Why you need a Redmi 4X reset and when to do it
Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 4X to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve software problems.The Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) came out in 2017, and over the years, many users have experienced slowdowns, MIUI errors or the consequences of failed firmware.
System freezes: if the phone slows down, spontaneously restarts or apps crash for no reason, often due to cache overflows or MIUI update conflicts.
Viral Infection: if suspicious applications, status-line advertising or unknown SMS/MMS expenses appear on the device.
Preparations for the sale: to delete personal data (photos, messages, accounts) and return the smartphone to a “clean” state.
After a failed update: when the firmware through OTA or fastboot went wrong, and the phone does not load beyond the Mi logo.
But resets are not a panacea, they won't help with hardware problems (a broken screen, a broken battery, a microphone problem) or if the phone isn't detected by a computer in EDL mode, which requires repair or flashing through a service center.
Preparation for resetting: what to save and how
Reset removes all data from Redmi 4X’s internal memory, including:
- 📸 Photos and videos in the gallery (except for those in the gallery) SD-map).
- 💬 Communications in SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram and other messengers.
- 📱 Application settings: logins, passwords, call history.
- 🎵 Music and downloads, if stored in the phone memory.
To avoid losing something important, follow the steps:
- Sync accounts: Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account and make sure that contacts, notes and calendar sync is enabled. Also check sync in Google Account (if you use it).
- Copy files on PC: Connect Redmi 4X to your computer via USB (select File Transfer Mode in the Notification Curtain) and copy DCIM, Downloads, and WhatsApp folders to your hard drive.
- Keep a backup copy. MIUI: Settings menu → Additionally. → Backups create a backup for SD-Pay attention: this backup will not recover after resetting via Recovery!
💡
If the phone doesn’t turn on but is defined by the computer as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, try retrieving data through the Mi PC Suite program in EDL mode.
Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is working)
This is the easiest and safest method if the Redmi 4X is turned on and reacts to touch.
- Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
- Scroll down and select Additional → Recovery and Reset.
- Slip Settings Reset.
- The system will choose: 🔄 Reset Settings – Remove only user data, apps, and settings, but leave updates MIUI. 🧹 Erase everything - a complete reset to the "factory" state (recommended for sale).
graphical key
Wait for the reboot (it will take 3-5 minutes).
Once reset, the phone will start with a welcome screen, like after purchase, and if you want to recover data, connect to Wi-Fi and log into Mi Account or Google Account, where sync was previously enabled.
Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Copy important files on the PC|Remember the username/password from the Mi Account|Disable Find Device in Mi Cloud (if you sell a phone)-->
Method 2: Reset via Recovery (if the phone doesn't boot)
If the Redmi 4X is stuck on the Mi logo, reboots cyclically or doesn’t respond to touch, use Recovery Mode.This method works even without a lock password, but requires physical access to the phone’s buttons.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone (squeeze the power for 10 seconds if it freezes).
- Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (black screen with English text).
- Use Volume Down for navigation and Volume Up for selection. Select: Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm
- Once you’re done, go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.
Note: Some versions of Recovery on Redmi 4X may require you to enter a password from Mi Account after reset (if previously there was a binding).If you forgot the password, you will have to unlock the device through the official Xiaomi website.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Method 3: Complete reset via Mi Flash (for power users)
If the first two methods didn’t work (for example, the phone doesn’t even turn on in Recovery), you’ll need firmware via Fastboot. MIUI Attention: The method requires a computer, USB-Cable and basic knowledge of working with Mi Flash Tool.
Step-by-step:
- Download the firmware: 🌐 Go to the site. MIUI Downloads. 🔍 Enter the Redmi model 4X (Scantoni and select the latest stable version (e.g, V12.5.1.0). 💾 Download a file with the.tgz extension and unpack it into a folder on your computer.
Install the drivers.
Download the Mi Flash Tool and Qualcomm drivers for Redmi 4X. Connect the phone off to your PC, holding Volume Down + Power to go to Fastboot mode (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
Switch the device.
Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode, press Refresh (should appear) COM-The port, then Flash, takes 5-10 minutes.
Once you have the firmware, the phone will automatically reboot to the clean system, and if the Mi Flash Tool is an anti-rollback error, you're trying to install an older version of MIUI than the one on the phone, in which case, download the newer firmware.
💡
Fastboot firmware is the only way to bring the Redmi 4X back to life if it doesn’t respond to buttons and boots into Recovery. However, this method requires care: a bug in choosing a firmware can turn a phone into a brick.
Table: Comparison of Reset Methods for Redmi 4X
| Method | Conditions | Time. | Deletes the data. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Through the settings menu | The phone is turned on, reacts to touch. | 3-5 minutes | Yeah (except) SD-map) | ⭐ (simple) |
| Through Recovery. | The phone is not loading, but there is access to Recovery. | 5-7 minutes | Yes (full reset) | ⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) |
| Using the Mi Flash Tool (Fastboot) | Phone is not responding, PC is required | 10-15 minutes | Yes (including firmware) | ⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) |
| Through EDL (Emergency Mode) | Phone Undetected, Fastboot Damaged | 20+ minute | Yeah (full flashing) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (specialist) |
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:
- 🔋 Phone runs out during reset: If the battery runs below 5%, the process will stop and the phone may not turn on. Always charge the Redmi 4X At least 50% before reset, if the phone is not responding, plug it into charging for 15 to 20 minutes, then try again.
- 🔒 Mi Account Password Forgotten: After resetting via Recovery or Fastboot, the phone may require a username/password from the Mi Account if you previously activated Find Device. Restor access through the recovery page or contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.
- 📱 phone is stuck on logo after reset: If after Redmi reset 4X If the Mi logo is not loaded, the firmware is damaged. Re-reset via Recovery or run the phone through Fastboot (see Method 3).
💡
If the IMEI is missing or no network is lost after the reset, restore it using the engineering menu: dial ##4636##, select Phone Information and click Select Network. If the IMEI is missing at all, you will need to firmware the NVRAM module via the SP Flash Tool.