The Xiaomi Mi 4, released in 2014, is still a popular device thanks to its robust hardware and custom firmware installation capabilities. However, over time, any smartphone starts to slow down, issue errors or require a complete system reinstallation, and factory reset is the universal solution for most software problems, from freezes to viruses.
In this article, you will find three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery and Fastboot), as well as unique nuances for the Mi 4 related to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 hardware platform. We will discuss how to avoid a “brick” (routine break), what data can be recovered after a reset, and why some versions of MIUI require additional authorization of a Xiaomi account.
Preparation for resetting: what to do before the start
The factory reset completely removes all data from the device’s internal memory, including:
- 📱 Contacts (unless synced with Google or Mi Account)
- 📸 Photos and videos (including screenshots and downloads from messengers)
- 🎵 Music, documents and application files (e.g. saves in games)
- 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords, app settings and social media accounts
Before you start, follow the mandatory steps:
- Sync your contacts with your Google Account or export them to a.vcf file.
- Copy photos and important files to your computer or cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
- Write down or take pictures of Wi-Fi passwords (you can find them in Settings → Wi-Fi → Save Networks).
- Make sure the battery level is at least 50% – interruption of the process due to discharge can cause firmware damage.
Make a backup copy of contacts|Copy media files on PC|Write down passwords from Wi-Fi|Charge the phone to 50%+|Disable protection with a pattern lock (if any)-->
If you use Mi Account to lock your device, remember your username and password. After resetting, the Xiaomi Mi 4 may require authorization to unlock – this is a feature of theft protection (Find Device).
⚠️ Note: Some Mi 4 firmware (especially Chinese versions) may have a "This device is locked" error after a reset. To avoid it, disable Find Device in your Xiaomi account settings before reset.
Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the easiest one)
This method is suitable if the smartphone is turned on and reacts to touch, and you remember the pattern lock or PIN-The instructions are valid for all versions. MIUI, including the latest updates to the Mi 4.
Steps for discharge:
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Go to About Phone (or Additional → Recovery and Reset in older versions of MIUI).
- Select Resetting (or Resetting to factory settings).
- Click Delete all data and confirm the action by entering the pattern lock/PIN-code.
- Wait until the process is complete (usually takes 3-5 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.
If the menu does not have Resets, try an alternative path:
Settings → System and device → Additional → Recovery and reset → Resetting💡
If the Mi 4 hangs on the Xiaomi logo for a long time after reset, don’t panic – the first turn on can take up to 10 minutes.
After the reboot, you will be asked to configure the device as new, at which point you can recover data from the backup (if it was created through Mi Cloud or Google).
Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)
If the Xiaomi Mi 4 is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touches or is locked with a pattern lock you forgot, a reset via Recovery will help.This mode starts before the main system boots and allows you to reset even on a "brick".
Step instructions:
- Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
- Press the Volume Up (+) and Power button at the same time.
- Hold the buttons until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear (usually 5-10 seconds).
- In the Recovery menu, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selection.
- Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in some versions).
- Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
- Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.
The Recovery menu on the Mi 4 can be in Chinese or English. If you see the characters, focus on the location of the items:
- 📱 The first item is reboot (Reboot).
- 🗑️ The third or fourth point is the data reset (Wipe Data).
What happens if Recovery does not open?
⚠️ Note: On the Xiaomi Mi 4 with custom firmware (like LineageOS), the Recovery menu may look different.In this case, look for Factory Reset or Format Data.
Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)
This method requires a computer and is suitable for cases where:
- 🔄 The phone does not turn on or load into Recovery.
- 🔒 The screen says "This device is locked" after a failed reset.
- 🛠️ You need to reflash the device from scratch (for example, after a failed update).
The work will require:
- 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
- 📥 Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website of Xiaomi).
- 📦 Firmware for Mi 4 (the version should match your model!).
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press Volume Down (-) and connect the USB cable to your computer. Hold the button until the Fastboot logo appears on the screen.
- Start the Mi Flash Tool on your computer.
- In the program, click Select and specify the path to the unpacked firmware (file with the extension.tgz or.zip).
- Press Refresh – your Mi 4 should appear in the list of devices.
- Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
- Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).
If the phone doesn’t turn on after firmware or gives an error, try:
- 🔄 Repeat the process with another firmware version (for example, global instead of Chinese).
- 🔌 Check cable and port USB — Unstable connection can interrupt the firmware.
- 📡 Use another computer (sometimes drivers are incorrectly installed).
Yeah, I did.|No, but I want to learn.|I tried it, but it didn't work.|I've never heard of that.-->
| Resetting method | When to use | PC required | Risk of damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through settings | The phone is working, you know the password. | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Low. |
| Through Recovery. | Phone is not turned on, but there is access to Recovery | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Medium (if the process is interrupted) |
| Through Fastboot. | Phone is not responding, need to flash | ✅ Yes. | ❗ High (for firmware errors) |
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
Even if you do the right thing, the reset can go wrong, so let's look at the typical problems and how to fix them.
1.After a reset, the phone requires a Xiaomi account that isn't there
This is activation of Find Device.
- 🔑 If your account is yours but you have forgotten your password, restore it at account.xiaomi.com.
- 📧 If the phone is bought from hand and tied to someone else’s account, contact the previous owner or Xiaomi support with proof of purchase.
- 🛠️ In extreme cases, you can try to flash the device through Fastboot with disabling account verification (requires unlocking the bootloader).
2.The phone is stuck on the Mi logo after being dumped
Causes and solutions:
- 🕒 Wait 10-15 minutes – the first turn on after reset can be long.
- 🔄 If the freeze lasts more than 20 minutes, try going to Recovery and resetting again.
- 📥 If the reset doesn't help, run your phone through Fastboot (see Method 3).
3.The sensor is not working after reset
This is a rare problem involving sensor drivers being damaged.
- 🔄 Fastboot your phone using the original firmware for your model.
💡
If the Mi 4 does not turn on or emits errors after reset, 90% of the time the Fastboot firmware with Clean All mode selection helps.
How to recover data after resetting
If you haven't backed up, the chances of getting your deleted data back are minimal, but there are. Let's look at the options.
1. Photo and video recovery
Use programs to restore files:
- 💻 DiskDigger (Android) scans internal memory for deleted media files.
- 💻 Recuva (Windows) – if you connect your phone’s memory to your PC as a removable drive.
Important: Do not write new files to your phone after a reset – this reduces the chances of recovery.
Reconciliation of contacts
If the contacts were synchronized:
- 📱 Google Contacts – Sign in to the same Google account on your phone, and your contacts will be restored automatically.
- 📱 Mi Cloud – Check backups in your Xiaomi account (Cloud section) → Contacts).
3. Recovery of messages
Messages from SMS and messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) are more difficult to recover:
- 💬 WhatsApp – If you have backup enabled on Google Drive, reinstall the app and log in to the same account.
- 💬 Telegram – messages are stored in the cloud, just log into your account.
- 📱 SMS — Try programs like this. SMS Backup & Restore if a backup was made before the reset.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Mi 4 with encrypted memory (for example, after upgrading to Android 6)+) It's almost impossible to recover data, and encryption blocks access to deleted files even through specialized programs.
Prevention of problems: how to avoid resetting in the future
To avoid having to regularly reset the Mi 4 to factory settings, follow the simple recommendations:
1. Optimize the operation of the system
- 🧹 Clean the app cache once a month (Settings) → Annexes → Clear the cache).
- 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files through Cleanup (built-in application) MIUI).
- 🔄 Update to the latest stable version (but not beta!).
2. Protect yourself from viruses
- 🛡️ Install antivirus (such as Avast or Bitdefender).
- 🚫 Don't download. APK-files from unverified sources.
- 🔒 Disable the installation of applications from unknown sources (Settings) → Confidentiality → Unknown sources).
3. Watch the battery.
The Mi 4 is often known to have battery problems that can cause sudden shutdowns during reset.
- 🔋 Check the battery health through the AccuBattery app.
- 🔌 Do not let the discharge below 20% – this reduces the battery life.
- 🔄 If your phone turns off at 30-40% charge, replace the battery.
💡
On Xiaomi Mi 4 after 5-6 years of operation, it is recommended to replace the thermal paste on the processor. Overheating can cause lags and spontaneous reboots, which are mistaken for software failures.