How to completely reset Xiaomi Redmi 5: a detailed guide with photos

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and functionality. However, over time, any gadget begins to slow down, give out errors or require flashing. Formatting (reset to factory settings) is a radical but effective way to return the device to its former performance. But how to do it correctly, so as not to turn the phone into a “brick”?

In this article, we’ll break down all the working ways to reset Redmi 5 (including Redmi 5A and Redmi 5 Plus models), explain when hard reset is needed and when soft reset is enough, and warn against typical errors, and learn how to save important data before formatting and what to do if the smartphone does not respond to commands.

Resetting Preparation: What to Do Before Formatting

Factory resets remove all user data: photos, contacts, messages, apps, and even some system settings, and if you don't prepare, you risk losing valuable information.

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset or using Mi Cloud (if your Xiaomi account is tied).
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%. interruption of the process due to discharge can lead to the inability to turn on the phone without firmware through the PC.
• 📡 Disable your Mi Account (if you plan to sell your phone) or the new owner will not be able to activate the device.
• 🔐 Make sure you know the login/password from your Google account if your phone has Reset Protection enabled (FRP).

Pay special attention to photos and videos, and you can copy them on a PC. USB-cable (in file transfer mode) or upload to the cloud (Google Photos, Yandex Drive). SMS It is easier to sync with your Google account:

⚠️ Note: If you forget your Mi Account password, it will not be possible to reset it after formatting without contacting Xiaomi.

Also check if a bank account (such as Sberbank Online or Tinkoff) is linked to the phone. After the reset, you may need to re-authorize with confirmation via SMS or call.

Method 1: Soft reset via the settings menu (the safest)

If the phone turns on and responds to touch, use this method, which does not require a computer and is suitable for most situations: before selling, when slowing down or after a failed upgrade.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Select Settings Reset.
4. Click Reset your phone settings and confirm the action.
5. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
6. Wait for the reboot (it will take 3-7 minutes).

Once completed, the phone will turn on with a clean system, just like after you buy it, and you just have to go through the initial setup.

Are your contacts synced with Google | Are your photos copied to PC/cloud | Is your Mi Account disabled (if you sell) | Is your phone at least 50%-->

⚠️ Warning: Some Redmi 5 firmware may have a "No command" error with the robot lying down after reset. This is not critical - just press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to restart.

Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If Redmi 5 is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or doesn’t respond to the screen, a Recovery Mode reset can help.This method is also useful if you’ve forgotten the pattern lock.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (if it freezes, hold the power button for 15 seconds).
2. Press the power button + volume button at the same time.
3. Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
4. In the menu, select Wipe Data (move with volume buttons, confirm with the power button).
5. Confirm the reset by choosing Wipe All Data.
6. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the icons:

• 🧹 — This is Wipe Data.
• 🔄 — It's Reboot.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method requires a computer with ADB drivers installed and is suitable if:

• 🔧 Phone is not included in Recovery.
• 📱 You need to reflash the device after a failed update.
• 🔒 Password is forgotten and Mi Account is not tied.

Instructions:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
2. Turn off Redmi 5 and press the Power + Volume Down button to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools and type: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the device).
5. Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

If after restarting the phone requires authorization in Mi Account, and you do not remember the data, you will have to contact the service center to unlock.

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Before using Fastboot, check if the bootloader is unlocked on your Redmi 5. If not, unlocking will require a Xiaomi account and waiting 72 hours (by Mi Unlock rules).

What to do after resetting: initial setup

After successful formatting, Redmi 5 will be activated with the welcome screen.

1. Choose a language (Russian or English).
2. Connect to a Wi-Fi network (required to restore a backup).
3. Sign in to your Google account (if you had an FRP) or skip this step.
4. Restore data from the backup (if you created it in advance).
5. Install system updates (recommended for stability)

If you are selling a phone, don’t restore your data – just do the basic setup and hand over the device to the new owner.

Please note the "Security" section in the settings: after reset, it is immediately:

• 🔐 Set up fingerprint unlock (if the sensor is serviceable).
• 📱 Enable Find the device (Mi Cloud) to protect against theft.
• 🔄 Disable the automatic installation of apps from Google Play (to avoid unnecessary software).

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After resetting, Redmi 5 can run faster, but for long-term optimization, it is recommended to turn off animation in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to turn on the developer mode) and reduce the background process limit.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even if you follow instructions correctly, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions.

• 🔄 phone is stuck on startup logo after reset → Wait 10-15 minutes. If it doesn't work, repeat Hard Reset.
• 📵 The sensor does not work after formatting → The plume may have been damaged.
• 🔒 Requires an old password after recovery → It's FRP-Enter the Google account that was on the phone before the reset.
• 📱 Not activated after reset via Fastboot → Try flashing your phone through the Mi Flash Tool with the official firmware.

If after reset Redmi 5 began to warm up or discharge quickly, check:

• Have you got any viruses installed (download Malwarebytes from Google Play).
• Are not included energy-intensive functions (GPS, autosynchronization, animation).
• Is the battery damaged (check Settings → Battery → Status).

⚠️ Note: If the phone is resetting an error, "This" MIUI "version cannot be installed on this device" means you're trying to install firmware not for your model. Download the official version for Redmi 5 (codename rosy) from the site MIUI Download.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi 5 formatting