Xiaomi smartphones, and in particular the Redmi 4X, have proven to be reliable devices, but over time, even the most stable operating system can fail. Users often face situations when the gadget starts to work slowly, applications stop responding to commands, and the interface freezes. In such cases, the only right solution is to completely clean up memory and return to factory parameters, which allows you to eliminate software errors.
Known as Hard Reset, the procedure removes all user data, including contacts, photos, installed apps and account logins, and is a radical but effective method that returns the device to the state out of the box. Before you start manipulating, it is important to realize that the process is irreversible without a pre-created backup, so you should not neglect the preparatory stage.
In this guide, we will discuss in detail two main ways to perform a reset: through the standard Android settings menu and through Recovery mode. We will also look at the specific nuances of the Redmi 4X model, such as binding to a Mi Account account, which can lock the device after a reboot. Careful follow-up will help you safely resuscitate your smartphone.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
Before you start actively cleaning up your system, you need to do a number of preparations, and ignoring this step can lead to the loss of important information or locking the device security services Google and Xiaomi. The first thing you should do is back up all the important data, as Hard Reset will irretrievably destroy it.
Make sure that the battery charge of the smartphone is at least 50-60%. The process of formatting memory partitions and reinstallation of system files is energy-intensive. If the phone turns off in the middle of the procedure, this can damage the bootloader and turn the device into a “brick”, which will have to be restored through the computer using special utilities.
⚠️ Attention: If on your Redmi 4X a screen unlock password is set or PIN-Remember the code or disable it before resetting if you plan to recover data from the cloud.
It's also critical to turn off your Mi Account in your settings if you know the password, and if you just reset your account without leaving your account, the next time you boot, you'll need to enter your username and password, and without that, your phone will be locked forever because of the Anti-Theft feature.
☑️ Preparation for Hard Reset
Don’t forget to remove the microSD card and SIM-The card before the procedure, although the current versions MIUI Usually not affecting external drives when reset, physical extraction ensures that you do not accidentally format a flash card with important documents or a music collection.
Method 1: Reset via MIUI settings
The most gentle and easy way to return to factory settings is directly through the operating system interface, which is suitable for cases where the smartphone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you can freely navigate the menu, which minimizes the risk of errors, since the system itself controls the cleaning process.
To start, open the Settings app and find the About Phone section. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be at the bottom of the list or be entered into a separate menu, Advanced Settings, depending on the regional version of the software.
Inside the About Phone section, you need to find the Reset option. The system will alert you that all data will be deleted. By clicking on the Reset button (or Clear All Data), you start the preparation process. The phone can request confirmation of the unlock password or the pattern lock to authorize the owner.
| Action. | Description | The result |
|---|---|---|
| All data dumping | Complete cleaning of internal memory | Deletion of photos, contacts, applications |
| Resetting Wi-Fi settings | Cleaning of network parameters | Forgotten Wi-Fi networks and passwords |
| Reset Bluetooth | Cleaning of conjugated devices | Removing connection history |
Once confirmed, the device will restart and begin the cleaning process. The screen may display the Xiaomi logo or animation of progress. It is important not to touch the phone at this point. The entire process takes 5 to 15 minutes, after which the smartphone will turn on as a new one, requiring initial language tuning and network connection.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If the smartphone doesn't boot, freezes on the logo or the touch screen doesn't respond to commands, the only way out is to use Recovery Mode. This method works at the low-level software level and allows you to clean up even when the operating system is broken. For Redmi 4X, volume and power buttons control this mode.
To enter Recovery mode, turn the device off completely first. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up and Power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume until the main menu appears.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen does not work. Navigation on the menu is carried out by volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by a short press of the power button.
In the menu that opens, which usually has an English interface and a black background with orange or blue elements, you need to find the Wipe Data item. Move the cursor to this item and confirm the selection. Next, the system can offer several cleaning options, among which we are interested in Wipe All Data.
What to do if you recover in Chinese?
Once the cleaning option is selected, the system will require final confirmation, often prompting you to choose Confirm or Yes. Once the process is started, a progress bar will appear at the bottom of the screen. Upon completion of the cleaning, the phone will automatically restart or prompt you to do so via Reboot -> Reboot to System.
Bypassing the Mi Account and Google FRP lock
Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with a powerful system of protection against theft. Find Device function rigidly binds the device to the Mi Account. If before the reset (especially through Recovery) was not performed logging out of the account, after downloading the system will require you to enter a password from it.
The same is true for Google FRP (Factory Reset Protection), where if a phone has added a Google account and synced, it will require authorization to that account after the reset, so that the attacker who stole the phone and dropped it cannot use it.
If you forget the password from Mi Account, access restoration is possible only through the official website mi.com or i.mi.com. Attempts to use third-party software to bypass the lock often lead to a final failure of the software. In the case of buying a used device with a blocked account of the previous owner, the only legal solution is to contact the seller to unlock.
It’s worth noting that older versions of the firmware for Redmi 4X sometimes featured vulnerabilities that allowed them to bypass FRP through certain browser manipulations or date settings, but with the release of security updates for Android 7.0 and higher, these holes were closed, and now software bypassing without data loss is almost impossible.
Typical errors and problems in resetting
Hard Reset users may encounter a variety of difficulties, and one of the most common problems is hanging on the Mi logo after a reboot, which may indicate that system files are damaged or the recording process is interrupted, often by logging back in to Recovery and performing the reset again.
Another common mistake is "Bootloop," where the phone reboots endlessly, and if a simple reset doesn't work, it may be the cache partition or the firmware itself that's damaged, and you may need to flash the device through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility and the pre-downloaded system image.
⚠️ If after resetting the phone warms up and discharges quickly, let it work 1-2 The system performs background optimization of applications, which is normal for a first run.
Users sometimes complain about their disappearance. IMEI Or a broken network after a reset. 4X This is rare, but possible when the section fails. EFS. If the network is lost after the reset, check the radio module settings in the engineering menu (code ##4636###) and in the worst case, you will need to restore the backup. EFS, if it's been done before.
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If the phone has been stuck on the logo for more than 20 minutes, try to force it to restart by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds. If it doesn't work, go back to Recovery.
It is important to distinguish between a software failure and a physical malfunction.If the phone turns off immediately after turning on or does not enter Recovery mode, the problem may lie in a worn battery or motherboard malfunction, rather than in the software.
Optimize Xiaomi 4X after reset
After successfully running Hard Reset and initially configuring, it’s important to set up the device correctly for stable operation. Redmi 4X, although a budget model, is able to work quickly, if not overload it with unnecessary processes.
It is recommended to set up auto-cleaning memory immediately. In the Security app (standard for MIUI), you can set parameters at which the system will automatically close the background applications, freeing up RAM, this is especially true for devices with 2 or 3 GB of RAM.
Don't install dozens of applications at once. It's better to download them gradually, watching the behavior of the system. Avoid installing cleaners, accelerators and antiviruses from dubious developers - the built-in MIUI is enough to maintain order, and third-party software often only consumes battery life.
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Proper configuration after reset extends the life of the battery and ensures smooth operation of the interface over time.
You also need to pay attention to the animation settings, and in the For Developers section (which is activated by clicking seven times on the version number in About Phone), you can scale down the animation of windows and transitions, which will visually speed up the interface, making the system's responses more instantaneous.