Mobile devices accumulate software debris over time, which inevitably leads to performance declines and system errors. If your Redmi 4X starts running slowly, freezes or refuses to run familiar applications, the only effective solution is often a complete memory cleanup. The formatting process returns the gadget to its original state, removing all user data and settings.
In this article, we will discuss how to safely reset your Xiaomi smartphone to avoid losing important files and potential problems with the operating system boot. There are various methods of returning to factory settings, each of which has its own characteristics and scope depending on the current state of the device.
Before you start any manipulation of the software part of the smartphone, you need to clearly understand the risks and consequences. Mistakes can lead to account locking or loss of access to personal data, so carefully follow each step of the instructions. We will consider both standard methods through the menu, and deeper methods of cleaning through the engineering menu.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
The first and most critical step is to back up all the important data, because formatting will permanently destroy the information in your internal memory. You need to copy contacts, photos, videos and documents to an external drive or to Google Drive cloud storage, and ignoring this step will lead to the loss of all personal information, which will be almost impossible to recover later.
Be sure to check the battery charge level, which must be at least 50-60% to successfully complete the procedure. During the formatting process, the system performs many background recording and deleting operations, which require a stable power supply.
⚠️ Note: If the phone is discharged and turned off during data erasure, this can damage the system partitions and the inability to further load the device.
Also, be sure to unplug your Google account and Mi Account if you plan to sell the device or transfer it to another user, which is necessary to bypass FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which locks the phone after a reset, requiring the previous owner to enter the password.
☑️ Checklist before formatting
Resetting settings through the smartphone menu
The safest and most recommended way to return to factory settings is through the standard Android settings menu, which is suitable for cases when the phone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you have access to the desktop. First, open the Settings app and find the Advanced Settings or About Phone section where the desired feature is hidden.
Next, select Reset and click on the “Erase All Data” button, and the system will alert you that all files will be deleted and request confirmation of action, possibly requiring you to enter a graphical key or a digital unlock pin.
Once confirmed, an automatic cleaning process will begin, which can take 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of memory filled, at which time the MIUI logo or robot animation can be displayed on the screen, and interrupting this process is strongly discouraged.
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If you have a microSD card installed, it is better to remove it physically before resetting, so as not to accidentally format external media, if the appropriate item is selected in the menu.
Using Recovery Mode for Formatting
If the operating system does not boot or the touch screen has stopped responding to commands, the only option is to use a special Recovery Mode mode. To enter this mode, you need to completely turn off the smartphone, and then press the volume button and the power button simultaneously. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power, continuing to keep the volume.
In the Recovery menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up and down), and the choice is confirmed by a short press of the power button. You need to select a language (usually English or Chinese), then find the Wipe Data item and confirm the action by choosing Wipe All Data.
This method is more aggressive because it clears partitions regardless of operating system status, and is especially useful in removing forgotten screen lock passwords or fixing errors that prevent Android from loading normally.
⚠️ Note: In Recovery mode, the touch screen does not work, so control is possible only with mechanical volume and on buttons.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
Deletion of accounts and protection of FRP
One of the most important security measures in modern Xiaomi smartphones is to link the device to accounts. Before formatting, it is strongly recommended to log out of all accounts to activate the mechanism of protection against theft. If you do not do this, the new owner or you yourself after the reset will face a requirement to enter a password from an account that was synced earlier.
To disable the protection, go to the settings, look for Accounts and Sync or Mi Account. Select your profile and click on the Log Out or Delete Account button. The system will request a password to confirm, after which the connection between the device and the server will be severed.
The same procedure is done for a Google account: Go to settings, select Accounts, click on your email address, and select Delete Account, which ensures that after a reset, the phone does not request that account information when you first set up.
| Type of account | The way is on the menu | The risk of blocking | Password requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Account | Settings → Mi Account | High (locking device) | I'll be sure. |
| Settings → Accounts | Medium (FRP lock) | I'll be sure. | |
| Annexes (VK, FB) | Application settings | Low (only entry to the application) | Preferably. |
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Deleting accounts before resetting is the only way to ensure that the new owner does not have any problems activating the device.
Solving problems after formatting
After the cleaning process is completed and the first boot is completed, the user may find himself in a situation where the phone is in the initial setup stage for a long time. MIUI, It's a system that optimizes applications and checks system files. You shouldn't panic or try to reboot your device in the first place. 10-15 minute.
In some cases, there may be increased battery consumption and body heat in the first hours of use, because background services index files and recover data from the backup, and give the smartphone time to stabilize without loading it with heavy games or tasks.
If the device gets into a cyclic bootloop immediately after reset, it may indicate damage to system files or hardware failure, in which case you may need to flash the phone through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
Frequent Questions and Answers (FAQ)
In this section, we’ve collected answers to the most common questions that Redmi 4X owners have when trying to format, and if you haven’t found an answer to your question, maybe your situation needs to be addressed individually by a specialist.