How to fully format Xiaomi Redmi 8: all ways to reset

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a popular budget smartphone that is still in demand even after years. However, over time, any gadget begins to “brake”, glitch or require cleaning before selling. Formatting (reset to factory settings) is a universal solution for most software problems. But how do you do it right, so as not to turn the phone into a “brick”?

In this article, we've got three proven ways to format Redmi 8, including resetting through settings, Recovery mode, and Fastboot. We're going to look at when to use, how to bypass MIUI lock, and what to do if the smartphone doesn't turn on, and we're going to look at unique nuances for this model that aren't mentioned in the standard instructions.

1. When should I format Redmi 8?

Factory resets are not a panacea, but 80 percent of the time they solve software problems, and here are the signals that your Redmi 8 needs formatting:

• 🐢 Smartphone slowed down to an unacceptable level: applications open on the Internet 10-15 seconds, animation "sweating».
• 🔄 MIUI constantly issues errors (“Application is stopped”, “System does not respond»).
• 📱 The device is infected with viruses (advertising in the status line, unknown applications, traffic consumption in the background).
• 🔒 You forgot your pattern lock or password and other unlocking methods didn’t work.
• 💰 Prepare your phone for sale or transfer to another user.

However, there are situations where formatting will not help:

• 🔋 Battery swollen or does not hold charge (repair is needed, not reset).
• 📡 Communication module problems (no network catches, no Wi-Fi) – often hardware malfunction.
• 💥 The smartphone is not turned on at all (maybe the motherboard is damaged).

⚠️ Note: If Redmi 8 was purchased hand-held and linked to a previous Mi Account, a reset without decoupling will result in a lock (Mi Cloud Lock.

Method 1: Formatting through settings (if the phone is working)

The easiest and safest method is to reset directly from the MIUI menu.

• 📱 The smartphone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• 🔓 You know the password (or it is not set).
• 📶 Wi-Fi or mobile internet access (for data synchronization).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Reset (in some versions of MIUI – Reset all settings).
3. The system will tell you what to reset: 🗃️ Settings and application data 📁 Media files (photos, videos, music) 📞 Call logs and contacts

Delete everything.

Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After the reboot, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, like after the purchase. PIN-code SIM-The cards will need to be re-installed.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 8s MIUI 12+ After reset, you may be asked to enter a password from your previous Mi Account, even if you untie it. This is a system bug. Solution: delete your Xiaomi account in Settings before resetting. → Accounts. → Mi Account → Delete the account.

Method 2: Recovery Formatting (if the phone doesn't respond)

If Redmi 8 is frozen, not enabled or not allowed to set up due to a locked screen, Recovery Mode will help.This is a built-in recovery menu that works even when MIUI crashes.

How to Sign In to Recovery on Redmi 8:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up simultaneously and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see a menu in English or Chinese.

Further action:

• 🔧 Use Volume Up/Down for Navigation, Power Button for Selection.
• 📛 Select Wipe Data (or in Chinese firmware), then Wipe All Data.
• 🔄 Confirm the action – the phone will start formatting (the process will take place) 3-5 minute).
• 🔙 Once completed, select Reboot or to restart.

If Recovery doesn't have Wipe All Data, it's only Wipe Cache, you have a stripped-down menu.

1. Select Connect with MIAssistant.
2. Connect your phone to a PC with the Mi Flash Tool installed.
3. Download the official firmware for Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) from Xiaomi's website.
4. Swipe your phone in Clean All mode (complete cleaning).

Method 3: Formatting via Fastboot (for power users)

Fastboot is the most radical method, and it requires a computer connection.

• 🔧 Recovery does not open or work.
• 📱 Phone blocked by Mi Account after reset.
• 🔄 You need to refashion the device to another version. MIUI.

The work will require:

• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or quality).
• 🛠️ Used by Mi Flash Tool, ADB/Fastboot drivers, firmware for Redmi 8.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the official firmware for Redmi 8 (select the Fastboot version, not Recovery).
2. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\miui_olive).
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the power button + volume down for 10 seconds The screen will appear a hare in a hat-eared (Mi Bunny) with the inscription Fastboot.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In the program, click Select, specify the path to the folder with the firmware.
6. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
7. Wait until the process is over (10-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

1. Reinstall ADB drivers via Android SDK.

2. Use another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

3. disable the antivirus - it can block utilities.-->

⚠️ Note: On Redmi 8 with a locked bootloader, firmware through Fastboot can end in error. To unlock the bootloader, you need to get permission from Xiaomi through the official website.

5. What to do after formatting?

After resetting, the Redmi 8 will return to a clean state, but there are a few important steps that are often overlooked:

• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system. This closes vulnerabilities and improves productivity.
• 🔒 Set up a screen lock (PIN or a pattern lock before adding accounts, which will protect the data if the phone is stolen.
• ☁️ Restore data from backup (if you did backup via Mi Cloud or Google Drive).
• 📱 Disable unnecessary system applications through Settings → Annexes → Application management (this will reduce the load on the processor).

If the formatting was done before the sale:

• 📋 Check what's in the Settings → The phone. → Device status – Not tied to account.
• 🔋 Complete cycle of battery discharge/charging (0% → 100%) for calibration of the controller.
• 📦 Delete everything. SIM-Memory cards and cards before transferring the phone to the new owner.

💡

After a reset, Redmi 8 can slow down for the first 1-2 days, which is normal. The system indexes files and optimizes work. Don't rush to do another reset!

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often make mistakes that lead to data loss or phone lockdown.

Another common problem is the loss of IMEI after the firmware is Fastboot. If the mobile Internet is lost after the reset or in Settings → About Phone → General information is displayed by IMEI: Unknown, do the following:

1. Install the MTK Engineering Mode app from the Play Market.
2. Go to Engineering Mode → Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information.
3. Enter commands to restore IMEI (instructions are available on the 4PDA or XDA forums).

7. Alternative cleaning methods (if formatting did not help)

If after the reset, the problems remain, perhaps they are not related to the software part, but to:

• 🔋 Hardware malfunctions (wear of the battery, damage to the motherboard).
• 📡 Firmware problems (such as the raw version) MIUI).
• 📱 Conflicts with installed applications.

What can be done:

• 🔄 Reverse to the old version MIUI:
• 🛠️ Check the battery health:
• 🧹 Clean the cache manually:

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions