Root rights to Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro: a safe way to unlock and install

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro (codename markw) is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliable “stuffing” and deep customization. However, the factory firmware MIUI limits users: you can not remove system applications, change the processor frequency or install modified cores. The solution is root rights, but the process requires caution: a mistake at any stage can turn the phone into a “brick”.

In this article, the guideline for 2026 is relevant to Xiaomi’s policy changes (e.g., mandatory device-based account binding) and newer versions of tools like Magisk and OrangeFox Recovery. We’ll take every step from unlocking the bootloader to checking root. We’ll focus on bypassing the unlock restriction through the Mi Unlock Tool after 720 hours of waiting, a problem that many Redmi 4 Pro owners face.

Preparation: What to Know Before Starting

Getting root rights to the Redmi 4 Pro is a multi-step process that involves unlocking the bootloader, installing a custom recovery, and Magisk firmware. Before you start, make sure that:

• 🔋 Battery charged at least 70% (process can take up to 2 hours).
• 📱 There is an official firmware on the phone. MIUI (Not a custom!. check the settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
• 💻 There is access to a Windows PC 7/10/11 (Mi Unlock Tool is required for Windows).
• 🔑 You have a Xiaomi account tied to your phone (unblocking is impossible without it).

Important: Once the bootloader is unlocked, Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro will perform a full reset (wipe), save contacts, photos and other data to an external drive or to the cloud in advance, and note that unlocking will void the warranty (if it is still valid).

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 4 Pro is purchased in China (the domestic version), unlocking the bootloader may be blocked at the hardware level. → The phone. → Model: if there is a letter C at the end (e.g, MZB4417IN vs MZB4417CN), The chances of success are minimal.

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

The bootloader on the Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro is locked by default, and unlocking it is a mandatory step without which installing custom recovery and root is impossible. The process consists of two parts: linking the account to the device and actually unlocking through the PC.

First, turn on the developer mode and allow OEM-unlock:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone and click on the MIUI version 7 times until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Activate the switches: 🔓 Unlocking OEM (may require input PIN-code). 🔌 Debugging by USB.

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission (pop-up on the smartphone screen).

Next, link your Xiaomi account to your device:

1. In the same menu for developers, find the Mi Unlock Status item and click Add account and device.
2. Sign in to your Xiaomi account (if not tied) and wait for a successful link message.

⚠️ Note: If you try to link your account to an error "Device is not supported", then your version MIUI Update the firmware through Settings. → Update to the latest official version for Redmi 4 Pro.

Now go to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool:

1. Download and install the Mi Unlock Tool on your PC (link in the table above).
2. Run the program on behalf of the administrator and log in to the same Xiaomi account that is linked to the phone.
3. Turn off Redmi 4 Pro and press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
4. Connect your phone to your PC. In Mi Unlock Tool, press Unlock.

If done correctly, it will start counting down (usually 72-168 hours), which is Xiaomi's restriction for theft protection.

Step 2: Install custom recaveri (OrangeFox)

Once the bootloader is unlocked, you need to replace the standard recovery (MI-Recovery) with a custom one, for example, OrangeFox. ZIP-files (including Magisk) and make backups of the system.

Download OrangeFox Recovery for Redmi 4 Pro (file with type name) OrangeFox-R11.1_5-Stable-markw.img) and follow the following steps:

1. Place the downloaded recovery.img file in the folder with Platform Tools (where adb.exe and fastboot.exe are located).
2. Open the command prompt in this folder (Shift + right mouse button → “Open PowerShell window here”).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices must display the serial number of your Redmi 4 Pro.
4. Fastboot flash recovery recovery recovery.img
5. Reboot your phone to a new recap: fastboot boot recovery.img

If it goes well, you'll see the OrangeFox Recovery logo with an orange fox, and it's recommended to back up the current firmware immediately:

1. Select Backup → Select Partitions.
2. Check the boxes Boot, System, Data and Vendor.
3. Click Swipe to Backup and wait until the file is completed (the file will be saved to the memory card).

