Reset Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Why a factory reset might be required for your Redmi Note 4

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) is still a popular device years later, thanks to the robust Snapdragon 625 platform and custom firmware installation, but over time, any gadget begins to slow down: apps spontaneously close, the battery dies in a few hours, and the system produces errors like “The com.android.phone process is stopped.” In 80% of cases, these problems are solved by a complete reset to factory settings – a procedure that returns the smartphone to the state “out of the box”.

But resets are not just a cure for bugs; they are needed before selling a phone (to delete personal data), after a failed MIUI update, or if you forget your pattern lock. It's important to understand that the procedure erases all user information - photos, contacts, messages and installed apps. So make sure to back up before you start.

In this article, we’ll break down three official reset methods (via Settings, Recovery and Mi Account), and we’ll also explain how to get around common errors like “Can’t mount /data” or hanging on the Mi logo. If your Redmi Note 4 is not turned on or locked, skip the first partition and go straight to the instructions via Recovery.

Step 0: Preparing for resetting - what to save and how

Before you reset the Redmi Note 4, make sure you have copies of important data. Even if the phone doesn't turn on, some files can be retrieved via Fastboot or by connecting a flash drive to a PC.

• 📱 Contact and SMS: Export via Google Contacts or Mi Mover app (available in Settings) → Additionally).
• 📷 Photo and video: Move to PC or to the Google Cloud Photos/Mi Cloud, folder. DCIM usually weighs the most.
• 🔑 Passwords and accounts: Write down logins from Mi Account, banking applications and social networks - after reset, you will need to re-authorize.
• 🎮 Game Saving: If you play Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile or other projects, link progress to your Google Play or Mi Game Center account.

For automatic backup, use the built-in Backup to Settings → Advanced Settings → Backup and Reset function. It saves:

⚠️ Note: If you have used encrypted storage (optional in Settings) → Security, the backup may not recover after the reset, in which case, before the procedure, disable the encryption in the same settings.

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If the phone doesn’t respond to touch, but the screen is working, connect it to your PC via USB in MTP mode and copy the files through Windows/macOS Explorer.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is working)

This is the easiest and safest method, but it is only available if:

• 🔓 The phone is unlocked (you know). PIN/graphical).
• 🔋 Battery charge greater than 30% (to avoid shutdown during the process).
• 📶 No critical system errors (e.g., constant reboots).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Advanced Settings → Backup and Reset.
3. Select Reset (in some versions of MIUI – Reset all settings).
4. The system will prompt you to enter a password from Mi Account (if tied), which is protection against theft.
5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

The phone will reboot and start the cleaning process, which will take 3-7 minutes, and then you will see the screen of the initial setting, as when you first turned on. If at this stage there is a "No command" error or the phone is getting stuck on the Mi logo, proceed to reset via Recovery.

Charge your phone to 50% |

Make a backup |

Disable encryption (if enabled)|

Remember the data from Mi Account|

Make sure that SIM-map removed (optional)-->

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 10 for Redmi Note 4) after reset, you may need to re-activate the device via Mi Account. If you forget your password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

Method 2: Recovery reset (if the phone is not turned on or locked)

If the Redmi Note 4 doesn’t respond to touch, reboots constantly, or you forget your pattern lock, the only way out is to reset via Recovery Mode.

• 🔄 The phone is stuck on startup the Mi or Android logo.
• 🔒 The screen is locked and Find Device is disabled.
• 📱 After updating MIUI There were critical errors.

For entrance to Recovery:

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

In Recovery Redmi Note 4, you can control volume buttons (up/down for navigation) and a power button for confirmation. Select Wipe Data (or in Chinese), then:

1. Select Wipe All Data (complete cleanup).
2. Confirm the action (Confirm).
3. Wait until the end (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe complete).
4. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the phone is stuck on the logo after reset, the firmware may be damaged, in which case you will need to reflash the device via Fastboot (instructions in the next section).

Method 3: Fastboot reset (if Recovery doesn't work)

If a standard Recovery reset causes errors like "E:unknown command [log]" or "Can't mount/data," you'll need to use Fastboot mode, which requires a computer and a Mi Flash Tool utility, but is guaranteed to bring the phone back to life even after serious crashes.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (7/10/11).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Firmware for Redmi Note 4 (mido) - download from the official website MIUI Downloads (select the Fastboot version instead of Recovery).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool is available here.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\mido_global_images...).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers (if Windows doesn’t find them automatically, download the driver here).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
4. Connect your phone to your PC. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
5. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
6. Wait until it's finished (the green tick in the program) and turn off the phone. The first turn on will take up to 10 minutes.

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool gives you an error "Couldn't find fastboot devices", check: Is the phone connected in Fastboot mode (not Recovery), is the drivers installed (Device Manager should display Android Bootloader Interface) is disabled antivirus (it can block the utility). Windows 11 may need to disable driver signature verification.

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Fastboot reset is the only way to bring the Redmi Note 4 back to life if the system area /system or /boot is damaged. However, it erases the entire user area, including internal memory (/data).

Typical Resetting Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even when following the instructions, Redmi Note 4 users face challenges, and here are the most common ones:

Important: If after reset via Fastboot phone requires to enter the password from Mi Account, but you do not remember it, the only way out is to contact the service center Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box). FRP Redmi Note 4 with MIUI 11+ It is almost impossible without the risk of "bricking".

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If the IMEI is missing after the reset, restore it using the engineering menu: dial ##4636##, select Information → Restore IMEI. If the item is missing, use the SN Writer Tool (requires authorization in Mi Account).

What to do after resetting: initial setup

After a successful reset, the Redmi Note 4 will turn on in initial settings. Follow the instructions on the screen, but pay attention to the key points:

1. Language selection: If there is no Russian on the list, select English and then add Russian in the language settings.
2. Wi-Fi Connection: Use a stable network – this will speed up the download of updates.
3. Sign in to Mi Account: If your phone required an account before reset, log in to the same account, otherwise the lock may work.
4. Data recovery: In the Restore from backup step, select a backup (if you did it through Mi Cloud or Google).
5. Disabling unnecessary services: In the Google Services section, you can opt out of sending diagnostics and personalizing ads.

After setting up:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) and check the system for viruses.
• 📱 Reconfigure your fingerprint/face in Settings → Screen locking.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions.

If the phone is running slower than before, check:

• 🔍 Background Processes: C Settings → Annexes → Auto-Start Disable Auto-Boot of Unnecessary Programs.
• 🗑️ Garbage files: Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clean up.
• 🔋 Battery status: Enter the #4636### and check the Battery health setting.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 4 reset