How to format Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A: 3 working methods + tips for recovery

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A is one of the brand’s most popular budget smartphones, released in 2017, but still in active use. Over time, any gadget begins to slow down: temporary files accumulate, applications crash, and internal memory is littered with garbage. Formatting (or a complete reset) is a radical but effective way to return the phone to its former performance. However, the wrong actions can turn the device into a “brick.” In this guide, we will analyze all the safe ways of formatting, including resetting through settings, Recovery Mode and Fastboot, and also explain how to avoid losing important data.

It is important to understand the difference between the types of formatting: soft reset (deletion of user data without affecting system files) and hard reset (complete flashing, including removal of updates). For the Redmi Note 5A with its modest characteristics (Snapdragon 425/435 processor, 2-4 GB of RAM), a hard reset can only be justified if serious system failures.

Preparing for Formatting: What to Do Before Resetting

Before you start the procedure, make sure you follow all the critical steps. Without backing up data, recovering photos, contacts and messages after reset will not be possible - MIUI does not save them to the cloud automatically.

Here is the minimum checklist before formatting:

• 📱 Battery charge at least 50%. With low charge, the phone may shut down during the process, causing firmware damage.
• 🔄 Sync with Mi Account. Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud and enable backup for Contacts, Notes and Bookmarks.
• 📁 Manual file copying. Connect your phone to your PC and copy folders. DCIM (Photo/video, Downloads and WhatsApp (if used).
• 🔑 Remember the passwords. Once reset, you'll have to re-enter Wi-Fi, social media, and banking applications.

Pay special attention to applications with two-factor authentication (for example, Google Authenticator or Telegram). If you do not move the keys before reset, access to accounts will be lost! For Authenticator, use the function of exporting codes, and for Telegram, link the number to another device.

Method 1: Formatting through the settings menu (soft reset)

The easiest and safest way to eliminate small lags and clean up memory is if:

• 📵 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• 🔓 You remember the pattern lock or PIN-code.
• 🚀 You must delete personal data before selling.

Instructions:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the section Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Settings Reset (not to be confused with Local Reset, which only deletes some data!).
4. The system will tell you what to drop: 📱 Settings and application data 📞 Call logs and contacts 📷 Media files (photos, videos, music)

Confirm the action by entering a password (if installed).

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

Once complete, the phone will turn on with factory settings. The first run will take longer than usual, which is normal, since the system configures Google Play and Mi Account services.

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If after reset, the phone asks you to enter the old password from your Xiaomi account, and you do not remember it, use the function of restoring access on the official website. Do not try to bypass the lock through third-party programs: this violates the MIUI policy and may lead to blocking IMEI.

Method 2: Recovery Mode Formatting (hard reset)

This method will be useful if:

• 🔐 Your phone is locked and you don’t remember your password.
• 🐢 The system slows down or does not load beyond the Mi logo.
• 📲 You need to remove the custom firmware and return the stock MIUI.

The Redmi Note 5A uses Xiaomi's standard Recovery (unless customized, such as TWRP, is installed).

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
4. Select Wipe Data (in some versions, Wipe & Reset).
5. Confirm the action by choosing Wipe All Data.
6. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

If the Recovery menu does not have Russian, follow the English inscriptions. Importantly, in this mode, the touch screen does not work - only physical buttons!

Method 3: Formatting via Fastboot (for power users)

This is the most radical method used if:

• 🛠️ The phone doesn’t even load in Recovery.
• 📥 You need to refashion the device to another version. MIUI.
• 🔧 Requires to remove root rights or custom Recovery.

The work will require:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (or Mac/Linux driverless ADB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Firmware for Redmi Note 5A (download from the official website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for Windows) or fastboot from Platform Tools.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared image will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC. Install the drivers if the system requests them.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All (complete clean) or Save User Data (custom file save).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-20 minutes).

Warning: Fastboot removes all data without recovery, including files on internal memory, and risks turning your phone into a brick if:

• 🔌 Interrupt the firmware process (turn off the cable or pull out the battery).
• 📥 Use firmware from another model (for example, from Redmi Note 5 instead of Note) 5A).
• 🖥️ Do not install Qualcomm drivers (for Snapdragon processors).

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Fastboot firmware is the only way to bring the Redmi Note 5A back to life if it doesn't respond to buttons and boots into Recovery. However, without experience, it's better to contact the service: the bug can cost you to repair the motherboard.

Data recovery after formatting

If you haven’t made a backup, the chances of returning deleted files depend on the type of reset:

• 📱 Soft reset (through settings): Data can be recovered using programs like DiskDigger or Recuva, but only if you do not write new files after resetting.
• 🔧 Severe discharge (through Recovery/Fastboot): Recovery is almost impossible because internal memory is completely overwritten.

For partial recovery:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in MTP (file transfer) mode.
2. Install 7-Data Recovery or EaseUS MobiSaver.
3. Select the type of files to scan (photos, videos, messages).
4. Wait for the analysis to be completed and save the files found to the computer.

Important: Don’t save the recovered files back to your phone – this can overwrite the remaining unrecovered data. Use Google Drive, Mi Cloud or an external drive.

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If your contacts are lost after reset, check sync with your Google account: go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync and turn it on. Contacts should be restored automatically within 5-10 minutes.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users often make critical mistakes, and here are the most common:

⚠️ Note: if after reset via Recovery, the phone requires a password from the Xiaomi account, but you do not remember it - do not enter random combinations. After 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will lock for 24 hours. Instead, use the password recovery function via email or phone.

Other typical problems:

• 🔋 Discharge during reset: If the phone turns off during the formatting phase, the file system may be damaged.Always charge the device to 100% before the procedure.
• 📡 Loss of loss IMEI: And then you can reset your network settings after you've been firmwareed through Fastboot. IMEI, Enter the engineers menu (##3646633##) team: AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1" AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2" (substitute IMEI_1 and IMEI_2 original numbers from the box or stickers under the battery).
• 📱 Bootloop: If the phone is constantly restarting after resetting, try flashing it over Fastboot with the Clean All and Lock option option option.

If you are not sure of your actions, contact the authorized Xiaomi service center. The cost of diagnosis usually does not exceed 500-1000 rubles, but you will avoid the risk of permanently disabling the device.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions