Xiaomi’s Redmi series is widely regarded as one of the most reliable devices in the budget and mid-range segment. However, even the most stable Android operating system with a MIUI shell sometimes fails that cannot be fixed by a normal reboot. Owners of the popular Redmi Note 4 model often face the need to return the gadget to a factory state to fix software errors or remove forgotten locks.
Known as Hard Reset, the complete memory cleanup procedure is a radical but effective method of solving a variety of problems: it removes all user data, including contacts, photos, installed apps and, most importantly, malware or viruses. It is important to understand that once you do this, the phone will return to the state it was in immediately after you bought it in the store.
In this guide, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to reset settings on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4. You will learn how to perform the procedure through the standard settings menu, how to enter Recovery mode when the screen is locked, and what precautions you need to take to avoid losing important information forever.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before taking decisive action, it is critical to complete a number of preparatory operations. Hard Reset irrevocably deletes all files from the internal memory of the smartphone, so ignoring this stage can lead to the loss of valuable photos, documents and correspondence.
Battery charge is another key factor in the successful completion of the procedure: If the phone turns off due to battery discharge during the formatting of memory partitions, this can damage the system files and turn the device into a brick. The charge level must be at least 50-60% for safe operation.
Account binding should also be considered. If the device is enabled with Google FRP protection or Mi Account, after resetting, the system will require you to enter the username and password that were used previously. If you do not remember this data, it is better to untie the device from accounts in advance through the settings menu.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Be sure to check for a microSD card. Although the standard reset procedure does not usually affect external drives, retrieving the memory card before starting the operation will be an additional guarantee of the safety of your files in case of unforeseen system errors.
Reset via the MIUI settings menu
The safest and easiest way to get the Redmi Note 4 back to factory settings is to use the built-in operating system functionality, which is suitable for those cases where you have access to the smartphone desktop and settings menu. It does not require knowledge of special key combinations.
To start, open the main app menu and find the Settings icon. In the settings list that opens, you need to scroll down to the About Phone section. This is where the basic system management tools are hidden. Click on this to go to the device information menu.
At the top of the screen, you'll see the MIUI version logo. Make a few quick taps on that logo -- usually 7-10 times -- and this action activates the hidden menu of additional features. Once you have a pop-up notification that you've become a developer or have activated advanced features, go back a step.
Now, a new item on the About Phone menu, called Settings Reset (or Factory Reset), click on it. The system will offer you a few options: reset all settings or delete all data. Choose the option to erase all data. The phone will alert you to the consequences and ask you to enter a graphical key or password to unlock the screen to confirm the identity of the owner.
What is Factory Reset Protection?
Once confirmed, the smartphone will restart and the cleaning process will begin, the screen can go out and light up several times, and the progress bar will show the execution rate. Don't interrupt this process. Upon completion, the device will turn on as new, suggesting you choose a language and connect to Wi-Fi.
Hard Reset via Recovery Mode buttons
If you can't access the settings menu because of a system freeze, a broken touchscreen, or a forgotten lock password, Recovery Mode comes to the rescue. It's a low-level recovery environment built into the phone's memory regardless of the state of the main operating system.
To enter this mode, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 uses a combination of physical buttons. First turn off the smartphone completely. Make sure it is turned off, not in sleep mode. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up (+) button and the Power button.
Hold both buttons until the Mi or Android logo appears on the screen. Once that happens, the power button can be released while continuing to hold the volume rocker. In a few seconds, you'll see the Recovery Mode menu, which usually has a blue or black background and a text menu in English or Chinese.
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If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, don't panic. Navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and selection is done with a power button. The reset point is often at the bottom of the list or in the second submenu.
In the Recovery menu, you can use volume buttons to move the cursor up and down, and the power button performs the confirmation function (Enter). You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. In some firmware versions, this item may be called Factory Reset.
