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

The Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, remains a popular budget smartphone due to its robust “stuffing” and custom firmware installation capabilities. However, over time, any gadget starts to slow down, produce errors or require preparation for sale, in which case a complete factory reset helps – a procedure that deletes all user data and returns the system to its original state.

In this article, you will find three proven methods of formatting Redmi 5: through phone settings, Recovery mode and using the PC. We will also discuss how to avoid blocking Mi Account after reset, what data can be stored in advance, and what to do if the phone does not turn on. Instructions are valid for all model modifications: Redmi 5A, Redmi 5 Plus and the standard version.

Why you need to reset settings on Xiaomi Redmi 5

Factory reset is a radical but effective solution to many problems, and these are the main reasons why users resort to this procedure:

• 🐢 Slowdown: phone starts to "lag," apps take a long time to open, and animation twitches - even after clearing the cache.
• 🔄 Cyclical reboot: the smartphone is constantly restarted or hangs on the Mi logo.
• 📱 Preparation for sale / transfer: deletion of personal data (photos, messages, accounts) without the possibility of recovery.
• 🔓 Removing viruses: if the antivirus detects malware that is not removed by standard methods.
• 🛠️ Errors after the update: failures in the work MIUI after installing a new version of the firmware.

It is important to understand that resetting does not fix hardware malfunctions (such as a broken screen or a broken speaker), but can help diagnose the problem. If there are errors left after formatting, the cause is most likely hardware.

⚠️ Note: on Redmi 5 with bootloader unlocked, a reset via Recovery may result in Mi Account blocking. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (If you click 7 times on the line, use the method with an associated account.

Preparation for resetting: what to save and how

Formatting removes all data from internal memory, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (including screenshots)
• 💬 Messages in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS)
• 🎵 Music, downloads and documents
• 📱 Settings Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, accounts in applications
• 🎮 Save in games (unless linked to Google Play or Mi Account)

To avoid losing important information, follow the following steps:

Backup via Mi Cloud (Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup)

Copy photo/video to PC or cloud (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk)

Export contacts to VCF file (Contacts → Settings → Import / Export)

Save passwords from the browser (Chrome → Settings → Passwords)

Record the phone's IMEI (dial *#06#) in case of recovery after resetting-->

Pay special attention to the Mi Account binding. If you forget the Mi Account password, resetting via Recovery will lock your phone!

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Make sure your phone is linked to your account (there is an email in your profile).
3. Remember or reset your password in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

Yeah, it's gone forever.

Yes, but we managed to recover some of the data.

No, I always do backup.

I've never dropped my phone.-->

Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the safest)

This method is suitable if the phone turns on and responds to touch, it requires no additional tools and is minimally risky for beginners.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the section Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Settings Reset.
4. The system will tell you what to delete: ✅ All data (full reset) ✅ Settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) ❌ Uncheck the Memory Card box if you want to save files to SD.

Drop the phone.

Confirm the action, wait for the reboot (it will take 3-5 minutes).

Once completed, the phone will switch on with the original setup wizard, as after purchase, and if at this point the system requires Mi Account data input, enter the previously associated account.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Google Authenticator or other 2FA-Apps, untie them from your Mi Account in advance, and once reset, the access codes will be lost, and you will not be able to confirm the login.

💡

Resetting through settings is the only method that does not require unlocking the bootloader and is guaranteed to not block Mi Account if the phone is tied to an account.

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

If Redmi 5 is stuck on the logo, does not respond to buttons or requests a password that you have forgotten, a reset via Recovery will help.This mode starts before the system boots and allows you to format the phone without access to the menu.

Instructions for Redmi 5/5A/5 Plus:

1. Turn off the phone (squeeze the power for 10 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).
4. Use Volume Down for navigation and Volume Up for selection.
5. Select the Wipe Data option (or in Chinese).
6. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
7. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Xiaomi drivers on your PC (download here).
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\ROM\redmi5_global).
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Volume Down + Power before the hare appears in the eardress cap.
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 for the end (5-10 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.

After firmware is run through the Mi Flash Tool, the phone will be completely clean, but may require unlocking the bootloader if it has previously been locked.

1. Connect your phone to your Mi Account at unlock.miui.com.
2. Wait 72 hours (if the account is new) or unblock immediately if the account is older than 30 days.
3. Use the official Mi Unlock Tool.

1. reconnect the cable to another USB-port (preferably 2.0).

2. to run the program on behalf of the administrator.

3. disable the antivirus (it can block drivers).-->

Frequent errors after reset and their solutions

Even after successful formatting, problems can arise.

If the phone does not detect after the reset SIM-map, check it out:

• 📶 Is it inserted correctly? SIM (Redmi 5 trays for two cards or one + microSD).
• 🔄 Is mobile data included in settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks).
• 📡 Does the network work for the operator (try another one) SIM).

💡

If root access is lost after reset, it will have to be obtained again through unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk.

How to Avoid Mi Account Lockdown After Resetting

One of the most common problems with Xiaomi formatting is blocking Mi Account, which occurs when:

• 🔓 The bootloader was unlocked (bootloader unlocked).
• 📱 Phone not untied from account before reset.
• 🔄 Reset was done via Recovery or Fastboot.

To avoid this:

1. Link your phone to your Mi Account in advance (go to Settings → Mi Account and log in).
2. Use reset via settings (method 1) - it is safer.

On Redmi 5 models with firmware older than MIUI 12, Mi Account lock can be triggered even when reset via settings, if the phone has not been linked to the account within 72 hours. To prevent this from happening, log in to Mi Account 3 days before your planned reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Redmi 5