Reset Xiaomi Redmi 4X to factory settings: a complete guide with photos and videos

Why you need a reset to factory settings and when to do it

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 4X to factory settings is a radical but effective way to restore performance or prepare it for sale.The procedure removes all user data, including apps, photos, accounts and settings, returning the device to the “out of the box” state.

First, if the phone starts to slow down or reboot spontaneously. Over time, the MIUI operating system gets clogged with cache, temporary files and remnants of deleted applications, which leads to lags. Second, resetting helps eliminate critical errors, such as when a smartphone does not turn on after a failed update or virus attack. Third, it is a mandatory step before transferring the device to another owner - to protect personal data.

However, resetting doesn’t always solve the problem. If the Redmi 4X doesn’t turn on due to hardware problems (such as a damaged motherboard or charging connector), software manipulation won’t help. In such cases, a diagnosis is required at a service center. It’s also worth remembering that after a reset, you may need to re-authorize in Mi Account, especially if Find Device (anti-theft protection) was previously activated.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you start resetting, be sure to save important data, the procedure completely clears the internal memory, and it will be impossible to restore deleted files.

• 📱 Sync your contacts and calendar with Google Account or Mi Cloud. → Accounts. → Google/Mi Account → Synchronization.
• 📷 Copy photos and videos to a computer or cloud storage. Use Explorer or apps like Google Photos.
• 🔑 Write down passwords from Wi-Fi, social media and banking apps, and you'll have to re-enter them once you reset them.
• 📄 Export. SMS and log of calls using third-party applications, for example, SMS Backup & Restore.

Pay special attention to unlocking the bootloader if you plan to use the Fastboot reset method. On Redmi 4X, the bootloader is locked by default, and you will need to unlock it:

1. Attach the device to Mi Account (in account settings).
2. Apply for unlocking via Xiaomi’s official website (the process takes up to 72 hours).
3. Use the Mi Unlock Tool to confirm the unlock.

⚠️ Attention: If on Redmi 4X You activate Find Device, you reset the login and password from the Mi Account you're attached to, and without that, the phone becomes a brick. Make sure you remember the login details!

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

This is the safest and most recommended method if the phone turns on and responds to touch, it requires no additional tools and is suitable for most users.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Settings Reset.
4. Read the warning and click Reset your phone settings.
5. If necessary, enter a pattern lock or PIN-code.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.

It takes 3-5 minutes. When it's finished, the phone will automatically restart and prompt you to configure it as new. If the No command message appears on the screen or the smartphone is getting stuck on the MI logo, don't panic - wait until the process is completed (up to 10 minutes).

Make a backup copy of the data

Charge your phone at least 50%

Disable Find Device protection (if you don’t plan to use the device)

Remember the data from the Mi Account

Make sure your phone is not connected to your PC-->

⚠️ Note: If after the Redmi reset 4X You need to enter Mi Account data, but you forgot them, you can restore access through account.xiaomi.com. However, if the account was not tied to a phone or email, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the device - you will need to contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

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

If the Redmi 4X doesn't load beyond the logo or only responds to buttons, use Recovery Mode, a built-in recovery menu that's available even when the firmware is damaged.

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 5-7 seconds until the MI logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see a menu in English or Chinese.

In Recovery, use volume buttons for navigation and power buttons to confirm your choice.

1. Select the Wipe Data option (or in Chinese).
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.

If Recovery doesn’t have Wipe Data, it may have custom Recovery installed (like TWRP), in which case select Advanced Wipe, tick Dalvik, Cache, Data, System, and swipe for confirmation.

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If Recovery doesn’t have the right items, try clamping Volume Up + Volume Down + Power – on some versions of Redmi 4X, this opens up an alternative menu.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This is a good method if the first two fail or you need to completely flash the device, you need a computer with the ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool. Importantly, this method removes everything, including firmware, and requires subsequent installation of official software.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 4X (select the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive into a folder without spaces (e.g., C:\MiFlash\rom).
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool and ADB drivers.
4. Turn off the phone and put it into Fastboot mode, clamping Volume down + Power.
5. Connect Redmi 4X to your PC via USB.
6. In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select, specify the firmware folder, and select Clean All.
7. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

Once the firmware is successfully installed, the phone will automatically restart, and if the process is interrupted or an anti-rollback error occurs, you are trying to install an older version of the firmware than the one before the reset, in which case download the latest stable firmware from the official website.

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Resetting via Fastboot is the only way to bring the Redmi 4X back to life if it doesn't respond to buttons and boots into Recovery.However, it requires an unlocked bootloader and official firmware.

What to do if the phone does not turn on after reset

If the Redmi 4X is not showing any signs of life after reset, don't panic - 90% of the time, the problem is solvable.

• 🔋 Battery's gone. Connect your phone to charge for 30 to 60 minutes, even if the light isn't on. Try using another cable or power supply.
• 🔄 Hanging on the logo. MI. Squeeze the power. + Volume up 15 seconds for forced reboot.
• 🛠️ Install official software via Mi Flash Tool (see Method 3).

If the phone is not responding to charging, check:

• Integrity of cable and connector (try to move the cable in the socket).
• Power supply capacity (connect another device).
• The presence of moisture or oxidation in the connector (clean carefully with alcohol).

In rare cases, the cause can be a hardware malfunction, for example, a battery pin collapse or damage to the motherboard. If none of the methods worked, contact the service center. The average cost of diagnosing Redmi 4X is 500-1000 rubles.

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

If you forgot to save important files, the chances of recovering them depend on the reset method:

• 📁 After reset via menu: the data is deleted software and can be tried to recover using DiskDigger, Recuva or 7-Data Recovery. Connect your phone to your PC in mode MTP And scan your internal memory.
• 🔧 After Recovery: The odds are minimal as partition formatting takes place /data. Try Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver, but don’t write new files to your phone!
• ⚡ After Fastboot Firmware: Data is lost irretrievably as all memory of the device is overwritten.

To recover SMS and call logs, use Google Drive backups or specialized programs like SMS Backup & Restore. If there are no backups, try extracting data from database files (root access is required):

adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db


adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db

To view these files, you will need SQLite Browser or similar software. Please note that without root permissions, access to these folders will be blocked.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install recovery software directly on the dropped phone, this will overwrite the memory sectors where deleted files can be stored and make them impossible to recover. Always connect the device to the PC in charging only mode or use a memory card.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Redmi 4X