How to completely reset Xiaomi Redmi 4X to factory settings: a detailed guide

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 4X to factory settings is a necessary procedure when selling a device, fixing software failures or preparing for firmware. However, the wrong actions can lead to data loss, blocking the Mi Account or even “bricking” the smartphone. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of resetting (including hidden features Recovery Mode and Fastboot), explain how to save important information, and warn against typical errors that users make.

Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) was released in 2017, but is still popular thanks to its robust hardware and custom firmware support. However, its software has features: for example, linking to a Xiaomi account can make it harder to reset if you forget your password, and we have taken into account all the nuances and prepared instructions that work even on devices with a locked bootloader.

Before you start, answer two questions:

1. Do I need to save data (photos, contacts, messages)?
2. Do you remember the username/password from the Mi Account tied to your phone?

The answers are the key to the reset method and the extra steps, and if in doubt, start with the safest method (through the settings menu).

1.Resetting preparation: what to do in advance

Resetting to factory settings removes all user information, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos in the gallery (except for those in the gallery) SD-map)
• 📞 Contacts that are not synced to Google or Mi Cloud
• 💬 Communications in SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram and other messengers
• 🎮 Save games and customize applications
• 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi, social media accounts and banking applications

To avoid losses, follow the following steps:

Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup

Sync contacts with Google Account or Mi Cloud

Copy photos/videos to your computer or cloud

Record the username/password from Mi Account (if linked)

Make sure the battery is charged > 50%-->

Important for Redmi 4X owners: if you used Device Protection (in Settings → Lock and Protection menu), after resetting, the phone will require you to enter a password from the last Xiaomi account. Without this data, unlocking the device will be extremely difficult!

If you are selling a phone, don’t forget:

• 🔄 Log out of all accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks)
• 📱 Delete SIM-card and memory card (if installed)
• 🔒 Disable Find the device in the Mi Cloud settings

💡

If you plan to flash Redmi 4X after reset, unlock the bootloader in advance through the official Mi Unlock Tool. This takes up to 720 hours of waiting (according to Xiaomi rules).

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

This method is suitable if:

• ✅ The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• ✅ You remember the pattern lock./PIN-code
• ✅ No critical failures in the system

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Settings Reset.
4. The system will suggest you to choose which to delete. We recommend that you mark all data (including internal memory).
5. Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN-code.
6. Press Reset and wait for the reboot (it will take 3-5 minutes).

The unique feature of Redmi 4X is that if you used the dual app, resetting through the settings menu will only remove the current space. To erase everything, select the "Reset all spaces" option from the same menu.

Once reset, the phone will reboot and suggest that you configure it as new, so if you sell the device, don't restore the data from the backup, which can leave personal information behind.

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

Use this method if:

• 🔴 The phone is stuck on the logo. MI or cyclically reboot
• 🔴 The screen does not respond to touch, but the device is turned on
• 🔴 You forgot your pattern lock, but remember your Mi Account

To log in to Recovery Mode on Redmi 4X:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time.
3. Hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo and recovery menu appear.

In Recovery Mode, volume buttons (Up/Down, Move, Power, Select) are used.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset on some versions).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. After cleaning, go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

💡

If after reset via Recovery, the phone requires you to enter a password from Mi Account, and you do not remember it - restore access through account.xiaomi.com before rebooting the device.

Table: Decoding Recovery Mode Menu Items for Redmi 4X

Yeah, I dropped my phone myself.

Yeah, but only for firmware installation.

No, I'm afraid to break something.

I don't know what that is.-->

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This method is used in extreme cases:

• 🛠️ The phone does not respond to buttons and does not load.
• 🛠️ You need to refashion the device from scratch.
• 🛠️ Requires to unlock the loader

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged)
• 📦 Firmware archive for Redmi 4X (You can download it on the official Xiaomi website)
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for Windows)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone. Press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
2. Connect the Redmi 4X to your computer.
3. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue.
5. For a full reset, run fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot.

⚠️ Attention: fastboot erase commands permanently delete data. If you plan to flash your phone, unlock the bootloader first through the Mi Unlock Tool - otherwise the reset will not help install custom firmware.

If after reset via Fastboot the phone does not turn on:

• Check if the drivers are installed correctly on the PC.
• Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).
• Make sure the battery is charged (plug in the 10-15 minutes before the procedure).

5. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if the instructions are followed correctly, Redmi 4X users are facing problems.

Error 1: After resetting, the phone asks you to enter the Mi Account password, but you don’t remember it.

• 🔑 Try to restore access through the recovery form (you will need an email or phone number linked to your account).
• 📧 If recovery doesn’t work, contact Xiaomi with proof of device ownership (check, box, etc).
• 🚫 Do not use bypass programs – they often contain viruses and do not work on new versions. MIUI.

Error 2: The phone is stuck on the MI logo after being reset.

• 🔄 Wait 10-15 minutes – the first download after a reset can be long.
• 🔌 If the screen doesn’t change, plug in the charging and reset again via Recovery Mode.
• 🛠️ In extreme cases, run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions in the previous section).

Error 3: The sensor does not work after the reset.

⚠️ Warning: This can be a hardware problem (feeling off the plume) or a faulty firmware. If the sensor doesn't respond even in Recovery Mode, contact the service center.

Table: Redmi 4X error codes and their value

6. How to return data after reset

If you made a backup before the reset, you can restore the data in two ways:

Method 1: Through the Mi Cloud

1. When you first set up your phone, select Restore from backup.
2. Enter the data from the Mi Account.
3. Choose the most recent copy and wait for the process to be completed.

Method 2: Through Google Account

• 📱 Contacts, calendar, and some app settings will automatically recover if you sync them with Google.
• 📷 Photos from Google Photos can be downloaded manually through the app.

⚠️ Note: If the backup was created on another Xiaomi model (e.g. Redmi Note 5), some settings may not recover or work correctly. In this case, select only the necessary data (contacts, messages) and skip system settings.

To recover files from internal memory (if no backup):

• 🛠️ Use programs like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver (root rights required).
• 💾 Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode and try scanning your memory with ADB: adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.media/databases

Important: The chances of recovery are higher the less you use your phone after a reset, and each new record reduces the likelihood of a successful recovery.

Alternative discharge methods

If standard methods don’t help, consider these options:

Method 1: Reset via ADB (without data loss)

It's good if you just need to reset your settings, but you need to save your files.

• 💻 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Connection to PCs with installed ADB-driver.

The command to reset settings (without deleting files):

adb shell pm clear -all-user com.android.providers.settings


adb shell pm clear -all-user com.miui.securitycenter




adb reboot

Method 2: Reset via Test Point (to unlock)

Used if Redmi 4X is locked on Mi Account and other methods do not help.Warning: requires disassembling the phone and soldering!

Method 3: Contacting a service center

If you:

• 🔧 Not sure about their technical skills
• 🔧 Faced with a hardware problem (screen, buttons do not work)
• 🔧 Received an Anti Rollback error when running firmware

It is better to entrust the reset to professionals. Official Xiaomi service centers in Russia and the CIS can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Redmi 4X