Resetting settings on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: 3 working ways (2026)

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) remains a popular budget smartphone even 7 years after its release. But over time, any gadget begins to “slow down”, give out errors or simply require a “clean start” before selling. Resetting to factory settings is a universal solution for most software problems, but on the Redmi 4X there are nuances: from binding to Mi Account to the features of working with Recovery on older versions of MIUI.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of resetting, from the standard menu to the “hard” methods through Fastboot. We will focus on the problem of blocking after reset due to a tied Xiaomi account, which still catches users in the secondary market, and also tell you how to save important data before cleaning and what to do if the phone “hangs” on the logo after a failed reset.

When you need to reset your settings on Redmi 4X

Factory resets are not a panacea, but they do help in 80 percent of software failures, and these are typical situations where the procedure is justified:

• 🐢 Phone is severely slowing down, applications spontaneously close and free memory is less than 1 GB.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Glitches: sensors are not working, the sound is lost or the touch screen is triggered with a delay.
• 📱 You sell or transfer your smartphone to another person – a reset will delete all personal data (photos, messages, accounts).
• 🔒 Forgot the pattern lock or PIN-code and unlocking through Mi Account is not available.
• 🦠 Suspected virus infection (for example, after installing applications from unverified sources).

But resetting won't help if the problem is hardware: the screen is broken, the speaker isn't working, or the phone is not turning on because of a damaged battery, and in such cases repairs are required.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X s MIUI 8-10 after reset via Recovery, you may need to enter data from the associated Mi Account. If you do not remember the username / password, the phone will turn into a brick»!

Preparing for resetting: how to save important data

Reset removes all user information, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos in the gallery (including screenshots).
• 💬 Communications in SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram and other messengers.
• 📁 Downloads, documents and files in internal memory.
• 🎵 Music that is not uploaded via streaming services.
• 📋 Contacts (unless synced with Google or Mi Cloud).

To avoid losing data, follow the steps:

Synchronize contacts with Google account|Copy photos/videos to PC or cloud|Save messages from messengers (export of chats)|Write down logins/passwords from applications and Wi-Fi|Check that important files are not in internal memory-->

You can use Redmi 4X backups to:

1. Mi Cloud (Xiaomi's built-in cloud) saves contacts, notes, SMS and some settings, but only 5GB is available for free.
2. Google Drive – Reserves contacts, calendars, photos (via Google Photos) and data from some apps.
3. Local copy on PC – connect your phone over USB in File Transfer (MTP) mode and manually copy DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp, etc. folders.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using TWRP Recovery, you can make a full backup system through Backup → Select Partitions. But this is only suitable for advanced users.

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

This method works if the phone turns on and you remember the pattern lock or PIN-It's a code. MIUI 8-14 at Redmi 4X current MIUI 12).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the section Additional → Recovery and Reset (on the new versions About Phone → Reset settings).
3. Select Settings Reset (sometimes called Erase All Data).
4. The system will be asked to PIN-code or pattern lock for confirmation.
5. Click Remove everything and wait for the reboot (it will take 3-10 minutes).

After resetting, the phone will start as new – you will need to go through the initial setup (choosing a language, connecting to Wi-Fi, etc.).

💡

If after resetting the phone asks to enter data from Mi Account, and you do not remember them – try to restore the password through the site account.xiaomi.com. If the account is not yours (for example, the phone is bought with hands), contact the previous owner or use the official unlock service Xiaomi (paid).

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

If the Redmi 4X doesn’t load beyond the logo, it will help to reset via Recovery.This phone uses stock Recovery from Xiaomi, so the instruction is different from devices with TWRP.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press both Loudness up (+) and Nutrition at the same time.
3. Hold the buttons until the Mi logo and menu appear in English/Chinese.

Further action:

• 🔧 Use volume buttons to navigate the menu and power button to select.
• 📛 Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data in Chinese firmware).
• 🔄 Confirm the action (Yes) and wait until the completion (the screen will appear the inscription Success).
• 🔙 Go back to the main menu and select Reboot. → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi firmware 4X After resetting via Recovery, anti-theft protection (Anti-Theft) can work. The phone will require you to enter data from the Mi Account, which was tied before the reset. If you are not the owner of the account, you can unlock the phone only through the official Xiaomi service (cost) ~1500–3000 ₽).

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

This method is suitable if:

• 🔧 Recovery is damaged or not opened.
• 📱 The phone is completely “brick” (does not respond to buttons).
• 🔒 You need to bypass Mi Account after a failed reset (requires an unlocked bootloader).

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (You can download from the Android Studio website).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or quality).
• 📥 Firmware for Redmi 4X (Santoni – download from the official website of Xiaomi.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down (-) + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → cmd).
3. Check the connection command: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
4. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

If after this procedure, the phone still asks for Mi Account, you will need to unlock the bootloader and completely flash it. FAQ.

💡

Reset via Fastboot only deletes user data, but does not reflash the system. If the problem is in the firmware itself (for example, after a failed update), you will need a complete reinstallation of MIUI through the Mi Flash Tool.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you do the reset on the Redmi 4X properly, you can have problems.

1.The phone asks for Mi Account after reset

This is a theft protection that is activated if:

• 🔗 The phone was tied to Mi Account.
• 🔄 Reset is done via Recovery or Fastboot (not through the settings menu).

Decisions:

• 📧 Restore your account through Xiaomi’s website (requires an email or phone number).
• 💼 Contact the official unlock service (paid, ~1500–3000 ₽).
• 🔧 If your phone is yours, but you have forgotten your account details, try resetting your password through the attached email or SMS.

2.The smartphone got stuck on the MI logo after being reset

Reasons:

• 🛠️ Damaged firmware (for example, after an interrupted update).
• 🔋 Faulty battery (if the phone is turned off by 50% of the charge).
• 🤖 Conflict after resetting on custom firmware.

Decisions:

• 🔄 Repeat the reset via Recovery (clip the volume) + + Nutrition).
• 📥 Fly the phone through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions in the FAQ).
• 🔋 Check the battery – if it is swollen, replace it.

3. After reset, there is no net (no catches) SIM-map)

A common problem on Redmi 4X after reset is that the IMEI or modem settings fly off.

• 📶 Check if it's inserted. SIM-The card is correct (the tray should click).
• 🔧 Restore. IMEI via Engineer Mode: Dial ##4636##. Go to Phone Information and check IMEI. If IMEI No, no, no, no. Restore it through MTK Engineering Tool (requires root rights).

Clean All

Mi Flash Tool

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions