Reset Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 to factory settings: the full guide

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is a legendary smartphone that still remains in service with thousands of users, but even the most reliable technology eventually begins to slow down: temporary files accumulate, updates conflict, and viruses or failed firmware experiments can make the device almost unusable, in which case resetting to factory settings is the most radical and effective way to return the phone to a “second life”.

However, the procedure has nuances: wrong actions can lead to data loss, “bricking” the device or blocking the Mi Account. In this guide, we will discuss all working ways to reset for Redmi Note 4 (including models with Snapdragon and Helio X20 processors), explain how to prepare for the procedure, and warn about typical errors.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the start

Factory reset is the complete removal of all data from the internal memory of the smartphone. Even if you plan to reset the phone due to "glitch" rather than for sale, you can not do without backup.

• 📱 Keep your contacts: export them to the VCF-File through the Contacts app or sync with Google Account.
• 📷 Copy photos and videos: use Google Photos, the Mi Cloud cloud or connect your phone to your PC USB.
• 🔑 Remember passwords: reset will remove saved logins from social networks, banking applications and Wi-Fi. Write them down in advance.
• 🔋 Charge the battery: if the smartphone runs out during reset, it can cause a firmware failure%.

Pay special attention to the binding of the Mi Account. After resetting, the phone may require entering a username and password from the Xiaomi account that was on it before. If you forget the data or the phone is bought “by hand”, it will be extremely difficult to unlock it without the original account (you will need to contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase).

⚠️ Note: If you bought the Redmi Note 4 from hand and do not know the previous owner’s data, a reset via the standard menu will block the device! EDL-regime (described below).

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the easiest one)

This method is suitable if:

• 📱 The phone is turned on and running (albeit with errors).
• 🔓 You remember the pattern lock or PIN-code.
• 👤 You have access to the Mi Account linked to the device.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional settings → Recovery and reset.
3. Select Reset (or Reset all settings in new versions of MIUI).
4. The system will tell you what to reset. Mark Delete all data.
5. Enter the device password (if requested).
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset.

It takes 5-10 minutes. The phone will reboot, and you'll see the screen of the initial setup, like after you buy it. If you request Mi Account data after you reset, type it in. If you don't remember, go to Fastboot 3.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery (if the phone doesn't boot)

If the Redmi Note 4 is stuck on the MI logo, reboots cyclically or doesn't respond to touch, but it does, resets through Recovery Mode, which is embedded in the firmware and works even in case of serious system failures.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it doesn’t respond).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time.
3. Hold until the Mi logo appears, then let go.
4. In a few seconds, the Recovery menu will open (black screen with yellow text in English).

Next:

• 🔹 Use the up/down volume buttons for navigation.
• 🔹 Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in some versions).
• 🔹 Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
• 🔹 Wait until the end (the screen will appear the words Data wipe complete).
• 🔹 Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

If after resetting the phone again requires a password from Mi Account, and you do not know it – go to method 3. If the Recovery menu in Chinese – look for characters (clean data) and (reboot).

⚠️ Note: Some firmware may call the Wipe Data item Factory Reset or Clear eMMC. Don’t confuse it with Wipe Cache – it’s just cache cleaning that won’t delete your data!

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method will be useful if:

• 🔒 Phone is blocked by Mi Account and you don’t know the password.
• 🛠️ Recovery is damaged or not opened.
• 📱 You need to completely reflash the device (for example, after a failed update).

The work will require:

• 💻 Windows computer (or Linux/Mac driverless ADB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website of Xiaomi).
• 📄 Firmware for Redmi Note 4 (choose the version for your processor: Snapdragon or Helio) X20).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot Mode (screen with a hare in a hat-eared).
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All (full reset) or Clean All and Lock (reset + lock bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-15 minutes).

After flashing the phone will turn on as new, without being tied to Mi Account. However, note: this method deletes all data irrevocably and requires basic skills of working with ADB. If you have never encountered firmware, you should contact the service center.

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Before you run through Fastboot, check the processor model in Redmi Note 4. To do this, on the phone turned off, press Volume up + Volume down + Power - in the top row you will see MSM8953 (Snapdragon 625) or MT6797 (Helio X20).

Table: Comparison of discharge methods

What to do after resetting: initial setup

After a successful reset, the Redmi Note 4 will turn on with the welcome screen.

1. Select a language: scroll down and find Russian (or English if there is no Russian).
2. Connect to Wi-Fi: This is needed to download updates and restore backups.
3. Sign in to your Google account: If you have previously synced your data, it will automatically recover.
4. Skip Mi Account binding (if not needed): On the Xiaomi account login screen, click Skip (or Skip).
5. Recover data: Use backups from Google Drive, Mi Cloud, or copy files from your PC.

If your phone is running slower than before, check:

• 🔄 System Updates: Go to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🧹 Memory optimization: in Settings → Memory press Clear.
• 🛡️ Antivirus: scan your device for malware (for example, through Malwarebytes).

⚠️ Note: If you have disappeared after the discharge IMEI (No network – this means that the partition has been damaged NVRAM. It can only be restored through the firmware. NVRAM-file in Fastboot or by contacting the service.

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After reset, take your time to install all the old apps at once. Start with the most essential ones (messaging apps, banking apps) and watch the performance. Often the brakes come back because of the re-installation of heavy programs or games.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when the procedure seems simple, users often make mistakes that lead to data loss or phone breakdown.

• 🔋 Battery discharge: If the phone turns off during reset via Recovery or Fastboot, it could damage the firmware.Always charge the device to 50% or more.
• 🔌 Unoriginal cable: cheap USB-cables may interrupt the connection during firmware. Use the original cable or a certified cable. USB 2.0.
• 📥 Wrong firmware: installing firmware for Snapdragon on a model with Helio X20 (And vice versa, it's going to be bricking. Check the processor model before you upload the files!
• 🔒 Forgotten Mi Account: If the phone is bought from hand and the previous owner has not untied the account, the reset will block the device.

Another common problem is data loss after a reset, and if you haven't made a backup, try to restore files using software:

• DiskDigger (for photos and videos)
• EaseUS MobiSaver (for contacts and messages)
• Recuva (for documents).

But the chances of recovery depend on how much data was written to the phone after the reset, and the faster you start the recovery, the more likely you are to succeed.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 4 reset