The situation when the owner of Xiaomi Redmi 4X suddenly forgets the pattern lock or digital code is much more common than you might think: the smartphone turns into a “brick”, access to contacts, photos and banking applications is completely closed, and panic increases with every minute.
Before you start taking action, it is important to understand that most effective methods will lead to the complete removal of user data. The MIUI security system is designed so that it is almost impossible to bypass the lock without losing information unless special backups have been created in advance or debugging modes are enabled. In this article, we will discuss all the current solutions, from simple resets to using a Mi Account.
It is important to immediately tune in to the fact that the process requires care and accurate follow-up instructions. Mistakes can lead to locking the device by ID or loss of important files that were not stored in the cloud. So carefully study each step to choose the most suitable method for your case to restore the health of the gadget.
Preparation for the procedure of unlocking the device
Before you start any manipulation with the system settings or bootloader, you need to carry out a number of preparatory actions, which will help to avoid additional errors and save nerves at a critical moment. The first thing to make sure that the battery of the device is charged at least 50-60%, since the reset process can take time, and a sudden power outage is unacceptable.
If you have the ability to connect to a Wi-Fi network that your phone previously connected to, it can make it easier to verify some of the things you do through your Google account, and it’s also highly advisable to remove the MicroSD card if it’s installed so that random formatting operations don’t affect your personal files stored on an external medium.
⚠️ Note: All of the methods below involve completely removing data from the phone’s internal memory. If your device has critical information that you didn’t copy to the cloud, try to recall your password again or use biometrics if it was configured.
It is not superfluous to prepare a computer with access to the Internet and USB-cable, preferably original or high-quality analogue, supporting data transfer. A stable connection will be required to log into Xiaomi or Google accounts, as well as to use specialized software in case of complex cases of blocking.
Resets via Recovery (Hard Reset) menu
The most reliable and versatile way to regain access to the Xiaomi Redmi 4X is to run Hard Reset through the recovery menu, which works even if the touch screen is partially unresponsive or the system is unstable.
When the Mi logo appears, you release the power button, but you keep holding the volume button until the main menu appears, and the navigation in this mode is done by the volume buttons, and the choice of item is confirmed by a short press of the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data or Clear Data item.
The system can request confirmation of the operation, as this action is irreversible. Once you select the Wipe All Data and confirm, the process of cleaning the internal memory, cache and system settings begins. Once the procedure is completed, the phone automatically restarts, and you will see the screen of the initial settings, as when you first turn on.
☑️ Checklist before reset
It’s worth noting that once reset, Android’s security system can request Google account details that were synced to the device earlier.This is standard theft protection (FRP), and getting around it without a password will be significantly harder than just unlocking the screen.
Use the “Find Device” function from Google
If the Internet was turned on and geolocation was activated on the blocked Xiaomi 4X, you can use the remote control service from Google, which allows you not only to track the location of the gadget, but also to perform a remote data cleanup, which automatically removes the screen lock.
To do this, you need to go from any other device (computer, tablet or phone friend) to the official website of the service Find My Device. Sign in to the system must be made under the same Google account that was used on the locked smartphone.
In the service interface, select your device from the list of options. Among the actions available (Call, Lock, Clean), we are interested in the cleaning function, and once the command is confirmed, the phone will receive a signal to perform a factory reset.
- 📱 The device must be enabled and connected to the mobile internet or Wi-Fi.
- 🌐 The phone must be logged into a Google account.
- 📍 Geolocation Service should be active.
- 🔓 The “Find Device” function must be allowed in the security settings.
Once the command is executed, the phone will restart and all data will be deleted. The screen lock will disappear, but you will need to reconfigure the device and enter the password from the Google account to confirm the owner's rights.
Unlocking through Xiaomi Cloud
Xiaomi smartphone owners often register Mi Account when they first turn on, which opens up access to the brand ecosystem. If you remember the username and password from your Mi Account, then unlocking can be successfully through the manufacturer’s cloud service.
Go to i.mi.com from your computer or other smartphone. Sign in using your credentials. In the menu chapters, select Find Device. The system will try to locate your Redmi 4X.
If the device is listed and has an Online status, you will have access to the management functionality. Choose the option to clear data or unlock. In some versions of MIUI firmware, this feature allows you to remove the lock without losing data, but in modern versions, a reset is also often required.
What if the device is not visible in the cloud?
It is important to understand the difference between locking the screen and blocking activation. If after resetting the phone requires a password from Mi Account that you forgot, it will be extremely difficult to restore access without a purchase check or contacting official support.
| Method | We need the Internet. | Data retention | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery Menu | No. | No. | Low. |
| Google Find My | Yeah (on the phone) | No. | Low. |
| Xiaomi Cloud | Yeah (on the phone) | Rarely. | Medium |
| ADB Command | No. | Yes (if you're lucky) | Tall. |
Advanced methods: ADB and USB debugging
For users who have previously enabled debugging mode USB (USB Debugging) in the developer menu, there is a possibility to unlock through the computer. ADB Minimal command line knowledge, but avoids complete reset in some scenarios.
Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB installed. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices. If the device is determined and the confirmation code is issued, accept it on the phone screen (if the touchscreen allows) or use the previously issued permission.
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.dbExecuting these commands will delete files that store information about the pattern lock or password. Once reboot (adb reboot), the lock should disappear. However, on modern versions of Android and MIUI, this method rarely works due to enhanced security measures.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It is only effective if the debugging mode has been enabled before the lock, otherwise the computer will not have access to the file system to execute the commands.
If standard commands don’t help, you can try to delete the file responsible for the key keeper, but this requires root rights, which are almost impossible to obtain on a locked device without an unlocked bootloader.
FRP (Google Lock) Problem Solved After Reset
After successful Hard Reset, Xiaomi 4X owners often encounter an activation screen where the system requires you to enter a password from a Google account that was previously used: FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection, designed to prevent the use of stolen phones.
If you remember your login and password, just type them in. If the data is lost or the account has been deleted, the situation gets complicated. There are workarounds (FRP Bypass) that exploit vulnerabilities in the system, but they are specific to each version of Android and the security patch.
One common way is to use TalkBack or special combinations in the accessibility settings menu to call the browser and download the necessary options. APK-Reset files. However, this process requires finding the right instruction for your firmware version. MIUI.
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When buying a used phone, always check that you are not tied to other people’s Google and Mi accounts. Resetting by the seller does not guarantee the cleanup of accounts, which can lead to the locking of the device by the new owner.
In extreme cases, if you can not bypass FRP, the only legal way remains - the provision of a check for the purchase of the device to an authorized service center Xiaomi.
Prevention and backup
To avoid such problems and lose important data in the future, you need to properly configure your backup system. Xiaomi has a powerful backup tool built in that allows you to save settings, call logs, SMS and even applications.
It is recommended to regularly sync contacts and calendar with your Google account, this is done automatically if the account settings are ticked, and photos and videos are best saved to Google Photos or Mi Cloud by enabling autoload.
- 🔄 Set up automatic data synchronization once a week.
- ☁️ Use cloud storage for critical documents.
- 📝 Write down passwords from your accounts to a secure location (notebook or password manager).
- 🔐 Don’t use simple graphic keys that are easy to guess.
It is also useful to back up system settings through the Settings menu. → Advanced settings → Backup and recovery file can be saved to SD-card or cloud, which will quickly restore the phone after resetting.
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Regular backups and cloud syncs are the only way to ensure data is safe in case of any crashes or locks.