Reset Xiaomi Mi 4X to factory settings: 3 proven ways

The Xiaomi Mi 4X is a popular smartphone with MIUI, but even it can eventually start to slow down, issue bugs or require a complete system reboot. Resetting to factory settings is a radical but effective way to get the device back to its former performance, but not all users know how to do it correctly without losing important data or turning the phone into a brick.

In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods: through phone settings, using hardware buttons and in Fastboot mode. You will also learn how to prepare for the procedure, what errors can occur and how to avoid them. 4X — Locking the bootloader, which can make it difficult to reset via Fastboot without first unlocking.

If your Xiaomi Mi 4X is getting stuck, unresponsive to touch, or simply requires a clean start, this guide will help you reset safely and without unnecessary risks.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the start

Resetting to factory settings removes all the data from the device: photos, contacts, messages, installed applications and even some system settings, so preparation is a critical step.

The first thing you need to do is back up, and MIUI has a built-in tool for that.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup.
• 🔄 Select the items to save (contacts, SMS, applications, system settings).
• ☁️ Upload a copy to Mi Cloud or save it to SD-map.
• 🔐 Make sure you have access to your Mi Account – after resetting, the phone may require login and password to be activated.

If backup via MIUI is not available for some reason, use third-party services:

• 📲 Google Account: syncs contacts, calendar, some settings.
• 💾 Titanium Backup: Requires root: Stores applications and their data.
• 🖥️ Xiaomi PC Suite: the official utility for backup to the computer.

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If the phone doesn’t respond to touch, but turns on, connect it to your computer via USB and copy important files manually through Windows/macOS Explorer.

Also check:

• 🔋 Battery charge – must be at least 50% to avoid being turned off during reset.
• 📡 Stable Wi-Fi connection (if you plan to recover data from the cloud after resetting).
• 🔑 Access to Mi Account tied to your phone (required to unlock after resetting).

Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the easiest one)

If your Xiaomi Mi 4X is turned on and responsive to touch, this method is the fastest and safest. It requires no additional tools and is suitable for most users.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section (usually at the bottom of the list).
3. Select Resetting → Delete all data.
4. If requested PIN-code or pattern lock, enter it.
5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings (usually the red button).

The phone will reboot and start the cleaning process. It can take 5 to 15 minutes -- don't interrupt it! -- when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires entering the username and password from Mi Account, and you do not remember them - restore access in advance on the site account.xiaomi.com. Without this, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the device.

Method 2: Reset through hardware buttons (if the phone is not turned on)

If the Mi 4X is stuck on the logo, does not respond to charging or does not turn on at all, you will have to use Recovery mode, which works even when the firmware is damaged, but requires accurate execution of steps.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (if it is on, press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Hold it together: 🔘 Power button (Power) 🔼 The Volume Up button (Volume Up)

10-15 seconds

Mi

Recovery

In the Recovery menu, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selection.

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm

Reboot

Reboot to System

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

• 📱 The first item is reboot (Reboot).
• 🗑️ Third or fourth item: Reset (Wipe Data).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This is a method that works if the first two things don't work, or you need to completely reflash the phone, USB-cable and basic knowledge of working with ADB/Fastboot.

Important: the Xiaomi Mi 4X bootloader is blocked by default, so before resetting via Fastboot it must be unlocked through the official Mi Unlock tool. Without this, the phone will not accept firmware commands!

Instructions:

1. Download and install: 🖥️ Android SDK Platform-Tools (for fastboot and adb). 🔓 Mi Unlock Tool (to unlock the bootloader).
2. Unlock the bootloader: Launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to your Mi Account. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume Down). Follow the program instructions (it may take 72-720 hours to unlock).

stock-fixing

Mi 4X

Xiaomi Firmware Updater

fastboot

cmd

fastboot flash all

(This will delete all data and install a clean firmware.)

⚠️ Note: If you have never worked with Fastboot, you should contact the service center. Wrong commands can permanently disable the phone (for example, a fastboot erase boot without firmware will lead to a brick»).

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Unlocking the bootloader on the Xiaomi Mi 4X can take up to 30 days due to Xiaomi's security policy.Start the process in advance if you plan to use the Fastboot!

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the exact following of the instructions, there can be problems.

1.The phone is not included in Recovery or Fastboot

• 🔌 Check battery power – at a discharge below 10%, hardware buttons may not work.
• 🔌 Try another charger or cable - sometimes the problem is damaged. USB-port.
• 🔧 If the phone has previously fallen or got wet, it may be damaged motherboard.

2 After the reset, the phone asks for Mi Account, but you don't remember it

• 🔑 Try to restore access through the Xiaomi website (you will need an email or phone number).
• 📞 If recovery doesn’t work, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.
• 🛠️ In the extreme, you can try to bypass the lock through EDL-The system, but it requires special equipment.

3.The discharge is interrupted in the middle

• 🔄 Try again – sometimes the second or third run helps.
• 💾 Check your phone’s memory for errors via Recovery (Wipe Cache).
• 🖥️ If the reset via the menu does not work, use Fastboot (method 3).

4.The phone is not turned on after reset (black screen, vibration)

• 🔋 Connect to charging for 30 to 60 minutes – the battery may be completely drained.
• 🔌 Try another charger (preferably original).
• 🛠️ If nothing helps - hardware malfunction (for example, the dump of the battery plume).

Data recovery after resetting

Once you reset successfully, you have to reconfigure your phone, and if you back up, it's easy to recover the data:

Recovery methods:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: When you first turn on, select Restore from the Cloud and enter your Mi Account details.
• 💾 Local copy: if the reserve was on SD-computer or card, transfer the files back.
• 📲 Google Account: Contacts, calendar, and some apps will be restored automatically after logging in.
• 🔧 Titanium Backup: If You Had Root, Restore Apps and Their Data Through This Tool.

If there is no backup, try to restore at least some of the data:

• 📞 Contacts: Check sync with Google or Mi Cloud.
• 📷 Photo/video: if they are stored on SD-Just put it back in the map.
• 💬 Messages: some operators (for example, MegaFon, Beeline) save SMS server-side.

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If after resetting the phone began to work slower than before, try to turn off animation in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers and turn off Windows animation and transition animation).

When Resetting Doesn't Help: Alternative Solutions

If after reset problems remain (the phone brakes, overheats, does not turn on), perhaps the cause is deeper:

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Worn-out battery: If your phone turns off at 30-40% charge, replace the battery.
• 🔥 Overheating of the processor: clean the phone of dust, replace the heat paste (in the service).
• 🛠️ Damaged motherboard: If the phone fell or got wet, a diagnosis is required.
• 📱 Incompatible firmware: If you have been flashing your phone in unofficial builds, go back to the stock version.

If you are not sure of the reason, it is best to contact the Xiaomi service center.Self-repair without experience can aggravate the problem.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions