Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 smartphone sooner or later face the need to return the device to its original state, which can be caused by accumulated system errors, the desire to sell the gadget, or simply the need for a “clean” system without unnecessary software debris.
However, before we take any drastic action, we need to understand that full factory resets will permanently delete all user data, photos, contacts, messages and installed applications will disappear from the device’s internal memory, which is why training is critical to the success of the entire operation.
In this article, we will take a look at all the reset options available, from the standard settings menu to the hard-case retrieve menu, how to secure your data and what to do if the system doesn’t respond to commands, and a smart approach will allow you to reanimate the Redmi Note 4 without going to the service center.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
The first and most important step is to back up all the important data, and the MIUI ecosystem has some very convenient tools to do that, but you don't have to rely on them alone, and you'd better use a combination approach, storing information in multiple places.
Be sure to check the battery level. The data partition formatting process can take 10 to 30 minutes, and suddenly powering out at this point is fraught with serious consequences for the file system. If your Redmi Note 4 battery is no longer holding the charge well, it's best to connect the device to the original charger.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account.After reset, Find Device's security system may require authorization, and without a password, you will not be able to activate the phone.
It is also worth disabling all third-party screen blockers and passwords if you plan to reset your phone through the settings menu, which will prevent possible conflicts of software modules at the time of the system reboot.
- 📸 Back up photos and videos to your computer or cloud storage (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk).
- 📞 Sync your contacts with your Google account or export them to a file.vcf.
- 🔋 Charge the battery of the smartphone to a minimum 60-70% before the beginning of the procedure.
- 🔑 Write down or remember passwords from important accounts and Wi-Fi networks.
The most gentle and simple method is for cases where the system is stable and you have access to the desktop, which is ideal for preparing the device for sale or transfer to another user, since it correctly closes all processes.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll to the bottom of the list. You are interested in Advanced Settings (in some versions of the firmware it may be called “Additional”). Inside this section, you need to find the Recover and Reset option.
Here, the system will offer several options. If you want to just clear the data but keep the folder structure, choose the appropriate option. However, to fully return to factory state, you need to choose Reset or Clear everything.
What to do if the reset button is inactive?
If the menu item is locked, check if the "Search for Device" mode is enabled. Also, the button may be inactive if the phone has system updates that require rebooting before reset.> After pressing the button, the system will warn you several times about the consequences. You will need to enter a pattern lock or digital unlock password to confirm the operation. This will be followed by an automatic reboot and the cleaning process, the indicator of which will be displayed on the screen. Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode If the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 smartphone does not boot to the desktop or forgotten the password, the device is completely locked in the mode. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up and Power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, and then the power button can be released while still holding the volume, and you will see a menu with an English interface. The control here is done by the volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item and select it. ⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working. All actions are performed exclusively with mechanical volume and turn on buttons. In the next menu, select Wipe All Data. The system will again request confirmation, often requiring you to select Confirm and press the power button. Once the cleaning process is complete, the label “Data wiped successfully” will appear and you can select Back to Main Menu and then Reboot -> Reboot to System. 📊 What is the problem with your Redmi Note 4?Phone does not turn on Forgot passwordSystem brakes Want to sell phone Method 3: Reset via service menu (CIT) There is a lesser-known but effective way to reset through an engineering menu that technicians often use for diagnosis, a method that can be useful if the standard settings menu is not working properly or contains errors. Open the Phone app and dial the combination ##6484##. The device will automatically go to the menu. CIT (Customer Information Test: There are a lot of iron tests here, but we're interested in the reset menu. Sometimes the reset point is at the bottom of the list or in the submenu, depending on the version. MIUI. If you find a Clear eMMC or Factory Reset, using it will result in complete deletion of data. Be careful: this method is more aggressive and can affect sections that are normally not touched in a normal reset, and it is justified in situations where other methods are not available. However, for an ordinary user, it carries a slightly increased risk, so resort to it is worth only with full confidence in your actions. 🛠 The method is useful for software interface failures MIUI. ⚡ Allows you to clean even with a partially non-functioning touchscreen (if the buttons are running). 📉 Less informative than the standard menu, it requires knowledge of English terms. Table: Comparison of reset methods To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have prepared a comparative table. It will help you assess the risks and requirements of each method for your specific situation with the Redmi Note 4. Method Needs access to OS Save files Difficulty Through Settings Yes No (removes everything) Low Recovery Mode No No (removes everything) Medium CIT Menu Partially No (removes everything) High Mi Flash Tool No No (complete flashing) Very high As you can see from the table, for most users, the best option is a standard reset via settings or Recovery Mode. Using firmware tools like Mi Flash is only required in critical cases when the bootloader is damaged. 💡If after reset, the phone offers to upgrade to a new version MIUI, You can only agree to this when you connect to Wi-Fi, so you don't waste mobile traffic. Possible problems and their solution The reset process doesn't always go smoothly. Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 can face a situation where the phone hangs on the logo “Mi” or endlessly reboot (bootloop). This often happens when a process is interrupted or if the system files are corrupted. 10-15 For a minute, try to perform a forced reboot by holding the power button for a while. 10-20 If that doesn't work, you'll have to go back to Recovery mode and do the Wipe Data procedure, making sure it's the right item. Another common problem is locking Mi Account after reset. This is the Find Device security mechanism. If you do not remember the password, it will be extremely difficult and sometimes impossible to restore access to the device without account data. ⚠️ Please note: Do not attempt to reset the Factory Reset Protection counter (FRP) With questionable methods from the Internet, this can permanently lock the device or disrupt the operation of security modules. It's normal for the first. 2-3 Charging/discharge cycles, as the system takes time to index files and optimize background processes (FAQ) Will the information be deleted from the memory card? SD When you reset? MIUI When you reset your settings, you often have a choice: clear only the internal memory or also SD-In Recovery mode, only the internal partition is usually cleaned. /data, But to avoid data loss, it's better to remove the memory card before you start. How long does it take for the Hard Reset process? 3 before 10 minutes depending on the amount of memory filled, but the first load after reset can last up to 15-20 minutes, as the system performs initial configuration and optimization of applications, can deleted photos be recovered after resetting? Once you've done the Wipe All Data command, it's extremely difficult to recover data. Current encryption methods in Android make files unreadable without keys that are destroyed when you reset. You only have a chance if you've had cloud synchronization. Will the bootloader unlock disappear after the reset? No, the Unlocked Bootloader status is stored in a separate section and will not be erased in a normal setting reset, but all user data, including root rights (if obtained through a system modification), will be deleted. What to do if a phone asks for a Google password after resetting? FRP (Factory Reset Protection: You need to enter the username and password from the Google account that was synced to the phone before the reset.