How to reset Xiaomi Mi 4 to factory settings: 3 proven ways

The Xiaomi Mi 4, released in 2014, is still a popular device due to its reliability and ability to upgrade to current firmware versions. However, over time, any smartphone begins to “brake”, glitch or require complete cleaning before selling, in which case resetting to factory settings becomes the only effective solution.

But how to do this correctly on the Mi 4 so as not to turn the phone into a brick? In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery and Fastboot), explain what data will be deleted, and also warn against typical errors that users make.

If you've never done this before, don't worry. We've detailed each step, added screenshots of key points, and prepared a checklist to prepare, and at the end of this article, we'll answer frequent questions like, "Can I get my data back after a reset?" or "Why does the phone ask for a password after Hard Reset?"

1.Reset preparation: What to do before cleaning up Xiaomi Mi 4

Factory resets are not just a single button push, improper preparation can lead to loss of important data, problems with your Mi Account account, or even locking your device, so before you start the procedure, follow these steps:

• 📱 Create a backup. Use the built-in Backup app (Settings) → Additionally. → Backup and reset) or third-party services like Google Drive/Mi Cloud.Please note: backup via Mi Cloud does not store all data (e.g., Mi Cloud backup, SMS And the calls may not be saved).
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%. interruption of the reset process due to battery discharge can lead to damage to system files and the need to firmware through the Fastboot.
• 🔑 Make sure to remember the Mi Account. Once reset, the phone may require you to enter your Xiaomi account login and password (Mi Cloud Activation Lock function.

If you sell or transfer your phone to another person, do the following:

• 💳 Untie your bank cards from Google Pay, Mi Pay and other payment systems.
• 📍 Turn off the Find Device function in Mi Cloud (Settings) → Mi Account → Find the device).

⚠️ Note: If the Mi 4 has custom firmware installed (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), resetting through the standard menu may not work.In this case, use the method via Recovery or Fastboot (described below).

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the easiest method)

This method is suitable if:

• 📱 The phone is on and running stably.
• 🔓 You know the pattern lock or PIN-code.
• 🛠️ The device has an official firmware installed MIUI (non-custom).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Select Reset (on some versions of MIUI it may be called Factory Reset).
4. Click Reset your phone settings.
5. If required, enter a pattern lock or PIN-code.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.

The phone will automatically restart and start the cleaning process. This can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. Don't turn off the device or remove the battery at this point!

Make sure the battery is more than 50% charged

Backup of important data

Remember the username and password from Mi Account

Disable all accounts (Google, Mi, social networks)

Remove Bank Cards from Payment Systems-->

If after the reset, the phone requires data input from Mi Account, but you do not remember them, use the official page of access recovery. In extreme cases, you may need to contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership of the device (check or box).

3. Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery (if the phone is not turned on or locked)

This method will be useful if:

• 🔒 You have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code.
• 📵 The phone "hangs" on the logo MI and.
• 🛠️ A “deep” cleanup is required (for example, after a failed update).

To log in to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi Mi 4, follow the following steps:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Volume Up (+) and Power buttons simultaneously.
3. Hold them until the Mi logo appears (usually 5-10 seconds).
4. Release the buttons when the Recovery menu appears (black screen with blue text in English).

In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select an item.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset on some versions).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe complete).
4. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: Some Mi 4 firmware in Recovery may not have Wipe Data, in which case you can try Advanced first, then Wipe Dalvik Cache and Wipe Cache Partition. If that doesn't work, use the method via Fastboot (described below).

If the phone still fails to turn on or gives an error, the firmware may be damaged, in which case you will need to reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool (see section 5 for instructions).

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This is the most reliable method, but it requires you to connect your phone to your computer, and it's suitable if you:

• 🖥️ You have access to a PC with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔧 Previous methods have not worked (e.g., Recovery is not available).
• 📦 You need to completely reflash the device (for example, after a failed update).

To reset via Fastboot, follow the following steps:

Step 1: Installation of necessary tools

• 💻 Download and install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or separately) ADB/Fastboot).
• 🔌 Install drivers for Xiaomi Mi 4 (you can download from the official website).
• 🔗 Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).

Step 2: Transfer your phone to Fastboot mode

1. Turn off the Mi 4.
2. Press the Volume down button (-) and Power at the same time.
3. Hold them until a screen labeled Fastboot and a hare in its cap appears.

