Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi 4X budget smartphone sooner or later face the need to return the device to its original state, which can be caused by accumulated system errors, the desire to sell the gadget, or simply the need for a “clean” system after many experiments. The process of returning to factory parameters, known as Hard Reset or Factory Reset, is a cardinal but effective solution to most software problems.
Before starting the procedure, it is critical to understand that all user data will be irrevocably deleted. This applies to photos, contacts, messages, installed applications and saved passwords. MIUI installed on Redmi 4X offers several ways to perform this operation, each of which has its own characteristics. The choice of the specific method depends on the current state of your device: whether it is turned on, whether the touch screen reacts or access to the menu is completely blocked.
In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of preparing and conducting a reset. We will look at the regular tools of the Android operating system, the hidden features of the Recovery menu, as well as touch on issues related to the Google account and Mi Account. Proper implementation of all steps will allow you to avoid locking the device and losing important information, while maintaining the stability of the smartphone after the reboot.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before you start taking action, you need to do a lot of preparation. Backup is the first and most important step. Make sure all your contacts are synced with your Google account or stored in Mi Cloud storage. Photos and videos are best transferred to your computer or cloud service, as your internal memory will be completely cleared.
The second critical point is the battery charge. The battery level must be at least 50-60%, Ideally, the device should be connected to the charger, interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can damage the system partitions and turn the smartphone into a brick. SD-map SIM-card to avoid accidental formatting of external drive or loss of operator data.
Special attention should be paid to accounts. If you log in to a Google account on your phone, after a reset, the system can request a login and password that was used earlier. This is the FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection mechanism. If you do not remember the data, you better delete the account from your phone settings before starting the reset procedure.
⚠️ Warning: Deleting your Google account from settings before reset is the only guaranteed way to avoid the complicated unlocking procedure FRP, if you don't remember the password.
Finally, check if Find Device is enabled, and then go to the security settings to make sure you know the Mi Account password, and without that, logging in after a reset may not be possible.
Method 1: Reset via the standard settings menu
The safest and easiest method is available if your Xiaomi Redmi 4X is running normally, the screen is responsive to touch, and you can log in.This method is preferred for most users, since it eliminates the risk of random selection of incorrect parameters in the engineering menus.
To start, open the Settings app. At the top of the list, look for Advanced Settings (some versions of MIUI may call it "Advanced"). Inside this section, scroll down to the bottom where you'll find the Recovery and Reset option, and that's where the tools for managing the state of the system are hidden.
The menu that opens will offer you several options: Select Reset, the system will warn you that all data will be deleted, and you can select the option "Clear all files" if you want to ensure that data cannot be restored by third-party programs, which is especially important before selling the device.
☑️ Checklist before pressing the reset button
Once confirmed, the phone will automatically restart, the Mi logo and progress indicator may appear on the screen, which can take 5 to 15 minutes, do not interrupt the device at this point, and when completed, the smartphone will turn on in its initial settings, as if you just bought it from a store.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Menu
If the smartphone doesn't turn on, freezes on the logo or the touch screen doesn't respond, the only way out is to use Recovery Mode, a low-level menu built into the firmware that allows you to control the device without booting the main operating system.
To enter Recovery mode on Redmi 4X, you need to turn the device off completely. Then press the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume. In a few seconds, the main Recovery menu will open, which is controlled by volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button.
From the Recovery menu, select a language (if available) or go straight to Wipe Data. From the submenu that opens, select Wipe All Data. The system will require confirmation, as this action is irreversible. Once confirmed, the process of cleaning the memory partitions will begin.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen usually doesn't work. All actions are performed by mechanical volume and on buttons.
When you finish cleaning, you will see a message that says "Data wiped successfully." Press the return button or select Back to Main Menu, and then Reboot -> Reboot to System. The first download after such a reset usually takes longer than usual, as the system takes time to index files and adjust the basic parameters.
Comparison of discharge methods: characteristics table
To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you understand the differences between software reset via settings and hardware reset via Recovery.
| Characteristics | Through Settings. | Through Recovery. | Through Mi Flash (PC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to the menu is required | Yes. | No. | No (Fastboot needed) |
| Difficulty of implementation | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| Risk of software damage | Minimum | Low. | Medium/High |
| Deletion of all sections | Yes (user) | Yes (user) | Yeah (full flashing) |
As you can see from the table, for ordinary users, resetting through Settings is the best option. Recovery is indispensable for critical failures, and computer flashing (Mi Flash) is required only in the most difficult cases when the bootloader or system files are damaged.
What is Fastboot mode?
Solving Post-Dump Problems and Protecting Accounts
Once you've successfully completed the procedure and downloaded it for the first time, you'll come across a welcome screen, and this is where the setup phase begins, and if you haven't deleted your Google account before resetting, the system will require you to enter your login and password from your last synced account, which is standard Android security procedure.
A similar situation can occur with Mi Account. If the Find Device function was active, it will be impossible to use the phone without entering the password from the Mi Account. The forgotten password from Mi Account can only be restored through the official website xiaomi.com, having access to the linked phone number or email.
In some cases, users encounter a problem when the phone does not see the network after the reset or does not connect to Wi-Fi. This may be due to the date and time or region settings. Make sure that the Settings -> Additional -> Date and time is automatically determined. Also check if the region at the top of the settings is correctly selected.
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If the phone does not turn on for a long time after reset (hangs on the logo for more than 20 minutes), try forcibly restart it by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds.
It is also important to check for system updates immediately after you turn on. Go to Settings -> About Phone and click on the MIUI version. Installing the latest security patches often solves application compatibility issues that may have arisen after you roll back to factory settings.
Frequent Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Even with detailed instructions, users often have specific questions, and here we’ve collected answers to the most popular ones so you can quickly find the information you need without searching other sources.
Will files be deleted SD-dump-card?
What if my phone requires a password from an account I don’t remember?
Can I stop the reset if it lasts too long?
Will Android or MIUI reset after Factory Reset?
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Resetting to factory settings is an effective tool for “curing” software errors, but it requires a mandatory prior backup of important data.
Now you know how to safely and correctly reset the Xiaomi Redmi 4X. Following these instructions, you can return your device to its original speed or prepare it for a new owner without risking losing important information.