The smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 4X, released in 2017, initially came with the MIUI shell based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. However, enthusiasts and third-party developers continue to support this device, creating stable builds based on newer versions of the operating system. Upgrading to Android 10 allows you to gain access to modern features, improved privacy management and compatibility with new applications that no longer support older versions of software.
Xiaomi officially stopped supporting this model several years ago, so the standard update menu in the phone settings will not offer you the new version. To obtain the desired result, you will need to manually install custom firmware or official shell ports. This process requires care, but it opens up a second life for your gadget, making its interface smoother and more responsive.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages of preparation, the necessary tools and the flashing process itself. You will learn how to unlock the bootloader, install a special recovery menu and select the correct system version to avoid errors. It is important to understand that any manipulation of the system partition carries risks, so strictly follow the algorithm of actions.
Preparation of the device and risk assessment
Before taking active steps, you need to understand the responsibility. Installing unofficial software always carries the risk of turning your smartphone into a brick. Although Redmi 4X is known for its vitality and the presence of a large community of developers, an error at any stage can lead to data loss or inoperability of the device.
⚠️ Attention: You perform all actions at your own peril and risk. The author of the article is not responsible for possible data loss or equipment failure as a result of incorrect firmware.
The first step is to create a complete backup copy of all important data. Contacts, photos, messages and documents must be saved on your computer or cloud storage. During the installation of a new system, the internal memory will be completely cleared, and it will be impossible to restore information without a backup.
It is also critical to charge the device’s battery to at least 70-80%. The firmware process can take from 15 to 40 minutes, and a sudden power outage while writing system files is fatal for the bootloader. Make sure that the USB cable is working properly and provides a stable connection to the computer.
Use the original USB cable and connect it directly to the port on the computer's motherboard, avoiding the use of USB hubs and extension cables for stable data transfer.
Unlocking the bootloader
Locking the bootloader is a protection mechanism installed by the manufacturer that prohibits the installation of any software that is not signed with a Xiaomi digital key. To install custom firmware or TWRP recovery, this must be removed. Without an unlocked bootloader, further steps simply do not make sense.
The unlocking procedure requires linking your Mi account to the device and waiting for a certain period of time. Typically this period is from 3 to 7 days, although sometimes it can be longer. You will need a utility Mi Unlock Toolinstalled on a PC with the Windows operating system.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 📲 In the phone settings, turn on “For Developers” and activate the “Factory Unlock” and “USB Debugging” items.
- ☁️ Log into your Mi account in the phone settings and in the “Mi Community” application (or through the developer settings, depending on the MIUI version).
- 💻 Launch the Mi Unlock app on your computer, log into the same account and put the phone in Fastboot mode (by holding down the volume down and power button).
After connecting the device, the app will show blocking status. If pairing is successful, an unlock button will appear. If not, the utility will tell you how many days you have left to wait. Interrupting this process or trying to bypass the timer using third-party methods is not recommended, as this may lead to an account error.
Installing custom TWRP recovery
The standard recovery menu (Stock Recovery) has extremely limited functionality and allows you to install only updates signed by the manufacturer. To manually install the archive with Android 10, we need an environment TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). This is a touch menu that allows you to make full backups, clean up partitions and install zip archives with firmware.
The recovery image file (.img) must be downloaded specifically for the model Redmi 4X (code name santoni). Using an image from another model, for example Redmi Note 4X (mido), will lead to the touchscreen not working in recovery or a complete system failure. Carefully check compatibility before downloading.
To install the image, use a computer and a command via ADB. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and enter the following instructions at the command line:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-santoni.imgImmediately after successfully burning the image, do not let the phone boot into the normal system. This is an important nuance: the standard Xiaomi system automatically replaces the custom recovery with the stock one upon first boot. To save TWRP, you need to hold down the volume up and power buttons at the same time until the Mi logo appears, and then release the power button, continuing to hold the volume up until you enter the recovery menu.
☑️ Check before flashing
Selecting the appropriate Android 10 firmware
On in the vastness of the w3bsit3-dns.com forum and the XDA Developers resource you can find dozens of firmware options for santoni. They are divided into official ports (for example, MIUI 11 or 12 based on Android 10) and pure builds (AOSP, LineageOS, Pixel Experience). The choice depends on your preferences: whether you want to preserve Xiaomi's corporate style or prefer a clean Google interface.
Clean assemblies, such as LineageOS 17.1 or Pixel Experience, usually work faster on old hardware, since they do not contain unnecessary pre-installed software and heavy Xiaomi services. However, they may lack some functionality specific to devices of this brand, for example, advanced camera settings or the operation of a second space.
What is the difference between Stable and Nightly builds?
Stable (stable) versions undergo long-term testing and contain a minimum of errors, but may be older. Nightly builds are updated daily, contain new features, but may have critical bugs and are not suitable for everyday use.
When downloading the firmware archive, be sure to check the checksum (MD5 or SHA1), if it is provided by the author. This ensures that the file was downloaded in its entirety and was not damaged during the download process. A damaged archive may cause an installation error (Error 7 or similar), and the process will be interrupted halfway.
| Firmware type | Base | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel Experience | AOSP (Android 10) | High speed, interface like Pixel | Minimum settings, no themes |
| LineageOS 17.1 | AOSP (Android 10) | Stability, privacy | More difficult to set up for beginners |
| MIUI 11/12 Port | MIUI (Android 10) | Familiar interface, all Xiaomi functions | May work slower on an old CPU |
| ArrowOS | AOSP (Android 10) | Lightweight, good battery life | Less visual effects |
The process of installing a new system
When all the preparatory steps are completed, the firmware file is copied to the internal memory or to microSD card, you can proceed to the most important thing. Load into the menu TWRP. The interface may be in English, but it is intuitive. First of all, it is recommended to make a full backup of the current system through the item Backup, selecting the Boot, System, Data and Vendor sections.
Next you need to perform data cleaning (Wipe). Go to the section Wipe and select Advanced Wipe. Check the boxes Dalvik / ART Cache, Cache, System, Data and Vendor. Do not clear the partition Internal Storageif the firmware file is there, otherwise you will delete the installer. Swipe to confirm cleaning.
⚠️ Attention: Never format the Data partition in F2FS format or change the file system unless absolutely necessary, if you are not sure of the compatibility of the selected firmware with the new file system.
After cleaning, return to the main menu and click Install. Find the downloaded Android 10 firmware zip archive. Select it and click the slider at the bottom of the screen to begin installation. The process will take a few minutes. In the installation log you will see lines confirming the recording of images to memory partitions.
If you are migrating from a very outdated version of Android (for example, from 6.0 straight to 10.0), you may need to install an additional GApps (Google Apps) package if it is not built into the firmware. Download the package OpenGApps for architecture arm64 and Android version 10.0. Install it the second time, without rebooting after flashing the main system.
The sequence of actions is critical: first Wipe (cleaning), then Install (firmware), and only then Reboot (reboot). Violation of the order will lead to errors or cyclic reboots.
Initial setup and problem solving
After successful installation, press the button Reboot System. The first launch of the new system can take from 5 to 15 minutes. This is normal as the system optimizes applications and creates a cache. If your phone is stuck on the logo for more than 20 minutes, the firmware may be incompatible or the cleaning step was skipped.
New versions of Android 10 have tightened security and permissions requirements. The first time you sign in to your Google Account, make sure the date and time are set correctly. An incorrect time can cause problems with connecting to synchronization servers and the operation of security certificates.
It is worth noting that some banking applications may not work on an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware due to SafetyNet protection being triggered. To solve this problem, you often need to install a module Magisk and activate the function of hiding root access or use modules to replace the device fingerprint.
⚠️ Attention: The recovery menu interfaces and item names may differ slightly in different versions of TWRP. Always carefully read the pop-up notifications before confirming your actions.
If after flashing the screen sensor does not work correctly or is “phantom” pressed, try changing the “Force Touch” parameter in the TWRP settings before installing the firmware or flashing the recovery image of a different version.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to update to Android 10 without unlocking the bootloader?
No, it is not possible. Xiaomi has not officially released the Android 10 update for the Redmi 4X. Any installation of a newer version requires replacing the system partition, which is blocked by the manufacturer without an unlocked bootloader.
What to do if the phone goes into an endless reboot (bootloop)?
Try logging into TWRP again and performing a full Wipe (cleaning) of the Data, System, Cache and Dalvik partitions. Then flash the archive with the firmware again. If it doesn't help, the firmware version may be incompatible with your device revision or the image file is damaged.
Will IMEI and the ability to make calls disappear after the firmware?
If the firmware is installed correctly, designed specifically for santoni, the partition with the modem (EFS/Persist) is not affected, and IMEI is saved. Problems arise only when installing firmware from other models or accidentally clearing the Persist partition.
How to return everything back to the factory firmware?
You will need to download the official Fastboot firmware for your regional version (Global, China, EU) and flash it through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility in Clean All mode. This will completely return the phone to its factory state.
Will the camera work as well as on the old version?
Photo quality may change. On pure builds (AOSP), photo processing algorithms differ from MIUI. Enthusiasts often recommend additionally installing the Google Camera port (GCam), specially assembled for the Snapdragon 435 processor, in order to get better pictures.