Hard resets Xiaomi Redmi 4X: 3 proven reset methods to factory settings

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (The codename santoni remains a popular budget smartphone years after its release, but over time, any gadget begins to slow down, glitches or requires complete cleaning before selling. Hard reset is a radical solution that returns the device to a factory state by removing all data, applications, and settings.

In this article, you will find three working methods for performing hard reset on Redmi. 4X, And we're going to take a look at the unique features of this model, like why the standard Power combination sometimes doesn't work. + Volume Up and How to Bypass the Lock MIUI You'll also learn how to prepare your phone to keep your data from being lost, and what to do if your device doesn't respond to commands.

Warning: the procedure is irreversible. After a hard reset, it will be impossible to recover deleted data without a backup. If your goal is just to speed up your smartphone, try alternative methods first (cleaning the cache, rolling back to the stock firmware). But if you are determined to do a full reset, follow the instructions below.

What is Hard Reset and When You Need It

Hard reset is the complete erasure of all user data, returning the smartphone to a factory state, and unlike soft reset, it affects:

• 📱 Installed applications and their data (including cache)
• 📁 Personal files (photos, videos, music - if not on the Internet) SD-map)
• 🔧 All system settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, accounts)
• 🔒 Passwords, fingerprints and graphic keys

On the Redmi. 4X Hard reset may be required in the following cases:

• 🐢 Smartphones slow down, lag or overheat for no apparent reason.
• 🔄 After a failed update MIUI The device is stuck on the logo or cyclically rebooting.
• 🔓 You have forgotten your pattern lock or password and other unlocking methods are not helpful.
• 💰 Before selling or transferring a phone to another user.
• 🛠️ To eliminate software errors after incorrect rooting or install custom firmware.

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi is 4X You've been linked to your Mi Account and you've got Find Device enabled, and you've got to enter your login and password after you've had a hard reset, and without that, your phone will become a brick!

Do not confuse hard reset with other procedures:

Preparation for hard reset: what to do before reset

Before you start a hard reset, follow the necessary preparatory steps, which will save you from losing important data and unexpected problems.

1. Create a backup of the data

Hard Reset will irrevocably delete:

• 📸 Photos and videos from the gallery (if stored in internal memory).
• 📞 Contacts (unless synced with Google or MIUI Cloud).
• 💬 Communications from SMS and messengers (if not saved in the cloud).
• 🎮 Game saving and application data.

Backup methods for Redmi 4X:

• 🖥️ MIUI Cloud: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud and enable sync for the right data. 5GB is available free of charge.
• 📱 Local copy: Use the built-in Backup app (see app menu). Save backup on SD-card.
• 🔗 Google Account: Sync Contacts, Calendar, and Notes through Settings → Accounts. → Google.
• 💾 Manual transfer: Connect the phone to the PC USB (in file transfer mode) and copy folders DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp and others.

💡

If you have a set TWRP Recovery, back up the system through it, and that will restore the phone to exactly pre-reset status, including the apps and their data.

2. Make sure you know the information from the Mi Account

As mentioned earlier, after the hard reset Redmi 4X You may need to enter a username and password from Mi Account if:

• Find Device (Settings) was enabled → Mi Account → Find Device).
• The phone was tied to a Xiaomi account (even if Find Device is disabled, sometimes the lock works).

If you don't remember the data:

• Try to restore your password on account.xiaomi.com.
• If your account is not yours (for example, the phone was bought by hand), contact the previous owner.
• In extreme cases, contact Xiaomi support with proof of ownership of the device (check, box).

3. Charge your phone at least 50%

The hard reset process can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes, and if the battery runs out during reset, it will lead to:

• 🔋 Interruption of the procedure and possible phone blink (inoperability.
• 🔄 Cyclical reboot or hanging on the logo MI.

The recommended charge level before reset is at least 50%. If the phone doesn't turn on, plug it into charging for 30 to 60 minutes before trying a hard reset.

4. Get it out. SIM-card and memory card (optional)

Hard Reset does not affect the data on SIM-map and exterior SD-map, but:

• 📶 SIM-Card: If the phone is blocked by the operator (for example, when lost), after reset may be required PUK-code.
• 💾 SD-Map: In rare cases, the file system of the card may be damaged. If it has important data, retrieve it.

