Xiaomi Redmi 4 Cleanup: Reset, Dispose of Garbage and Formatting

Xiaomi Redmi 4 is still popular even years after its release due to its reliability and functionality. However, over time, any gadget begins to slow down: cache, system debris, residual files of remote applications accumulate. If the device becomes slower, often overheats or you plan to sell it, it is time to clean it up completely. But how do you do it correctly so that you do not damage the system and ensure that all personal data is deleted?

Many users are limited to standard reset via settings, but this is not enough for deep cleaning. In this article, we will examine all the ways from basic reset to low-level formatting of internal memory. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances associated with Redmi 4 — its MIUI firmware, splitting memory to eMMC and features of recovery after cleaning.

Important: The procedures in this article are applicable to all Redmi 4 (Redmi) modifications. 4A, Redmi 4 Pro, Redmi 4 Prime, but may be different for devices based on the MIUI 12+. Before starting, check the firmware version in Settings → The phone.

Preparation for cleaning: what to do before resetting

Cleaning your phone completely is an irreversible process, and without proper preparation, you risk losing important data or having trouble recovering it.

1. Back up. Even if you plan to sell your phone, save a copy of your contacts, photos and documents to the cloud (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) or external drive.

• 📱 Use the built-in Backup app in Settings → Additionally.
• ☁️ Upload photos to Google Photos (set up autosynchronization).
• 💾 Copy files from internal memory to PC via MTP (Put the phone on USB).

2. Make sure the phone is charged. The cleaning process can take up to 30 minutes, and an interruption due to battery discharge will damage the system partitions and the device's "brick" charge must be at least 50%.

3. Remember your Mi Account details. After the reset, the phone will require you to enter a username and password from the Xiaomi account associated with the device. If you forget the data, untie your account in advance in Settings → Mi Account → Sign out.

⚠️ Warning: If you bought the phone with your hands and don't know the previous owner's details, a reset via Recovery will lock the device.

Method 1: Standard reset via MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in reset function, which is suitable if the phone is turned on and you have access to the settings menu.

• 📱 All installed applications and their data.
• 📂 Personal files (photos, videos, music) from internal memory.
• 🔧 System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wallpaper, sound).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select Reset (on some versions of MIUI - Delete all data).
3. Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN-code.
4. Wait until the process is complete (the phone will reboot automatically).

After the reset, the phone will start in a “out of the box” state, and you will only have to go through the initial setup.

💡

If the phone takes longer to load after reset (more than 10 minutes), don't panic.The first MIUI launch after cleaning can take up to 20 minutes due to application optimization.

Method 2: Hard Resetting with Recovery Mode

If the phone doesn’t turn on, freezes on the Mi logo or is locked, a Recovery reset will help, a more radical method that resets even some system settings that don’t affect the standard reset.

How to Sign In to Recovery on Redmi 4:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when you see the Recovery menu (English or Chinese).

Further action:

• 🔧 Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
• 📛 Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data on Chinese firmware).
• 🔄 Confirm the reset by selecting Yes.
• 🔙 Once complete, go back to the main menu and select Reboot.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware may call the Wipe Data item Factory Reset. Don't confuse it with Wipe Cache - it's just cache cleaning, not a complete reset!

Method 3: Formatting internal memory (for power users)

If a standard reset doesn’t work (for example, the phone still slows down or gives out errors), a full formatting of internal memory may be required.This method deletes all data without recovery, including hidden system files, suitable only for power users!

Step-by-step:

1. Enter Recovery Mode (as described in Method 2).
2. Select Advanced (or Additional)
3. Then, choose Wipe Dalvik Cache → Yes.
4. Go back to Advanced and select Wipe Internal Storage (or Format Data).
5. Confirm the formatting (it will take a few minutes).
6. Reboot the phone.

Once formatted, the internal memory will be completely cleared and the phone will start with factory settings, a method that is also useful if you want to remove viruses that may have penetrated system partitions.

Method 4: Complete Fastboot Flashback (to delete all data)

If previous methods have failed or the phone is in a "brick" state (it doesn't turn on, it freezes while booting), the last option is a complete Fastboot flashing mode, which erases all information, including firmware, and installs a clean version of MIUI.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Xiaomi drivers installed (download official drivers).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📦 Firmware for Redmi 4 (download from miuirom.org or official website).
• 🛠 The Mi Flash Tool (download here).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder on your computer (for example, C:\MIUI\).
2. Turn off the phone and press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
5. Press Refresh – the program must identify the device.
6. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
7. Wait until the phone is finished (the phone will reboot automatically).

⚠️ Warning: Do not disconnect your phone from your PC while you are firmware! this can cause permanent damage to the bootloader.

Download the official firmware for Redmi 4|Install the Mi Flash Tool|Install Xiaomi drivers|Charge your phone at least 70 times%|Prepare original USB-cable-->

How to verify that data has been deleted

After cleaning, it's important to make sure that all personal data is erased without recovery.

1. Verification through the file manager:

Install any file manager (e.g. Total Commander or FX File Explorer).

Check the DCIM (photo), Downloads (downloads), WhatsApp (if installed).

If the folders are empty, the data is deleted.

Verification via PC:

Connect your phone to your computer in MTP mode.

Open internal memory through this computer.

Use a data recovery program (such as Recuva or DiskDigger) – if it does not find files, the cleanup was successful.

Account verification:

After reset, go to Settings → Accounts.

Make sure there are no linked Google accounts or Mi Accounts (unless you have added them again).

If you are planning to sell your phone, you should also:

• 🔐 Log out of all accounts (Google, Mi, social networks).
• 📶 Turn off Find My Device in Google Settings.
• 📡 Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and networks → Resetting network settings).

💡

Even after reset, some data may remain in memory as fragments. Use formatting or flashing to ensure deletion.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Cleaning the phone seems like a simple procedure, but many users make mistakes that lead to data loss or system damage.

1. Reset without backup

Many people forget to save contacts or photos, relying on cloud services, but if the sync was disabled, the data will be lost forever.

Solution: Before reset, check that the backup is created and the files are copied to the PC.

Interrupting the cleaning process

If you turn off the phone during a reset (for example, due to battery discharge), it can damage system files.

Solution: Make sure that the battery is at least 50% and do not press buttons during the process.

3. Use of informal firmware

Firmware via Fastboot using custom (unofficial) firmware can block the bootloader or cause errors in the operation of the communication module.

- Solution: Download firmware only from official sources (Miuirom.org, Xiaomi.eu).

4.The Forgotten Mi Account

Once reset, the phone will require you to enter data from your Xiaomi account, and if you forget it, it will be difficult to unlock the device.

Solution: Untie your account before resetting or restore access through the Xiaomi website.

5. Incomplete formatting

Some users choose to use Wipe Cache in Recovery, thinking it's a complete reset, but in fact it only clears the cache, and the personal data remains.

Solution: For complete cleanup, choose Wipe Data or Factory Reset.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions