How to flash Global ROM on locked bootloader Xiaomi Redmi 4A

Here's a detailed guide on how you can flash official Global MIUI ROM on your Redmi 4A without unlocking bootloader. We'll be using only stock recovery and Mi PC Suite tool.

Flashing Global ROM on Redmi 4A with locked bootloader

First thing you'll need is to check the bootloader lock status. If your device is already unlocked then you can flash the Global ROM using MiFlash tool.

How to check bootloader status on Redmi 4A

1. Download and unpack Platform-tools (adb/fastboot). 
2. Boot your device in fastboot mode (turn off your device, then press and hold "Power" and "Volume Down" buttons, after short vibration signal release the "Power" button and wait until fastboot logo appears).
3. Now connect your device to PC via USB-cable.
4. In the folder with ADB Tools, hold "Shift" button and right mouse click, select "Open command window here".
5. In the opened terminal windows, type these commands:

   fastboot devices
   fastboot oem device-info

6. "Device unlocked: true" message means that you've unlocked bootloader. "Device unlocked: false" means that bootloader is locked.

Ok, now you've checked bootloader status. Continue to this guide only if you're pretty sure about what you're doing. And remember that you're doing everything at your own risk.

How to flash Global ROM on locked Redmi 4A

Here's two ways on how to flash locked Redmi 4A device. Please read carefully and pay attention to the details.

First method:

1. Download and install Chinese MiSuite: http://zhushou.xiaomi.com/
2. Boot your device in recovery mode. To enter recovery mode: Turn off your device, then press and hold "Volume Up" + "Power" buttons. After Mi logo appeared, release the "Power" button and keep holding "Volume Up". In the menu press "Recovery" button.
3. Open MiSuite and connect Redmi 4A to PC or laptop. A menu with 4 buttonsshould appear. Press the second button from the top.
4. Select the .zip file with China Developer ROM. No need to unpack .zip file. Press "Open".
5. On your phone you should see some kind of progress bar, and in MiSuite you most probably will see an error message. Don't worry and don't press anything. Wait until installation on your phone is completed.
6. Your device will reboot. Currently we have installed some kind of Frankenstein ROM version.
7. Make full wipe with data formatting.
8. After full wipe and passing the welcome screen, reboot your device in recovery mode again (watch step 2).
9. Now repeat the step 4, but instead of China Developer ROM, we will flash Global ROM .zip file.
10. Watch the progress bar on your phone. Do not pay attention to the progress bar on your PC.
11. On the first reboot you'll see some errors. Press "Cancel" and make factory reset.
12. Congratulations! You've successfully flashed Global ROM on your device with locked bootloader.

Second method:

1. Download and install Chinese MiSuite: http://zhushou.xiaomi.com/
2. Boot your device in recovery mode. To enter recovery mode: Turn off your device, then press and hold "Volume Up" + "Power" buttons. After Mi logo appeared, release the "Power" button and keep holding "Volume Up". In the menu press "Recovery" button.
3. Open MiSuite and connect Redmi 4A to PC or laptop. A menu with 3 buttonsshould appear. Press the first button from the top.
4. Now we select Global ROM .zip file.
5. After short loading press the top button again.
6. Progress bar on your device should appear. Ignore errors in Mi Suite and wait until installation is completed.
7. On the first reboot you'll see some errors. Press "Cancel" and make factory reset.
8. Congratulations! You've successfully flashed Global ROM!