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

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, released in 2017. 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 which case resetting to factory settings becomes the only effective solution.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to return the Redmi 4X to its original state, from a standard reset via menus to forced recovery via Fastboot. We will also discuss how to bypass the Mi Account lock after a reset if you forget your account details, and what to do if your phone does not respond to buttons. Instructions are suitable for all firmware versions (including MIUI 8/9/10/11/12) and device modifications (Redmi 4X 2/16GB, 3/32GB, 4/64GB).

When you need to reset to factory settings

Resetting is a last resort when other optimization methods fail, and here are the main reasons Redmi 4X users are choosing to reboot the system completely:

• 🐢 Strong brakes – applications open for a long time, animation twitches, the device overheats for no apparent reason.
• 🔄 Cyclical reboot – the phone turns on, shows the Xiaomi logo, then turns off and repeats the cycle.
• 🚫 Screen locking – Forgotten pattern lock, PIN-Password or code, and unlocking through Mi Account does not work.
• 📱 Errors after update – after installing the new version MIUI Glitches appeared (sensors do not work, communication is lost, applications fly out).
• 🦠 Viruses or malware – the smartphone sends itself SMS, Opens ads or connects to unknown networks.

Before you start resetting, make sure the problem is not solved more easily. For example, the brakes are often removed by manually cleaning the cache (Settings → Storage → Clear cache), and a cyclical reboot can be caused by a damaged memory card (try to remove it before resetting).

⚠️ Note: If you are dropping Redmi 4X Before selling, be sure to log out of Mi Account (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate the device!

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

The factory reset completely removes all data from Redmi 4X’s internal memory, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (including screenshots)
• 📞 Contacts (unless synced with Google or Mi Cloud)
• 🎵 Music, documents and downloads
• 📱 Settings Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, APN
• 🎮 Game saving (if not linked to an account)

To avoid losing important files, follow the following steps:

Back up your photos (via Google Photos or computer)

Export contacts to.vcf file

Copy music and documents to a PC or flash drive

Record the username / password from Mi Account (required after reset)

Make sure that the battery charge is > 50%

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If Redmi 4X doesn’t turn on or is stuck on the logo, backup is impossible, in which case you have to accept the loss of data, but there is a chance to recover some files after reset using programs like DiskDigger or Recuva (if you did not overwrite the memory).

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If you use a microSD card, remove it before resetting. In some cases, MIUI suggests formatting it along with the internal memory!

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

This is the safest and easiest method available if Redmi is a 4X It turns on and responds to touch. It's all versions. MIUI:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional → Recovery and Reset (in MIUI 12 the path may differ: Settings → About Phone → Reset settings).
3. Select Settings Reset (sometimes called Erase All Data).
4. The system will prompt you to enter a password from Mi Account (if tied) or a pattern lock.
5. Confirm the action by pressing Erase Everything.

The process will take 3-5 minutes. Once complete, the phone will automatically restart and prompt you to configure it as new. If you have a "failed to reset" error at this stage, try alternative methods (described below).

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't boot)

If the Redmi 4X is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or doesn’t respond to the screen, use Recovery mode, which works even without access to the main system.

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 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Clear Data in older versions).
6. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
7. Once you’re done, go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If you don't have Wipe Data on the Recovery menu, you have custom firmware installed (like LineageOS), and the path might look like this: Advanced → Wipe Dalvik/ART Cache → Format Data.

⚠️ Note: Some versions of Redmi 4X With a blocked bootloader, a reset via Recovery may require you to enter a password from Mi Account. If you don't remember it, go to Methods 4 or 5.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Account (if the password is forgotten)

If you have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code, but remember the data from Mi Account, you can reset Redmi 4X Remotely via Xiaomi services, and this method only works if you:

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (mobile data or Wi-Fi).
• 🔗 The device is tied to your Mi Account.
• 🔋 Account not blocked for suspicious activity.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to the Mi Account website and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find your Redmi 4X (by model or IMEI).
3. Click Find Device (Find Device).
4. Select the option to erase data.
5. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

It can take up to 30 minutes to reset, and the phone will reboot and prompt you to log in to Mi Account again, and if this method doesn't work, the reasons may be:

• 🔌 There is no internet connection on the phone.
• 🚫 Account not confirmed (verification required) SMS).
• 🛡️ The device has disabled the function Find Device).

