Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 smartphone periodically face situations when the software part of the device stops responding correctly, this can be caused by a buildup of system debris, a failed firmware update or a conflict of installed applications. At such moments, standard reboot methods often prove powerless, and the only right solution is hard reset.
Complete resetting is a radical but effective measure to bring the gadget back to factory status. It is important to understand that this process completely destroys user data, so it needs to be approached prepared. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to perform a reset on the Redmi Note 4, and also discuss the important nuances of working with the Mi Account.
Before you go into action, you need to make sure you understand the consequences. The reset affects all memory areas except the system files needed to run the OS. If you don't back up, your photos, contacts and correspondence will be lost forever. So the first step should always be to carefully prepare the device.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
The preparation process is a critical step that cannot be ignored. If your smartphone is turned on and reacts to touch, be sure to back up your sensitive data. This can be done through the Mi Cloud service, Google account or simply copy files to your computer through a computer. USB-The security of your data depends entirely on your prior actions.
The second important thing is battery power. The hard reset procedure requires that the battery level be at least 50-60%. If the device is turned off due to discharge during memory formatting, there is a high risk of damage to system partitions and bootloop errors, known as bootloop. Connect the charger and wait for the required energy level.
And you should also remember the login details for your Google and Mi Account. Once reset, Android security will require authorization from an account that was previously associated with the device. It's a security mechanism against theft that will prevent an unauthorized person from using the phone. Write down your passwords or make sure you remember them.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Don’t forget to remove the microSD card and SIM-The card before the procedure, although the current versions MIUI It's not usually affected by external drives when reset, and there's still a risk of accidentally formatting or damaging the card's file system.
Method 1: Reset via the Settings Menu (Soft Reset)
The most gentle and simple method of performing a hard reset is available directly through the operating system interface, which is suitable for cases where the smartphone is stable, the screen responds to touch, and you can freely navigate the menu.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to About, which is where the basic system management tools are concentrated. You need to find the Reset option (or “Erase all data” depending on the MIUI version and regional firmware), and click on it and you will see a warning that all data will be deleted.
The system will ask you to enter a pattern lock or digital screen unlock password if installed. This is an additional measure of protection against accidental reset. Once confirmed, the device may suggest selecting the option "Clear all files" - make sure that this item is activated if your goal is a complete cleanup. Then click "Reset settings" and wait for the reboot.
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Before you click the final reset button in the settings menu, take a few screenshots of important screens with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings to restore the connection faster after the reboot.
It can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of memory you have. Don't try to interrupt it or turn off your phone. Once you've finished, your smartphone will turn on in its initial setup mode, as if you just bought it from a store, and you'll have to re-select your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and log in to your accounts.
Method 2: Hard Recovery Mode
If the system interface is not responding, the screen is locked or the smartphone goes into reboot, the only option is to use Recovery Mode Recovery Mode. This method allows you to perform a hard reset at the bootloader level, bypassing the operating system. To enter this mode on Redmi Note 4 uses a combination of physical buttons.
Turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Up Volume and the On button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the Power button, but keep the volume down until the Recovery main menu appears. Navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and selecting the item with a short press of the Power button.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
In the menu that opens, you need to select a language (usually English and Chinese available). Select English for convenience. Then go to Wipe & Reset and select Wipe All Data. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The system will again warn about the risks - choose Confirm again. The cleaning process will begin, the progress of which will be displayed on the screen.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working, all actions are performed exclusively by mechanical volume and power buttons. Be careful when navigating, so as not to pick the wrong item.
Once the process is completed successfully, you will see the message “Data wiped successfully.” Press the “Back to Main Menu” button, and then select Reboot -> Reboot to System. The first run after such a reset will last longer than usual, as the system takes time to initialize the memory partitions.
Bypassing the Mi Account and Google FRP lock
One of the most common problems after a hard reset is the appearance of an activation screen that requires you to enter a password from your Google account (FRP - Factory Reset Protection) or Mi Account. These are security mechanisms designed to make it difficult to use stolen devices. If you reset your phone without forgetting to delete your account, the system will require authorization.
In the case of a Google account, if you don't remember your password, you can only restore access through a recovery procedure on another device at accounts.google.com. Without this, it is almost impossible to unlock the phone legally. Attempts to bypass FRP using third-party software often lead to unstable system operation or complete locking of the device.
The situation is similar with Mi Account, where if you have a device search enabled before resetting your phone, then after Hard Reset, the phone will require a password from that account. It's not a bug, it's a Find Device security feature, and the only way to avoid this is to log out of Mi and Google before resetting, or turn off the device search function.
| Type of lockdown | Cause of the occurrence | Decision-making | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google FRP | Reset without leaving your Google account | Entering a password from Gmail | High (no password) |
| Mi Account | Device search activated | Entering a password from Mi Cloud | High (no password) |
| pattern lock | Forgot the screen unlock code | Hard Reset (erases data) | 100% (data deleted) |
It's important to note that on current versions of Android and MIUI, vulnerabilities that make it easy to bypass these protections are quickly closed, so relying on a magic button or a simple combination of codes is not justified.
Solving typical problems after resetting
After a hard reset, users may encounter a number of unusual situations, such as a phone that can stay on the Mi or Android logo for a long time. This is normal for a first run, which can last up to 10-15 minutes. However, if the wait is delayed for more than 20 minutes, the system partition may be damaged or data recording is interrupted.
Another common problem is the lack of communication or broken Wi-Fi. After resetting, the network settings return to the factory ones, but sometimes you need to recalibrate the radio module. Try to go to the engineering menu by typing in dialer code ##4636## and check the status of the radio module. SIM-Also make sure the date and time are set correctly as this affects the performance of security certificates.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone is constantly rebooted after resetting (cyclic reboot), do not try to reset indefinitely. Most likely, the firmware is damaged, and you need to completely flash it through your computer using the Mi Flash utility.
In some cases, you may experience a quick battery drain immediately after you reset, because it takes time for the system and applications to optimize and index files in the background, so let the phone run for a couple of hours, plugging it into charging, and the problem should go away.
What makes Hard Reset different from a regular reboot?
Many users confuse the concepts of “reboot” and “hard reset”, which can lead to undesirable consequences.Reboot is a regular shutdown and turn on the device, in which all data, settings and applications are stored unchanged, it is analogous to turning off and on the computer.
Hard Reset is a formatting of a user's memory partition, removing all installed apps, photos, music, contacts (if not synchronized), text messages, and resetting all system settings, and returning the phone to the "out of the box" state, a fundamental difference that you need to be aware of before you start a procedure.
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Reboot solves temporary software failures, and Hard Reset is needed to completely delete data or fix deep system errors.
There is also the concept of "Soft Reset", which in different contexts can mean either a normal reboot or a reset via the settings menu without using volume buttons. In any case, the key is the preservation or deletion of user data. Always specify what type of reset is required in your situation.