How to format Xiaomi Redmi 4X: 3 proven ways to reset to factory settings

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, still in use by millions of users. Over time, any gadget begins to “brake”, glitch or simply require a complete clean before selling. Formatting solves the majority of problems, but if approached incorrectly can turn the phone into a “brick.” In this article, three official reset methods, nuances for different versions of MIUI, and ways to restore data if something goes wrong.

It’s important to understand that formatting erases all user information — photos, contacts, messages and installed applications — while leaving system files (firmware, kernel) intact. If the goal is to fix software failures, first try a less radical measure: cleaning the cache or updating MIUI. If the phone is locked after a failed firmware or forgotten pattern lock, resetting via Recovery or Fastboot will be the only solution.

Preparing for Formatting: What to Do Before Resetting

Even if you’re sure that your phone doesn’t have important data, neglecting preparation can backfire, for example, after a Redmi 4X reset may require you to enter a Mi Account that was previously tied — and if you don’t remember it, the phone will remain locked.

Here is the checklist of mandatory actions:

Backup data via Mi Cloud or locally on PC|Make sure your phone is at least 50 times charged%|Remember the username/password from Mi Account (if tied)|Get out. SIM-card and memory card if not necessary)|Check the version. MIUI In Settings → The phone.-->

Pay special attention to backup. Redmi 4X has a built-in archiving feature:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Local Backup and tick the necessary data (contacts, SMS, applications).
3. Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is locked with a pattern lock, USB-The debugging is not enabled, you can't back up your PC, and you just have to reset with the loss of data.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest method)

This is a method that works if the phone turns on and responds to touch, and you remember the unlock password, and it's the simplest and doesn't require any additional tools.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Select Settings Reset.
4. Click Delete all data and confirm the action.
5. Enter your password (if required) and wait for the reboot.

It takes 3-5 minutes. After you reboot, you'll see the initial setup screen, like after you buy it. If your phone asks you to enter your Mi Account, use the account you linked to before you reset.

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If the phone doesn’t turn on after reset for more than 10 minutes, remove the battery for 30 seconds (if removable) or hold the power button for 15-20 seconds for a forced reboot.

Method 2: Formatting with Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If the Redmi 4X is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or does not respond to the screen, resetting through Recovery will help. This mode is sewn into the firmware and works even in case of serious system failures.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see a menu in English or Chinese.

Further action:

• 📱 Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
• 🔍 Select Wipe Data (or in Chinese version).
• 🔄 Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data (or similar item).
• ✅ After completion, select Reboot to restart.

⚠️ Note: In some versions of Redmi 4X (Especially with custom firmware, the Recovery menu may be missing or require a password. If an E:unknown command error appears after selecting Wipe Data, try the Fastboot method.

Method 3: Complete Fastboot reset (for power users)

This method requires a computer and installed Xiaomi drivers, and is suitable for cases where:

• 🔒 The phone is locked and does not respond to touch.
• 🔄 Recovery is not available or working.
• 📱 You need to reflash the device after a failed update.

The work will require:

• 💻 Windows computer (or Mac/Linux fixed ADB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Archive with official firmware for Redmi 4X (santoni).
• 🛠 MiFlash tool (download from the official forum).

Step-by-step:

1. Install Xiaomi drivers and unpack the archive with firmware into a folder without Cyrillic.
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start MiFlash.
4. In the program, click Select and specify the path to the folder with the firmware.
5. Press Refresh – your Redmi 4X should appear in the list of devices.
6. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
7. Wait until it is finished (green tick in MiFlash) and turn off the phone.

⚠️ Note: If an anti-rollback error appears during the Fastboot firmware process, it means you are trying to install an older version. MIUI, In this case, find a firmware with the same or a newer build date.

Frequent Formatting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even following the instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

1.The phone after the reset requires a Mi Account, but you don't remember it.

This is Xiaomi's protection against theft. If your account was tied before the reset and you forgot your password:

• 🔑 Try to restore access through the official website (you will need an email or phone number).
• 📧 If recovery is not possible, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box).
• 🔧 In extreme cases, the firmware through Fastboot will help with disabling the account verification (requires an unlocked bootloader).

2.After reset, the phone does not turn on or hovers on the logo.

Reasons:

• 🔋 Battery is drained during the process (always charge your phone before resetting!).
• 📱 The firmware is damaged (will help flashing through Fastboot).
• 🛠 Memory malfunction (requires diagnosis in the service).

3. There is no Wipe Data item in Recovery.

It happens on custom firmware or if Recovery is damaged.

• 🔄 Try logging into Fastboot and flashing official Recovery via MiFlash.
• 📲 Use alternative button combinations (e.g. Volume up) + downward + Nutrition).

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If the phone is unstable after reset (lagging, overheating), reset again or run a newer version of MIUI. Often problems are caused by conflicts between the remnants of the old data and the new system.

How to Recover Data After Formatting

If there was no backup, the chances of returning the data depend on what type of reset you performed:

1. Reset via the settings menu.

In this case, the data is deleted software and can be tried to recover using specialized utilities such as:

• 💾 DiskDigger (for photos and documents).
• 📱 Dr.Fone (for contact and communication).
• 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver (Universal Tool).

Important: Do not write new data to your phone after a reset – this reduces the chances of recovery.

2. Reset via Recovery or Fastboot.

These methods perform low-level formatting, and data recovery is almost impossible, except if you backed up through Mi Cloud or TWRP.

To avoid future losses:

• ☁️ Set up automatic sync with Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud).
• 💾 Create local backups regularly (once a month).
• 📁 Store important files on a memory card or cloud services (Google Drive, Yandex Disk).

When Formatting Doesn't Help: Hardware Problems

If after resetting problems remain (phone warms, turns off, does not see) SIM-This could be a hardware malfunction:

If you suspect a hardware malfunction, don't try to stitch your phone back in again, which could make the problem worse.

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Before visiting the service, make a video demonstrating the problem, which will help the wizard to quickly determine the cause and avoid unnecessary costs for diagnosis.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions