Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4X often face the need to return the device to its original state, which can be caused by the accumulation of system debris, the sale of a gadget, the desire to install a clean firmware or a banal forgotten lock password. Despite the fact that the model was released several years ago, it remains popular due to its reliability, and the issue of complete data cleanup is relevant for it.
Hard Reset or program reset via the settings menu allows you to delete all user information, including contacts, photos and installed applications. It is important to understand that once the process is complete, it will be impossible to restore data without prior backup.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways Redmi 4X can be returned to factory settings, learn about procedure preparation, MIUI reset methods, use of Recovery Engineered Mode, and what to do if the phone is locked or not turned on.
Preparation of the device before complete reset
Before we start taking radical action, we have to do a lot of preparatory work, and the most critical thing is to save important data, and backup is the only way to keep your valuable photos and contacts intact, and you can use Google's cloud services or MIUI's built-in tools to create a backup.
It is also worth checking the battery charge. The process of formatting internal memory and reinstalling system files can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. If the device turns off at the most inopportune time, it can damage the file system.
- 🔋 Charge your smartphone to a minimum 60-70% Ensuring the successful completion of the process.
- ☁️ Backup your contacts and photos in your Google account or memory card.
- 🔑 Remember the data from the Mi and Google account, as after the reset, the system will require them to confirm the rights.
- 📱 Extract. SIM-microSD card and memory card so that they do not accidentally format their contents.
Special attention should be paid to the Mi Account. Xiaomi security system provides protection against theft, which locks the device after reset, if you do not enter the username and password of the owner. If you do not remember the data, it is better to untie the device from the account in advance in the settings.
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Before reset, synchronize your data in the Settings section → Mi Account → Cloud to be sure that your contacts and notes are safe.
Method 1: Reset via MIUI settings
The simplest and most secure method is available to every user who has access to the desktop of a smartphone, which is suitable for routine cleaning of the system before sale or when fixing software errors that are not associated with locking the screen. MIUI Provides a convenient tool for this purpose.
To start, go to the main menu and select Settings. Next, scroll down to About Phone. In the menu that opens, you need to find the Reset button, which is usually located at the bottom of the screen, and the system will warn you that all data will be deleted.
After pressing the Delete button, the system can request the entry of a graphical key or unlock pin, as well as the password from the Mi Account, an additional security measure to prevent unauthorized or accidental resetting of the device by unauthorized persons.
☑️ Check before reset via menu
Once confirmed, the phone will restart and the cleaning process will begin, the Xiaomi logo or progress indicator may be displayed on the screen, and don’t interrupt this process and wait for the smartphone to automatically turn on in the “store-like” state.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If you can't access the settings menu because of a system freeze or a forgotten password, Recovery mode is used. It's a special diagnostic interface, stitched into the device's memory, which allows you to control the system at a low level, and it's entered by a combination of physical buttons.
To enter Recovery on Redmi 4X, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up and Power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while continuing to hold the volume.
In the menu that appears, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the power button selects the item. You need to find and select Wipe Data. In some versions of Recovery, you may need to confirm the action through Confirm.
⚠️ Note: When reset via Recovery, the device may request confirmation through input of the code displayed on the screen if the protection feature was previously enabled.
When you select the Wipe All Data, you start formatting. When you finish the process, you will see "Data wiped successfully." To reboot, select Reboot → Reboot to System. The first run may take longer than usual.
What to do if you recover in Chinese?
Resetting a forgotten password and blocking Google
One common reason for a reset is that you lose access to your device because of a forgotten pattern lock or pin code. However, current versions of Android and MIUI shells have serious protection. Once reset via Recovery, the phone will require you to enter a Google account that was synced to the device previously.
This is FRP, which is designed to make it useless to steal a smartphone, because even after flashing it, you can't activate it without the owner's data, and if you forget your Google account password, you can't get through the activation process using standard methods.
In the case of Redmi 4X, which runs on Android 6.0 or 7.0, there are workarounds, but they require a computer and special utilities such as the Mi Flash Tool or ADB. The official way is to restore access to an account through the Google site from another device.
| Type of lockdown | Method of decision | Required data |
|---|---|---|
| pattern lock | Hard Reset via Recovery | Access to Mi/Google account |
| Forgotten Mi Account | Recovery through mi.com | Linked phone or email |
| Google Blocking (FRP) | Entering a Google password or flashing | Google account data |
| Systemic errors | Full reset (Wipe All) | Not present (data will be lost) |
It is important to distinguish between activation blocking and bootloader locking. Unlock Bootloader is a separate procedure required to install custom firmware, and it does not help bypass FRP if a phone is stolen or found.
Resolving problems after resetting
Once the Redmi 4X has rebooted, you may encounter some features of the clean system.The initial setup can take a long time, as background services will index files and update components.
If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo (bootloop) after reset, this may indicate damage to system files or an unsuccessful update bout, in which case it may be necessary to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash utility and the firmware file in.tgz format.
- 🔄 If the phone is on for a long time, wait. 10-15 minutes without pressing the buttons.
- 🔌 Connect the device to the original charger to eliminate power shortages.
- 🛠️ With a constant reboot, try logging into Recovery and resetting.
Another common problem is that the battery is discharged quickly after it's discharged, which is normal on the first day, because the system relearns the energy saving algorithms and synchronizes the applications, and let the phone run in normal 1-2 charge-discharge cycles.
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If the phone is constantly rebooted after reset, the problem is most likely to be in the hardware (power button, plume) or critical damage to the system partition, which requires firmware reflashing.
Cleaning the system without a complete data reset
You don't always have to delete all your photos and contacts. If the purpose of a reset is to speed up your smartphone or make room, you can use less radical methods. MIUI has built-in optimization tools that often help without losing personal data.
Use the Security app preinstalled in your system. There's a Cleanup feature that deletes the app cache, temporary files, and remnants of deleted programs. It's also worth checking the Memory section in your settings and removing unnecessary files from the Download or DCIM folder.
You can also reset your application settings without affecting your personal files. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Select the problem app or click the menu (three dots) and select Reset App Settings. This will return the permissions and settings of the programs to their original state.
⚠️ Note: Resetting your app settings doesn’t delete your photos or contacts, but it can log you off in some services and reset your notification settings, so be prepared to reconfigure important programs.
If the smartphone is slow, try also disabling or removing unused system applications if you have Root rights or through ADB. However, for the average user, the best solution is to periodically clear the cache and monitor the installed programs.