How to Reset Xiaomi Redmi 4 to Factory Settings: The Complete 2026 Guide

Resetting Xiaomi Redmi 4 to factory settings is a procedure that can be required in a variety of situations, from preparing a smartphone for sale to eliminating critical system failures. Despite the fact that the model was released in 2016-2017, it is still actively used due to its reliability and the ability to install custom firmware, but not all users know how to properly perform a hard reset without the risk of turning the device into a brick.

In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery Mode and Mi Flash Tool), and also discuss nuances that will help avoid typical errors, such as why it can disappear after a reset. IMEI Or how to save data when the phone doesn't turn on, and we'll focus on the differences between the Redmi 4 and Redmi models. 4A, Redmi 4X Redmi 4 Pro – Despite their similarity, they have important features in the recovery process.

Why you need a factory reset on Xiaomi Redmi 4

The main reasons why users resort to a complete reset:

• 📱 Preparing for sale or transfer – Deletion of all personal data, accounts and files.
• 🔄 Fixing software failures: constant reboots, freezes, application errors.
• 🚀 Cleaning the system before installing a new firmware (for example, switching from a new firmware to a new firmware) MIUI 8 on MIUI 12).
• 🔒 Unlock the pattern lock if the password is forgotten (only if Find Device is enabled).
• 📉 Recovery of performance after long use (deletion of cache, temporary files).

It's important to understand that resetting is not a panacea, and if problems are caused by hardware problems (such as damage to the motherboard or battery), it won't help, and after the procedure, you'll need to reconfigure your smartphone: connect Wi-Fi, restore backups, log in.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi models 4X Redmi 4 Pro reset via Recovery can result in the bootloader being blocked if it was previously unlocked to install custom firmware.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you drop the Xiaomi Redmi 4, follow a few critical steps:

1. Back up your data. Use the built-in Backup app (Settings) → Additionally. → Backup and reset, or third-party services like Google Drive, Mi Cloud: 📞 Contacts (export to.vcf) 📷 Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud) 📄 Documents and notes 🎮 Save games (if cloud synchronization is supported)

Make sure the battery level is above 50%.

non-inclusive

Mi Account

Find Device

Shut down all accounts.

Settings → Accounts

Make sure the battery is charged >50%|Create a backup copy of important data|Remember the username/password from Mi Account|Disable all accounts (Google, Mi, social networks)|Get out. SIM-card and memory card (optional)

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If the phone is not turned on or stuck on the logo, preparation is limited to checking the battery charge, in which case the reset is performed via Recovery Mode (see next section).

Once a year to clean up the system | Only before selling | Never reset | Only if the phone is very glitzy | I don't know what it is

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Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is working)

It's the easiest and safest method that most users can use, and it works if:

• 📱 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• 🔓 Remember a pattern lock or password.
• 📶 No critical failures in the work MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Additional section (or About Phone in some versions of MIUI).
3. Select Backup and Reset.
4. Slip on Settings Reset.
5. Select Reset all settings (or Delete all data in older versions).
6. Confirm the action by entering the password / pattern lock.
7. Wait until the process is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

Once you reboot, you'll see the initial setup screen, like after you buy it, and if your phone requests Mi Account data, you'll enter it, which is a must to unlock.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4A firmware MIUI 9 and below, after reset, access to the mobile network may be lost. IMEI. Solution: Restore IMEI Use Engineer Mode (code #4636###) or search the device again.

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

This method is useful if Xiaomi Redmi 4:

• 🔄 Hanging on the logo. MI or Redmi.
• 🖥️ It doesn’t respond to touch (but the screen is working).
• 🔒 Blocked with a pattern lock and Find Device disabled.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi Recovery logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selection.
4. Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in older versions).
5. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
6. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

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

• The 3rd item on top is Wipe Data.
• The last item is Reboot.

⚠️ Note: If after reset via Recovery, the phone stopped seeing SIM-Cards, check status. IMEI In Settings → The phone. → General information: If the number is zero (000000000000000000000000000), restore it using Engineer Mode or utility. SN Writer Tool.

💡

If the power button doesn't work, use an alternative way to log in to Recovery: plug your phone into charging, then press Volume up + Volume down for 10 seconds. This will work on most Redmi 4 models.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Flash Tool (for power users)

This method is used in extreme cases where:

• 🔧 The phone does not respond to buttons and does not load.
• 📥 You need to reflash the device with a full cleanup (for example, after a failed update).
• 🔓 Requires to unlock the loader.

Important: This method deletes all data without recovery and requires a connection to a PC, and it will reset all MIUI settings to “out of the box”.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install on PC: 🖥️ Official firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version). 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool. 🔌 Qualcomm Drivers (if Windows does not recognize the phone).

Fastboot

Food + Volume Down

Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.

Mi Flash Tool

Select

Clean All

Flash

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart. It can take up to 10 minutes to turn on the first one, which is normal.

💡

Use the Mi Flash Tool only if other methods have not worked. Incorrect firmware can lead to loss of IMEI or lock the bootloader.

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery of data

After a successful reset, Xiaomi Redmi 4 will need to perform the initial setup:

1. Language and region choice: Choose Russia or Ukraine (depending on your location) to avoid problems with Google services.
2. Wi-Fi connection. Without the Internet, you can not log in to Mi Account and restore backups.
3. If you forget your password, restore it through the official website.
4. Data recovery: Use a previously created backup or sync data with Google Drive/Mi Cloud.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions