How to completely clean up Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: a step-by-step guide

Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 smartphone often face the need to thoroughly clean the device of accumulated garbage, personal data or malicious software. Over time, the Android operating system becomes overflowing with cache, residual files of remote applications and system errors that can significantly slow down the work of the gadget. Full cleaning of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is the most effective way to return the device to factory speed and stability, especially before selling or transferring to another user.

Resetting procedures can be required in a variety of situations, from a trivial desire to make room to critical failures in the MIUI. It is important to understand that there are different cleaning methods, each of which has its own characteristics and depth of impact on the system. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to safely and correctly clean the memory of the phone, removing all user data without risking damage to the software.

Before you start taking action, you need to realize the irreversibility of the process. Cleaning the phone involves the complete destruction of all information stored in the internal drive. Data recovery after formatting the data partition in Recovery mode is impossible with standard operating system tools. Therefore, prior backup is a critical step, ignoring which can lead to the irretrievable loss of photos, contacts and correspondence.

Preparation of the device for complete reset

The preparation should begin with a thorough check of the battery charge level. The process of formatting partitions and reinstalling system files requires stable power, and a sudden disconnection of the device can lead to damage to the bootloader. It is recommended to charge the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 to a level of at least 60-70% to have enough power to complete all system operations.

The next step is to create a current data backup. Xiaomi device owners can use built-in Mi Cloud tools or local storage on a microSD card. Local backup is often a more reliable option, as it does not depend on the speed of the Internet connection and the amount of cloud storage.

• 📸 Save all important photos and videos to the cloud service or copy them to your computer via the cloud. USB-cable.
• 📞 Export contacts from your phone’s memory to a.vcf file and save it separately.
• 📝 Take screenshots of important app settings to quickly restore configuration after resetting.
• 🔐 Make sure you remember the password from your Google account and Mi Account linked to your device.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has a screen unlock pattern or PIN-code, be sure to unplug your Google account before resetting if possible, or simply remember the login details. FRP (Factory Reset Protection, and it will be impossible to activate the phone without the data of the previous owner.

Cleaning through the standard settings menu

The easiest and safest way to clean up the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is to use the standard operating system functionality, which is ideal for users who want to simply return the phone to its original state without the use of complex keyboard combinations or computer utilities.

To start, you need to go to the main settings menu of the device. Depending on the version of the MIUI firmware, the path may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section that deals with the general system settings, where the reset and recovery functions are located.

Find Extended Settings or Extended Settings, and then select Recovery and Reset. There are several options available, but we're interested in a full reset. Press Reset or Clear Everything. The system will alert you that all data will be deleted and request confirmation of action.

Once confirmed, the phone will begin the cleaning process, which can take 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of memory filled, the screen can go out and light up, and the device can reboot several times.

Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If the Android operating system is unstable, hovers on the logo or does not respond to touch, a standard reset via the menu may not be available. In such cases, a recovery mode known as Recovery Mode comes to the rescue.

To enter Recovery mode on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, you need to turn the device off completely. After that, you need to press the key combination: Volume Up and Power button. Hold them simultaneously until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while continuing to hold the volume button.

When a menu with multiple items appears on the screen (usually in English or Chinese), volume buttons are controlled and power buttons are selected. You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. Some versions of Recovery require you to select English first and then go to the cleaning menu.

The system will request confirmation, often requiring you to enter the code displayed on the screen, or simply press Confirm. Once the cleaning process is complete, select Reboot and then Reboot to System. The phone will restart, and the initial setup will begin, like the new device.

• 🔘 Hold the volume up. + Power before vibration and logo.
• 🌐 Choose English (if the menu is in Chinese).
• 🧹 Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
• ✅ Confirm the action and wait for the message Data wiped successfully.

⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working. Navigation is done exclusively with physical volume buttons (up/down) and the on button (select). Be careful when selecting menu items so that you do not start flashing instead of resetting.

💡

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese and English is not available, look for icons or item sequence numbers. Usually, "Wipe Data" is second or third on the list.

Removing viruses and malware

One of the common reasons users decide to clean up the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is to infect the device with viral software.Ad banners, pop-ups and hidden miners can significantly reduce the performance of the smartphone.A full reset (Hard Reset) is the most radical and effective method of removing any viruses, as it erases the section where they live.

However, if the virus has penetrated deep into the system or masquerades as a system application, even a reset via Recovery may not help if the firmware installation file is infected. In such cases, it is recommended to use antivirus scanners before or after reset. MIUI It is based on the engines of well-known vendors, such as Avast or AVL.

To prevent re-infection after cleaning, follow digital hygiene rules, do not install applications from unknown sources and carefully check the permissions that programs request. Regularly cleaning the browser cache also helps to avoid advertising debris.

If you suspect a complex virus that recovers even after a reset, you may need to completely flash the device through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.

Cleaning through computer and ADB

For advanced users, there is a method of cleaning the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 through a computer using the ADB debugging bridge (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to format partitions even if the touch screen is partially not working or the system is loading, but does not respond to commands.

To implement this method, you need to install ADB drivers on your PC and connect the phone in USB debugging mode. Debugging mode is activated in the Developer Menu, which is hidden by default. To open it, you need to quickly click on the build number in the About Phone section 7 times.

Once the phone is connected to the computer and debugging is authorized, a command is entered in the command line on the PC to reboot to Recovery mode or directly reset, a method that requires caution, since an error command can lead to malfunctioning of the system.

adb reboot recovery

Once this command is executed, the phone will reboot to recovery mode, where you can clean the buttons, as described in the section about Hard Reset. Alternatively, if root rights are obtained, you can use the command adb shell recovery. --wipe_data, but on standard firmware MIUI This may not work without an unlocked bootloader.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

Full reset is a powerful tool for resuscitation of the smartphone, which solves 90% of software problems, but requires a mandatory backup of data.