Fastboot mode on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X: 3 working ways to log in

Why you need Fastboot on Redmi Note 4X and when to use it

Fastboot mode on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X (codenamed mido) is a low-level tool for working with firmware, unlocking the bootloader and restoring the system. Unlike Recovery Mode, it allows you to interact with the device via a computer using fastboot commands, which opens up opportunities for:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader before installing custom firmware;
• 📥 Firmware official / unofficial software via Mi Flash Tool;
• 🔄 Restoration of the “brick” (if the phone does not turn on or hovers on the logo);
• 🛠️ Installations TWRP or other custom Recovery;
• 📡 Check the status of the device (for example, the unlock status).

It’s important to understand that the Redmi Note 4X is one of Xiaomi’s most popular devices for firmware experiments, but missteps in the Fastboot can lead to a complete loss of warranty and a “bricking” of the phone without the possibility of recovery through standard methods.

If you’ve never worked with fastboot, we recommend that you first learn the basic commands and the consequences of executing them. For example, the fastboot oem unlock command erases all data on the device, and the fastboot flash can make the phone inoperable if you get a firmware error.

Method 1: Log in to Fastboot from the phone turned off (hardware method)

This is the most versatile method that works even if the Redmi Note 4X does not turn on or hovers on the Mi logo. You do not need a computer or additional programs - only the device itself and the correct sequence of taps.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone completely. If it freezes, hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds before it turns off.
2. Press and hold the Volume Down button.
3. Without releasing Volume Down, press and hold the Power button.
4. Hold both buttons for 10-15 seconds until the Mi Bunny logo appears on the screen in a header with the inscription FASTBOOT.

If the screen is black or the Recovery menu appears, it means:

• 🔋 You let go of the buttons too early (repeat trying, holding them longer).
• 🔌 Battery is discharged (plug charging for 5-10 minutes and try again).
• 🛠️ Volume Down button is faulty (check its performance in normal mode).

⚠️ Warning: If your phone automatically restarts after 5-10 seconds after logging in to Fastboot, this may indicate a damaged firmware or connector problem. USB-C. In this case, try to connect the device to the computer through a cable - this sometimes stabilizes the mode.

Method 2: Entering through ADB (if the phone is on)

If your Redmi Note 4X is working fine but you need to upgrade to Fastboot for firmware or unlock, it’s more convenient to do so via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot;
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (not all cables support data transmission!);
• 📱 Included debugging by USB developer-setting;
• 🔒 Debugging permission for your computer (a request will appear when you first connect).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and make sure it is identified in ADB (check with the adb device command).
2. Open the command line (cmd) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command: adb reboot bootloader
4. The phone will automatically reboot to Fastboot mode.

If the team is not working, check:

• 🔌 Correct cable connection (try another port) USB);
• 🔄 Availability of Xiaomi drivers on your computer (you can download on the official website);
• 📱 Is File Transfer Mode Enabled (MTP) plug-in.

💡

If the adb device command returns a blank list, try reinstalling drivers manually through Windows Device Manager by selecting Update Driver → Search for drivers on this computer → Select from the list → ADB Interface.

Method 3: Automatically log in via Mi Flash Tool

If you plan to flash the Redmi Note 4X through the Mi Flash Tool, the program will transfer the device to Fastboot at the connection stage, which is convenient for beginners, as it minimizes the risk of errors.

How it works:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the mido version must be at least 2018.5.28.0).
2. Unpack the firmware for the Redmi Note 4X in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\ROM\mido_global_images...).
3. Turn off the phone and connect it to the computer, holding Volume Down + Power (as in Method 1).
4. Start the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh – the device must determine how to use the device. COM-port.
5. Select a firmware folder and press Flash, and the program will automatically put the phone in the desired mode.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Minimum risk of error when running;
• ✅ Automatic Integrity Check of Firmware Files;
• ✅ Support for official and test builds MIUI.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires the installation of additional software;
• ❌ Not suitable for custom firmware installation (only official.tgz or.zip from Xiaomi);
• ❌ Can not work on Windows 11 without manual driver installation.

Table: Fastboot commands for Redmi Note 4X

Once you log in to Fastboot, you can use the following commands to diagnose and manage your device. All commands are entered into cmd (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) from the fastboot folder.

⚠️ Warning: The fastboot flash and fastboot erase commands can permanently delete data or render the phone inoperable. For example, the fastboot erase userdata command formats the partition with user data, and the fastboot flash boot with the wrong file will lead to a bootloop ( looped reboot).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, Redmi Note 4X users sometimes face difficulties.

1.The phone is not included in the Fastboot (the screen remains black)

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Battery discharged → Charge your phone for 15-20 minutes, then try again.
• 🔌 Faulty cable/port → Try another cable or port. USB computer-based.
• 🛠️ Button sticking → Check if the Volume Up button is clamped (this can be redirected to Recovery).
• 💻 Driver conflict → Remove all Xiaomi drivers through Device Manager and install them again.

2.Fastboot spontaneously restarts

If the phone leaves Fastboot after a few seconds, it may be due to:

• 🔌 Unstable connection → Connect the charger in parallel with USB-cable.
• 🛠️ Damaged firmware. → Try to flash the official software through the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔋 Battery problems → If the battery is swollen or does not hold the charge, a replacement is required.

3 Computer doesn't see phone in Fastboot

Diagnosis:

1. Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc in Windows).
2. Check if the device appears in the Ports (COM and LPT) section or Other Devices.
3. If there is an exclamation point, update the driver manually by selecting the Android Bootloader Interface.

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If the phone is identified in Device Manager as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, this means that the device is in EDL (Emergency Firmware) mode.

Security and caution

Working with Fastboot on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X requires understanding the risks. Here are the key points to avoid mistakes:

• 🔒 Unlocking the bootloader erases all data on the device, including photos, contacts and apps. backup via adb backup or manually.
• 📱 Do not interrupt the firmware – if the process is interrupted by 50-70%, the phone can turn into a “brick” (it will not respond to buttons or charging).
• 🔧 Use only firmware for mido – installing software from other models (for example, Redmi Note 4 without X) will lead to inoperability.
• 🛡️ Check check the checksums (MD5) Downloaded firmware – corrupted files can cause installation errors.

If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center or to expert users on the forums (4PDA, XDA Developers). For example, an incorrect command fastboot oem unlock-go on some versions of MIUI can lock the bootloader permanently.

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 4X firmware MIUI older than version 9.6, unlocking the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock may require you to link your Mi Account. If you forget your account password, unlocking will be impossible without contacting Xiaomi support.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions