How to fully format Xiaomi Redmi 4X: 3 proven ways + tips for recovery

Resetting Xiaomi Redmi 4X to factory settings is a procedure that can be necessary in a variety of situations, from preparing the phone for sale to fixing critical system failures. However, improper formatting can lead to data loss, building up the device or even problems with the Mi Account account. This article will help you understand which reset method to choose in your case, how to avoid typical errors and what to do if the phone refuses to turn on after formatting.

The Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) was released in 2017, but is still popular due to its reliability and custom firmware installation, but its age imposes certain limitations: for example, the outdated version of MIUI may not support modern methods of resetting through Find My Device, and unlocking the bootloader now requires a wait of up to 720 hours, and we took all these nuances into account and collected current formatting methods that work in 2026.

Before you start, answer the key question: why do you need to reset?

• 🔄 Phone slows or glips → Enough resetting through settings.
• 📦 Prepare the device for sale → You need a full reset with the deletion of your Mi Account.
• 🔧 Install custom firmware → It will require formatting through TWRP or Fastboot.
• 🚨 Phone's off. → Only methods through Recovery or PC.

Preparation for formatting: what must be done before the dump

Even if your Redmi 4X is crashing, take your time to reset your settings right away.A few simple steps will help you avoid losing important data and issues with your Xiaomi account.

First, back up. Redmi 4X has a built-in tool for this.

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Local Backup and tick the necessary data (contacts, messages, applications).
3. Click Create Backup and wait until it is completed (may take 10–30 minutes).

The copy will be saved in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder on internal memory. If the phone is not turned on, remove the memory card (if installed) - it may contain photos and documents.

Second, check your Mi Account binding, and after resetting, your phone may need to enter your login and password, even if you don't remember them, to avoid being blocked:

Create a backup copy through MIUI|Check the password from Mi Account|Extract SIM memory card|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Disable Google Account (if any)-->

Third, charge your phone at least 50%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can damage system files and "brick" the device. If the Redmi 4X does not turn on, plug it into charging for 15-20 minutes before trying formatting via Recovery.

⚠️ Note: If you have installed custom Recovery (for example, TWRP), standard resetting through settings may not work, in which case use methods to firmware through Fastboot or ADB.

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest)

This is a method that works if the phone turns on and you can log in, and it saves files on the memory card, but deletes all the apps, settings, and user data.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Select Reset (in some versions of MIUI - Reset and Reset).
4. Click Delete all data and confirm the action.
5. Enter the password from your Mi Account (if required).
6. Wait until the process is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the phone will reboot and prompt you to set it up as new. If you see a request for a Mi Account password on the screen but you don't remember it, use the unlock instruction.

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If the phone hangs on the Redmi logo for a long time after reset, try pressing the power button for 10-15 seconds to force a reboot.

This method is not suitable if:

• 🔐 The phone is locked with a pattern lock or PIN-code.
• 🤖 The device only loads in Fastboot or Recovery.
• 📱 The phone has a custom firmware without MIUI Recovery.

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

If Redmi 4X doesn’t load beyond the logo or reboots cyclically, use Recovery mode, which deletes all data, including files on internal memory, but does not affect the microSD card.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 5-7 seconds.
3. Release the buttons when the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear on the screen.

In the Recovery menu, the volume buttons (Up/Down for navigation, Power for selection) are controlled.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in newer versions).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 5 minutes).
4. Select Reboot → Reboot to System to reboot.

If the phone requires a Mi Account password after reset, but you don't remember it, you'll have to use the Mi Unlock Tool (see FAQ). In some cases, rolling back to an older version of MIUI via Fastboot helps, but this requires an unlocked bootloader.

⚠️ Note: If the Recovery menu does not include Wipe Data, you have custom Recovery installed (for example, TWRP). In this case, select the Wipe. → Format Data, enter Yes and confirm the action.

Method 3: Full formatting via Fastboot (for experienced)

This method is used if:

• 🔧 We need to install custom firmware.
• 📱 The phone does not boot into the system or in Recovery.
• 🔒 Requires to unlock the loader.

You will need a computer with installed drivers. ADB/Fastboot Mi Flash Tool and the Mi Flash Tool.

Step 1: Install drivers and tools:

• 🖥️ Download the Mi Flash Tool and unpack the archive.
• 🔌 Install the drivers. ADB (You can use Android Studio or Universal Package).
• 📁 Download the official firmware for Redmi 4X (Choose the Fastboot version instead of Recovery).

Step 2: Unlock the bootloader (if not unlocked):

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on the version, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line: adb reboot bootloader
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your Xiaomi account and follow the instructions.
4. Wait. SMS Confirmation (may take up to 720 hours!).

Step 3. Swipe your phone through Fastboot:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without spaces (for example, C:\santoni_fastboot).
2. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
3. Connect the phone to the PC, holding Volume Down + Power (Fastboot screen should appear).
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh – the program must identify the device.
5. Select Clean All mode (full formatting) and press Flash.
6. Wait for the end (10-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Note: If after firmware through Fastboot the phone does not turn on or stuck on the logo, try to flash again with the choice of Clean All and Lock mode. If this does not help - perhaps damaged memory (EMMC), will require repair.

5. Data recovery after formatting

If you have not made a backup, the chances of returning the data depend on which reset method was used:

• 📱 Reset via Settings: You can try recovering files using DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver (works only for a memory card).
• 🔧 Formatting through Recovery/Fastboot: data on internal memory is permanently deleted (low-level formatting is used).

To recover photos and documents from the microSD card:

1. Remove the card and connect it to the PC through the card reader.
2. Use programs like Recuva or PhotoRec (free).
3. Select Deep Scan, which will increase the chances of finding deleted files.

If you need to restore messages, contacts or notes, check:

• 🌐 Google Account: If sync is enabled, data can be returned via Google Contacts.
• 📧 Mi Cloud: Go to i.mi.com and check backups.
• 📲 Local copy MIUI: If you have been doing backup through Settings → Backup, the file will be in the folder MIUI/backup.

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If the phone does not see after the reset SIM-map, check network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Setting up APN. Often helps manually enter operator parameters.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes have problems formatting Redmi 4X, and here are the most common errors and solutions:

Error 1: Phone asks for password from Mi Account after reset

• 🔑 If you remember the password, enter it and unlock the device.
• 📧 If you forgot, restore access via account.xiaomi.com.
• 🛠️ If your account is not yours (the phone is purchased by a used one), you will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Error 2: Phone does not turn on after formatting

• 🔋 Check the battery charge (plug in to charge for 30 minutes).
• 🔄 Try to clamping the power. + Volume up for 15 seconds.
• 📡 If the screen is black, but the phone vibrates, it may have crashed.

Error 3: Cannot log in to Recovery

• 🔌 Connect your phone to charge and try again.
• 🖥️ If only Fastboot works, use the command: fastboot reboot recovery.
• 🔧 If it is established TWRP, But it doesn't start - run stock Recovery through Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img fastboot reboot recovery

Mistake 4: Mi Flash Tool can't see your phone

• 🖥️ Install Fastboot drivers manually through XDA Developers.
• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone in Fastboot again (click Loudness down) + Nutrition).

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If the phone is even slower after reset, there may be a problem with worn-out memory (EMMC).Check the health of the drive using the AIDA64 app (Storehouse → Health status section).

7.Alternative methods: when standard methods do not work

If none of the methods described have helped, try these options:

Method 1: Reset via ADB (if debugging is enabled)

If the phone was enabled debugging over USB, you can reset the settings through the command:

adb shell


recovery --wipe_data

Or (for new versions of MIUI):

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MASTER_CLEAR

Method 2: Firmware through EDL (Emergency mode)

If the phone doesn't respond to any button combinations, you'll need to use the EDL (Emergency Download Mode) firmware to do this:

• 🖥️ Mi Flash Pro or QFilm.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware in.mbn format for Redmi 4X.
• 🔧 Auth files for unlocking EDL.

The process is complicated and risky, and if you make a mistake, the phone can turn into a brick.

Method 3: Using TestPoint

If the bootloader is locked and the unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool is not working, you can use TestPoint, the special contacts on the board that transfer the phone to EDL. For the Redmi 4X TestPoint is next to the headphone jack.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Connect. USB-cable to PC (but not to phone!).
3. Close TestPoint with tweezers or a needle.
4. Connect the cable to the phone (holding the circuit).
5. Release TestPoint – the phone must be determined in EDL.

⚠️ Note: Working with TestPoint and EDL It takes experience. It can hurt the fees. If you're not sure, see a specialist.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions