How to reset Xiaomi Redmi 4A to factory settings: all ways with photos

Xiaomi Redmi 4A is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, released in 2016, but still actively used. Over time, any gadget begins to “brake”, give errors or require transfer to a new owner. In such cases, resetting to factory settings becomes a universal solution. However, not all users know that the Redmi 4A has three official ways of resetting – through the settings menu, Recovery mode and even remotely through Mi Account, each of which is suitable for different situations.

In this article, you will find detailed instructions with screenshots, comparisons of methods on speed and security, and answers to frequent questions: what to do if the phone does not turn on after reset, how to save contacts before the procedure, and why it may be necessary to unlock the bootloader. Particular attention is paid to the nuances of the MIUI firmware - for example, why resetting through Settings works incorrectly on some versions of the software, and how to get around it.

Why do I need to reset my settings to Redmi 4A?

Factory reset is not just a cure for all diseases, but a tool with specific application scenarios. Here are 5 of the most common reasons why Xiaomi Redmi 4A users resort to this procedure:

• 🐢 Slowdown: Smartphones start to lay, apps take a long time to open, animations twitch — even after clearing the cache. MIUI.
• 🔄 Preparation for sale: Before transferring the phone to the new owner, you need to delete all personal data, including Google accounts and Mi Accounts, to avoid leakage of information.
• 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock or PIN: If you've made a mistake several times when you entered your password, the system will lock the device.
• 📱 Failures after the update: a failed firmware or a “curve” update MIUI can cause a cyclical reboot, no network, or a broken touchscreen.
• 🦠 Viruses and malware: If the antivirus detects threats that are not removed by standard methods, a full reset is guaranteed to clean up the system.

It is important to understand that resetting is not a panacea, and if the problem is related to hardware malfunctions (such as a broken screen, a malfunctioning battery, or a damaged motherboard), then software reinstallation will not help, and in such cases, diagnostics are required at the service center.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before starting the reset, be sure to follow 3 steps, otherwise you risk losing important data or facing a device lock:

1. Save a backup. Even if you plan to reset because of a phone sale, copy contacts, photos and documents to your computer or to the cloud. Redmi 4A has a built-in Settings feature → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Make sure the battery is at least 50% charged, and interrupting the discharge process can cause the device to “brick” (turn into a “brick”).
3. Delete the Mi Account and Google account link. Once reset, the phone may require you to enter a login and password from your previous account (FRP protection). If you don't remember the data, it can take up to 72 hours to unlock.

Pay special attention to the memory card. If it is installed in the slot, remove it before reset — some versions of MIUI format the external drive along with the internal memory. Also check if the adaptive memory function is included in the developer settings, it can complicate the process.

Redmi 4A

Make backup contacts and photos

Charge your phone >50%

Unlock Mi Account and Google

Remove the memory card

Record the IMEI (in case of blocking)

Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)

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Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the easiest one)

This method is suitable if the phone turns on and responds to touch, and you remember the pattern lock or PIN-The main advantage is that it does not require additional tools and takes no more than 5 minutes.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Select Reset (in some versions of MIUI, the item is called Reset and Reset).
4. Click Reset your phone settings and confirm the action by entering the password (if required).
5. Wait for the reboot - the phone will independently perform the reset and turn on with factory parameters.

Redmi 4A with MIUI 8-10 firmware may have an optional Clear all data - choose it if you want a full reset. If the phone is stuck on the MI logo after confirmation, don't panic: wait 10-15 minutes. If the screen doesn't change for longer than 20 minutes, go to method 2 (via Recovery).

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

If Redmi 4A is stuck on the screensaver, does not respond to buttons or is locked with a pattern lock, hardware reset via recovery mode will help, which works even when the firmware is damaged, but requires accurate follow-up.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the button combination: Volume up (+) + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. In the Recovery menu, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select the item.
4. Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in older versions), then Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm (a password may be required if it has been set).
6. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items:

• 📱 1st item - reboot (Reboot),
• 🗑️ 2nd or 3rd Reset (Wipe Data),
• 🔧 The last one is additional settings.

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If the phone isn't included in Recovery, try an alternative combination: Volume down (-) + Power. On some versions of the Redmi 4A (like the Snapdragon 425), this works better.

Method 3: Remote reset via Mi Account (if phone is stolen or lost)

If you've linked a Redmi 4A to a Xiaomi account, you can reset it remotely -- even if you don't have the device in your hand -- and it's useful if you lose your phone, or if you've passed it to someone else but you forgot to reset.

• ✅ The phone must be connected to the Internet (via mobile network or Wi-Fi).

Instructions:

1. In the Devices section, find your Redmi 4A (if it's online, its model and charge level will be displayed).

⚠️ Note: after a remote reset, the phone will automatically unlock from the pattern lock, but when you first turn on, you will need to enter data from Mi Account. If you do not remember the password, restore it in advance through the Xiaomi website.

Table: Comparison of Reset Methods on Redmi 4A

If none of the methods worked (for example, the phone is not included in Recovery or requires a Mi Account password that you do not remember), there are two options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi service center with documents on the phone (if it is guaranteed).
2. Use informal tools like the Mi Flash Tool (requires unlocking the bootloader and risks cancelling the warranty).

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If Redmi 4A requires you to enter your Mi Account password after resetting, and you don’t remember it, use the recovery function at account.xiaomi.com. Resetting your password will take up to 24 hours, but this is the only legal way to unlock without losing data.

Frequent mistakes after resetting and how to fix them

Even after the successful reset of Xiaomi Redmi 4A It can be incorrect.-5 problems and solutions:

• 🔋 The phone discharges quickly: after reset, the system indexes files and updates applications, which increases the battery load. Give the device a 2-3 charge/discharge cycle to calibrate the battery.
• 📶 No network or SIM-The card is not determined: go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks, and select the operator manually, and if it doesn't work, check if the tray is damaged. SIM.
• 🔒 Requires a password from Mi Account after reset: this is protection FRP. Enter the account that was linked before the reset. If you don't remember the password, restore it through the Xiaomi website.
• 🔄 Bootloop: If the phone is constantly restarting, the firmware is damaged. The solution is to flash the device through Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Note: if after the Redmi reset 4A It gives an error "This device is locked" when you try to flash it through Fastboot, which means that the bootloader is blocked. en.miui.com/unlock. The process takes 360 hours (15 days) and requires a Mi Account to be linked to the phone.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions