How to reset the settings Xiaomi Redmi 4X: 3 proven ways (with photos)

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) remains a popular budget smartphone even 7 years after its release, but over time, any gadget begins to “brake”, give errors or require transfer to a new owner, in such cases, helps reset to factory settings – a procedure that returns the device to “clean” state, as after purchase.

In this article, you will find the most current ways to reset Redmi 4X on MIUI 12/14 and Android 6/7, including solutions to typical problems (logo getting stuck, “No command” error, locked bootloader). We will analyze all methods from the simplest (through settings) to the hardest (via Fastboot), and also tell you how to save important data before reset and what to do if the phone does not turn on.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the procedure begins

Resetting is not just a matter of pressing a button, but doing the wrong thing can cause you to lose photos, contacts, and even lock your device.

• 📱 Back up. Use the settings. → Additionally. → Backup or third-party services like Google Drive, Mi Cloud. Especially important to save: Contacts (export to.vcf) Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud) SMS (applications like.vcf) SMS Backup & Restore)
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%.When reset via Recovery, the discharge during the process can "brick" the phone.
• 🔑 Make sure you know the data from the Mi Account. After the reset, you will need to enter a login / password if you previously had a link to Xiaomi Account.
• 📡 Turn off the screen lock (PIN, This will make it easier to access the device after resetting.

If you reset your phone before selling, be sure to log out of all accounts (Google, Mi Account, Social Media) and delete it. SIM-Otherwise, the new owner may have access to your data.

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

This method is suitable if the phone turns on and responds to touch, and the instructions are relevant for MIUI 8-14:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Settings Reset (sometimes called “Reset All Data”).
4. Click Reset your phone settings and confirm the action.
5. Enter the screen lock password (if installed).
6. Wait for the reboot (it will take 3-7 minutes).

After the reboot, you’ll see the screen of the initial setup, like after you buy it.If the phone has been getting stuck on the Xiaomi logo for longer than 10 minutes, go to Method 2.

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

If the Redmi 4X is unresponsive, got stuck or locked, use Recovery, which can be of two types: Stock Recovery (standard from Xiaomi) or TWRP (custom), and the instructions are different.

For Stock Recovery (original):

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the menu in Chinese/English.
4. Use Volume Down for navigation, select Wipe Data (or "" in Chinese).
5. Confirm the choice of the power button.
6. Select Wipe All Data and confirm it again.
7. After completion, select Reboot.

For TWRP (Castom Recovery):

1. Go to Recovery (as in paragraphs 1-2 above).
2. Press Wipe → Advanced Wipe.
3. Check the boxes Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Cache.
4. Swipe to confirm (swipe to Wipe slider).
5. After cleaning, press Reboot System.

If, after resetting through Stock Recovery, the phone requires the Mi Account password and you don't remember it, you will need to unlock the bootloader.

Method 3: Hard reset via Fastboot (for experienced)

This method is used if:

• The phone doesn’t even load in Recovery.
• No command or This MIUI version cannot be installed.
• You need to delete all data, including firmware (for example, before flashing).

To work, you will need a PC with installed Xiaomi drivers and the Mi Flash Tool program.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 4X (santoni) (select the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI\).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
5. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
6. At the bottom, select Clean All and press Flash.
7. Wait for the end (5-10 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.

Warning! Using Fastboot erases all information without recovery, including data on internal memory, and it can lock the phone if the bootloader has not previously been unlocked.

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If the Mi Flash Tool is an anti-rollback error, download the older firmware version. On the Redmi 4X, you can't flash MIUI newer than the one you installed before without unlocking the bootloader.

Typical errors after reset and how to fix them

Even after a successful reset, the Redmi 4X may not behave properly.

If the phone does not see after the reset SIM-map, try it:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 📶 Manually select the operator in the Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
• 🛠️ Update your firmware modem via the Mi Flash Tool (select Save user data option).

How to unlock the bootloader on Redmi 4X after reset

If you forget your Mi Account data or your phone is locked after a reset, you will need to unlock the bootloader.This is an official procedure from Xiaomi, but it has limitations:

• ⏳ Waiting 72-360 hours (depending on account activity).
• 📱 The phone should be included in the Fastboot at least.
• 🔗 You will need a device-bound Mi Account (even if you don’t remember it, you can restore it through the device). email/SMS).

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it on PC.
2. Log in to the Xiaomi account that your phone was linked to.
3. Press on the phone turned off Volume down + Power to log into Fastboot.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool.
5. Press Unlock and wait until it is completed (it may take several attempts).

Attention! Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data will be reset, encryption and some security features (such as Find Device) will be disabled, and Xiaomi may also restrict access to official updates.

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Unlocking the bootloader is the only legal way to bypass the binding to the Mi Account after a reset. Alternative methods (such as removing frp through the SP Flash Tool) often lead to the "bricking" of the device.

How to recover data after resetting

If you have not made a backup, the chances of returning the data depend on the type of reset:

• 📁 Reset via settings: data can be recovered using programs like Dr.Fone, EaseUS MobiSaver (if you do not overwrite the memory).
• 🔧 Dumping through Recovery/Fastboot: Recovery is almost impossible (data overwritten at low levels).

To recover photos and files:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in MTP mode (if it is switched on).
2. Use DiskDigger or Recuva to scan your internal memory.
3. If the phone doesn’t turn on, remove the microSD (if any) and scan it separately.

Important: Don’t save recovered files to the same phone – this can overwrite the remaining data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 4X reset