastboot flash recovery team. twrp.img. Use of the TWRP allows not only to change firmware, but also to modify system files, remove software that cannot be removed by standard methods and install patches to improve performance. However, using custom recavery can disrupt some high-security applications, such as banking clients. ⚠️ Attention: Installation of a custom river TWRP automatically resets the security flag, which may make it impossible to use the Mi Pay or Android Pay feature in some regions. EDL (Emergency Download Mode, which requires an authorized Mi Account with engineer rights, is not recommended for ordinary users, as searching for such accounts online often leads to fraud or malware installation. Unlocking and firmware can be a challenge for users, and one of the most common problems is hanging on the Mi logo (bootloop), in which case you need to perform a full reset (Wipe All Data) via Recovery. If that doesn't work, it may have been installed for the wrong device model, and another common mistake is the refusal to unlock by Xiaomi servers. This may be due to the expiration of the waiting period (7 days count from the date of the account’s attachment, not from the date of the application) or the blocking of the account itself. 📱 Problem: Computer doesn't see phone in Fastboot.Solution: Install Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers manually through Device Manager. 🔒 Problem: "Couldn't verify" error Solution: Make sure the bootloader is really unlocked and you're using the correct version of Recovery. 🌐 Problem: No network after firmware. Solution: Check settings APN Or re-interview the modem part corresponding to your region. If the phone went into Hard Brick mode (black screen, no button response, vibration when connecting power), you will need to disassemble the device and close test points to enter the mode. EDL, After that, firmware is possible only through paid service tools. 💡Most of the Redmi 4 firmware errors are due to using incorrect firmware files or interrupting the data writing process (FAQ) Will the warranty reset once the bootloader is unlocked? Officially, Xiaomi says unlocking the bootloader will void the software warranty. However, in practice, if you can get the device back to its original state (lock the bootloader back and install the runoff), service centers often cannot determine the fact of interference if there is no physical damage? No, the standard bootloader unlocking procedure requires a PC with the Mi Unlock utility installed. OTG-Adapters and other phones, but this method is highly unstable and not recommended for ordinary users. Is it safe to use banking applications after unlocking? By itself, an unlocked bootloader can cause suspicions in banking applications. However, by installing the Magisk Hide patch or using special modules to hide root rights, you can successfully bypass these checks and use the applications of banks without restrictions. Officially support Xiaomi Redmi 4 stopped on the version of Android 7.0 Nougat with a shell MIUI 9. However, thanks to the developer community, you can install unofficial Android 10 and even 11 ports on the device through custom firmware like LineageOS.