How to Root Redmi Note 4 MediaTek

Released in late 2016, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 has been a flagship phone of Redmi lines since the device is the first one being powered with 10 CPUs (deca-core processors). Thanks to MediaTek Helio X20 chipset. The phone which has codename “Nikel” is available firstly in China but it can be bought online and hence Xiaomi fans around the world can have it earlier. Many have been very curious on its real-world performance. The MTK Helio X20 is really a monster processor but not a battery-hungry. However, being a monster phone itself is not enough to most of Android users. Its true potential can only be unleashed if the users have gained root access on it.

In this article you can find a step-by-step tutorial to guide you on how to easily flash TWRP, root Redmi Note 4 MTK, and install GApps only in few steps using a tool called Flasher Toolkit for Nikel. The tool is designed to reduce the pain feeling of flashing TWRP and obtaining root access. TWRP is so far the best custom recovery for MIUI ROM because of its features and user interface. Thanks and credit belong to Feds64 for the creation of the tool.

Objectives

1. Flash ZCX TWRP v3.0.2-x
2. Flash SuperSU to gain root
3. Flash Google Apps (Gapps)

Requirements

• A Redmi Note 4 MTK (Nikel) device with unlocked bootloader.
• A USB cable – just use the one came shipped with your device.
• A Windows-based computer / laptop. A 64-bit Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 operating system is recommended.
• Make sure you have disabled Windows driver signature enforcement.
• Make sure your phone still have 60% battery power.
• Download Flasher Toolkit v3 for Nikel – extract it.
• Download Minimal ADB and Fastboot v1.4.1 – extract it.
• Download latest version of SuperSU root package – do not extract it.
• Download latest version of MIUI Recovery ROM package (.zip) for Redmi Note 4 MTK – do not extract it.
• Download Google Apps for Android 7 Nougat (Play Store, etc) – do not extract it.

ROMs you may use:

• MIUI 8 v6.12.29 Global Developer ROM for Redmi Note 4 MTK
• MIUI 8 v8.1.2.0 Global Stable ROM for Redmi Note 4 MTK

Also read: How to fix bricked Redmi Note 4 MTK.

Stage 1 – Flashing TWRP

Step 1 – Install Minimal ADB & Fastboot into your computer.

Step 2 – Plug in your device into your computer using its USB cable. Now transfer the SuperSU .zip file, GApps .zip file, and MIUI Recovery .zip file into the internal storage of your phone especially in the “Download” folder.

Step 3 – Assuming your phone is still connected to the computer and is still turned on (ON state), open up the extracted Flasher Toolkit folder in Windows Explorer.

Step 4 – Now right-click on “FLASHER TOOLKIT NikelV3.bat” file and then choose “Run as administrator“. This action will execute the script and open up the tool.

Step 5 – Press 1 key on keyboard followed by pressing the Enter key. That way you have chosen menu #1 and opted to execute the command to flash ZCX TWRP v3.0.2-X.

Step 6 – Just follow on-screen instruction and wait for the tool to complete the flashing process. Once the process is done, your phone will reboot into TWRP.

Step 7 – Next, unless you understand Chinese, it is time to change the default language to English. Just follow the sequence as displayed in pic below:

Step 8 – Now go back to the main menu of TWRP and choose “Settings”. Finally you’ll need to choose and enable “Support MIUI-OTA” and “Disable Root-System DM-Verity“. This step is necessary or otherwise your phone will go into a bootloop state and will not be able to receive OTA Update.

Step 9 – Now you’ll need to flash full package of MIUI Recovery ROM. This is necessary to be able to get incremental OTA update. You may go back to main menu, then choose “Install” and locate the ROM .zip file you have copied. Finally, do the “Swipe to confirm Flash” to begin the process.

Stage 2 – Root Redmi Note 4

Step 10 – Basically, the ZCX version of TWRP has included SuperSU intergrated within the Recovery app but you are welcome to use and flash latest version of SuperSU. Just go back to the main menu >> choose Advanced >> then choose SuperSU >> locate the SuperSU .zip file. Do not forget to do the “Swipe to confirm Flash” and wait for the flashing process to complete.

Stage 3 – Install Play Store

Step 11 – Go back to the main menu of TWRP >> choose Install >> locate the Gapps .zip file >> and do te “Swipe to confirm flash”. This will install basic apps of Google Apps including Play Store, Play Services, etc.

Step 12 – Finally, choose “Reboot System” to reboot your phone into normal mode.

Congratulation, your Redmi Note 4 MTK is now rooted and TWRP custom recovery has also been installed. On top of that, you have Google Play Store and any other Gapps installed. Enjoy!

Have you tried rooting your Redno 4? Share your experience in the comment section below.