How to reset Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 to factory settings: 3 proven ways

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is one of the brand’s most popular smartphones, but even it eventually starts to “brake,” produce errors, or require a complete system reinstallation. Resetting to factory settings helps solve most software problems, from slow operation to inability to update firmware. However, an improper reset can lead to data loss, locking the device or even “bricking” (turning into a “brick”).

In this article, you will find three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery and Fastboot), as well as instructions for preparing the device, saving important data and solving typical problems after a reset. Particular attention is paid to the nuances of working with the Redmi Note 4 based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 and MediaTek Helio X20 processors - their firmware has key differences.

If your smartphone is stuck on the Mi logo, doesn't respond to touch, or needs to unlock the bootloader, you'll find solutions here, and for those who are afraid of losing photos or contacts, we've prepared a backup checklist with step-by-step steps.

When do I need to reset Redmi Note 4 to factory settings?

Resetting is a last resort, but sometimes it is necessary to do without it. Here are 5 signals that it is time to return the smartphone to its original state:

🐢 Strong lags: apps open for a long time, animation "hangs", even after cleaning the cache.
🔄 Cyclical reboot: phone turns on, shows Mi logo and switches off again.
🚫 Blocking your Mi Account: Forgot the password from your Xiaomi account and can not unlock the device.
📱 Errors after the update: firmware “flyed off”, artifacts appeared on the screen or sensors fail.
🔒 Preparation for sale: you need to delete all personal data without the possibility of recovery.

However, resetting is not a panacea. If the problem is physical damage (such as a broken screen, moisture or a faulty battery), then going back to factory settings will not help.

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 4 with MediaTek Helio processor X20 (Models for India and Global versions) reset via Fastboot can result in bootloader locking.Pre-check the chipset type in settings (Settings) → The phone. → The kernel version).

📊 Why you want to reset the Redmi Note 4?

Eliminate the lags

Prepare for sale

Remove the virus

Solve the problem after the update

Other

Preparing for resetting: how not to lose important data

The factory reset completely erases the smartphone’s internal memory, including photos, videos, messages and installed apps. SD-card (unless it is used as internal memory) so make sure to back up before the procedure.

Here is what needs to be saved first:

📸 Photos and Videos: Use Google Photos, Mi Cloud or transfer files to your computer USB.
📞 Contacts: sync with Google Account or export to.vcf file.
💬 Messages: applications like SMS Backup & Restore will save SMS history to the cloud.
🎵 Music and Documents: Check Download, Music and Documents folders.
🔑 Wi-Fi Passwords: Write down or take a photo of the network list in Settings → Wi-Fi.

☑️ Checklist before reset

Make a backup copyRecord the Mi Account detailsMake sure the battery is charged.Delete SD-mapUntie the device from Google Account

Done: 0 / 5

Pay special attention to your Xiaomi account. If you forget your Mi Account password, after resetting, your phone may require you to enter the unlock data (Find Device function).

Go to Settings. → Mi Account.
Make sure you remember your email and password.
Turn off Find Device (if you plan to sell your phone).

If the phone turns on and responds to touch, use this method. It requires no additional tools and is suitable for most users.

Instructions:

Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
Go to the section Additional → Recovery and Reset.
Select Reset (or Delete all data in new MIUI versions).
Confirm the action by entering PIN-code or pattern lock (if installed).
Wait until the process is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

After the reboot, you will see the screen of the initial settings, as after the purchase. If the phone requires you to enter Mi Account details, use the previously associated account.

⚠️ Warning: Some Redmi Note 4 firmware may have a "This device is locked" error after reset, meaning the bootloader is locked. The solution is to unlock it via the Mi Unlock Tool (instructions in the next section).

💡

If the phone doesn’t turn on for longer than 15 minutes after reset, try pressing the power button for 20 seconds to force a reboot.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If the Redmi Note 4 is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch, or reboots cyclically, use Recovery mode, which works even without access to the main system.

Steps to Enter Recovery:

Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it doesn't respond).
Press the Power button and Volume up (+) at the same time.
Hold them until the Mi logo and the Recovery menu appear.

In the Recovery menu, the control is carried out by the volume (move) and power (select) buttons.

Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in older versions).
Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

If the Recovery menu does not have Russian, focus on English inscriptions. On Redmi Note 4 with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), menu items may differ.

Recovery menu item	Translation	Action.
Wipe Data	Clearing the data	Complete resetting of settings
Wipe Cache	Clearing the cache	Deletes temporary files (does not erase personal data)
Reboot	Reboot.	Returns to normal mode
Connect with MiAssistant	Connection to PC	For Firmware with Mi Flash Tool

What happens if Recovery does not open?

If after pressing Power + Volume up the phone vibrates but does not load the menu, try: 1. Connect the charger (sometimes helps with a discharged battery). 2. Use the Power + Volume down combination (for some versions of MIUI). 3. Recovery via Fastboot (PC required).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is suitable if the first two did not work or you need to reflash the phone from scratch.

Important: Fastboot resets all data without recovery, including files on internal memory, and can block the bootloader on some versions of the Redmi Note 4.

Step-by-step:

Download the official firmware for your model (select the correct version: Qualcomm or MediaTek).
Unpack the archive with the firmware in a folder on the computer.
Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Volume Down (-) + Power until the hare appears in the eardress cap.
Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Refresh (the device should appear).
Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

It takes 5-15 minutes. When it's done, it automatically restarts. If you have an "Anti-rollback" error, you're trying to install an older version of MIUI than you did before the reset, in which case, download a newer firmware.

💡

Resetting via Fastboot is the only way to bring the Redmi Note 4 back to life that doesn't even include Recovery.However, it requires an unlocked bootloader (if not unlocked, use the Mi Unlock Tool).

How to unlock the bootloader on Redmi Note 4 after reset

If the phone is resetting and it says, "This device is locked" or "Bootloader locked," it means that the bootloader is locked. This is Xiaomi's standard firmware protection. To unlock it, follow these steps:

Download the official Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi website.
Sign in to the program under the same Mi Account as on your phone.
Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (as in the previous section) and connect to the PC.
In Mi Unlock Tool, click Unlock and wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 72 hours for new accounts).

Please note:

🔗 Mi Account should be linked to your phone before reset.If you forget your data, restore it to account.xiaomi.com.
⏳ Waiting 72 hours is normal for new accounts: Old accounts (registered before 2018) are unlocked immediately.
📱 On some versions of the Redmi Note 4 (e.g., for the Chinese market), unlocking may require additional actions, such as tethering. SIM-map.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, reset your phone again via Fastboot to avoid firmware conflicts. Use only official ones. ROM From Xiaomi site – custom firmware can lead to unstable work.

Frequent post-reset problems and their solutions

Even after a successful reset, the Redmi Note 4 may not behave properly, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

Problem.	Possible cause	Decision
The phone will not turn on after resetting	A discharged battery or firmware error	Charge the device for 30 minutes, then try to turn it on. If it doesn't work, run it through the Fastboot.
Constantly rebooting.	Damaged partition or firmware conflict	Install firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All tick.
The sensor is not working.	Incorrect firmware or hardware malfunction	Check the firmware version (should match the model) If the problem persists, take it to the service.
Requires a password from your Mi Account after resetting	Find Device function was active	Enter your linked account details. If you forget, restore access to Xiaomi's website.
No net after reset	Flowed the settings of IMEI or communication module	Check the IMEI in *#06#. If not, flash your phone with your official firmware.

If the IMEI or Mac Wi-Fi address is lost after reset, it may be due to damage to the NVRAM (typical for MediaTek versions) partition, which can only be restored through the firmware of the full image (Firmware) in the SP Flash Tool.

💡

If after resetting the phone began to discharge faster, perform the battery calibration: completely discharge it before turning it off, then charge to 100% without interruptions.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I reset the Redmi Note 4 without losing data?

No, factory reset always erases internal memory. However, you can selectively delete data through settings (Settings → Applications → Delete data for specific programs). Some firmware also supports Soft Reset, but it only deletes settings, not files.

What to do if I forget my Mi Account password after resetting?

If the phone requires Mi Account data and you don't remember it: Go to account.xiaomi.com. Click Forgot password? and follow the instructions (requires access to email or phone associated with the account). 📖 Read also: How to untie Xiaomi from Google account after reset Detailed instructions for unlocking FRP How to bypass Google's binding after Hard Reset, b How to recover Xiaomi password: all ways 2026 Lost access to your Mi Account? Learn how to recover Xiaomi password through email, SMS, How to get Root rights to Xiaomi: full instruction Detailed guide to obtaining superuser rights on Xiaomi. How to reset Xiaomi Mi 5 to factory settings - 3 ways Step-by-step instructions for resetting Xiaomi Mi 5 to factory settings via menu, Recovery and Fastboot. S QMMI Xiaomi: what kind of program and how to use it in 2026 QMMI on Xiaomi smartphones: purpose, functions, how to open and use.P How to restore a Xiaomi account without phone and mail: Instruction Complete guide: recovery of Mi Account without access to number and email. 📱 XiaoMaster 🔓 Reset and release · ⚙️ System setup · 💾 Memory and files · 🔊 Sound and vibration · 📸 Camera and photo · 📡 Communication and network Home · About the project · Contacts · Privacy © XiaoMaster, all rights reserved. Accept document.getElementById('pbMenuBtn')?.addEventListener('click', () => { document.getElementById('pbMainNav')?.classList.toggle('pb-nav-open'); }); // Dropdown menu toggle (click for touch devices) document.querySelectorAll('.pb-dropdown-toggle').forEach(btn => { btn.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); btn.closest('.pb-nav-dropdown').classList.toggle('pb-dd-open'); }); }); document.addEventListener('click', () => { document.querySelectorAll('.pb-nav-dropdown.pb-dd-open').forEach(d => d.classList.remove('pb-dd-open')); }); (function() { const popup = document.getElementById('cookie-consent'); const btn = document.getElementById('cookie-accept'); if (popup && btn &&!localStorage.getItem('cookie-accepted')) { setTimeout(() => popup.classList.add('pb-cookie-visible'), 1500); btn.onclick = () => { localStorage.setItem('cookie-accepted','true'); (function(d,s){d.getElementById("licnt06C4").src= "https://counter.yadro.ru/hit?t26.5;r"+escape(d.referrer)+ ((typeof(s)=="undefined")?"":";s"+s.width+"*"+s.height+"*"+ (s.colorDepth?s.colorDepth:s.pixelDepth))+";u"+escape(d.URL)+ ";h"+escape(d.title.substring(0,150))+";"+Math.random()})(document,screen) 🍪 We use cookies to improve the operation of the website. popup.classList.remove('pb-cookie-visible'); }; } })(); function pbPollVote(el) { var poll = el.closest('.pb-poll'); if (poll.classList.contains('voted')) return; poll.classList.add('voted'); el.classList.add('selected'); var opts = poll.querySelectorAll('.pb-poll-option'); var n = opts.length; var raw = []; var sum = 0; for (var i = 0; i < n; i++) { var v = Math.random() * 50 + 5; if (opts[i] === el) v += 30; raw.push(v); sum += v; } var pcts = raw.map(function(v) { return Math.round(v / sum * 100); }); var diff = 100 - pcts.reduce(function(a,b){ return a+b; }, 0); pcts[Array.from(opts).indexOf(el)] += diff; setTimeout(function() { opts.forEach(function(opt, i) { opt.querySelector('.pb-poll-bar').style.width = pcts[i] + '%'; opt.querySelector('.pb-poll-pct').textContent = pcts[i] + '%'; }); }, 50); }