Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4 (including Redmi 4X and Redmi 4A modifications) often face the need to enter the BIOS - or more precisely, the Fastboot/Recovery modes, which perform similar functions on Android devices. Unlike PCs where the BIOS is responsible for hardware initialization, on smartphones Fastboot and Recovery Mode are used for firmware, resetting, unlocking the bootloader or diagnostics.
It’s important to understand that the term “BIOS” is not conventional here – Xiaomi does not have the classic BIOS on computers. Instead, there are: Fastboot Mode (for working with firmware via PC) and Recovery Mode (for resetting or manual updating). In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to enter these modes, including “secret” combinations of buttons and commands through ADB, and explain why this may be necessary.
If you are looking for a way to unlock a bootloader to install custom firmware, be sure to read to the section on unlocking — without this, many operations in Fastboot will not be available. For beginners, we have prepared a training checklist, and for experienced users, advanced ADB commands.
How is Fastboot and Recovery different from BIOS on PC?
The Xiaomi Redmi 4 doesn’t have the traditional BIOS of desktop computers, but instead has two key modes:
- 🔧 Fastboot Mode is analogous to UEFI on a PC, which allows you to flash a device through a computer (for example, using MiFlash), unlock a bootloader or install custom recovery (TWRP).
- 🔄 Recovery Mode is an analogue of Windows Safe Mode, used to reset settings (Wipe Data), install official updates (OTA), or create backups. Xiaomi defaults on Mi-Recovery (with limited features).
The main difference from the PC: on the smartphone, these modes do not allow you to change hardware settings (for example, the clock speed of the processor or the voltage on the RAM), their main purpose is to restore operability and modify the software part.
| Regime. | Analogue on PC | Main functions | Do you need unlocking? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fastboot | UEFI/BIOS | Firmware, unlock the bootloader, install TWRP | Yes (for most operations) |
| Mi-Recovery | Secure Windows Mode | Resetting, installation OTA-update | No. |
| TWRP (castom recovery) | LiveCD with tools | Full backup, installation of ZIP- firmware, root | Yes. |
⚠️ Warning: If your Redmi 4 doesn't even turn on in the Fastboot, it could mean a hardware failure (e.g., damage to the EMMC- chip).
Method 1: Log in to Fastboot via hardware buttons (for a phone turned off)
This is the most reliable method, which works even if the phone hangs on the Mi logo or does not boot into the system, and is suitable for all Redmi 4 versions (including the 4X and 4A).
☑️ Preparation for entrance to Fastboot
- Turn off the phone completely. If it freezes, press the Power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes out.
- Press and hold at the same time: Volume Down + Power button.
- Hold both buttons until the Mi Bunny logo appears on the screen in Fastboot Mode (usually 5-10 seconds).
📌 Signs of successful entry:
- 🖥️ On the screen, a hare in a hat on a black background.
- 🔌 The inscription FASTBOOT (in small print) is at the bottom.
- 💻 When you connect to a PC, Android Bootloader Interface appears in Device Manager.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone vibrates and turns on normally after holding the buttons, you've been holding the Power for too long. Retry by releasing the buttons as soon as the Fastboot logo appears.
💡
If the buttons on Redmi 4 don’t respond well, try pressing them one by one: first press Volume Down, then (after 1 second) Power.
Method 2: Log in to Recovery Mode (for reset or upgrade)
Recovery Mode on Xiaomi Redmi 4 comes in two types: Stock Recovery (standard, with limited features) and TWRP (custom, for advanced users).We will consider the entry to standard recovery, since TWRP is installed only after unlocking the bootloader.
Instructions for entry:
- Turn off the phone (as in the previous method).
- Press and hold: Volume Up + Power button.
- Keep it until the Mi logo and recovery menu appear in English/Chinese.
📌 What to do in Stock Recovery:
- 🔄 Reboot - Reboot the phone.
- 🗑️ Wipe Data – reset to factory settings (deletes all data!).
- 📥 Install update.zip – Install the official update (the file must be at the root of the memory).
- 🔧 Connect with MiAssistant – Connect to a PC for recovery (Mi PC Suite is required).
⚠️ Warning: If you see Chinese in recovery, it means that the phone has firmware for China. To switch the language, select the character (language) item and select English.
What to do if recovery requires a password?
Method 3: Log in to Fastboot/Recovery via ADB commands (for phone enabled)
If the phone is turned on but you need to upgrade to Fastboot or Recovery without using buttons (for example, for automation), you can use ADB commands.
- 🖥️ Installed program ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC (you can download from the official Android website).
- 🔌 Included debugging on USB on the phone (Settings → About Phone → Version MIUI (click 7 times) → Additional → For developers → Debugging on USB).
- 🔒 Debugging permission for your PC (a request will appear when you first connect).
After preparation, follow the following steps:
- Connect the Redmi 4 to your PC via the USB- cable (use the original cable!).
- Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\platform-tools\
- Check the device connection: Adb devices should show your phone’s serial number.
- To log in to Fastboot, type: adb reboot bootloader
- Enter the Recovery login: adb reboot recovery
📌 Useful commands ADB for Redmi 4:
| Team team. | Action. |
|---|---|
| adb reboot edl | Switching to EDL mode (for firmware through MiFlash with a “brick”) |
| adb shell getprop ro.bootloader | Shows the bootloader version (needed to unlock) |
| fastboot oem device-info | Checks the status of the bootloader unlock |
⚠️ Warning: Adb reboot edl will put the phone into Emergency Download Mode, which is used to recover the bricks. Don't interrupt the firmware in this mode - this can lead to a total loss of IMEI!
How to unlock a Redmi 4 bootloader for full Fastboot access
By default, all Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi 4) have bootloader locked, which means that in Fastboot Mode you can only:
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
- 📥 Install official firmware via MiFlash (without data cleansing).
To install TWRP, custom firmware or get root, you need to unlock the process, which takes 72-168 hours (according to Xiaomi rules) and includes the following steps:
- Link your Mi Account to your phone (Settings → Xiaomi Account).
- Go to Mi Unlock and download the Mi Unlock Tool.
- Run your phone in Fastboot Mode (as in Method 1).
- Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool. Sign in under the same Mi Account as your phone.
- Press Unlock and wait until the process is complete (it may take several days to wait).
📌 What unlocks:
- ✅ Ability to install TWRP Recovery.
- ✅ Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.).
- ✅ Getting root rights through Magisk.
- ✅ Complete backup of the system via TWRP.
⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets the phone to factory settings! Before the procedure, back up the data via Mi Cloud or ADB Backup:
adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup_redmi4.ab💡
Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi is tied to your Mi Account. If you are selling a phone, be sure to lock the bootloader back through the Mi Unlock Tool (Lock option), otherwise the new owner will be able to access your data!
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When trying to log into Fastboot or Recovery, Redmi 4 users often encounter problems, and we have collected the most common errors and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone vibrates, but doesn't come with the Fastboot | Faulty buttons or too long power retention | Try pressing the buttons one by one (first Volume, then Power). If it doesn't work, check the buttons for physical damage. |
| Recovery does not have Wipe Data. | Custom Recovery (TWRP) with a different menu | Use Wipe → Format Data (in TWRP) |
| Adb devices command does not show the device | ADB drivers not installed or USB debugging disabled | Install drivers via Mi PC Suite or manually (download with XDA Developers). |
| After unlocking the phone does not turn on | Firmware damaged or incompatible with unlocked bootloader | Sweep through the official firmware through MiFlash in Clean All mode. |
📌 Advice for Redmi owners 4X: If after a recovery phone asks for a password from Mi Account but you don't remember it, try using the password recovery form. If the account is not yours (the phone is bought by hand), contact the previous owner - it is impossible to unlock the phone without his data (even in the service center).
When to contact the service center
Not all problems with Xiaomi Redmi 4 are solved through Fastboot or Recovery.
- 🔋 The phone doesn't respond to charging (even when connected to a PC in Fastboot).
- 💥 After a failed firmware, the screen remains black and the charging indicator does not burn.
- 🔌 In Device Manager, a PC defines a phone as QHSUSB_BULK or Qualcomm 9008 (a sign of damage EMMC).
- 📵 The phone overheats and spontaneously shuts down (power controller may fail).
⚠️ Warning: If your Redmi 4 has stopped turning on after the firmware manipulation and does not respond to button combinations, do not attempt to “resuscitate” it with improvised means (e.g., heating a hair dryer or closing contacts). This can lead to irreversible damage to the motherboard. In such cases, the best option is to contact a service center with equipment for JTAG- repair or flashing through ISP.
💡 How to choose a service center:
- Check the reviews on Yandex.Maps or 2GIS.
- Check if you have experience with Xiaomi Redmi 4 (some services specialize only in iPhone or Samsung).
- Ask about the work guarantee (at least 3 months).