The situation when the owner of Xiaomi Redmi 4X Forgetting a pattern lock or digital key PIN-The smartphone, which turns into a “brick” due to the inability to log in, causes panic, but modern methods of access restoration allow even the inexperienced user to solve the problem. It is important to understand that the choice of a particular method depends on whether the Mi or Google account was linked, as well as the firmware version installed on the device.
In this article, we will take a look at all the possible ways to unblock, from regular recovery tools to forced resetting through the engineering menu. You will learn how to act if the device does not respond to touch, and what are the risks of losing personal information when using radical methods. Careful follow the instructions will help bring the gadget back to life with minimal losses.
Before you start to act, you need to assess the current state of the device. If the screen responds but just doesn't accept the combinations entered, the range of solutions is wider than if you completely lock the interface. In some cases, the problem can be solved remotely, which will keep your photos and contacts intact.
Recovery methods through accounts
The first and most gentle way to try if your device is connected to the Internet is to use the account recovery function. The most common way Redmi 4X uses is the Mi Account and Google Account bundle. If you have entered the wrong password several times, the lock screen may show the words "Forgot your password?" or "Forgot your graphical key."
To successfully unlock through Mi Account, you need your smartphone to be pre-synchronized with the Xiaomi cloud and have an active network connection. The system will require you to enter your account login and password. This is a mechanism for protecting against theft, so you can not log in without the correct data. If you remember the data, but forgot it, you better restore from another device through the browser.
⚠️ Warning: If the device has Find Device enabled, the smartphone will still require a password from the account it was linked to after resetting, which is protection against theft that can’t be avoided by simple formatting.
Alternatively, Google Account is used. On older versions of Android, which can be on Redmi 4X by default, after 5-10 failed key attempts, you can log in via Gmail. You will need to enter the email address and password that were used when you first set up the phone. This method only works if the gadget has access to Wi-Fi or mobile Internet.
What to do if the account is not accepted?
Resetting with Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
If standard methods fail or the device is not connected to the network, the only way out is to force the reset to factory settings.This process, known as Hard Reset, completely cleans the internal memory of the smartphone, removing all user data, including photos, contacts and applications, but with them disappears the forgotten password. To enter the recovery mode on Redmi 4X, a combination of physical buttons is used.
The Recovery Mode login procedure requires precision and a sequence of actions. First, turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears on the screen, then the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume button. In a few seconds, the main recovery menu opens.
☑️ Algorithm of actions in Recovery
The recovery mode interface on Xiaomi is usually presented as a touch-enabled menu, although volume button navigation is also saved. You need to select a language (usually English or Chinese), then go to Wipe & Reset or Wipe Data. Then confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The system will warn you that the process is irreversible, after which the formatting will begin.
⚠️ Warning: During the reset, the phone may reboot several times. Do not interrupt the process or try to turn off the device until the welcome language selection window appears on the screen.
Once the procedure is complete, the smartphone will restart as normal, the first run will take longer than usual, as the system will recreate the file structure, you will be asked to go through the initial setup, as when you bought a new device, if you previously had account protection enabled, you will need to enter your login and password.
Use of Find Device from Xiaomi
Xiaomi smartphone owners have access to a powerful cloud service that allows you to control your device remotely. Find Device not only shows the location of the gadget on the map, but also allows you to perform remote data cleanup. This is ideal for those who have forgotten the password, but previously activated this option in the settings of the Mi cloud.
To use this method, you will need a computer or other smartphone with Internet access. Go to the official i.mi.com website and log in to the same Mi Account that is used on the blocked Redmi 4X. In the service interface, select your device from the list of available ones.
| Function | Description of action | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Sound. | Includes maximum signal volume | Internet on the phone |
| Lockdown | Set a new screen password | Active Mi Account |
| Cleanup | Complete data reset (Wipe) | Internet and synchronization |
| Disappearance regime | Blocks the device with a message | Active geolocation |
Select the "Erase device" option, the system will give a warning that all data will be deleted, confirm the action, the smartphone, having received a command over the network, automatically restarts and begins the reset process, this method is convenient in that it does not require physical access to the buttons of the device at the time of the operation.
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Remote reset via i.mi.com only works if the locked phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
Unlocking via computer and ADB (for advanced)
A more complex, but sometimes the only possible method for experienced users is to use debugging. USB tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method is only effective if you have managed to turn on the Debugging by Debugging mode before locking the screen. USB» You've got the developer menu and you've authorized the computer, and if that option is disabled, it won't work.
You'll need to install drivers for Xiaomi Redmi 4X and Platform Tools package on your PC. Connect your phone with a cable to your computer. Open the Command Prompt (CMD) in the ADB folder and type in the command to check the connection: adb devices. If the device appears in the list, you can proceed to delete the lock files.
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.dbExecuting these commands will delete files that store information about the pattern lock and PIN-Then you can restart the device with the adb reboot command. When you turn on, the screen may remain locked, but any code you type or finger movement will open the phone. This method works on many versions of Android, but on new firmware. MIUI Access to system files may be restricted.
Firmware of the device via Fastboot
If software failures do not allow you to enter Recovery mode or standard reset does not help, there is “heavy artillery” – flashing through Fastboot mode. Redmi 4X is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, which allows you to use official Xiaomi tools for recovery. This method is guaranteed to remove any software locks, but requires the original cable and PC.
To start, you need to download the official firmware for your model (it is important to accurately determine this global version or Chinese, denoted by the letters in the title: Global - MIUI Global, China - MIUI China). The firmware file should be in.tgz format and unpacked in the root of the C disk. Mi Flash Tool will also be required.
Put your phone in Fastboot mode: turn off the device, then press the volume down button and the power button. The screen will show an image of a rabbit repairing an android labeled FASTBOOT. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the path to the firmware folder, and press the "Flash" button. The process will take a few minutes, after which the phone will automatically reboot with a clean system.
⚠️ Note: When you run through Fastboot, select the option “Clean All” and the option “Clean All and Lock” can block the bootloader, which in case of firmware errors will turn the phone into a “brick”, requiring paid unlock through the service.
Using this method completely erases the userdata partition, so recovering personal files without prior backup is impossible. However, for Redmi 4X it is often the only way to revive the device after unsuccessful experiments with root rights or custom recovery installation.
Prevention and backup
To prevent the situation with the forgotten password from catching you off guard in the future, it is recommended to set up automatic backup in advance. MIUI There is a built-in tool "Backup", which allows you to save data on the SD-Regular backup creation ensures that even with a full reset, you will only lose data accumulated since the last copy.
It's also worth writing down your credentials in a safe place, storing passwords from Mi Account and Google in a paper notebook, or using a password manager that you can access from other devices, and remembering complex combinations with the human brain is an unreliable method of protection in the long run.
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Save screenshots of important settings or passwords in the cloud storage (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk), which is accessed from your computer, so that in case of locking the phone you can quickly restore data.
Check your contacts and photos sync status regularly. Go to your Google or Mi Cloud account settings and make sure the sync sliders are active. It takes a couple of minutes, but it saves hundreds of important phone numbers at a critical moment. Modern smartphones allow you to restore your contact list simply by entering your login after you reset.