Budget smartphone owners often face software constraints imposed by manufacturers. The Redmi 4X, which is powered by the Snapdragon 435 processor, is no exception. Many users are looking for ways to unlock the bootloader to gain full control of the device, install custom firmware or Russify the global version, a process that requires care but opens up ample opportunities for system modification.
Xiaomi’s modern ecosystem is designed to block deep settings without official Unlock, and this is done for the security of user data, but enthusiasts are often hampered by such measures. The Redmi 4X unlock procedure irreversibly removes all data from the internal drive, so backing up is critical. You need to be aware of your responsibility before you start any manipulation.
In this article, we will discuss all the steps from account binding to final flashing. We will discuss the Mi Unlock utility, the features of Qualcomm drivers and the nuances of installing TWRP. You will learn how to avoid “bricking” the device and what to do if the process went wrong. Prepare for the fact that the procedure can take from several days to a week due to the waiting timer.
Preparation of the device and account Mi
The first step is to set up the smartphone itself. You need to activate the developer mode and allow debugging over USB. Without that, the computer simply won't see the device in the right mode. Go to Settings → About the phone and click seven times in a row on the MIUI Version field. Once the "You're a developer" notification appears, you can proceed to the next step.
In the menu for developers, which is now available in the section "Additional", you need to find the item "Debugging by USB» And you can activate it. And there's also the Mi Unlock status option, and that's where the device is linked to your account. Make sure it's inserted into your phone. SIM-card with mobile internet, as verification often goes through a cellular network rather than Wi-Fi.
⚠️ Note: Linking the device to the Mi Account for unlocking works only through the mobile Internet (3G/4G). If you try to do this over Wi-Fi, the system may give an error or fail to count the binding.
Once the switches are turned on, the system will request confirmation via SMS or re-enter the account, and the successful link is displayed in the status "Mi Unlock status" with the phrase "Added successfully", from which the waiting time begins, which can range from 7 to 360 hours depending on the region and activity of the account.
Installation of drivers and software
For successful communication between a PC and a Redmi 4X smartphone, you need to install specialized drivers. Standard Windows tools often can not correctly identify the device in boot mode. You will need ADB Drivers and Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers in case the phone goes into emergency mode. You will also need the Mi Flash Tool for firmware and Mi Unlock Tool directly to remove the lock.
All necessary files should be downloaded exclusively from official Xiaomi resources or trusted forums such as 4PDA or XDA Developers. Using questionable builds can lead to malware installation or incorrect operation of USB ports. After installing drivers, it is recommended to restart the computer so that changes in the registry take effect.
Problems with drivers in Windows 10/11
Check the connectivity. Connect the phone when it's off, holding the Volume Down buttons simultaneously. + Power. The computer must make the device connection sound, and in Windows Device Manager in the Ports section (COM and LPT)» Or “Other Devices” should appear Android Bootloader or QUSB_BULK. If the device is defined as an “Unknown Device”, the drivers are installed incorrectly.
Unlocking the bootloader through Mi Unlock
When the waiting time is up, you can start the basic procedure: run the Mi Unlock Tool on your computer and log in to the same Mi Account that was tied on your phone, which is a prerequisite: the accounts must match, otherwise the server will not issue permission to unlock.
Translate the Redmi smartphone 4X Turn off the phone completely, then press the Volume button down and, without letting it go, plug it in. USB-And you'll see a picture of a hare repairing an android on the screen, and it'll say «FASTBOOT». In the Mi Unlock window, click the "Unlock" button. The system will warn you about deletion of data - we agree.
☑️ Checking before unlocking
⚠️ Note: If you click on the Unlock button and you see an error called “Couldn’t verify device. Please rebind it to your account,” it means that too little time has passed since the link was made or you are using another account. Don’t try to fool the timer with resetting settings – this will only increase the waiting time.
The unlocking process takes between seconds and a couple of minutes, during which time the phone can reboot several times. If it goes well, you will see a message saying "Unlocked successfully." The smartphone will automatically go into Wipe Data mode, which will take a few more minutes. After that, the Redmi 4X will turn on as new, requiring initial setup.
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
The unlocked bootloader allows you to replace the standard recovery menu with an advanced TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), which allows you to make full system backups, install patches and custom firmware. For Redmi 4X (codename santoni), there are several versions of TWRP, but it is better to use the current stable build.
The downloaded image file (usually with the.img extension) should be placed in a folder with the ADB tools installed. Open the command line or PowerShell in this folder. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode and enter a command to check the connection:
fastboot devicesIf you see the serial number of the device, the link is established, and then you type in the command to run the recaveri firmware:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-santoni.img💡
After you have TWRP firmware, don't press the power button to exit the Fastboot. Immediately press Volume Up + Power so that the phone immediately boots into a new receptacle. If you just reboot the device into the system, the standard MIUI can automatically replace the TWRP back with a stock receptacle.
Importantly, some versions of MIUI with Verified Boot protection may have difficulties. If the TWRP does not start or shows a black screen, you may need to patch the boot image or use specific versions of the recovery adapted to your version of Android (Nougat or Oreo).
Receipt ROOT-rights and system modification
One of the main goals of unlocking is often to obtain superuser rights (ROOT). For Redmi. 4X The most stable method is to use Magisk. You need to download the current one. ZIP-Magisk archive and transfer it to a memory card or internal phone memory.
Boot to TWRP installed. If the system requests a password or a graphical key and you don't remember it or it's not accepted, it's normal for encrypted partitions. In the main menu, select "Install", find the archive from Magisk and confirm the swipe installation. After the procedure, click "Reboot System".
| Parameter | Standard MIUI | After unlocking and ROOT |
|---|---|---|
| Access to system files | Limited. | Full access |
| Removal of system applications | Unable without a PC | Maybe through a file manager. |
| Magisk modules | Not supported. | Full support |
| Work of banking applications | Stable. | Requires settings (Zygisk/Hide) |
| Guarantee | Preserves (formally) | Cancellation. |
After the first download, install the Magisk Manager app (if it is not installed automatically). In the manager settings, enable Zygisk and DenyList, adding banking apps and Google Pay to hide the root rights from security systems.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Redmi 4X modifications don’t always go smoothly. One of the common problems is hanging on the MI logo (Bootloop), which can happen when you install incompatible firmware or damage the system partition. Most of the time, a reset via TWRP (Wipe Data/Factory Reset) helps, but sometimes you need to completely flash the stock version through Mi Flash in Clean All mode.
Another common situation is a sensor or touchscreen that is broken in Recovery mode, which is a known problem in some versions. TWRP for the Snapdragon 435 processor, the solution is to install a different recover assembly or use it to control the connected USB-mouse-wise OTG-cable.
💡
Always have stock firmware on hand for your model and region, and the ability to roll back quickly is the key to security when experimenting with Android.
⚠️ Note: When flashing through the Mi Flash Tool, never select the Clean All and Lock option if you have just unlocked the bootloader and installed custom software. Locking the bootloader on a modified system will result in a hard brick of the device that can only be fixed through the programmer.
If the phone stopped responding to buttons and the screen is black, but the computer makes a sound of the device connecting, then the Redmi 4X has gone into EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, in which the firmware can only be run through an authorized Mi (Authorized Account) account or by opening the case and closing test points on the board for forced login.