Xiaomi Redmi 4X, released in 2017, has proven to be a reliable device with a metal body and excellent autonomy. However, time takes its toll, and over time, the MIUI operating system may start to work unstable, requiring a complete reinstallation. This may be due to the accumulation of system debris, virus attacks or the desire of the user to switch to a more recent version of Android.
The process of reinstalling the system on this device does not require a deep knowledge of programming, but requires strict adherence to the sequence of actions. In this article, we will examine all available methods, from simple resetting through the settings menu to forced flashing through Recovery Mode. You will learn how to prepare the gadget for the procedure and avoid common errors that can turn the phone into a “brick”.
Before you take action, you need to be aware of the risks. Any software tampering with the potential for data loss. Backup is not just a recommendation, it’s a must-have that will save your photos, contacts and correspondence. We’ll look at backup tools and how they can be used in the Xiaomi ecosystem.
Device preparation and data backup
The reinstallation process involves completely removing all user information from the internal drive. If you just want to speed up your phone, this step is critical. Make sure that the battery is at least 60%, as a sudden power outage while writing system files can lead to permanent damage to the logic of the board.
To save data owners Redmi 4X They can use Mi Cloud or local copying to a computer, and local copying is preferable if you have slow Internet or a lot of photos and videos. Connect your smartphone to your PC using the original computer. USB-cable and copy important folders manually or use the Mi program PC Suite.
⚠️ Note: Before starting the procedure, be sure to remove SIM-MicroSD card and memory card: Working with firmware when a memory card is installed can lead to random formatting of an external drive or file system conflict.
Don't forget to check the Mi Account binding. If Find Device is active, the system will require you to enter a password after reset. A forgotten password can render the phone useless. Disable this feature in the security settings or make sure you remember the login details.
Reset method through MIUI (Soft Reset) settings
The easiest and safest way to get your phone back to factory status is to use a built-in menu, which is a good way to do this if the device turns on, the screen responds to touch, and you can get into the main menu, and it doesn't require you to connect to your computer or have any special firmware files.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to Advanced Settings. Depending on the version of MIUI, the interface may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the recovery and reset section.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 📱 Go to the Settings menu → Advanced settings → Recovery and discharge.
- 🗑️ Select the “Resettings” option at the bottom of the screen.
- ✅ Click the “Reset Settings” button and confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or password.
- ⏳ Expect the process to be completed, which will take 5 to 15 minutes.
Once you reboot, the phone will appear in front of you as it left the factory, all applications will be removed and settings reset, which is effective at fixing software failures, but it won't help if the system is so damaged that it doesn't boot.
☑️ Pre-reset check
Reset via Recovery (Hard Reset)
If the phone is stuck on the logo, doesn't respond to touch, or reboots cyclically, it will require Recovery Mode, a diagnostic interface that is stitched into the device's memory regardless of the main operating system, and is logged in by a combination of physical buttons.
To get into the recovery menu on Redmi 4X, turn the device off completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, while continuing to hold the volume. The menu should appear on the screen with an orange or gray background.
Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data or Clear Data. After choosing, confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The system will warn you about the loss of information again.
| Action. | Navigation button | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Moving on the menu | Volume Up/down | Selection of the right item |
| Confirmation of choice | Power (Power) | Transition to the submenu or start the process |
| Cancellation | Back (if any) / Reload | Unchanged exit |
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working. All actions are performed exclusively with mechanical buttons. Don't try to poke at the screen, this will not lead to anything.
Once the data cleanup is completed, the phone will automatically restart, and the first run can last up to 10 minutes longer than usual, which is normal, as the system recreates the file structure and configures the basic services.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
Reinstallation of the system via Fastboot and computer
For deeper reinstallation, for example, when changing the regional version of the firmware (from Chinese to global) or in case of serious errors of the bootloader, the Fastboot mode is used. This method requires a Windows computer and a downloaded firmware file with the extension.zip or.tgz.
The firmware file must be downloaded from the official MIUI bootloader website, making sure it is for the Redmi 4X model (codename santoni). Using firmware from another model is guaranteed to bring the device down. Unpack the firmware archive in the root of the C disk so that the path to the files is short and does not contain Cyrillic.
Then you need to put the phone in Fastboot mode. To do this, plug the phone off to your computer by pressing the volume button. The screen will show an image of a rabbit repairing an android and the inscription FASTBOOT. After that, you can run the Mi Flash Tool utility.
- 💻 Start the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
- 📂 Click the “Select” button and point the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware.
- 🔌 Click Refresh to allow the program to detect the connected device.
- 🚀 Select firmware mode (Clean All is recommended) and click Flash».
The recording process will take 200 to 600 seconds, during which time it is strictly forbidden to turn off the USB cable. Upon completion, the phone will automatically restart. If you choose Clear All mode, all data will be irretrievably deleted, and the phone will start as new.
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Use the original. USB-cable USB 2.0, located directly on the computer motherboard (back of the system unit). USB-Hubs can give unstable power, which will lead to an error when firmware.
Common mistakes and ways to solve them
In the reinstallation process, users often encounter errors, one of the most common is the “Phone connection error” in Mi Flash, which indicates a driver problem, which is solved by installing official Qualcomm or ADB drivers and reconnecting the cable.
Another problem is the MD5 check failed, which means that the firmware file is corrupted when downloaded or does not match the device model, so you can download the firmware again, preferably from another source, and double-check the code name of the processor.
Sometimes, after reinstalling, the phone can go into an endless bootloop, most of which is solved by re-executing the procedure with a choice of Clear All + Lock mode (if you use official firmware), and if you installed custom software, you may need to unlock the bootloader.
⚠️ Note: If the phone says "Device is locked" after the firmware is installed and does not boot, you have installed the firmware for another region on the blocked bootloader.
Don't ignore error messages. If the program says that the process is complete but the phone is not turning on, try pressing the power button for 15-20 seconds to force a reboot. In rare cases, it requires "revival" through the EDL service mode, which requires opening the case and closing the contacts on the board.
Primary configuration after reinstallation
After a successful reinstallation, Xiaomi Redmi 4X welcomes you with a language selection screen. Don't rush to connect to Wi-Fi if you want to avoid activating a Google or Mi Account that you forgot about (although it's difficult to get around on new versions of Android).
The system will offer to restore data from the backup. If you backup through Mi Cloud, just log in to your account, and contacts, notes and Wi-Fi settings will return automatically.
An important step is to update system components. Once you first enable, go to the settings and check for updates. Often, out of the box, the device has an older version of MIUI containing security vulnerabilities that have been closed in more recent patches.
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After a complete reset, the system works faster, as the cache and remnants of remote applications are deleted. The first 20-30 minutes the phone can run slower, file indexing and database optimization are carried out.
Now your Redmi 4X is back to active use, a clean system that keeps the interface running smoothly and the connection stable, and backups important data regularly so you can repeat this procedure if necessary without losing valuable information.