Reset Xiaomi Mi 4X to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi Mi 4X is a popular smartphone that even years later remains in demand due to balanced characteristics and support for MIUI. However, over time, any gadget begins to “slow down”: temporary files accumulate, updates conflict, and viruses or failed firmware can make the device almost unusable, in such cases, resetting to factory settings becomes the only effective solution.

But before you start, it's important to understand that hard reset isn't just a magic button that will get your smartphone back to speed, it's a complete deletion of all user data, including photos, contacts, messages and installed apps. Without prior preparation, you risk losing valuable information forever. In this article, we'll look at three official resets (through settings, Recovery and Fastboot), and how to minimize risks and avoid typical errors.

Reset Preparation: What to Do Before Hard Reset

The first rule of a successful reset is to save data. Even if your Mi 4X is malfunctioning, try to extract as much information as possible.

• 📱 Sync your contacts and calendar with your Google or Mi Account account. → Accounts. → Synchronize and enable the option for the desired data.
• 📷 Copy photos and videos to a computer or cloud. Use a wired connection (mode) MTP) Apps like Google Photos.
• 📝 Export. SMS and call log using specialized utilities (for example, SMS Backup & Restore).
• 🔐 Write down your Wi-Fi passwords. You can find them in Settings. → Wi-Fi → Saved networks (entry required) PIN-code).

If the smartphone does not turn on or hovers on the logo, try connecting it to the PC in Fastboot mode (press Volume Down + Power) and copy the data through ADB.

⚠️ Attention: If on Mi 4X The “Factory Reset Protection” function is activated, FRP), After the reset, you will need to enter the details of the last Google account associated!

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (soft reset)

The easiest and safest method is to reset directly from a working system, and it is suitable if:

• 🔄 The smartphone is turned on and reacts to touch;
• 📱 No blocking by a pattern lock or PIN-code (or you remember them);
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 30%.

Step instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Reset (or Delete all data in new versions of MIUI).
4. Confirm the action by entering PIN-code or pattern lock (if requested).
5. Click Reset and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once the procedure is complete, the Mi 4X will automatically restart and prompt you to configure the device as new. If the reset is interrupted or the smartphone freezes during the preparation stage, try alternative methods (see below).

Method 2: Hard reset with Recovery Mode

If your smartphone doesn’t turn on, freezes on the screensaver or doesn’t respond to touch, use Recovery, which works even when system files are damaged, but requires care.

Algorithm of action:

1. Turn off the Mi 4X (press the Power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Hold the combination of Volume up + Power until the appearance of the Mi logo (usually 5-7 seconds).
3. Release the buttons - you will be taken to the Recovery menu (navigation is carried out by volume buttons, the choice is the Power button).
4. Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in older versions).
5. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
6. Once you’re done, go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If Recovery displays characters or menus in Chinese, it means that the smartphone has global firmware for China.

• 🔹 First item: Wipe Data;
• 🔹 Second item - confirmation of discharge;
• 🔹 Third point: reset.

⚠️ Warning: Do not select Wipe Cache in Recovery instead of Wipe Data, it will only clear the cache, but will not delete user data!

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

Fastboot is the most radical method, and it requires a computer connection, and it's used if:

• 🔧 Recovery is unavailable or damaged;
• 📱 The smartphone does not respond to any combination of buttons;
• 🔄 You need to reflash the device after a failed update.

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (You can download from Xiaomi or Mi Flash Tool);
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original);
• 📄 Firmware file for Mi 4X (If you plan not only to reset, but also to refashion).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Down + Power before the screen with a hare in a hat-eared (Fastboot mode) appears.
2. Connect the Mi 4X to your PC via USB.
3. Open the command prompt (Win + R → cmd) and type: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the drivers.
4. For a complete reset, run the command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

After the reboot, the smartphone will be in a “out of the box” state. If you need a complete flashing, instead of step 4, use:

fastboot flash all [name file firmware.zip]

But remember: the wrong firmware can turn the device into a “brick!”

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If the smartphone is not determined after the command of fastboot devices, try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0) or disable driver signatures in Windows.

Table: Comparison of reset methods for Xiaomi Mi 4X

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, users often encounter problems.-5 mistakes and their solutions:

1. Always check the charge before the procedure. If the Mi 4X is turned off during the reset, plug it into charging for 30 to 60 minutes, then try again.
2. After resetting, you need an old Google account (FRP) If you forget your account details, you will have to contact the Xiaomi service center with proof of purchase. FRP newer MIUI It is almost impossible without loss of guarantee.
3. Use the "pump" method: the first item is reset, the second one is confirmation, or run global Recovery through Fastboot.
4. Fastboot doesn't see the device Check drivers, try another cable or USB port. In extreme cases, use the Mi Flash Tool with administrator rights.
5. After resetting the smartphone does not turn on This may indicate firmware damage. Try flashing the device through the Fastboot with the official firmware for the Mi 4X (codename lancelot).

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If after the Mi reset 4X does not SIM-map or not catching the network, check the settings APN In the Settings section → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN). Often the problem is solved by manual input of operator parameters.

What to do after resetting: the initial setting

After a successful reset, the Mi 4X will offer an initial setup, and here's what to look for:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: Immediately after connecting to Wi-Fi, check for updates in Settings → The phone. → System update. This will fix any clean firmware bugs.
• 🔒 Locking Configurement: Choose a Reliable PIN-code or pattern lock (do not use simple combinations like 1234 or L-shaped pattern).
• ☁️ Data recovery: If you have backed up your copy via Mi Cloud or Google Drive, restore it at the setup stage.
• 🛡️ Disabling unnecessary services: in Settings → Annexes → Autostart Turn Off Autoboot for Unnecessary Programs to Save Battery.

If you notice that the smartphone is still slowing down after the reset, it may be the hardware (a worn-out battery, overheating of the processor) that is the problem.

• 🔋 Check the status of the battery through the application AccuBattery;
• 🌡️ Clean the device of dust (especially the charging and dynamics connector);
• 🔧 Reset the settings to a stable version MIUI (for example, MIUI 12 instead MIUI 14 if new versions are not working well).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions