Owning a Xiaomi Mi 4 Pro smartphone (often identified in various regions as the Mi 4 or Mi 4 LTE Pro) may require drastic measures when the device starts to work unstable or is transferred to a new owner. The full return to the original state procedure, known as Hard Reset, is an effective tool for fixing software failures and cleaning up personal information. However, before taking action, it is necessary to clearly understand that this process will irreversibly delete all data from internal memory.
There are several ways to reset, each with its own features and application scenarios: You can use the standard Android settings menu if access is not blocked, or you can use a more complex method through Recovery Mode, and the specific method depends on the current state of your smartphone and the availability of the operating system interface.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of preparing and performing a reset to minimize risks and ensure a successful result. Follow the instructions carefully so as not to damage the software of your device. Remember that competent preparation is the guarantee that your Xiaomi will work again as new.
Preparation of the device for the discharge procedure
Before you start the erasure process, it is critical to perform a number of preparatory operations. Ignoring these steps can lead to the loss of valuable photos, contacts and application settings that cannot be restored without first copying. Make sure that the battery charge is at least 60%, as a sudden power outage during formatting can damage system partitions.
The first step is to create a full backup. You can use Google cloud services or the proprietary Mi Cloud. It is also recommended to manually copy important files to your computer or external drive by connecting the device through a device. USB-Pay special attention to multimedia folders and documents that often forget to sync.
☑️ Checklist before reset
The second important aspect is the Mi Account, and if you activate Find Device, after you reset, the system will require you to enter the username and password from the account you previously linked to, which is a theft protection mechanism, and if you forget that information, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the phone, so make sure you remember the credentials or untie the device before you start the procedure.
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Before reset, remove the microSD card if it is installed so that it does not accidentally format its contents along with the phone's internal memory.
Method 1: Reset via the standard settings menu
The safest and easiest method is available to users who have full access to the desktop and smartphone menu, which is preferable because the system will properly close all processes before cleaning, so you need to go to Settings, then find Advanced Settings, or immediately select About Phone, depending on the version of the MIUI shell.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 📱 Find and click on the item “Settings Reset” or “Factory Reset».
- 🗑️ Select the option “Erase everything).
- 🔐 Enter the pattern lock or screen unlock password to confirm.
- ✅ Click the “Clean” or “Reset” button to start the process.
Once confirmed, the system will warn you that all data will be deleted. Confirm the action and the phone will restart. The cleaning process can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the amount of memory filled, during which time the Xiaomi logo or progress indicator may be displayed on the screen.
What do I do if the reset is frozen?
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If the smartphone is not turned on, stuck on the logo or you forgot the lock password, you will have to use Recovery mode. This method works at the system level and does not require access to the desktop. To enter this mode on the Xiaomi Mi 4 Pro, you need to turn off the device completely.
After turning it off, press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to hold the volume until the Recovery menu appears. The navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons, and the selection is done with the power button.
⚠️ Attention: In the Recovery menu, the touch screen is not working, all actions are performed by mechanical buttons on the device body. Be careful when choosing points so that you do not run the wrong command.
From the menu that opens, select the language (usually English or Chinese), then look for Wipe Data or Wipe & Reset. Then select Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The system will again warn about the consequences. Once successfully completed, click Back to Main Menu and select Reboot -> Reboot to System.
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Using Recovery Mode is the only way to reset a forgotten screen lock password, but it requires physical access to the device buttons.
Comparison of data dumping methods
The choice between a software reset via settings and a hardware reset via Recovery depends on the specific situation. Understanding the differences will help you make the right decision and avoid unnecessary actions. Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of both methods.
| Parameter | Through Settings. | Through Recovery Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Access to the OS is required | Yes. | No. |
| Risk of interruption | Low. | Medium (depending on the buttons) |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium |
| Deletion of Mi-account | Automatically (with knowledge of the password) | Only the data remains. |
As you can see from the table, the method through settings is more user friendly and safer for account data, since the system itself correctly untie the device from the cloud. The method through Recovery is more “rough” and is designed for emergencies when the system does not respond.
It’s also worth noting that when resetting via Recovery, some firmware versions may require confirmation through a Mi Account password if the security feature is enabled, so that attackers can’t steal the phone and just dump it.
Possible problems and solutions
During the reset process, Xiaomi Mi 4 Pro users may encounter a number of typical problems, one of the most common being the so-called “bootloop” where the phone is endless on the logo, which may indicate that system files are damaged or an unsuccessful update.
Another common problem is activation blocking, and once you reset, the phone requires you to enter the password from the Mi Account that was used before, and if you bought the phone with your hands and you don't know the password of the previous owner, you can't legally unlock the device, and then you can only contact the service center with a check for the purchase.
⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires a password from the Google account (FRP Lock, this is normal Android protection. You'll need your account details that were synced to your phone before the reset.
Solving software problems that cannot be solved by resetting may require a complete flashing of the device using the computer and the Mi Flash Tool utility.This is a more complex procedure requiring an unlocked bootloader and special drivers.
Initial adjustment after reset
Once the reset and reboot is successfully completed, you will have a welcome screen, like when you first turn on a new phone, and you will need to select a language, connect to a Wi-Fi network, and log into your Google account, a step that is mandatory for reconnecting and installing apps from the Play Market.
The system will suggest that you restore data from the backup, and if you've created a backup before, it's the perfect time to use it, you can choose which apps and settings you want to return, and don't rush to restore everything at once, but you better do it selectively, so that you don't bring back the cause of the problems that you've had with the data.
Immediately after a reset, the Xiaomi Mi 4 Pro may offer to install a new version of MIUI. It is recommended to agree, as new security patches and bug fixes often improve the stability of the device.