Reset Xiaomi Mi 4 to factory settings: 3 proven ways + error solving

The Xiaomi Mi 4, released in 2014, remains popular with users due to its robust hardware base and custom firmware installation. However, over time, any smartphone starts to slow down, glitches or requires complete cleaning before selling. Resetting to factory settings is a universal solution to such problems, but there are nuances for the Mi 4: an outdated version of MIUI, possible binding to Mi Account and the risk of “bricking” if you do wrong.

In this article, you will find three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery and Fastboot), as well as instructions for avoiding typical errors - from asking for a password after a reset to hanging on the Xiaomi logo. IMEI And unlock the bootloader, which is critical for 2014-2015 models, if your Mi 4 can't see» SIM-cards after reset or requires authorization in the account of the previous owner – there are solutions.

Preparing for resetting: what to do before cleaning

Resetting to factory settings deletes all user data, including photos, contacts, messages and installed apps. On the Xiaomi Mi 4, this is especially important, since the model does not support modern cloud sync services (for example, Google Photos or Mi Cloud in current versions).

Before the procedure begins:

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. On Mi 4 This function saves data to the folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup internal memory or SD-map.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%. Interrupting the reset process due to discharge can lead to soft-brick (the device is not turned on, but is determined by the computer).
• 🔑 Make sure you know the username/password from Mi Account if it was tied.After reset, the Mi 4 may require authorization to unlock.
• 📡 Disable all accounts (Settings) → Accounts. → Google/Mi This will prevent synchronization errors after recovery.

💡

If the Mi 4 has custom firmware installed (like LineageOS), backup via MIUI may not work. Use third-party utilities like TWRP Backup or Titanium Backup (requires root).

Feature of the Mi 4: When reset via Recovery, settings sometimes “fly” IMEI, What's causing the network to lose, and to avoid that, write down the current values. IMEI (type *#06#) or save files from the folder /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI (root).

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest)

This method is suitable if the Mi 4 is turned on, not locked by a pattern lock and reacts to touch. the procedure takes 5-10 minutes and does not require a connection to a PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the settings (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the section Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Select Reset (in some versions of MIUI – Reset and Reset → Reset settings).
4. Click Reset your phone settings and confirm the action.
5. If requested PIN-code or password – enter it (this is protection against accidental resetting).
6. Wait until the process is complete. The device will restart and start setting up as new.

Make sure the phone is charged|Disable all accounts (Google, Mi, social networks)|Save a backup copy to SD-card|Write it down. IMEI (dial *#06#)|Get out. SIM-card and memory card (optional)

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After reset, the Mi 4 can:

• 🔄 Loading up to 15 minutes is normal for older models with eMMC 4.5.
• 📵 Not to see. SIM-map – check network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
• 🔒 Require the entry of the Mi Account password – if the phone was linked to the account, authorization will be required.

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

If the Xiaomi Mi 4 is stuck on the logo, cyclically rebooted or locked with a pattern lock, a reset via Recovery will help.This model uses Xiaomi's stock Recovery (not TWRP), so the functionality is limited.

How to log in to Recovery:

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 the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).

Further action:

• 📱 Use volume buttons for navigation and power to confirm your choice.
• 🔍 Select the Wipe & Reset option → Wipe All Data (in some versions - Wipe) Data/Factory Reset).
• ✅ Confirm the reset by selecting Yes.
• 🔄 Once complete, go back to the main menu and select Reboot. → Reboot to System.

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If you don't turn on or hang on the screensaver after resetting through Recovery Mi 4, try flashing stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool, which will bring the phone back to life 90% of the time.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

The method through Fastboot is the most radical and effective, but requires a computer and basic knowledge of working with ADB.

• 📵 The phone does not respond to buttons and does not load.
• 🔒 Mi Account password is forgotten after reset.
• 🛠️ You need to reflash the device (for example, after a failed update).

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux and installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📦 Firmware archive for Mi 4 (Download from [official website](https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index)).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool and the Mi Flash Tool ADB/Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Mi4_fastboot).
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: press Volume down + Power before the bunny with the inscription Fastboot appears.
3. Connect the Mi 4 to your PC. Make sure the device is identified (check in Device Manager).
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All mode and press Flash.
6. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

fastboot oem edl # Translate to EDL (if the Mi Flash Tool can't see the device)


Fastboot flash all # Alternative command for firmware (if the Mi Flash Tool doesn't work)

⚠️ Note: Fastboot removes all data without recovery, including modem settings. If the Mi 4 fails to catch the network after the procedure, you will need to restore it. IMEI Engineer Mode (#4636##) or the utility SN Write Tool (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

Through the settings menu|Through Recovery Mode|Through Fastboot/Mi Flash Tool|I haven't tried it yet.|Another way.-->

Typical post-reset errors and their solutions

Even after a successful reset, the Xiaomi Mi 4 can be unstable, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

1.The phone requires a Mi Account password after resetting

This means that the device was tied to a Xiaomi account, and without authorization, it cannot be unlocked.

• 🔑 If you are the owner, enter your username / password from Mi Account.
• 📧 If the phone is purchased from hand – ask the previous owner for an undress through the [account.xiaomi.com](https://account.xiaomi.com/).
• 🛠️ If you can’t contact, swipe your device through Fastboot with a Clean All and Lock tick (remove the binding, but block the bootloader).

2. no network or SIM-map not defined

The cause is damage to the modem or NVRAM partitions (where IMEI settings are stored).

1. Check IMEI: dial *#06#. If Null/Invalid is displayed, restore is required.
2. Install the MTK Engineering Mode application (Qualcomm Service Mode is suitable for the Snapdragon 801 processor in the Mi 4).
3. Enter the original IMEI (indicated on the box or under the battery) via the CDS Information menu → Radio Information → Phone 1/2.

3.The phone is stuck on the Xiaomi logo

This is bootloop, a cyclical reboot.

• 🔄 Failed reset via Recovery.
• 📥 Damaged firmware.
• 🔋 Faulty battery (on Mi 4 batteries are often inflated).

Decisions:

• 🔌 Swipe the stock firmware through Fastboot (see Method 3).
• 🔋 Check the battery: if it is swelling - replace (original art. BM43).
• 🔄 Try to go to Recovery and make Wipe Cache Partition.

⚠️ Warning: If the Mi 4 stopped turning on after reset (it doesn’t respond to charging, doesn’t warm up), the problem may be a damaged bootloader or short circuit due to a bloated battery.

How to recover data after resetting

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

• 📱 Menu reset: Data is deleted software, it can be restored with utilities like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver (requires root).
• 🔧 Recovery reset: files deleted with partition formatting /data. Recovery is only possible if it has been turned on. OTG-The mode and data were copied to the flash drive.
• ⚡ Fastboot reset: data erased irrevocably (using fastboot erase userdata command).

For recovery:

1. Connect the Mi 4 to your PC in Fastboot mode.
2. Use it. ADB To create a memory dump: adb pull /data/media/0/ C:\Mi4_backup (Only if the section is working /data unencrypted).
3. For deep scanning, use Autopsy or Scalpel (you will need Linux skills).

Important: on the Mi 4 with MIUI 6/7, the data is stored in encrypted form, and without a key, recovery is impossible. If the phone was locked with a pattern lock, the chances of returning files are minimal.

Frequently asked questions