How to remove the pattern lock from Xiaomi Redmi 4X: from official methods to engineering solutions

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) remains a popular smartphone even years after its release, thanks to its robust hardware and custom firmware support. But what if you forget the pattern lock? Standard methods of unlocking through Mi Account do not always work, especially if the device is not tied to an account or disconnected from the network. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from official to technical, taking into account the features of this model.

It's important to understand: Redmi 4X The Qualcomm-based Snapdragon 435 has a closed bootloader by default, which limits the ability to unlock without losing data. EDL-mode or exploits in older versions MIUI. We've analyzed the forums. 4PDA, XDA Developers and official Xiaomi documentation to collect only proven techniques.

If you're not sure about your skills, you'd better go to a service center, but if you're willing to do it yourself, read on. Let's start with the safest way, and gradually move on to the more complex.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

This is the only way Xiaomi considers legitimate. It works if:

• 🔗 The device is linked to your Mi Account (even if you don’t remember your password).
• 📶 Internet access (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔄 On the smartphone enabled data synchronization.

After 5 failed attempts to enter the pattern lock, the button Forgot the password will appear. Click on it and follow the instructions:

1. Enter the username and password from Mi Account (if you do not remember – restore through account.xiaomi.com).
2. Confirm the unlock via SMS or email.
3. Create a new pattern lock or PIN-code.

⚠️ Note: If the Find Device option is enabled on the device, additional confirmation may be required after unlocking. SMS. Also note that Xiaomi can block your account if you repeatedly try to sign in – in this case you will have to wait 24 hours.

2.Reset via Recovery Mode (with loss of data)

If the official method doesn't work, you'll have to resort to a hard reset. On the Redmi 4X, this is done via Recovery Mode, but it's important to consider the firmware version:

• 🔧 Nana MIUI 8/9 Reset bypasses the blocking of the pattern lock.
• 🔒 Nana MIUI 10+ After reset, you may still have a request to enter the old key (due to the function). FRP).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power + Volume Up at the same time before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage volume buttons, confirmation – Power).
4. After resetting, restart the device (Reboot).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X firmware MIUI 11+ You may have a "This device is locked" error after the reset, which means you need to link to the Mi Account that was on the device before the reset.

Turn off phone | Press Power + Volume Up| Wait for Recovery menu | Select Wipe Data | Confirm reset-->

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced)

This method requires a computer and installed ADB/Fastboot drivers.

• 🔌 The phone's debugging on. USB (Even if it is now blocked).
• 🖥️ There is access to PC with Windows/Linux.
• 🔓 Bootloader unlocked (checked by the fastboot oem device-info command).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume Down when the device is off).
2. Open the command line in the folder with ADB and execute: fastboot oem unlock If the bootloader is locked, first unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool (you need a Mi Account with a device binding).
3. Try custom Recovery (e.g. TWRP): fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
4. In TWRP, delete the key files: /data/system/gesture.key /data/system/locksettings.db
5. Reset the device.

💡 Useful advice: On Redmi 4X s MIUI 10 and newer may work bypass through ADB without TWRP. For this purpose, in Fastboot perform:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache

But it will lead to a complete cleanup of the data!

4.Using EDL mode (for power users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is an emergency firmware mode that allows you to reflash your phone even with a locked bootloader. On the Redmi 4X, it can be activated in two ways:

• 🔌 Hardware: Close the contacts Test Point on the board (requires disassembly).
• 💻 Programming: through the team ADB (If debugging is enabled: adb reboot edl

After moving to EDL:

1. Download the firmware for Redmi 4X (e.g., xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
2. Use the Mi Flash Tool to run in Clean All mode.
3. Wait until the process is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL drop off IMEI and MAC-If the network is missing after the procedure, restore it. IMEI through SN Write Tool (instructions are available on the 4PDA). Also note that informal firmware may contain backdoors – download files only from trusted sources.

5. Alternative methods (without loss of data)

If none of the above methods work, try these options:

Method 1: Bypassing the bell (operates on MIUI 8-9)

1. Call the locked phone from another device.
2. Take the call, then quickly go to Settings → Lock screen.
3. Turn off the pattern lock and set the PIN.

Method 2: Remove gesture.key via ADB (if debugging is enabled)

If USB debugging was activated before the lock, connect the phone to your PC and do:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




reboot

Critical information: On Redmi 4X with MIUI 10+, gesture.key can be stored in an encrypted partition, in which case only a complete reset or firmware via EDL will help.

💡

If you have backups in Mi Cloud, restore data through Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset after unlocking. This will bring back contacts, SMS and some application settings.

6. What should I do if nothing helps?

If all methods are exhausted, two options remain:

• 🔧 Contact the service center (official or private).Redmi unlock cost 4X — 500 to 1500 rubles.
• 📦 Sell/sell for spare parts. Avito or Yula blocked Redmi 4X Buy for 1000-2000 rubles (especially if the screen and battery are serviceable).

⚠️ Warning: Don't trust "masters" who promise to unlock a phone in 5 minutes without losing data through "secret codes." 4X There are no codes like this, it's a scam. The only working engineering codes for Xiaomi:

#4636## - information about the battery
#225## - Calendar check
#6484## - Sensor test

They don't affect the locking of the screen.

💡

On Redmi 4X with MIUI 12 and later, the only reliable way to avoid losing data is to unlock through Mi Account. All other methods either require a reset or only work on older versions of firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi 4X