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Remote reset via Mi Account is the only official way to unlock Redmi 4X if the screen password is forgotten. Alternative methods (e.g. via ADB) require an unlocked bootloader!

Method 4: Forced Fastboot reset (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, then low-level Fastboot resets are left, requiring a computer and minimal ADB/Fastboot knowledge.

• 🔧 The phone doesn't respond to the buttons.
• 🔒 Forgot the password from Mi Account.
• 📱 Firmware is damaged (for example, after a failed update).

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or quality).
• 📦 Utilities. ADB and Fastboot (download from Android site).
• 🔋 Charging the Redmi battery 4X at least 30%.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB/Fastboot on your computer and connect your phone in Fastboot mode: (a) Turn off Redmi 4X.b) Press Power + Volume down for 5-7 seconds. in) A hare in a hat-eared hat (Fastboot logo) will appear on the screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux) and check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install Xiaomi drivers or try another cable.
3. Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

If the phone requires a Mi Account password after the reboot, the bootloader is locked, which will require official unlocking through Xiaomi’s website (it can take up to 720 hours to wait!).

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot erase commands delete data without recovery. Do not use it unless you are sure of your actions! For complete flashing, you should use the Mi Flash Tool (see Method 5).

Method 5: Complete flashing through the Mi Flash Tool (extremely)

If the Redmi 4X doesn't turn on even after being reset via Fastboot, you just have to reflash the device from scratch, which will delete all the data, but bring the phone back to life.

• 🖥️ Windows computer (7/10/11).
• 📥 Fastboot firmware for Redmi 4X (download from the official website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (link to download).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI\redmi4x).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and run on behalf of the administrator.
3. Connect Redmi 4X in Fastboot mode (as in Method 4).
4. In the program, press Refresh - the device should be determined.
5. Select the firmware folder and press Flash.
6. Wait for the end (5-10 minutes). The phone will automatically restart.

After the firmware, the Redmi 4X will be as new as the new one.

• 🔐 You will need to log in to your Mi Account if it has been linked.
• 📱 All data will be lost without recovery.
• 🔄 Maybe we'll have to upgrade. MIUI Update version through Settings → Updating the system.

How to bypass the Mi Account lock after a reset

One of the most common issues after a Redmi 4X reset is requesting a username and password from Mi Account, which is the theft protection that Xiaomi introduced in 2016, and if you forget your account details, the options are:

If no methods help, there is an unofficial unlock through services like Mi Account Unlock (risky – you can run into scammers) or flashing with an unlocked bootloader (requires waiting for unlock through Xiaomi).

⚠️ Attention: Buying Redmi 4X With Mi Account tied, risk! The seller can remotely lock the device at any time. → Xiaomi account.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you reset the Redmi 4X, you often have a problem, and here are the most common ways to fix it:

• 🔴 "Cannot receive Hello Packet" error in Fastboot: Cause: Faulty cable or USB-Solution: Try another cable/port or disable antivirus.
• 🟡 Phone not defined in Mi Flash Tool: Reason: Drivers not installed.Solution: Download Mi USB Driver.
• 🔵 After the reset, there's no net (IMEI Cause: The section is damaged NVRAM. Solution: Restore IMEI Engineer Mode (instruction below).
• ⚪ Recovery won't open, only the Mi logo: Reason: Damaged recovery section. Solution: Click here. TWRP via Fastboot.

If the IMEI is missing after the reset (no network, in Settings → About Phone → General information is empty field), restore it like this:

1. Install the Mobile Uncle Tools app from Google Play.
2. Open Engineer Mode → Engineer Mode (MTK).
3. Go to Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information.
4. Enter commands (replace) XXXX yours IMEI): AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1" AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2"
5. Reboot the phone.

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If IMEI is reset after firmware, it means that you used unofficial or corrupted firmware. Always download files only from the official Xiaomi website!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions