Reset settings on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: all the ways and nuances

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the brand’s most popular budget smartphones, released in 2017. Despite its age, the device is still in active use due to its reliability and the ability to install custom firmware. However, over time, any gadget begins to slow down, glitch or require a complete reinstallation of the system, in which case the reset comes to the rescue – a procedure that returns the phone to a factory state.

But how do you reset your Redmi 4X to avoid losing important data or turning your device into a brick? In this article, we'll look at all the methods available, from standard menu reset to forced reboot in Recovery mode. We'll focus on the nuances of MIUI, locking your Xiaomi account and recovering from a failed reset. If your phone freezes, doesn't turn on, or just needs to be cleaned, here's the solution.

When do I need to reset my settings to Redmi 4X?

Factory reset is a radical measure that is used in extreme cases, and these are typical situations where the procedure is justified:

• 🐢 The phone is severely slowing down, applications are constantly flying out, and RAM is clogged even after closing all processes.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Critical bugs: sensors do not work, communication or Wi-Fi disappears.
• 🔒 You have forgotten your pattern lock or password and unlocking through your Mi Account is not available.
• 📱 The device is ready for sale, and you need to delete all personal data without the possibility of recovery.
• 🛠️ Planned installation of custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), which requires a clean system.

However, resetting doesn’t always solve the problem, for example, if the Redmi 4X is not turned on due to hardware malfunctions (a dead battery, a damaged motherboard), software reboot will not help, in which cases, diagnostics are required at the service center.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has enabled Find Device and your Mi Account is tied, you may need to enter your login and password after the reset. 4X will not be possible!

Preparing for resetting: how to save important data

Resetting removes all information from the phone’s internal memory, including:

• 📁 Photos, videos and music (if not saved) SD-map).
• 📱 Contacts, SMS Call log (unless synced with Google or Mi Cloud).
• 🎮 Save games and customize applications.
• 📋 Notes, calendars and other user data.

To avoid losses, follow the following steps:

1. Sync your data with the cloud: Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud and enable backup for contacts, notes and photos. For Google Account: Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync.
2. Copy files to a computer or SD-Map: Connect Redmi 4X PC-only USB and move the files. DCIM, Downloads and Pictures. Use a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer) to copy data to an external drive.

Save passwords and settings:

• Export passwords from your browser (in Chrome: Settings → Passwords → Export).
• Take pictures of important settings (such as Wi-Fi or APN settings) – this will speed up the setup after the reset.

If you use root rights or custom Recovery (like TWRP), you can create a full backup system through Nandroid Backup, which will restore the phone to its exact state before reset.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (soft reset)

The easiest and safest method is to reset directly from a working system, and it is suitable if:

• 📱 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• 🔓 Remember your password or pattern lock.
• 🔋 The battery charge is quite high (recommended) ≥50%).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Additional → Recovery and Reset (in some versions of MIUI, the path may be different: Settings → About Phone → Resetting).
3. Select Resetting (or Delete all data).
4. The system will prompt you to enter a password (if installed) and confirm the action.
5. Click Reset and wait until the process is complete (usually takes 2-5 minutes).

Once you reboot, the phone will return to factory status, and you will only have to go through the initial setup, just like after you bought it.

⚠️ Attention: If on Redmi 4X fixed MIUI 10 or older with a linked Mi Account, you'll need to enter that account information after the reset!

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If after a reset, the phone requires a Mi Account but you don’t remember it, try to restore access through account.xiaomi.com. At the very least, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

Method 2: Hard Recovery (hard reset)

If the Redmi 4X doesn’t turn on, freezes on the logo, or doesn’t respond to touch, you’ll need to use Recovery mode, which is also called hard reset, because it bypasses system constraints.

There are two types of Recovery for the Redmi 4X:

• 🔧 Stock Recovery – a standard menu from Xiaomi with limited features.
• 🛠️ Castomic Recovery (e.g, TWRP) — Extended menu for firmware and backups (requires pre-installing).

We’ll consider resetting through stock Recovery, as it’s available on all out-of-the-box devices.

Step 1: Entering Recovery Mode

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 and vibrations (usually 5-10 seconds).
4. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu in English or Chinese.

Step 2: Navigation and discharge

In the Recovery Redmi 4X, the volume buttons (Up/Down for moving) and the power button (Select) are controlled.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data in Chinese version).
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.

The phone will restart and start the initial setup, and if a No OS installed error occurs after the reset or the device does not boot, this may indicate that the firmware is damaged, and you will need to reinstall it via Fastboot.

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If the phone doesn't turn on after resetting via Recovery, don't panic. 90% of the time, the problem is solved by re-running through the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., Recovery is damaged or the phone doesn’t respond to buttons), you can reset via Fastboot mode. ADB/Fastboot.

Warning: Incorrect commands in Fastboot can result in complete data loss and inability to recover without firmware. Use this method only if other options are exhausted.

Step 1: Preparation

• 💻 Install Platform Tools on PC (includes fastboot and adb).
• 🔌 Get Redmi on board. 4X computer-to-computer USB.
• 🔋 Make sure the phone is recognized in Fastboot (should appear in Device Manager as Android Bootloader Interface).

Step 2: Resetting commands

1. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools.
2. Check the connection of the device: fastboot devices (should appear serial number of the phone).
3. Fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache
4. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

If the phone still does not boot after these commands, you may need a complete flashing through the Mi Flash Tool.

What to do if your phone requires a Mi Account after a reset?

One of the most common problems after a reset on Xiaomi is the Mi Account data request. This is due to the Find Device feature (similar to Find My iPhone), which locks the device after a reset if it was tied to an account.

Here's what we can do:

• 🔑 Remember your account details: Try to reset your password through account.xiaomi.com. Use a linked email or phone number.
• 📄 Contact Xiaomi Support: Provide a purchase check, a box from your phone and IMEI (Support can remove the lock within 3-7 days.
• 🛠️ Firmware through EDL: In extreme cases, you can flash the phone in mode EDL (Emergency Download Mode, but it requires special equipment and risks building the device.

⚠️ Warning: Buying Xiaomi phones “with your hands” without decoupling from your previous Mi Account is fraught with the risk of staying with a locked device. Always check if you log out before buying!

If you have purchased a Redmi 4X b/d and the seller has not untied the account, try contacting them. Otherwise, unlocking can cost up to 50% of the cost of the phone (through unofficial services).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the correct reset, problems can arise. Consider typical errors and ways to fix them:

If neither method worked, the problem may be hardware, such as the Redmi 4X, which is known for problems with the memory chip (eMMC), which eventually degrades and leads to system dumps, in which case only replacing the chip in the service center will help.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions