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

Xiaomi Redmi 4A is one of the brand's most popular budget smartphones, released in 2016 but still in active use.Over time, any gadget starts to brake, give out errors or simply requires a "clean start" before selling.Reset to factory settings (Hard majority Reset) solves software problems, but it's important to do it correctly so as not to lose important data or lock the device.

In this article you will find three working methods of resetting (via settings, Recovery Mode and Mi Account), detailed instructions with the photo, as well as answers to frequent questions: what to do if the phone does not turn on after reset, how to bypass the protection FRP (If it is activated, and what data can be recovered after the procedure, we will pay special attention to the nuances of Redmi. 4A — Models with Snapdragon 425 processor and version MIUI, Which may be different from Xiaomi’s new devices.

Reset Preparation: What to Do Before Hard Reset

Factory reset removes all user data: photos, contacts, messages, installed apps, and even some system settings. Before you start, follow a few critical steps:

• 📱 Create a backup. Use the built-in Mi Cloud (Settings) → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backups or third-party services like Google Drive. Especially important to save: Contacts (export to.vcf) Photos and videos (transfer to PC or memory card) Messages (applications like.vcf) SMS Backup & Restore)
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%. Recovery resets can take up to 10 to 15 minutes, and if the phone runs out in the process, it will cause permanent damage to the firmware.
• 🔐 Make sure you know the username/password from Mi Account. Once reset, the phone may require you to enter an account associated with the device (protection) FRP).

If you are dropping the Redmi 4A due to freezes or errors, try the less radical methods first.

• ⚡ Clear the application cache (Settings) → Annexes → Select an application → Clear the cache).
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary files through Cleanup (MIUI It has a built-in tool in Settings → Memory).
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi is 4A If you bought it from hand and were tied to someone else's Mi Account, a reset without detachment of the account will lead to the locking of the device, in which case you will need official unlocking through Xiaomi (the procedure is paid and takes up to 7 days).

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

This is the method that works if the phone turns on, and you can go into the settings, and it's the simplest and minimizes the risk of errors.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select Additional (or Advanced Settings, depending on the version of MIUI).
3. Go to Reset and Reset (in some firmware – Reset settings).
4. Slip on Resetting (or Delete all data).
5. The system will ask you to enter a pattern lock/PIN-code, if it is installed.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings (or a similar button).

The phone will reboot and start the reset process, which will take 3-5 minutes, and then you will see the screen of the initial setup, as after the purchase.

Make sure your phone is over 50% charged

Create a backup copy of important data

Remember the username/password from Mi Account

Disable Google and Xiaomi accounts (if you plan to sell)-->

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4A firmware MIUI 10 and older, after a reset, you may see an error "This device is reset. Log in to Xiaomi." This is normal, just enter the data from the associated Mi Account. If the account is not yours, see the section on the bypass FRP.

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

If Redmi 4A is stuck on the logo, does not respond to clicks or is locked with a pattern lock, you will have to use Recovery Mode, which works even in severe system failures, but requires accurate execution of instructions.

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power Button + Volume Up button at the same time and hold them for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when you see the Recovery menu (black screen with blue text in English or Chinese).
4. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selection. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data).
5. Confirm the action by selecting Yes (or Confirm).
6. Once completed, go back to the main menu and select Reboot.

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items:

• 3rd item on top is Wipe Data (data cleanup).
• The last item is Reboot (Reboot).

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If the phone doesn't turn on for more than 10 minutes after resetting via Recovery, remove the battery (if possible) for 30 seconds or plug it into charging for 1 hour.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Account (remote)

This method is useful if you lost your phone or it is locked, but you have access to your Mi Account, which is available via i.mi.com, but only works if you meet three conditions:

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (mobile data or Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Find the device is activated in the settings (Settings) → Mi Account → Find the device).
• 🔒 Remember the username and password from the Mi Account tied to Redmi 4A.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, select your Redmi 4A.
3. Press Find the device. → Erase the data.
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from Mi Account.

It can take up to 30 minutes. Once complete, the phone will restart and be ready to set up.

• Phone's off or discharged.
• The Find Device function is disabled.
• Redmi 4A is not connected to the network.

What to do after a reset: initial setup and data recovery

After a successful reset, Redmi 4A will turn on in initial setup mode. Follow the instructions on the screen, but pay attention to a few key points:

1. Language selection: Make sure you choose the right language (Chinese may be the default language).
2. Wi-Fi connection: It is strongly recommended to connect to the network at this stage to: Automatically update the firmware (if a new version is available), recover data from Mi Cloud or Google Account.
3. Log in: If the phone asks for Mi Account, enter the data from the account that was linked before the reset. If you ask for Google Account, this is FRP protection (see next section).

Data recovery:

• When you connect to Mi Cloud or Google Drive, the system will offer to restore backups.
• Photos and videos can be transferred from a memory card or PC through Explorer.

If your phone is running slower than before, try:

• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🚫 Disable animations and visual effects (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers → Scale of animation (off.)).
• 🗑️ Clear the cache of system applications (Settings) → Annexes → All applications → Select a system → Clear the cache).

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After resetting Redmi 4A, some features such as fingerprint or face unlock may need to be re-activated. These are set up in Settings → Lock and Protection.

Factory Reset Protection (FRP) on Redmi 4A

If you reset your phone, you want to enter the Google Account that you had on it before, you have FRP (Factory Reset Protection) activated, and it appears if you have added a Google account to your device and enabled Find the device. Redmi 4A can bypass it in a number of ways:

Method 1: Entering an old Google account

The easiest way is to enter data from the account that was linked to the phone before the reset. If you don't remember the password, restore it through the Google Recovery page.

Method 2: Using the Mi FRP Bypass (for advanced)

If you don't have an account, you can try out special tools like the Mi FRP Bypass Tool.

1. Download the archive with the tool on a PC (for example, with XDA Developers).
2. Connect Redmi. 4A PC-only USB-cable.
3. Run the script and follow the instructions (it is usually required to enable USB Debugging, but on a locked phone this is not possible – so the method does not always work).

Method 3: Fastboot Flashing

The most reliable, but difficult way is to completely flash your phone through Fastboot mode.

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 4A from en.miui.com.
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool on PC.
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (clip Power + Loudness Down).
4. Connect to the PC and run the device.

⚠️ Warning: Fastboot Flashing deletes all data without recovery and can result in loss IMEI, If you do something wrong, this is a method that's only recommended for advanced users.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the correct instructions, the Redmi 4A may not go as planned, and let’s look at some of the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., damaged eMMC memory), in which case it is recommended to contact the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Redmi 4A