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If the phone loads into MI-Recovery after OrangeFox firmware, then the bootloader is not fully unlocked. Repeat the step with the Mi Unlock Tool and make sure that in the output of the command fastboot oem device-info, the line Device unlocked: true.

Step 3: Magisk firmware to obtain root rights

Magisk is a universal tool for obtaining root rights without changing the systemless root, it also allows you to hide root from applications (for example, banking) and install customization modules.

Download the latest version of Magisk (Magisk-v27.0.zip file) and do the following:

1. Copy. ZIP-Magisk file to a memory card or internal phone memory.
2. Reboot to OrangeFox Recovery (turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power).
3. In the recaveri, select Install and specify the path to the Magisk-v27.0.zip file.
4. Swipe to Confirm Flash and wait until it is finished.
5. Reboot your phone to the system (Reboot → System).

After downloading MIUI, check for root rights using the Magisk Manager application (it will install automatically) or through the terminal:

su

If you receive a command (#) invitation, root is successfully received.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 12/13 for Redmi 4 Pro after installing Magisk, the mobile network may disappear.Solution: patch Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.zip (download XDA Developers).

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Use only stable versions of Magisk (not beta!). Redmi 4 Pro versions 26.4 and 27.0 are tested and run without critical bugs.

Problems and Solutions: What to Do When Something Goes Wrong

Even with the exact instructions, errors can occur, and below are the most common problems on the Redmi 4 Pro and how to solve them.

If the phone has turned into a “brick” (does not turn on, does not respond to buttons), try emergency firmware through the phone. EDL-regime:

1. Download Mi Flash Tool and stock firmware for Redmi 4 Pro (e.g, markw_global_images_V12.0.3.0.PCKMIXM_20210302.0000.00_10.0_global).
2. Turn off the phone, press Volume up + Volume down and connect to the PC – should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
3. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash (choose the clean all option).

EDL recovery will reset all the data, but it will bring the phone back to life, and then you can repeat the root process.

What to do after obtaining root rights

Now that you have root, you can customize the Redmi 4 Pro completely. Here are some useful steps:

• 🧹 Remove System Applications: Use Titanium Backup or System App Remover to Remove Unnecessary Services MIUI (For example, Mi Browser, Mi Music).
• ⚡ Performance optimization: Install the Magisk module to control CPU frequencies (e.g. Kernel Adiutor).
• 🎨 Change the look: Scroll themes through Magisk or install Substratum for deep customization of the interface.
• 🔒 Hiding root from apps: In Magisk settings, enable MagiskHide and add banking apps to the list.

But remember, root rights are not just opportunities, they're also risks.

• 🚨 Security: Viruses and malicious applications gain access to system files.
• 📵 Updates: Official updates MIUI through OTA It can break root or lead to bootloop.
• 🔄 Reset: After resetting to factory settings (Wipe Data), the root will disappear, and it will have to be installed again.

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To avoid problems with banking applications (such as Sberbank or Tinkoff), use the MagiskHide Props Config module, which allows you to swap security fingerprints (safetyNet) and hide the fact that root is present.

Alternative methods of obtaining root

If the standard method with Magisk did not work, there are alternative options:

1. Patched Boot Image: Download stock boot.img for your version MIUI. Open it in Magisk Manager (click Install) → Select and Patch a File.Sweep the resulting file through Fastboot: fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img

SuperSU (Outdated Method):

SuperSU was used before, but it is not currently supported and can cause conflicts with MIUI 12/13.

Castom firmware:

Install firmware based on LineageOS or Pixel Experience — root is already built in. However, for the Redmi 4 Pro, such firmware can work unstable (problems with the camera or modem).

For power users, there is another way to manually edit boot.img via AIK (Android Image Kitchen), which requires knowledge of command line and hex editors, so it is not suitable for everyone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about root on Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro