How to clean Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 to factory settings: 3 proven ways

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is one of the brand’s most popular smartphones, but even it eventually starts to slow down, glitch or require a complete system reboot.Reset to factory settings solves 90% of software problems, from viruses to errors after a failed update. However, an improper reset can turn a phone into a “brick” or permanently delete important data.

In this article, we have three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery and Mi Flash Tool), step-by-step photo instructions, and hidden nuances that are not covered in standard manuals, such as why IMEIs might disappear after a reset, or how to return root rights if they were installed.

Important: the instruction is relevant for all Redmi Note 4 modifications (including Redmi Note 4X with Snapdragon processor) on any version of MIUI. If your phone is locked with a pattern lock or password, skip the section about reset via Recovery.

Preparing for discharge: what to do before cleaning

The factory reset removes all the data from the phone’s internal memory: apps, photos, videos, music, messages, Wi-Fi settings, and even some system files.

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. This way you keep contacts, SMS, Call log and some settings, but not photos and videos.
• ☁️ Sync your data with Mi Account. Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud and enable sync for contacts, notes and galleries.
• 💾 Copy files to your computer. Connect your phone to your computer. USB (in file transfer mode) and manually transfer folders DCIM (Photos, Downloads (downloads) and WhatsApp/Media (messenger).
• 🔐 Make sure you know the username and password from Mi Account. After reset, the phone may require you to enter an account to unlock (Mi Cloud Activation Lock feature).

If you use root rights or custom Recovery (such as TWRP), before resetting:

• 🛠️ Remove root via SuperSU or Magisk (there is a Full Unroot option in the app settings»).
• 🔄 Return the standard Recovery if you plan to sell the phone. recovery.img via Fastboot.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has unofficial firmware installed (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), a reset over a standard menu can result in a bootloop ( looped boot). TWRP.

Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the safest)

This method is suitable if:

• 📱 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• 🔓 Remember a pattern lock or password.
• 🔄 You want to save data on a memory card (if it is installed).

Instructions:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the section Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Select Reset (in some versions of MIUI – Reset to factory settings).
4. Click Delete all data and confirm the action by entering a password (if required).
5. Wait for the reboot (it will take 3-5 minutes). After switching on, follow the original setup wizard.

If the phone asks to enter the old Google password (FRP-blocking, which means that Google account was previously activated to unlock:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Enter the login and password from the last Google account.
3. If you don’t remember the data, reset your password through Google’s recovery page.

Battery charge > 50%|Backup of important data is made|Find My Device (if enabled) is disabled)|Extracted. SIM-card and memory card (optional)|Password from Mi Account is stored-->

Method 2: Reset via Recovery (if the phone is not turned on)

This method is needed if:

• 🔒 Phone locked with password/pattern lock.
• 🐢 The system is getting stuck on the Mi logo or is constantly rebooted.
• 📵 The screen does not respond to touch (but the phone is turned on).

There are two types of Recovery for the Redmi Note 4:

• 🔧 Stock (official) – with a sinicized interface (even on global firmware).
• 🛠️ TWRP (Custom – if you have installed it before.

Instructions for stock recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (in Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Select the option (Wipe Data) → (Wipe All Data).
6. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (the phone will restart automatically).

If a TWRP is installed:

1. Go to Recovery (as in steps 1-3 above).
2. Select Wipe → Advanced Wipe.
3. Check the boxes Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data, Internal Storage, Cache.
4. Swipe to Wipe with your finger.
5. After cleaning, press Reboot System.

⚠️ Note: If the phone hangs on the Mi screensaver after reset via Recovery, the firmware has been damaged. In this case, you will need to flash the phone through Fastboot (see next section).

Method 3: Complete Fastboot reset (for power users)

This method is needed if:

• 🔧 Phone does not turn on at all (black screen, no reaction to buttons).
• 📦 You need to re-flash the phone to the official MIUI (For example, after a failed update).
• 🔒 Remove root or custom Recovery before selling.

The work will require:

• 💻 Windows computer (7/10/11).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Mi Flash Tool and firmware for Redmi Note 4.
• 🔧 Qualcomm drivers (if the phone is on Snapdragon) or Mediatek (for the version with a Helio processor) X20).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool. Unpack the archive with the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\).
2. Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power and connect to the computer, the phone will go to Fastboot mode.
3. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
4. Press Refresh – your phone should appear in the list of devices.
5. Select firmware mode: Clean all - complete cleaning (recommended). Clean all and lock - cleaning + lock bootloader (if the phone has been unlocked).

Flash

Once you've run the Fastboot, it's like a new phone: no root, no custom Recovery, and no bootloader, and if you've unlocked the bootloader before using the Mi Unlock Tool, you'll have to do it again.

1. Download the Mi EDL Tool.

2. Connect your phone to your PC in EDL mode (clip Volume Up + Volume Down + Power on the phone turned off).

3. Follow the instructions from the program.

⚠️ This method requires Xiaomi account authorization and is only suitable for experienced users!-->

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery of data

After a successful reset, the phone will turn on with the original setup wizard.

1. Connect to Wi-Fi and log in to Mi Account (if required). If you forgot your password, restore it through the official website.
2. Restore data from backup: If you backup through MIUI: Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Restore. If synced with Mi Cloud: the data will be restored automatically after you log in to your account.

Transfer files from the computer

Update the firmware

Settings → About the phone → System update

Set up your fingerprint and face unlock

Settings → Screen lock and password → Add fingerprint

If there are problems after the discharge:

• 📶 No network: check if it has gone down IMEI (Enter the dialer *#06# if IMEI No – Recovery via Engineer Mode or firmware is required.
• 🔋 The battery goes down quickly: after reset, the system indexes files, which is normal. Wait 1-2 days or calibrate the battery (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruption).
• 📱 Phone warms up: check if background processes (for example, updating applications) are running. If it warms up in a simple one, the firmware may be damaged (you need to flash it back).

💡

After being reset via Fastboot or Recovery, the phone may lose its binding to a Google account. FRP-lock, before reset untie the account in the settings: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Delete the account.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the right reset, users often face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

• 🚫 Recovery's "No Command" error: Reason: damaged Recovery or wrong button combination. Solution: Re-enter Recovery with at least 10 seconds of button retention. If it doesn't work, run stock Recovery through Fastboot.
• 🔄 The phone is stuck on the logo. MI After reset: Cause: firmware conflict or corrupted system files Solution: Fastboot phone (see section 3).
• 🔒 Requires old password after reset: Reason: activated FRP-Solution: Enter the data from the last Google account you linked to, if you don't remember, reset your password through Google.
• 📵 No. IMEI After reset: Reason: damaged partition modem (often occurs when reset through the TWRP). Solution: Restore IMEI via Engineer Mode (type in dial ##4636## → Information → Restore IMEI) Or run the phone again.

If none of the methods worked, there may be a hardware problem (e.g. damaged eMMC memory).In this case, contact the service center. For the Redmi Note 4, memory repair costs 1,500-3,000 rubles (depending on the region).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 4 reset