Let's take a look back at a truly interesting phone from 2015, the Xiaomi Mi 4i (codename `ferrari`). This device was known for three things: a beautiful and compact unibody design, a stunning 1080p "Sunlight Display," and a powerful but notoriously hot-tempered Snapdragon 615 processor. For the early tech enthusiasts in places like Nigeria, it was a beautiful phone with a great screen, as long as you didn't push it too hard.
In 2025, the Mi 4i is a vintage classic. Its software journey ended a lifetime ago, with the final Global ROM being a surprisingly mature MIUI 9.2 on Android 5.0 Lollipop. This guide is a restoration manual for the hobbyists and collectors who want to revive this piece of tech history. A clean flash is the only way to unbrick the device, get the most stable software to manage its quirky hardware, and keep it functional for offline use.
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Mi 4i
For a vintage device like `ferrari`, flashing is about managing its quirks and preserving it.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: ferrari)
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the final official firmware for your region. We strongly recommend the Global version for its newer MIUI base.
Flashing Method: Using Mi Flash Tool (Fastboot Mode)
This is the most direct and reliable method for completely restoring your Mi 4i.
➡ Your Mi 4i will reboot into a completely clean, official MIUI system. We strongly recommend flashing the Global ROM for the newer MIUI 9.2 software.
FAQs
Q1: Why does my Mi 4i get so hot it's uncomfortable to hold?
This is the famous, defining flaw of this phone. The Snapdragon 615 chipset was notorious for severe overheating. All Mi 4i units get very hot, especially during charging, updating apps, or any demanding task. This is a hardware limitation that software cannot fully fix, but a clean flash helps.
Q2: Was the Mi 4i a good phone in Nigeria back in the day?
It was a phone for people who prized a beautiful screen above all else. Tech enthusiasts in Lagos and other cities knew about its amazing 1080p display, which was rare for the price in 2015. But they also knew it was a "hot potato" that would heat up quickly. It was a trade-off.
Q3: Is the Global ROM really that much better than the China ROM for this model?
Yes. In a very rare case for Xiaomi, the final Global ROM (`V9.2.3.0`) is based on a much newer version of MIUI than the final China ROM (`V7.5.1.0`). The Global ROM is the superior choice for a more modern interface and better optimization.
Q4: Can I get newer Android versions on the Mi 4i?
The `ferrari` had a very active custom ROM community in its time, precisely because users wanted to escape the hot and heavy MIUI. You can find unofficial builds of Android 7 (Nougat) and maybe even Android 8 (Oreo) on forums like XDA. These will run much cooler and faster than the stock firmware.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
In 2025, the Mi 4i is a vintage classic. Its software journey ended a lifetime ago, with the final Global ROM being a surprisingly mature MIUI 9.2 on Android 5.0 Lollipop. This guide is a restoration manual for the hobbyists and collectors who want to revive this piece of tech history. A clean flash is the only way to unbrick the device, get the most stable software to manage its quirky hardware, and keep it functional for offline use.
- ✔ A tribute to the beautiful but flawed mid-ranger from 2015
- ✔ Download links for the final official MIUI firmware, including the superior Global version
- ✔ All the essential tools and drivers to revive this vintage device
- ✔ Device-specific troubleshooting for the infamous Snapdragon 615 overheating issues
- ✔ A path to a better experience through its classic custom ROM scene
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Mi 4i
For a vintage device like `ferrari`, flashing is about managing its quirks and preserving it.
- Manage Overheating and Performance → This is a key reason. Flashing the final, most optimized official firmware (the Global MIUI 9.2) is the best way to get the most stable thermal management for the hot-running Snapdragon 615 chipset.
- Unbrick a Bricked or Bootlooping Device → The definitive method for recovering a Mi 4i that is stuck on the Mi logo or completely unresponsive.
- Restore a Piece of Smartphone History → Perform a clean flash to bring this unique phone back to its original factory software state for a collection.
- Prepare for Lighter Custom ROMs → The best way to deal with the heat and performance issues of this phone is to flash a lightweight AOSP-based ROM. This stock firmware provides the necessary base.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: ferrari)
- Model: Xiaomi Mi 4i
- Release Year: 2015
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 615
- Display: 5.0” FHD IPS LCD
- Key Feature: "Sunlight Display", early unibody design, infamous for overheating
- OS at Launch: MIUI 6 on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop
- Final Official OS: MIUI 9.2 on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop (Global)
- Codename: ferrari
EXTREME WARNING: The Mi 4i is a 10-year-old device running critically outdated software (Android 5.0). It is a major security risk and should not be used online. Its Snapdragon 615 processor is known to overheat significantly under load; this is a normal characteristic of this model.
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the final official firmware for your region. We strongly recommend the Global version for its newer MIUI base.
| Tool / File | Purpose / OS Version | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Flash Tool | The official tool for flashing Fastboot ROMs. | Download Latest Version |
| Xiaomi USB Drivers | Ensures your PC can communicate with your phone. | Driver Pack |
| Mi Unlock Tool | Required to unlock the bootloader. | Official Unlock Page |
| Custom Recovery (TWRP) | The gateway to all custom ROMs. | Official TWRP for Ferrari |
| Fastboot ROM (Global) | Recommended: MIUI 9.2 (Android 5.0) | V9.2.3.0.LXIMIEK |
| Fastboot ROM (China) | Older Official MIUI 7.5 (Android 5.0) | V7.5.1.0.LXICNDE |
| Xiaomi.eu ROM (Custom) | Based on older MIUI 7.5 build | V7.5.1.0.LXICNDE |
Flashing Method: Using Mi Flash Tool (Fastboot Mode)
This is the most direct and reliable method for completely restoring your Mi 4i.
- Unlock Bootloader: Your phone's bootloader must be unlocked. Use the official Mi Unlock Tool. This will erase all data.
- Boot into Fastboot Mode: Power off your phone. Press and hold Power + Volume Down until the Fastboot logo appears.
- Extract Firmware: On your PC, extract the downloaded `.tgz` Fastboot ROM twice until you have a folder with an `images` directory.
- Launch Mi Flash Tool: Open the tool as an administrator.
- Connect Device & Flash: Connect your phone to the PC, click "refresh" in Mi Flash Tool, and ensure "clean all" is selected at the bottom. This step is mandatory.
- Start Flashing: Click the "flash" button and wait for the process to complete. It will show a "success" message when done.
➡ Your Mi 4i will reboot into a completely clean, official MIUI system. We strongly recommend flashing the Global ROM for the newer MIUI 9.2 software.
FAQs
Q1: Why does my Mi 4i get so hot it's uncomfortable to hold?
This is the famous, defining flaw of this phone. The Snapdragon 615 chipset was notorious for severe overheating. All Mi 4i units get very hot, especially during charging, updating apps, or any demanding task. This is a hardware limitation that software cannot fully fix, but a clean flash helps.
Q2: Was the Mi 4i a good phone in Nigeria back in the day?
It was a phone for people who prized a beautiful screen above all else. Tech enthusiasts in Lagos and other cities knew about its amazing 1080p display, which was rare for the price in 2015. But they also knew it was a "hot potato" that would heat up quickly. It was a trade-off.
Q3: Is the Global ROM really that much better than the China ROM for this model?
Yes. In a very rare case for Xiaomi, the final Global ROM (`V9.2.3.0`) is based on a much newer version of MIUI than the final China ROM (`V7.5.1.0`). The Global ROM is the superior choice for a more modern interface and better optimization.
Q4: Can I get newer Android versions on the Mi 4i?
The `ferrari` had a very active custom ROM community in its time, precisely because users wanted to escape the hot and heavy MIUI. You can find unofficial builds of Android 7 (Nougat) and maybe even Android 8 (Oreo) on forums like XDA. These will run much cooler and faster than the stock firmware.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
- Severe Overheating and Performance Throttling: This is the #1 known issue for the Mi 4i and cannot be "fixed," only managed. Flashing the latest Global MIUI 9.2 provides the best official thermal profile. For significantly better (cooler) performance, a lightweight AOSP-based custom ROM is the recommended path. Do not use the phone while it is charging.
- Dead Hard Brick (EDL Mode): If the phone is completely dead and only shows up as "Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008", it is in EDL mode. Recovery is possible but advanced, requiring specific EDL flashing procedures and often a "deep flash cable" or shorting "test points" on the motherboard.
- "Not enough storage to process this command" in Mi Flash Tool: This is a common error when flashing very old 32-bit/early 64-bit devices. It can be caused by using a modern 64-bit version of Mi Flash Tool. The solution is often to find and use an older, 32-bit version of the Mi Flash Tool from 2016-2017.
- Stuck on the Mi logo after a successful flash: This usually points to a failing eMMC (internal storage) chip, which can be damaged over time by the processor's excessive heat. A "clean all" re-flash is the only software solution to try, but it may be a hardware failure.