Backup important data|Remember the username/password from Mi Account|Charge the phone. ≥50%|Extract SIM and SD-card (optional)-->

Method 1: Hard Recovery Mode (Main Method)

This is the most reliable way to make a hard reset on Redmi. 4X, Because it works even if the phone is locked, it's lagging, it's not booting, you don't need a PC or a special program, just the buttons of the phone.

Step 1: Turn off your phone

If the device is in operation:

1. Press the power button for 3-5 seconds.
2. In the menu that appears, select Turn Off (or Power Off).

If the phone is dead or unresponsive:

1. Press the Power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.
2. If it doesn’t work, remove the battery (if possible) for 10 seconds and insert it back in.

Step 2: Enter Recovery Mode

On the Redmi. 4X Use a combination to enter recovery mode:

Power button + Volume Up button

How to press:

1. Hold Volume Up and hold it.
2. Without letting her go, you'll be able to pinch the power.
3. Hold both buttons for 5-10 seconds until the logo appears. MI and the Recovery menu.

If the combination does not work:

• 🔄 Try to clamping the power first and then Volume Up.
• 🔋 Make sure the phone is charged (a discharged battery can block the entrance to Recovery).
• 🔌 Connect the charger and try again.

Step 3: Managing Recovery Mode

Recovery Redmi's menu 4X The touch screen does not work – the control is carried out by the buttons:

• 🔼 Volume Up – Moving Upwards.
• 🔽 Volume Down – Moving Down.
• ✅ Food - point selection.

The default language of the menu is English. If you have a sinic firmware, look for characters that correspond to Latin letters (for example, wipe data will begin with a symbol similar to S).

Step 4: Do the reset (Wipe Data)

From the Recovery menu, select:

1. Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset)
2. Wipe All Data (full reset)
3. Confirm the action by choosing Confirm or Yes.

It takes 1-3 minutes, and when you finish it, you'll see the words Data wipe complete.

Step 5: Reboot your phone

After discharge:

1. Return to the main Recovery menu (Back or Volume Down button).
2. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

The first download after the hard reset can take up to 10 minutes.

⚠️ Note: If after the reboot the phone requires the entry of a password from Mi Account, and you do not remember it, do not try to choose combinations - after 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will be locked for 24 hours.

💡

Recovery is a universal method that works even on locked or bricked phones, and the key is to keep the process running and keep track of the battery level.

Method 2: Hard Resets via Phone Settings

If you're Redmi. 4X It turns on and you can log in, and the easiest way to reset is through the settings menu, which is less radical than Recovery, but also deletes all user data.

Step 1: Open the settings

Go to the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).

Step 2: Find the "More" section

Scroll down and select:

1. Additional settings (or additional settings).
2. Recovery and Reset (or Backup & Reset)

On some versions of MIUI, the path may be different:

• Settings → The phone. → Recovery and discharge.
• Settings → System → Additional → Resetting settings.

Step 3: Select "Settings Reset"

In the recovery menu, tap on:

1. Resetting (or Factory Data Reset)
2. Read the warning and click Reset your phone settings.

The system may request:

• 🔒 Password or pattern lock (if the phone is locked).
• 📱 PIN-code SIM-cards (if installed).

Step 4: Confirm the reset

On the last screen, select Erase Everything. The phone will automatically restart and begin the cleaning process.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Easy and faster than using Recovery.
• ✅ You can choose whether to reset the settings. SD-Cards (if used as internal memory).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It does not work if the phone is locked or not turned on.
• ❌ Sometimes resetting through settings doesn’t delete all data (for example, files remain in the Android folder).

💡

If the phone still brakes after resetting through the settings, do an additional cache cleanup in Recovery: select Wipe Cache Partition and confirm the action.

Method 3: Hard Resets via Fastboot (for power users)

This method requires a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and a Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot program.

• 🔧 The phone does not turn on or respond to buttons.
• 🔄 Recovery Mode is damaged or not opened.
• 📱 You need to refashion the phone with a full cleaning.

