Reset Xiaomi Redmi 4 to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 4

factory-setting

But how do you do this properly on Redmi 4 to avoid turning your phone into a brick? In this article, we will look at three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery and Mi Flash Tool), explain the pitfalls of each method, and give you a checklist for safe preparation, and also answer the questions that most users often have after a hard reset.

Important: Redmi 4 came in several versions (Redmi 4 Pro, Redmi 4 Prime, Redmi 4A and standard version). All the instructions in this article are relevant for all options except the Redmi 4A - this model has nuances with unlocking the bootloader. If you have a 4A, note the individual notes in the text.

1.Reset preparation: what to do before the hard reset

Factory reset is the complete removal of all data from the device, including photos, contacts, messages, and installed applications. Even if you plan to restore information from a backup, some data (such as saving in games or settings apps) can be lost forever.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup. Alternatively, use Mi Cloud (if your Mi Account is tied) or third-party services like Google Drive.
• 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 50%. Interrupting the reset process due to a discharged battery can lead to software failures.
• 📋 Write down your Mi Account details (if tied) and after reset, you will need to reauthorize, and without a login/password, it will be difficult to unlock the device.
• 🔌 Disable all accounts (Google, Mi, Samsung, etc.) in Settings → Accounts.This will speed up the reset process and avoid synchronization errors.

Pay special attention to the pattern lock or PIN-If you forgot them, but the phone still works, reset the protection to Settings. → Lock screen → Password: If the device is already locked, you will have to use the method with Recovery or Mi Flash Tool (more about this below).

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If you plan to sell Redmi 4, after the reset, be sure to unplug your Mi Account through Settings → Mi Account → Sign out. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate the device!

2. Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the safest)

This method is suitable if the phone is turned on, you remember the lock password and want to perform a "soft" reset without risking damage to the firmware. The procedure takes 5-10 minutes and requires no additional tools.

Step-by-step:

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 - Restore and Reset).
4. Click Reset your phone settings.
5. The system will prompt you to enter a lock password (if installed).
6. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.

The phone will automatically restart and begin the cleaning process, and when it is finished, you will see the screen of the initial setup, as after the purchase. If at this stage the device requires you to enter your Mi Account data, use the same login and password as before the reset.

Make sure your phone is over 50 times charged%|Create a backup copy of important data|Remember/record the screen lock password|Disable Google and Mi accounts (optional)|Check the stability of the Internet connection (for synchronization after resetting)-->

⚠️ Warning: If after resetting the phone asks you to enter an old pattern lock that you don't remember, don't try to guess it repeatedly - the device can lock up for 24 hours.

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

If Redmi 4 doesn't respond to touch, hangs on the Mi logo, or you forgot your unlock password, Recovery Mode will help.

• 🔄 On some versions MIUI Recovery may require a password entry.
• 📱 If the protective bootloader has been activated before, the reset may not work (Mi Flash Tool is needed).
• 🔧 At Redmi. 4A Recovery from Xiaomi is installed by default, which does not support reset without authorization. TWRP.

Instructions for standard recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons – you will see the Recovery menu (management is carried out by the volume and power buttons).
4. Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in newer versions).
5. Confirm the action by selecting Yes.
6. After cleaning, go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If you need a password in the Recovery menu and you don't remember it, you only need to run the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (method 3). Redmi 4A requires you to pre-installe TWRP, which you'll find at the end of the article.

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

This is the most radical method used if:

• 🔒 Phone locked and Recovery requires password.
• 🤖 The device “brickled” after a failed firmware.
• 📱 You need to completely refashion the smartphone (for example, to install a global smartphone). MIUI).

This method will require:

• 💻 Computer with Windows (7 and higher).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (preferably from the set).
• 📥 Mi Flash Tool (download from official website).
• 📦 Firmware for Redmi 4 (select the version that matches your model: markw for standard, prada for Prime, rolex for 4A).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi4_Firmware).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers for Xiaomi (usually bundled with the program).
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: pinch Power + Volume down until the hare appears in the eardress cap.
4. Connect Redmi 4 to a PC. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
5. In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. Select firmware mode: Clean all - complete cleaning (recommended for resetting). Clean all and lock - cleaning + lock bootloader (only if you plan to sell the phone).

Flash

Once you have firmware through the Mi Flash Tool, the phone may require a link to your Mi Account, even if it didn’t exist before. It’s OK to enter your account details (the one that was tied before the reset).

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Use the Mi Flash Tool only as a last resort!A wrong firmware or interrupted process can turn your phone into a brick.

⚠️ Note: If Redmi 4 doesn’t turn on or hovers on the Mi logo after firmware, try repeating the process with a different version. MIUI (For example, instead of Global, take China Stable. Also check that you downloaded the firmware for your model — Redmi 4 and Redmi. 4A inconsistent!

5.Reset features for Redmi 4A

The Redmi 4A (rolex) differs from the rest of the line in that it has Xiaomi’s Recovery default with account verification, which means that you can’t reset your device through the standard recovery menu if you forget your lock password or Mi Account details.

There are two solutions:

1. Install custom TWRP: Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool (it requires a tied Mi Account and a wait of 72 hours). Download TWRP for Redmi 4A from twrp.me. Squeeze TWRP via Fastboot command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img In TWRP, select Wipe → Format Data, type yes and reboot.

Mi Flash Tool

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Redmi 4A

rolex

After installing TWRP, you can not only reset your settings, but also install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which is important to speed up the old device.

6.What to do after resetting: initial setup

After a successful reset, Redmi 4 will launch in initial setup mode.

• 🌍 Choose a language and a region. For Russia, it is optimal to specify Russia - this will ensure the correct operation of Google and Mi services.
• 🔑 Log in to Mi Account. If you forgot your password, restore it through the official website.
• 📲 Restore data from the backup (if you created it before resetting).

If your phone is running slower than before, try:

• Disable animation in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 5 times on the version bar, then in the Developer Settings set Animation = 0.5x).
• Remove unnecessary system applications via ADB (instructions are available on 4PDA forums).
• Install a light firmware (for example, MIUI Lite or LineageOS).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes experience problems when resetting Redmi 4, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

• 🚫 Use of unofficial firmware. Download. MIUI Only from the official website or verified sources (4PDA, XDA Developers).

If the phone is resetting and this device is locked or couldn't verify the device, it means that the bootloader is locked.

1. Go to the Mi Unlock website.
2. Download and install the Mi Unlock Tool.
3. Sign in to the Mi Account linked to the phone.
4. Connect Redmi 4 in Fastboot mode and follow the program instructions (waiting can take up to 720 hours!).

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If you buy Redmi 4 with your hands, be sure to check if your Mi Account is untied! Go to Settings → Mi Account – if someone else’s email is displayed there, ask the seller to log out before the transaction.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions