How to fully format Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: 3 proven ways

Why might you need to format a smartphone?

Formatting the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is a radical but sometimes necessary step to get the phone back to a clean state, which removes all user data, apps and settings, returning the device to factory settings, most often in three cases:

First, if the smartphone began to slow down or spontaneously restart after the update MIUI. Accumulated cache files, conflicting apps or corrupted system data can lead to lags, and second, formatting is important before selling or transferring a phone to another user to ensure that personal information is deleted. Third, it’s the only way to unlock your phone if you forget your pattern lock or PIN-code.

It's important to understand that formatting is not like flashing a flash. It doesn't change the MIUI version, it just resets the current system to default settings. If the problem is in the firmware itself (for example, bugs in a particular version of MIUI), it will remain after the reset, in which cases it may require a complete reinstallation of the software.

Preparing for Formatting: What to Do in Advance

Before you start resetting, follow a few critical steps: Ignoring preparation can lead to loss of access to your Mi Account and locking your phone after reset (if the factory anti-theft mechanism has been activated).

• 📱 Back up. Use the built-in Settings tool. → Additionally. → Backup and reset or third-party utilities like Mi Mover. Be sure to save contacts, photos and app data (such as WhatsApp messages).
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%. interruption of the process due to discharge can lead to "bricking" of the device.
• 🔑 Make sure to remember the data from the Mi Account. After the reset, the phone may require you to enter a login and password to unlock (if there was a link to the account).
• 📡 Disable your Google Account (if it has been added) and prevent problems with your account. FRP-Factory Reset Protection after formatting.

Pay special attention to the item with Xiaomi account. If you do not remember the password, restore it in advance on the official website account.xiaomi.com. Otherwise, after reset, the phone will turn into a “brick” – it can only be unlocked through the service center.

Backup important data|Charge the phone. ≥50%|Remember the username/password from the Mi Account|Disable Google Account (if any)|Get out. SIM and a memory card (optional)-->

Method 1: Formatting through the settings menu (the most secure)

This is a method that works if the phone turns on and responds to touch, and you remember the unlock password, and it's the simplest and least risky, because it doesn't require you to go into engineering modes.

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the section Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Select the Reset option.
4. Click Delete all data and confirm the action by entering a password (if required).
5. Wait until the process is complete (usually takes 3-5 minutes) and the phone will automatically reboot.

Once you reboot, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, like after you bought it. If the phone was linked to your Mi Account, the system will ask for a login and password to verify ownership.

⚠️ Note: If the phone asks to enter the old password after the reset (despite the formatting), this means that the Mi Account has not been untied. In this case, try to restore access through the Xiaomi website or contact support for the reset.

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If the phone hangs on the Redmi logo for a long time after reset, don't panic. Wait 10-15 minutes - the first download after formatting can take longer.

Method 2: Recovery Mode Formatting (if the phone is locked)

If you forget your password or your phone doesn't respond to touch, you'll have to use Recovery, which works even on locked devices, but requires care -- wrong actions can damage the system.

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button (10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power + Volume key combination up and hold them until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when you see the Recovery Mode menu (usually in English or Chinese).
4. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select the item. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action by choosing Confirm.
6. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

In some versions of Redmi Note 4, the Recovery menu may be in Chinese, so look for characters (clean data) and (confirm). If the menu is missing or the phone is not responsive to buttons, the firmware may be damaged, you will need a method through Fastboot.

Method 3: Full formatting via Fastboot (for power users)

Fastboot is the most radical method, and it requires connecting your phone to your computer.

• 🔄 The phone is not turned on or stuck on the logo;
• 🔧 Recovery Mode is unavailable or damaged;
• 📦 Not only do you need to reset your phone, but you also need to reflash your phone.

The work will require:

• Windows computer (recommended 7/10/11)
• USB-cable (preferably original);
• Installed ADB/Fastboot drivers (you can download via Mi Flash Tool)
• Firmware archive for Redmi Note 4 (download only from official sources, for example, the Xiaomi website).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and put it into Fastboot mode, clamping Power + Volume down.
2. Connect your phone to your PC. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
3. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type: fastboot devices If the phone is determined (its serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the drivers.
4. For full formatting, type fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache.
5. If you need to reflash your phone, use the Mi Flash Tool with downloaded firmware.
6. Upon completion, type in fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: fastboot erase commands delete data without recovery. If you plan to sell the phone, after formatting via Fastboot, it is recommended to additionally flash clean. MIUI, Remove all traces of the previous owner.

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Formatting via Fastboot is the only way to bring back a phone that doesn't respond to buttons and doesn't boot, but it does require technical skills and can lead to a loss of warranty if the device is still warranty-free.

What to do after formatting: initial setup

After a successful reset, the phone will start in initial setup mode.

1. Select language and region. Redmi Note 4 recommends that you specify the real region (e.g. Russia) to avoid problems with Google services.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi. Without the Internet, you can't log in to your Mi Account or download updates.
3. Sign in to Xiaomi account (if the phone was tied). If you forgot your password, restore it through account.xiaomi.com.
4. Set up a lock screen. It is recommended to use PIN-code or pattern lock (but write it in a safe place!).
5. Restore data from a backup (if it was created).

If the phone is slower than before after the reset, it may not have been the software, but the hardware. Check the battery status (in Settings → Battery Status) and the memory space available. If less than 10% of the total is free, delete the unnecessary files or transfer them to the memory card.

Also after formatting, it is recommended:

• 🔄 Update MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system;
• 🛡️ Install antivirus (such as Mi Security) and check your phone for viruses;
• 📵 Disable unnecessary background processes in Settings → Annexes → Auto-start.

When Formatting Is Not Enough: Flashing Your Phone

If there are problems after the reset (the phone brakes, crashes into Recovery or doesn't turn on), the firmware itself may be damaged. In such cases, a complete flashing through the Mi Flash Tool is required.

Signs that you need to stitch, not just format:

• 🐢 Strong lags even after being dumped;
• 🔄 The phone is constantly rebooting;
• 📵 The basic functions (calls, mobile Internet) do not work);
• 🚨 Errors like "System" appear UI stopped".

For flashing:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi Note 4 (model mido) from the Xiaomi website.
2. Uncancel the firmware file into a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool and connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
4. In the program, select a firmware folder and press Refresh. The phone must be determined.
5. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
6. Wait for the finish (5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Flashing through the Mi Flash Tool deletes all data without recovery, including files on internal memory. If your phone had important data, try extracting it first. ADB (If the phone is switched on somehow).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi Note 4 formatting