Step 3: Performing a reset through a team

1. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Platform-Tools.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the phone is recognized, you will see its serial number.
3. Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Once these commands are executed, the phone will restart and begin the cleanup process, which is guaranteed to delete all data, including the cache system files, which is useful in case of serious crashes.

⚠️ Note: If after reset via Fastboot, the phone gives an error No. OS installed or not loading, means that the firmware is damaged, in which case it will need to be reinstalled through the Mi Flash Tool (see section 5).

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If the fastboot device command doesn’t show your Mi 4, try reinstalling drivers manually through Device Manager (select the Android Bootloader Interface driver).

5.What to do if after resetting Xiaomi Mi 4 does not turn on or asks for firmware

In rare cases, after resetting, the phone can:

• 📵 Do not turn on (black screen or stuck on the logo).
• 🔧 Require firmware installation (No. OS installed).
• 🔒 Ask for a password from a Mi Account you don’t remember.

Let’s look at the solutions to each of these problems.

Problem 1: The phone doesn’t turn on or hangs on the logo

Reasons:

• Damage to system files during reset.
• Incompatibility of firmware (for example, after installing custom MIUI).

Solution: Refuse the device through the Mi Flash Tool:

1. Download the official firmware for the Mi 4 from the Xiaomi Firmware website (select the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Open the Mi Flash Tool, connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
4. Select the firmware folder and press Refresh, then Flash.
5. Wait until the process is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

Problem 2: Requiring Mi Account data entry after reset

This activates the Mi Cloud Activation Lock feature, which links the device to a Xiaomi account, if you don't remember the login details:

• Try to restore access through the official website.
• If recovery doesn’t help, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check or box).
• Do not use “circumvent” methods to remove frp via ADB – this can lead to IMEI blocking!

Problem 3: Error No OS installed

So that means the system partition is damaged.

1. Download the firmware in.tgz format for Mi 4.
2. Unpack it and put it in a folder with the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and run the firmware (select the Clean All option).

6. How to recover data after reset (if you did not make a backup copy)

If you forgot to back up, the chances of returning the data depend on which reset method was used:

• 📱 Reset via the settings menu: data is deleted software and can be tried to recover using specialized utilities like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver. However, success is not guaranteed - after overwriting new data, the chances tend to zero.
• 🔧 Hard Reset via Recovery: Data recovery is almost impossible as low-level partition formatting is performed /data.
• 💻 Fastboot reset: here data is permanently deleted as the fastboot erase userdata command erases the partition completely.

If you want to try to recover the data:

1. Do not write new files to your phone (this reduces the chances of recovery).
2. Connect the Mi 4 to your PC and use programs like DiskDigger or Recuva (deep scanning mode).
3. To recover SMS and calls, try GT Recovery (root rights required).

⚠️ Attention: Data recovery programs often require root access, which on the Mi 4 can only be obtained by unlocking the bootloader.This is a risky procedure that can lead to locking the device if performed incorrectly.

If the data has been synced to Google or Mi Cloud, it can be returned after logging into the corresponding account:

• 📧 Contacts and calendar: automatically restore when you add a Google account.
• 📷 Photo and video: check the folder Mi Cloud/Gallery in cloud storage.
• 🎵 Notes and SMS: If sync was enabled in Mi Cloud, they can be returned via the Notes or Messages app.

7. Frequent Mistakes When Resetting Xiaomi Mi 4 and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that lead to serious problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔋 Battery discharge during discharge → Always charge your phone to at least 50% before starting the procedure.If the battery is weak (swelling or quickly setting down), connect the device to the original cable charging.
• 🔌 Use of non-original USB-cable → Cheap cables can interrupt the connection in Fastboot mode, which will cause a firmware failure.
• 📥 Resetting without detachment Mi Account → If you are selling a phone, be sure to delete your Xiaomi account, otherwise the new owner will not be able to use it.

Another common mistake is trying to unlock the bootloader after a reset. If you plan to install custom firmware, unlock the bootloader before reset, as after cleaning, Mi Account protection may work, and you will have to wait 7-30 days to unlock.

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If you are not sure about your actions, you should contact the service center. Incorrect reset or firmware can turn the Xiaomi Mi 4 into a “brick”, which will cost more to repair than repair the original problem.

8. FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Mi 4 Reset