Xiaomi Redmi 4X has earned a reputation as one of the most reliable budget devices of its time, but the standard shell MIUI often limits the capabilities of advanced users. Getting Root rights allows you to fully unlock the potential of the Snapdragon 435 hardware platform, removing system debris and installing powerful modules. This process requires care, but opens up access to deep customization of the interface and fine-tuning power consumption.
Before you start modifying the software part, you need to be clear about your responsibility for your actions. Any interference with Android system files carries potential risks, including loss of warranty and the possibility of turning the device into a brick. In this article, we will discuss in detail the safe methods of unlocking the bootloader and setting superuser rights using the latest tools.
Preparation of the device and the necessary software
You start with a thorough preparation of the workplace and the gadget itself. You need a Windows computer, a high-quality computer. USB-With minimal resistance cable and stable internet connection, without these basic components, the next steps will not be possible, as communication with Xiaomi servers and downloading firmware files are critically important.
All available system updates must be installed on the smartphone to avoid version conflicts when unlocking. The battery should be at least 60% charged so that the device does not turn off at the most critical time of partitioning flashing.
You’ll need specific drivers and utilities to work, which you need to download in advance. Lacking the right ADB or Fastboot driver can cause your computer to simply not see the phone in bootloader mode.
- 📱 Official Mi Unlock utility for unlocking the bootloader.
- 💻 Qualcomm drivers HS-USB QDLoader and Android ADB Interface.
- 📂 Images TWRP Recovery, adapted specifically for the code name Santoni.
- 📦 File. Magisk.apk (or.zip) the latest stable version to get a Root.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
It is important to understand that the process of unlocking the Bootloader bootloader initiates a complete data reset. All photos, contacts and applications will be permanently deleted, so creating a backup on an external medium or in the cloud is a must-do step that cannot be ignored.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
The foundation for obtaining superuser rights on Xiaomi devices is an unlocked bootloader, which the manufacturer has implemented this protection mechanism to prevent the installation of unauthorized software, so it can only be legally circumvented through authorization servers, a process that takes time and requires linking a Mi Account account to the device.
First, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI seven times. After the notification “You became a developer”, open the “Developers” menu and activate the “Factory Unlock” and “Debugging by USB” options.
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Use mobile internet (3G/4G) instead of Wi-Fi to link your account – this often helps avoid server errors when sending a request to unlock.
The longest step is waiting, and after you submit your application through the Mi Unlock app on your smartphone, you have to wait 7 to 360 hours, and the exact wait time is displayed in the app and depends on your account activity in the Xiaomi ecosystem.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to reset your timer or change your account while you wait, this may nullify progress or result in blocking the unlock function on your device.
When the waiting time expires, connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clambing the volume button when the phone is turned off). Launch the Mi Unlock utility on your computer, log in to the same account and click the Unlock button. Confirm the action on the smartphone screen if you receive a request.
Once successfully unlocked, the device will automatically restart and reset to factory settings, which is the standard safety behavior that confirms that the bootloader is now open for modifications.
Installation of custom TWRP recavator
The default default default default Recovery Recovery mode has a stripped-down functionality and does not allow you to install zip archives that are not signed with Xiaomi digital keys. To implement superuser rights, we need a full partition management tool, and the best choice is TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project).
The installation process is done via Fastboot mode. Make sure that the computer in the tool folder of the platform contains an image file, for example, twrp-3.x.x-x-santoni.img. Open the command line in this folder and enter the command to flash the recovery partition:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-santoni.imgOnce the command is successfully executed, it is important to prevent the system from being loaded as a standard Android can overwrite the custom recavator back. Immediately after the firmware is completed, press the Volume Up + Power button combination and hold them until the TWRP logo appears.
- 🔄 Select the interface language (Russian available).
- 🔒 Swipe your finger to resolve system modifications (Allow Modifications»).
- 🚫 Click on “Keep Read Only” if you don’t plan to do a full vape right now, but for stability, it’s better to make the Data format.
What if the TWRP crashes after the reboot?
Inside the TWRP menu, it is recommended to immediately make a full backup of the current system. This will take time, but if you fail to get Root, you can roll back to working state in a couple of minutes, saving all data and settings.
Getting Root Rights through Magisk
The current standard for superuser rights is to use the Systemless Magisk Manager, which, unlike older methods, does not modify the system partition directly, allowing it to bypass security checks in banking applications and games.
To install, copy the previously downloaded Magisk zip file to the smartphone's internal memory. Reboot to TWRP mode and go to the Install menu. Find the archive and confirm the slider's swipe installation.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Android version | OS version on Redmi 4X | Android 7.0 Nougat |
| File system | Type of memory markup | EXT4 / F2FS |
| Method of installation | Method of implementing rights | Systemless (Magisk) |
| Security | Patch level | Depends on the firmware date |
Once you have completed the installation, you will see a message in the console log, "Done," and now you can restart the system, and if the Magisk icon appears in the app menu and the version is displayed in the app status, then the rights have been successfully obtained.
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Magisk Manager is not just a tool for Root, it is a full-fledged module manager that allows you to change system fonts, audio codecs and kernel parameters without flashing.
In some cases, you may need to set up more, go to Magisk settings and activate Zygisk and DenyList if you plan to use your phone for payments, which will hide the fact that Root is from high-security apps.
Typical errors and methods of their elimination
The Xiaomi Redmi 4X rooting process is technically complex and can cause disruptions at various stages. Understanding the nature of bugs helps get the device back on track quickly without panic or unnecessary action.
If your computer doesn’t see your phone in Fastboot mode, check Windows Device Manager.The device can appear as “Unknown Device” or «QHSUSB_BULK». In the first case, you need to reinstall the drivers. ADB, In the second case, use a cable from another manufacturer or port. USB 2.0 instead 3.0.
The “Couldn’t verify” error when downloading means that the bootloader is not unlocked or has been blocked again. Check status in the Mi Unlock app or in Fastboot mode (the orange “Unlocked” text should be above the hare logo).
- ❌ Black screen after firmware - try to press the power button on 15-20 second-on-seconds.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone has gone into a deep reboot cycle and does not respond to buttons, use the mode EDL (Emergency Download Mode: Entering it often requires disassembling the case and closing test points on the board, or a dedicated team. ADB, if debugging was on.
It is important to stay calm and read error messages in TWRP or Fastboot logs. The error text usually directly points to the cause: whether it is an incorrect checksum of a file or an incompatible version of the bootloader.
Opportunities and risks after obtaining a Root
Obtaining superuser rights opens up new horizons for the owner of Redmi 4X: You can remove system applications that cannot be removed by standard means, such as Google services or MIUI advertising modules, which significantly frees up RAM and speeds up the device.
With specialized applications, you can control the frequency of the processor, configure power saving profiles and even overclock the graphics core for smoother interfaces. Access to the file system allows you to edit the hosts system files to block ads at the system level.
But don’t forget the risks: Some banking apps and services like Google Pay (now Google Wallet) may refuse to work on rooted devices, and while Magisk is good at hiding rights, it’s a constant cat-and-mouse game with security app developers.
Root access also makes the device vulnerable to malware, and any application that has super-user rights has full control of the phone, so install only from trusted sources and keep a close eye on access requests.