Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: reset to factory settings if you forget the password

The situation when the owner of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 can not get into the system because of the forgotten PIN-A device lock can happen suddenly, especially if you haven't used a smartphone in a long time or tried to enter a password in a hurry. At this point, the only goal is to restore access to data or at least to the functionality of the gadget.

Fortunately, the Android operating system architecture and MIUI shell provide multiple scenarios for how to get out of this situation. You don't need to be an IT expert to run Hard Reset or use Restore mode. But it's important to understand that each method has its own characteristics and implications for the safety of personal information.

In this guide, we will take a closer look at all the available ways to unlock the Redmi Note 4. We will look at both standard methods through the menu and deeper ways to reset through the Recovery system menu. You will learn how to bypass the screen lock and what to do if the device requires a Mi Account after a reboot.

Preparation of the device before the discharge procedure

Before embarking on radical measures to restore access, a number of preparatory steps must be taken to avoid potential errors and preserve important data if the possibility still exists, and ignoring this stage can lead to the complete loss of contacts and photos.

First of all, make sure that the battery level is at least 50-60%.The resetting process is energy intensive, and suddenly turning off the smartphone at a critical moment can disrupt the structure of the system files. If the phone is discharged, connect it to the original charger.

If you have the ability to connect your smartphone to a computer or cloud storage via a web interface, try copying important files. Sometimes access to internal memory remains open even when the screen is locked, although modern versions of the device are not available. MIUI block out USB-default.

  • πŸ”‹ Charge the device to at least half the battery capacity.
  • πŸ’Ύ If possible, back up your data via Mi Cloud or PC.
  • πŸ“± Extract. SIM-MicroSD card and memory card before manipulation.

⚠️ Note: All of the methods described below will result in the complete deletion of user data. Photos, contacts, messages and installed applications will be irretrievably lost if a copy was not made.

Removing the memory card is a critical step, and when reset to factory settings, the system can try to format all available storage, including external storage, and to avoid losing the archive of documents or music, it is better to physically remove the media from the slot.

Resetting method through the Recovery Mode menu

The most reliable and frequently used way to unlock Redmi Note 4 without knowing the password is to enter Restore Mode, which is built into the firmware at a low level and is available even when the operating system is locked, and login requires precise execution of the sequence of actions with physical buttons.

Turn off your smartphone completely. If the device doesn't respond to the power button, press it for 10-15 seconds to force reboot and immediately start the combination to log in to Recovery. On the device off, simultaneously press the volume button and the power button.

Keep both buttons clamped until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume down. In a few seconds, the Recovery menu will appear on the screen, where the volume buttons are controlled and the power button is selected.

β˜‘οΈ Recovery login algorithm

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From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese), then go to Wipe & Reset. Next, select Wipe All Data. The system will alert you to the consequences, and you will need to confirm the action by choosing Confirm or Next.

After completing the cleanup process, which can take anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes, select Back to Main Menu and then Reboot.The first system run will take longer than usual, as Android will recreate system caches and configuration files.

Action.Control buttonThe result
Moving on the menuVolume Up/downSelection of the right item
Confirmation of choicePower buttonSwitching to a submenu or starting a function
Entrance to RecoveryVolume + and NutritionLaunch of the recovery regime
Exit/ResetReboot's pickNormal OS start-up
What to do if you recover in Chinese?
If you're on the Chinese Recovery menu, look for icons or colors. Usually the reset button is on the second menu on the top. Look for characters that match the word "Clean" (often red button). If you're afraid of making a mistake, you'd better change the language at the top of the menu (first item), selecting the English flag or the globe symbol. In some rare cases, especially on global firmware versions, the Recovery menu can be simplified. There, you immediately choose the language, and then the action. Be careful: in the Chinese Mi menu, you can use the user's remotely switch to the account from the Mi 4, if you can remotely delete the user's account from the user's user's user's user's user's account from the user's remotely deleted account. This method requires an active Internet connection on the smartphone itself (Wi-Fi or mobile data). You need to go to the official cloud.mi.com website from any other device (computer or phone). Enter the username and password from Mi Account, which was used on the locked gadget. The system automatically determines the location of the device if it is online. In the cloud service interface, select your device from the list of available. Among the management functions will be the option Clear Data or Erase Device. Activating this command will send a signal to the smartphone, forcibly erasing all user data and resetting. This method is especially convenient because it does not require physical access to the phone, however, if it is only switched off from the airway. Make sure the device is charged so that it does not turn off when the command is received. ⚠️ Warning: After a remote reset when turned on, the phone will require you to enter the password from the Mi Account to which it was attached, which is protection against theft that cannot be avoided by simple formatting. Remote control also allows you to lock the device or display a message on the screen. But in the context of our task of total reset, it's the cleaning command that works in a similar way to Hard Reset, but is initiated software-based through Xiaomi servers. An alternative method that does not depend on the Xiaomi ecosystem is Google Find My Device. This method is relevant if the smartphone has logged in to Google account and enabled geolocation. The principle of operation is similar to the Mi Cloud method, but uses the infrastructure of the search giant. Go to the page. android.com/find Sign in to the Google account used on Redmi Note 4. If you have multiple devices, select the one you want from the top menu. The service will try to locate the phone. In the side menu or at the bottom of the screen, select the option to Clean the device. The system will warn that all data will be deleted. Confirm the action. The smartphone will receive a reset command and reboot in factory condition, as if it had just left the assembly line. It is important to note that after such a reset, when the first setup is made, the phone will request a password from the Google account (FRP Lock.This is a standard Android security measure. 5.0 Without this data, you can't use your phone. πŸ’‘If the phone is offline, the reset command will queue up and run automatically as soon as the device is online. The effectiveness of this method depends on the activity of the Internet connection on the blocked gadget. SIM-card blocked PIN-If you have a code or Wi-Fi turned off, the command won't pass until you unlock the network or connect to a known access point (FRP) Modern smartphones, including the Redmi Note 4, are equipped with a theft protection system. Once you perform Hard Reset or remote cleaning, the first time you turn on the device will require you to enter a password from a Mi Account that was synced earlier, a phenomenon known as Mi Account Lock. If you forget not only the screen unlock password, but also the data from the Mi Account, the situation becomes complicated. Entering the wrong password several times can temporarily block the possibility of authorization. To restore access, you will need a phone number or email linked to your account. If this data is also not available, the only legal way is to contact a Xiaomi authorized service center with a receipt for the purchase of the device, confirming your ownership. Attempts to circumvent this protection by software methods (so-called "bypassing") FRP") Often require specific tools, computer firmware, or vulnerabilities in specific versions. MIUI. It is safer for the average user to restore access through standard procedures.Blocking type Requires difficulty to remove Screen lock pattern lock / PIN Mi Account Lock Mi Account Password High (reset) Google FRP Google Account Password High (requires an account) ⚠️ Buying β€œunlocked” phones from hands carries the risk of encountering someone else’s Mi-account. Always check for account unassociation before buying a used device, and understanding the difference between a screen password and an account lock is critical. Resetting the screen restriction is easy, but the account binding remains on the company's servers and is activated when connected to the Internet after a reset. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) This section provides answers to the most popular questions that users of Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 have during the unlock process. If you haven’t found an answer to your question, perhaps your situation needs to be considered individually. Unfortunately, on modern versions of Android and MIUI It's almost impossible without prior synchronization, and the security of the system is built so that the data is encrypted with a key derived from the screen password. The only chance is if you've previously enabled remote unlock via Mi Cloud, but this feature is rarely activated by default.What to do if the phone isn't in Recovery mode? Make sure you use the right combination: Volume Up + Power. You need to press the buttons on the phone that's turned off. If you don't have a reaction, try connecting the phone to your computer through a computer. USB-The problem may be a stuck volume button. How long does it take to completely reset the Redmi Note 4? The formatting process in the Recovery menu usually takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes. However, the first system boot after the reset (when the logo appears) MI) It can last from 5 to 15 minutes. Don't panic if the phone is hanging on the screensaver, which is when the apps are optimized. Is it safe to do Hard Reset when the battery is dead? It is strongly advised not to interrupt the reset process due to battery discharge.This can damage the data or system partition, which will turn the phone into a "brick" requiring flashing through the computer. How do you know if your phone is linked to your Mi Account? If your phone is turned on, go to Settings -> Mi Account. If it displays an email, it means it has an anchor. If the phone is locked and you can't check it, consider it the default anchor, because when you set up a new Xiaomi, you always have to sign in to your account. πŸ’‘Hard Reset is an effective but radical method that solves the problem of access, but erases everything. Regular backup to the cloud is the only insurance against data loss.