Once you select a cleaning point, the system can request confirmation by asking you to select Confirm or enter the word yes (depending on the version of Recovery). user_data.
Use of Mi Flash Tool and Computer
For advanced users who have not been helped by standard methods, or in cases of deep software failure, there is a way to reset via a PC. ADB/Fastboot. This method requires a computer running Windows.
The first step is to put the smartphone in Fastboot mode. To do this, you need to press the phone off with the button Volume Down (-) and Power. The screen will show an image of a hare repairing an Android robot and the inscription: FASTBOOT. Connect the device to the computer through the original USB-cable.
In the Mi Flash Tool, you need to choose the path to the firmware files. For a complete reset and clean installation, choose Clean All mode. This mode completely erases all memory partitions and installs a fresh copy of the system. Clean All and Lock mode also reflashes the phone, but re-locks the bootloader, which is important for banking applications and Android Pay.
The firmware process takes 5 to 15 minutes, during which time it is strictly forbidden to disconnect the cable or turn off the computer, interrupting the data recording at this stage can lead to damage to the bootloader, recovery from which is possible only in the service center.
Comparison of Resetting Methods
Different situations require different approaches to solving problems. Understanding the differences between methods will allow you to choose the most suitable and safe option for your case. Below is a table comparing the main ways to return the Redmi Note 4 to factory settings.
| Parameter | Settings menu | Recovery Mode | Mi Flash Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to the system | Required. | Not required | Not required |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Low. | Medium/High |
| Virus removal | Partial | Complete. | Complete (with flashing) |
| Implementation time | 5-10 minutes | 5-10 minutes | 15-30 minute |
The method through the settings menu is ideal for the planned sale of the phone or transfer it to another user when the system is stable. Recovery mode is an ambulance for forgotten passwords or cyclic reboots. Use of the computer is necessary when the software part of the phone is badly damaged and requires reinstallation of system files.
It is worth noting that the method with a computer allows not only to clean the data, but also to change the firmware region (for example, from Chinese to global), which is impossible to do with standard means without unlocking the bootloader.
Possible problems and solutions
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users sometimes face difficulties. One of the common problems is that the phone does not enter Recovery mode. On the Redmi Note 4, this can be due to a feature of the button design or a discharged battery. Try plugging the charger and trying to log in again in 10-15 minutes.
⚠️ Warning: If after a reset, the phone requires you to enter a Google account that you don’t remember, this is protection. FRP. Without entering the correct data from the last synchronized account, it is almost impossible to unlock the phone in legal ways.
Another common situation is hanging on the Mi logo after a bootloop. If the phone is in this state for more than 15-20 minutes, try to perform a forced reboot by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds. If this does not help, you will need to flash it through the Fastboot.
Users may also experience a data corruption report when attempting to log in to Recovery, which often happens after a failed experiment with superuser rights (Root), in which case the Recovery menu may not start, and the only way out is to use the Mi Flash Tool to completely reflash the device.
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The main reason for a failed reset is a process interruption or a critically low battery charge, and always monitor your energy levels before starting operations.
Actions after discharge has been completed
After you've successfully completed the procedure and booted it up, you'll see a welcome screen. Don't rush to install all the apps at once. First, check the basic functions: touch screen, speakers, microphone and communication modules, which will help make sure the reset is correct and the hardware is not affected.
When you set up your phone, it will suggest you restore data from a Google backup or Mi Cloud. If you created a backup before reset, now is the time to use it. However, if the cause of the reset was viruses or unstable work, it is better to set the phone as new, installing the apps selectively so as not to return the problem along with the data.
⚠️ Note: After reset, the system may work slower in the first few days. 30-60 It's because Android is indexing files and optimizing apps in the background".
Don’t forget to reconfigure your fingerprints if your Redmi Note 4 is equipped with a scanner, and set new lock passwords. It’s also a good idea to check for system updates in the Settings menu → About Phone → System Update, as the new firmware version may contain important security patches.