How to return factory settings to Xiaomi Redmi 4A: a complete guide with photos and videos

Xiaomi Redmi 4A is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, released in 2016. Despite its age, the device is still actively used due to its reliability and the ability to install custom firmware. However, over time, any gadget begins to slow down, glitch or require a complete reboot of the system, in such cases, resetting to factory settings becomes the only effective solution.

In this article, you will find three proven ways to return the Redmi 4A to its original state: through the phone settings, Recovery mode and Fastboot. We will also discuss how to prepare for a reset so as not to lose important data, and what to do if after the procedure the phone requires a password from Mi Account.

Resetting Preparation: What to Do Before Returning to Factory Settings

Factory reset is the complete removal of all data from the device, including photos, contacts, messages and installed applications. To avoid losing important information, follow a few mandatory steps:

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. Xiaomi offers to save data to Mi Cloud or local storage.
• 🔒 Make sure you know the username and password from Mi Account. After reset, the phone may require authorization, especially if the Find Device feature was previously activated.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can lead to complete failure of the device.
• 📡 Disable your Google Account (if it was linked) to help avoid problems FRP (Factory Reset Protection) after restart.

If you plan to sell or transfer your phone to another user, it is further recommended that you:

• 📲 Delete SIM-card and memory card (if used as internal memory, only retrieve after resetting).
• 🔄 Log out of all accounts (Google, Mi, social networks) manually through settings.

⚠️ Attention: If on Redmi 4A custom firmware installed (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), resetting through a standard menu may not return the original MIUI. In this case, you will need firmware through Fastboot.

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

This method is suitable if the phone turns on and responds to touch, and if you remember a pattern lock or a key. PIN-The procedure takes no more than 5 minutes and requires no additional tools.

Step instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Select the Reset option.
4. Click Reset your phone settings and confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN.
5. Wait until the process is complete (the phone will reboot automatically).

Once you reboot, you will be asked to configure the device as new. If you previously had a Mi Account attached, you will need to enter your username and password to unlock it.

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If after reset, the phone asks for a password from Mi Account, and you do not remember it - try to restore access through the official website account.xiaomi.com. In extreme cases, you may need to contact the service center to unlock.

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

If Redmi 4A doesn’t respond to touch, freezes on the logo, or reboots cyclically, use Recovery mode, which will also help if you forget your pattern lock.

For entrance to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button and Volume up (+) at the same time.
3. Hold them until the Mi logo and the Recovery menu appear.

In the Recovery menu, the volume buttons (Up/Down for navigation, Power for selection) are controlled.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in some versions).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: If the Recovery menu does not include Wipe Data, it means that the phone has an unofficial firmware installed. In this case, you will need to reset via Fastboot (see the next section).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method requires a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool or ADB/Fastboot program.

• 🔧 The phone doesn’t turn on (even in Recovery).
• 📱 There is a custom firmware on the device.
• 🔒 Complete reflashing is required with the removal of all data.

For reset via Fastboot:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the official tool from Xiaomi).
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: pinch Power + Volume down (-) until the hare appears in the eardress cap.
3. Get Redmi on board. 4A computer-to-computer USB-cable.
4. Open the Command Prompt (CMD) in the ADB folder and type:

fastboot devices

(The serial number of your device should be displayed.)

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

These commands will completely clear the partition with user data and cache, after which the phone will restart to its original state.

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Fastboot reset is the most radical method that is guaranteed to delete all data, including residual files from custom firmware, but it requires minimal command line knowledge.

What to do if after resetting the phone asks for a password from Mi Account

One of the most common problems after a Redmi 4A reset is requesting a username and password from Mi Account, which is due to Find Device, which links the device to a Xiaomi account, and if you don't remember the login details, there are several ways to address this:

• 🔑 Recovery of password through the official website. You will need access to the email or phone associated with the account.
• 📧 Appeal in support of Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box with a box of products) IMEI). The process can take up to 7 days.
• 🔧 Bypassing the lock through EDL-Mode (power users only, requires an authorized Xiaomi developer account).

If the phone is bought from hand and the previous owner has not untied the Mi Account, contact him to remove the device from the list of attached gadgets. Otherwise, unlocking is possible only through the service center.

⚠️ Note: Using informal methods to bypass Mi Account (for example, through programs such as Mi Account Unlock Tool) can lead to blocking. IMEI Xiaomi is actively fighting against such tools, so the risk is high.

Typical post-reset errors and their solutions

Even after a successful reset, the Redmi 4A may not work properly, and let’s look at the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, it is possible that the problem is related to the hardware (for example, damage to the motherboard or battery), in which case it is recommended to contact the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Redmi 4A