Xiaomi Redmi 4X reset to factory settings: All ways (2026)

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, released in 2017. Despite its age, the device is still actively used due to the reliability and ability to install custom firmware. However, over time, any gadget begins to slow down, glitch or require preparation for sale, in such cases, helps reset to factory settings, a procedure that returns the phone to its original state.

In this article, you will find three proven ways to reset (via settings, Recovery and Fastboot), as well as solving typical problems: what to do if the Redmi 4X does not turn on after reset, requires a password or hangs on the Mi logo. We will analyze the nuances for different versions of the firmware (MIUI Global, China Stable and custom assemblies), and give recommendations for saving data before the procedure.

Important: Reset removes all user data — contacts, messages, photos, installed apps. If the phone is locked or does not respond to touch, some methods will require a connection to a PC. For owners of Redmi 4X with an unlocked bootloader (unlocked bootloader), additional options are available, which we will also talk about.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do in advance

Before you start resetting, make sure you don't lose important data. Even if the phone isn't working well, try to save at least some of the information.

Here is the minimum checklist before resetting:

Backup your contacts (via Google Account or MI Cloud) |

Copy photos and videos on PC or in the cloud|

Record logins/passwords from key accounts (Mi Account, Google, social networks) |

Check the battery charge (minimum 30%) |

Make sure you know the username/password from Mi Account (required after resetting)-->

If the phone is still turning on, use the built-in backup tools:

• 📱 MI Cloud: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup. Select data to save (contacts, notes, SMS) and click Create a backup copy.
• 🖥️ Computer: Connect Redmi 4X down USB, Select the File Transfer Mode (MTP) and copy the folders. DCIM, Downloads, Pictures on hard disk.
• 🔄 Google Account: sync contacts, calendar and email in Settings → Accounts. → Google.

Pay special attention to the Mi Account binding. Once reset, the phone may require you to enter a login/password from the Xiaomi account that was on it before. If you forget the data or bought the device from your hands, a reset via Recovery or Fastboot will lead to locking (activation lock), in which case you will need to officially unlock through the service center.

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If you plan to sell or transfer the Redmi 4X to another person, be sure to log out of the Mi Account before resetting: Settings → Mi Account → Sign out.

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

If the phone turns on, responds to touch, and you have access to the menu, use this method. It's the safest and doesn't require any additional tools.

Instructions:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Additional → Recovery and Reset (in some versions of MIUI, the path may be different: System → Additional → Resetting).
3. Select Resetting (or Delete all data).
4. Read the warning and click Reset your phone settings.
5. If necessary, enter PIN-code.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.

The phone will reboot and start the reset process, which will take 3-10 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone requires a password from Mi Account after reset, whom you don't remember, don't try to guess it many times. After 5 failed attempts, the device will lock for 24-72 hours. In this case, only official unlocking through the Xiaomi service center will help (a purchase check will be required).

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

If the Redmi 4X is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch, or is locked with a pattern lock, use Recovery mode, which works even when the firmware is damaged, but requires physical access to the phone’s buttons.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it doesn’t respond).
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when you see the Recovery menu (black screen with blue inscriptions in English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
5. Select Wipe Data (or in Chinese), then Wipe All Data.
6. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm (or ).
7. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

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

⚠️ Warning: If after a Recovery reset, the phone requires a Mi Account password and you don't know it, don't enter random combinations. Each failed attempt increases lock time:

• 🔧 Try to remember the email linked to your account (check your email inboxes for emails from Xiaomi).
• 📧 Use the password recovery function on account.xiaomi.com.
• 🛠️ Contact the service center with proof of purchase (check, box with the purchase). IMEI).

Yeah, I had to reset the password.|

Yes, the phone is still locked |

No, I always remember the account details.|

I don't know what that is.-->

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

If the first two methods fail (e.g., Recovery is corrupted or the phone doesn't boot even into this mode), then Fastboot resets, USB-cable and installed drivers Xiaomi.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11 (or Mac/Linux fixed ADB/Fastboot).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (preferably from the set).
• 📥 Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50%.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down for 5-10 seconds until the screen with the hare in the Fastboot Mode appears.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool, as well as drivers for Redmi 4X (you can use the Xiaomi Flash Tool).
5. In the command line (Windows: Win + R → cmd), type: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, check the drivers.
6. Run the command to completely reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

If you need a full flashing (for example, if you damage system files), download the official firmware for Redmi 4X (codename santoni) from MIUI Downloads and run through the Mi Flash Tool.

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Reset via Fastboot only deletes user data, but does not reflash the phone.If the problem is caused by corrupting system files, a complete MIUI reinstallation will be required.

5.Typical post-reset problems and their solutions

Even after a successful reset, Redmi 4X owners may face unpleasant surprises, and consider the most common and ways to eliminate them.

5.1 Phone requires password from Mi Account

This is an activation lock (Mi Account Lock) that works if:

• 🔒 You dropped your phone without leaving your Mi Account.
• 📱 The device was linked to another account (for example, when buying from hand).
• 🔄 Resets via Recovery or Fastboot.

Decisions:

• 📧 Restore access to Mi Account via the official website (you will need an email or phone number associated with the account).
• 📞 If the phone was bought by hand, contact the previous owner and ask them to remove the device from their account via Settings. → Mi Account → Devices.
• 🛠️ Contact the Xiaomi service center with proof of purchase (check, box with the box). IMEI). Employees can remove the lock after checking.

5.2 Phone hangs on Mi logo after reset

Reasons:

• 🔄 Damaged firmware (especially if the reset was done via Fastboot).
• 🛠️ Incompatible version MIUI (For example, a firmware for another model).
• 🔋 Low battery charge (10% or less).

Decisions:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to charge for 30 to 60 minutes, then try turning it on.
• 🔄 Go to Recovery (Food) + Volume up) and run Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe Data!).
• 📥 Swipe your phone with the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions in section 4).

The sensor or buttons do not work after resetting

This may be related to:

• 🔧 Incorrectly installed drivers (if the reset was performed via PC).
• 🛠️ Damage to the plume (if the phone fell or disassembled).
• 🔄 Firmware conflict (for example, the Chinese version is installed) MIUI globalize).

Decisions:

• 🔄 Install the correct version MIUI for your model (santoni_global For the global version, santoni for Chinese).
• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and check if touches are detected in ADB (Adb shell getevent).
• 🛠️ If the problem is hardware, contact the service center.

6.How to avoid problems during resetting: expert advice

To make the reset go smoothly, follow these recommendations:

✅ Always log out of Mi Account before reset if you plan to sell or transfer your phone, which will save the new owner from activation problems.

✅ Check the firmware version. If you have Chinese MIUI (China Stable, and you install a global one, may have problems with the language, Google services and buttons.

✅ Don't interrupt. If it takes more than 10 minutes to reset, don't pull out the battery or force the phone to restart. Wait for the battery to be finished or discharged.

✅ Use the original cable when resetting via PC. Cheap cables can cause data transmission errors, which will lead to the "bricking" of the phone.

✅ Save it. IMEI. In rare cases, after a reset via Fastboot can fly IMEI (Especially if there have been changes to /efs). To avoid this, make a backup section. modemst1 and modemst2 through TWRP (if established).

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If you’re a frequent firmware experimenter, install custom Recovery (TWRP) for Redmi 4X, which will allow you to make full backups before resetting and restore them in one click.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)