How to reset Xiaomi Redmi 4X to factory settings if you forgot your password: 3 proven methods

Forgotten password on Xiaomi Redmi 4X — It's a very unpleasant situation, but it's solvable, even if you don't remember the pattern lock or PIN-code, you can return access to the device without contacting the service center. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of resetting to factory settings, including methods through Recovery mode, Fastboot and the official Mi Account account.

It's important to understand that resetting will delete all the data from the phone -- photos, contacts, messages, and installed apps -- if the device has been enabled to sync with Mi Cloud, some of the information (such as contacts or notes) can be restored after authorization, but the media files stored only in the phone's memory will not be returned.

Before you start, check the battery charge - it must be at least 30%. interruption of the process due to discharge can lead to a knock (inoperability) of the device. USB-cable and computer (for methods with Fastboot).

1. Reset via Recovery Mode (without computer)

The easiest way is to use the built-in Recovery Mode, which is available even on a locked phone and does not require a PC connection, and is suitable for most MIUI versions, including those installed on the Redmi 4X.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button (10-15 seconds). If the device does not respond, press Power + Volume up for 20 seconds for a forced reboot.
2. Press the Power + Volume combination up and hold until the Mi logo appears. Release the buttons when you see the Recovery menu.
3. From the menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese) and use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for confirmation.
4. Go to Wipe & Reset (or the Chinese version), then select Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm. It takes 2-5 minutes.
6. Once completed, select Reboot to System to restart.

The phone will turn on with factory settings. At the initial setup stage, you will be asked to log in to Mi Account - if the account was tied before blocking, you may need to enter a username and password to unlock (Mi Cloud Lock).

Battery level (minimum 30%)

No physical damage to the buttons

Is the cable connected (if the phone is discharged)

Is important data stored in the cloud?-->

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires the entry of Mi Account data, which you do not remember, you can only restore access through the official Xiaomi website (account.xiaomi.com.

2. Reset via Fastboot (from computer)

If Recovery Mode is unavailable (for example, due to corrupted software) or the phone gives an error when resetting, the method will help through Fastboot mode. ADB/Fastboot original USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (including fastboot and adb) from the official Android website.
2. Turn off Redmi 4X and press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode. Connect your phone to your PC.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools and type the command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number appears), continue. If not, install the drivers manually through Device Manager.
4. Run the command to completely reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

The phone will reboot with clean settings, which is more reliable than Recovery resets because it works at the firmware level, but it requires minimal command line skills.

3 Unblocking through Mi Account (if an account is linked)

If Redmi 4X had an official Mi Account attached and you remember the username and password, you can unlock the device without completely resetting it, which saves data but only works with an active Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Algorithm of action:

• 🔄 On the lock screen, tap Forgot your password? (or Forgot password).
• 📱 Select the unlock option via Mi Account and enter the linked phone number or email.
• 🔐 On the indicated email/The phone will come back with a confirmation code. Type it into the appropriate field.
• 🔓 Create a new password or pattern lock. The phone unlocks without losing data.

If you do not remember the data from Mi Account, you can only restore access through the official form on the Xiaomi website. Using third-party services to bypass the lock violates the user agreement and may lead to the blocking of IMEI.

Reset via Recovery

Fastboot from a computer

Unlocking with Mi Account

Another way.-->

Possible errors and their solutions

When you reset the Xiaomi Redmi 4X, users often face typical problems. Let's look at the most common and ways to fix them.

Error: "Cannot mount /data" in Recovery

The cause: a damaged file system or a faulty memory.

• 🛠️ Run the Wipe Cache before resetting.
• 🔧 If the error is repeated, use the Fastboot method (Section 2).

The phone will not turn on after resetting

Possible causes:

• 🔋 The battery was drained during the process.
• 📱 Firmware is damaged (solved by flashing through the Mi Flash Tool).

⚠️ Warning: If after reset via Fastboot, the phone is stuck on startup the Mi logo for longer than 10 minutes, force it to restart (Power) + Volume up for 15 seconds. If the problem recurs, flashing is required.

Requires a Mi Account password after resetting

This is Xiaomi's standard Mi Cloud Lock protection.

• 📬 Restoring access to Mi Account through the official website.
• 📄 If the phone was bought from hand, ask the previous owner to untie the account.

💡

Before selling or transferring your phone to another user, you must untie your Mi Account in the settings: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out. This will save the new owner from blocking problems.

5. How to avoid future data loss

To avoid losing important information in the next reset, follow the following simple rules:

• ☁️ Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization.
• 📁 Regularly copy photos and videos to your computer or external drive.
• 🔑 Use a password manager (such as Google Password Manager or Bitwarden) to remember your graphic keys.
• 📱 Install an alternative way to unlock (fingerprint or facial recognition) in Settings → Lock screen.

It is also useful to create a backup through MIUI Backup:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Local Backup and specify the data to save (contacts, messages, settings).
3. Save the backup file to SD-map.

💡

Backup in Mi Cloud is free, but takes up space in cloud storage (5GB is free). For media files, it is better to use Google Photos or local storage.

6. Alternative ways to unlock (if nothing worked)

If standard methods fail, radical measures remain, and should only be used in extreme cases, as they require technical skills or access to a service.

Flashing through the Mi Flash Tool

Completely reinstalling the firmware will delete all data, including locking the Mi Account (if it was tied).

• 🖥️ Windows computer.
• 📥 Official firmware for Redmi 4X (download from Xiaomi website).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool.

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic symbols.
2. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
3. Select the firmware folder and press Flash.

Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If the phone is warranty or you are not confident in their abilities, it is better to contact professionals. Xiaomi official service centers can unlock the device on the purchase documents (even without knowing the Mi Account password).

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial services often offer “blocking bypass” through exploits or modifications IMEI. This violates the law (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation on unlawful access to information) and can lead to a complete loss of the functionality of the phone (for example, the failure of the mobile network).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 4X reset