⚠️ WARNING: Fastboot's Mistakes Could Turn Redmi 4X If you're not sure about your skills, you should go to the service center.

Step 1: Install the necessary tools

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (7/10/11).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Xiaomi Drivers: Download Mi PC Suite or install drivers manually via Android SDK.
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for firmware) or ADB/Fastboot (command-line).

Step 2: Download your phone to Fastboot mode

Turn off Redmi. 4X And hold the combination:

Power button + Volume Down button

Hold the buttons for 5-10 seconds until the hare in the hat-eared hat appears on the screen (Fastboot logo).

Step 3: Connect your phone to your PC

With help. USB-cable connect Redmi 4X Make sure the drivers are installed correctly:

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Check what is in the Ports section (COM and LPT) Other devices have appeared Android Bootloader Interface.

Step 4: Reset through the Fastboot command

Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type:

fastboot devices

If the phone is determined (its serial number will appear), enter a command to completely reset:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

For complete reflashing with cleaning:

1. Download stock firmware for Redmi 4X (codename santoni from Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
2. Unpack the archive and use the Mi Flash Tool to run your phone in Clean All mode.

Warnings:

• 🔧 After the firmware through Fastboot, the phone will be completely clean, as after the purchase.
• 🔒 If you have Mi Account lock enabled, you will have to unlock it officially.
• ⚡ Don't turn it off. USB-cable!

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have problems. 4X and ways of eliminating them.

1.The phone does not turn on after a hard reset

Possible causes and solutions:

2. button combination for Recovery does not work

If the food is + Volume Up doesn't work:

• 🔄 Try the food. + Volume Down (sometimes opens Recovery on custom firmware).
• 🔋 Charge your phone – a discharged battery can block the entrance to Recovery.
• 🔧 Check buttons for physical damage (such as sticking).
• 🖥️ Use it. ADB-PC: Adb Reboot Recovery

3.After the reset, there are old files left

If you notice that some of the data (photos, music) has not been deleted:

• 📁 These files could have been stored on SD-The card (hard res does not affect it).
• 🗑️ Manually delete the remaining folders through the file manager.
• 🔄 Repeat the reset via Fastboot (Fastboot erase userdata command).

4.The phone asks for an old pattern lock after being reset

This happens if:

• 🔒 Reset was done through settings, not through Recovery.
• 📱 The system has data about the lock (for example, due to incomplete resetting).

Decisions:

• 🔄 Repeat the hard reset with Recovery Mode (method 1).
• 🖥️ Swipe your phone through Fastboot with a full cleanup.

5. "No command" error in Recovery

If you enter Recovery and see a robot with an exclamation point and the inscription No command:

1. Press and hold the food. + Volume Up 10 seconds.
2. Release the buttons and press the power again. + Volume Up.
3. If it doesn't work, run stock Recovery through Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery recovery.img fastboot reboot recovery

Alternative methods of unlocking

If the hard reset doesn’t help (e.g., the phone is blocked by Mi Account or the firmware is damaged), consider alternative ways.

1 Unlock Mi Account without password

Official means:

• 🔑 Restore your password through Xiaomi’s website (requires access to email or phone).
• 📞 Contact support with proof of purchase (check, box).

Informal methods (risky!):

• 🛠️ Use of the EDL Mode and firmware via Mi Flash Tool (requires an authorized developer account).
• 🔧 Bypassing Test Point (physical circuit of contacts on the board) - only for experienced users.

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial unlock methods can cause warranty loss or phone breakdown. Use them at your own risk!

2. Reset via service codes

On the Redmi. 4X You can try soft reset via the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code ##7378423## (service menu).
3. Select Wipe Data or Factory Reset (if available).

Limitations:

• ❌ It doesn't work on all versions. MIUI.
• ❌ Does not delete data as thoroughly as hard resets through Recovery.

3. Use of third-party programs

To unlock Redmi 4X sometimes:

• 🖥️ Miracle Box or UFi Box – paid tools for service centers.
• 📱 Apps like Xiaomi Tool V2 (requires an unlocked loader).

Risks:

• 🚨 Possibility of installing malware.
• 🔧 Loss of guarantee.
• 💥 Improper use can cause the phone to fail.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)