Reset Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 to factory settings via PC: a complete guide with the Mi Flash Tool

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is one of the brand’s most popular smartphones, but even it isn’t immune to software failures, viruses, or the need to completely clean up before selling.If the phone is stuck on the logo, doesn’t respond to the sensor, or simply requires a “clean start,” a PC reset is often the only working solution. Unlike the standard Recovery menu reset, the method using a computer allows you to bypass locks, restore “bricks” and guarantee to delete all data.

In this article, you'll find three proven ways to get the Redmi Note 4 back to factory on a PC: with the official Mi Flash Tool, with Fastboot commands, and an alternative method for locked bootloaders. We'll take a look at every step from preparing drivers to solving common bugs like Invalid image or Anti-rollback check. And if you're afraid of losing important files, at the end, there's a backup manual through ADB.

We warn you right away: the procedure requires attention to detail. One wrong step can turn a phone into a brick, so read the warnings carefully and don't miss the training. Ready? Then we'll get going.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the start

Before you connect the Redmi Note 4 to your computer, follow the necessary steps. Skipping at least one item can lead to errors like Device not found or even damage to the firmware.

• 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 60 percent. Reset via PC can take up to 30 minutes, and discharging in the process will interrupt the firmware.
• 🖥️ Use a Windows PC 7/10/11. Mi Flash Tool is not stable on the macOS/Linux virtual-machine.
• 🔌 Take the original. USB-Cheap cables often don't transmit data in Fastboot mode.
• 📁 Download the firmware archive for your model (see table below). Wrong version = brick-and-mortar.

Critically, you need to determine the exact modification of your Redmi Note 4. The device has three hardware versions – mido (global), nikel (in India) and kate (in China), and the firmware between them is incompatible!

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi Note 4 was purchased in China (Kate model), the global firmware version of mido will not work! Attempt to flash incorrect firmware will lead to an error Anti-rollback check fail and lock the bootloader.

Method 1: Reset via Mi Flash Tool (recommended method)

Mi Flash Tool is Xiaomi's official Fastboot firmware utility, which automatically checks firmware and device compatibility to minimize error risk, and is suitable for all Redmi Note 4 versions, including those that are locked.

Instructions:

1. Install drivers: Download Mi Phone Manager (enables drivers). Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clutch Volume Down + Power on Disabled Device). In Windows Device Manager, check that the phone is identified as Android Bootloader Interface.
2. Prepare the firmware: Unpack the downloaded archive with the firmware (you should get an image file with the.tgz extension). Once again unpack images.tgz - there should be files like boot.img, system.img, etc. inside.

Squeeze the device:

• Open the Mi Flash Tool (download here).
• Click Select and specify the folder with the unpacked firmware files.
• Select Clean All (full reset) or Clean All and Lock (reset + lock bootloader).
• Press Flash and wait until the end (green tick in the log).

Fastboot drivers installed|Phone in Fastboot mode (screen with a rabbit)|The firmware is unpacked into a folder without Cyrillic|The right mode (Clean all)|Antivirus is disabled (can block the process)-->

Firmware time: 5-15 minutes. If the process is stuck on waiting for a device, check the cable or USB port. If critical partition flashing is not allowed, then the wrong mode is chosen - use Clean all instead of Save user data.

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If the Mi Flash Tool can't see the phone, try connecting it to a USB 2.0 port (usually black) instead of USB 3.0 (blue).

Method 2: Manual reset via Fastboot commands

If the Mi Flash Tool refuses to work or you need more flexibility, you can reset your phone through the Windows command line.This method requires knowledge of the basic Fastboot commands, but allows you to point-to-point remove partitions (for example, only the userdata without flashing the system).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the command line: Press Win + R, enter cmd and run on behalf of the administrator. Go to the folder from Fastboot (for example, cd C:\platform-tools).

Check the connection:

fastboot devices

The serial number should show up. If not, check the drivers.

Perform the reset:

• For complete reset (including firmware):
• To reset only user data (saves firmware):

Important: After erase commands, the phone will reboot to the box-like state. If you use custom Recovery (like TWRP), it may disappear after reset, you'll have to reset it.

Method 3: Resetting through EDL-regime (for “bricks")

If the Redmi Note 4 doesn’t even turn on in the Fastboot (black screen, no button response), the last chance is firmware via EDL (Emergency Download Mode), which is activated by hardware and allows you to restore the phone even with a damaged bootloader.

Attention: the method requires a special EDL cable (or the ability to close contacts on the board) and increased caution.

• 🔧 Download Mi Flash Pro (supports) EDL). Unpack the firmware for your model (see table above). EDL-cable.
• 📱 Activation. EDL: Turn off your phone (if it doesn't respond, hold Power for 20 seconds). Connect the cable to your PC, but not your phone. Close the Test Point contacts on the board (see the diagram for Redmi Note 4 here) and connect the cable to your phone. Qualcomm should appear in Device Manager. HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
• 🖱️ Firmware: In Mi Flash Pro, select the unpacked firmware. Press Refresh, the device must be determined in mode. EDL. Choose Clean All and Lock and press Flash.

⚠️ Note: After the firmware in EDL-The bootloader will automatically lock, which means that you will have to wait 720 hours (30 days) to re-unblock through Xiaomi’s official service. If you plan to install custom firmware, use Clean all instead of Clean all and lock.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors, and we've collected the most common problems and ways to fix them.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔌 Correction USB-port on your phone (try charging the device).
• 🔄 The firmware version is available for Redmi Note 4 on Snapdragon 625 and MediaTek Helio X20 different files.
• 🛠️ Integrity of the plume (if the phone fell) A damaged battery plume can block the firmware.

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If the phone has been stuck on Xiaomi's screensaver for more than 10 minutes after the reset, do the full reset again. This is normal for the first time you turn on after the firmware.

How to save data before reset (if the phone is turned on)

Resetting via PC deletes all data without recovery. If the phone is still turning on but you're afraid of losing photos or contacts, use ADB to back up.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm access via USB.
3. Open the command line in the ADB folder and execute: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup.ab This will create a backup.ab file with applications, settings and media files.
4. To recover from reset, use: adb restore C:\backup.ab

⚠️ Note: Backup copy through ADB does not store data of some applications (such as WhatsApp or games.

Alternatively, if USB debugging doesn't work, remove the memory card (if any) and copy the data from it through the card reader, and the photos and videos are often stored in the DCIM folder.

What to do after resetting: the initial setting

After a successful reset, the Redmi Note 4 will turn on as new.

1. Choose a language and region. For Russian, choose Russia or Ukraine (depending on firmware).
2. Connect to Wi-Fi. Without the Internet, you can't log into your Mi Account.
3. Sign in or create a Xiaomi account. If you forget your password, restore it through the Xiaomi website.
4. Set up a fingerprint/pattern lock, which will protect the data the next time you reset.
5. Update your firmware. Go to Settings → About Phone → Update your system and install the latest version of MIUI.

Tip: If after resetting the phone became slower to work, do:

• 📵 Turn off animation: in the developer settings (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers) set Windows animation, transition animation and animation duration on Disabled.
• 🧹 Clear the cache: in Recovery, select Wipe → Wipe Cache Partition.
• 🔄 Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

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If the IMEI is missing after the reset, restore it via the engineering menu: dial ##4636##, select Phone Information and click Turn off the radio, then restart the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Redmi Note 4