Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X: how to reset to factory settings

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X, despite its age, remains a popular device thanks to the reliable Snapdragon 625 processor. However, over time, the MIUI operating system can accumulate errors, cache files and software failures that slow down the gadget. Often the only effective solution to restore performance is a complete return to the original state.

Known as Hard Reset, or factory reset, it completely removes all user data from internal memory, a radical but powerful method to eliminate the effects of failed updates, viruses, or simply clean the device before selling. It's important to understand that after this operation, the phone will become the "clean slate" it was on the day of purchase.

Before you start active actions, you need to be carefully prepared. Mistaking steps can lead to the loss of important contacts, photos and passwords. In this article, we will discuss all available ways of resetting, paying special attention to the nuances of working with a Mi Account and unlocking the bootloader.

Preparation of the device for the discharge procedure

The first and most critical step is to back up your data. Since a complete reset destroys the information in the Internal Memory section, save important documents, media files and contacts to a cloud service or computer. Redmi Note 4X owners can use the built-in "Mi Cloud" app or third-party solutions.

• 📸 Backup photos and videos in Google Photos or on SD-map.
• 📞 Sync your contacts with your Google account so they can automatically recover after you sign in.
• 🔑 Write down passwords from important apps as they will be reset.
• 🔋 Charge the battery of the smartphone to a minimum 60-70% steady-work.

Special attention should be paid to the Mi Account. If you do not unplug your account before resetting through the settings menu, the system can request a password when the phone is first activated after rebooting, a theft-protection mechanism that can lock the device in the wrong hands.

⚠️ Note: If you forgot your Mi Account password and didn't link your phone number or email to recover, access to the device after reset may be lost forever.

It is also recommended to remove SIM-microSD card and memory card before the procedure, although modern versions MIUI It is not usually affected by external drives in a standard reset, the risk of accidental formatting or damage to the file system of the card still exists.

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Before reset, take a picture of the screen with the current network and APN settings – this will help you quickly restore access to mobile Internet after reinstalling the system.

Reset via the MIUI settings menu

The safest and easiest method available when a smartphone is turned on and reacts to touch, ideal for those who want to simply clean the phone of garbage or prepare it for transfer to a new owner. The MIUI interface on the Redmi Note 4X has a built-in cleaning function that does not require special knowledge.

To start, open the Settings app and scroll to the bottom of the list. Find Advanced Settings (some firmware versions may call it "Advanced"). This is where the system management tools, including the factory-back feature, are hidden.

Then select Reset and Reset option, and you will see a menu that will have a Reset button, and click on it and the system will offer two options: Reset (system settings only) and Clear Everything (full reset).

Once you select Clear Everything, the phone will request a confirmation of action, you may need to enter a pattern lock or a screen unlock pin, the system will again warn you that the process is irreversible, if you are ready, confirm the action, and the device will restart, starting the deletion process.

Hard Reset via Recovery Mode

If the smartphone is frozen, does not boot to the desktop or forgotten the password unlock the screen, the only way out is to use Recovery mode. This is the system partition that boots regardless of the main operating system. On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X, it is logged in by a combination of physical buttons.

Turn off the smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up button ("Loudness +") and the Power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then the Power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume. In a few seconds, the Recovery menu will open.

Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. Depending on the version of Recovery (official or custom TWRP), the interface may differ. In the official menu, select the language (if available), then the item Wipe & Reset and then Wipe All Data.

⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working. All actions are performed exclusively with mechanical buttons. Don't panic if the screen does not respond to touch - this is normal behavior of the system.

Once a cleaning point is selected, the system will require final confirmation, often by typing the word "yes" or selecting "Confirm"; the process will take several minutes; when completed, the phone will prompt a reboot. The first boot after a reset can last up to 10-15 minutes.

Delete your Google account (FRP Lock)

One of the main issues after a reset is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) blocking.This is Google's security mechanism, which requires you to enter a password from an account that was synced to your phone before the reset. If you're selling a phone, be sure to log out of all Google accounts in advance.

If you forget your Google account password on your Redmi Note 4X, it gets complicated, and you can't get around that protection with standard methods, because it's designed to protect your data in the event of a theft, and the device will require authorization until you have the right data.

There are sophisticated technical ways to bypass FRP through vulnerabilities in specific versions of Android and MIUI, but these are often closed by security updates. For the average user, the most reliable way is to restore access to an account through a computer or other device.

• 🔒 FRP Blocks your phone after a reset if you don’t log out of your Google account.
• 📧 To unlock, you need to enter an email and password that were on the device earlier.
• 🛡️ Bypassing password-free protection in legal ways is almost impossible.

Reset via computer and ADB

For advanced users, there is a USB debugging method. If the Developer Menu is enabled on your smartphone and the USB Debugging option is activated, you can use your computer to force cleanup. This method requires you to install ADB drivers on your PC.

Connect the phone to your computer and open the command line in the ADB tool folder. Enter the adb device command to make sure the computer sees the device. If everything is connected correctly, use the command to reboot to Restore Mode.

adb reboot recovery

Once rebooted in Recovery, you can also try to send a command to the Wipe directly if recovery mode allows it. However, most often this method is used specifically to enter recovery mode when the buttons on the phone are not working.

adb shell recovery --wipe_data

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Incorrect commands can lead to the removal of the wrong partitions or damage to system files, which will turn the phone into a brick».

Solving problems after discharge

Once the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X is reset and turned on, the user may encounter a number of typical situations: often the phone takes a long time to load, warm up or discharge quickly. This is normal for the first minutes of work, as the system conducts file indexing and application optimization.

If the phone is hanging on the logo for more than 20 minutes, the process may have been interrupted or the firmware file damaged, which may require flashing the device through your computer using the Mi Flash utility, and it’s also worth checking if the memory is full if you immediately restore the huge backup.

Wi-Fi or Bluetooth issues after a reset are often resolved by resetting the date and time, as well as updating Google Play system services. Make sure the Redmi Note 4X has an up-to-date MIUI version installed for your region.

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The first boot after Hard Reset always takes longer than usual. Do not interrupt the process and give the system 10-15 minutes to stabilize.

The table below shows the problems and their possible solutions:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)