How to reset Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is the flagship smartphone of 2018, which is still relevant thanks to the powerful hardware and support for custom firmware. However, over time, any gadget begins to slow down, glitch or require transfer to a new owner, in such cases, helps a complete reset to factory settings – a procedure that deletes all user data, returning the phone to “clean” state.

But how to reset the Mi 8 Pro so it doesn’t turn into a brick? In this article, we’ll break down three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery and Fastboot), how to prepare for the procedure and what to do if the phone is locked or not turned on, and answer frequent questions, such as why the IMEI may disappear after a reset or how to restore data if a backup was not created.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before zero

Resetting to factory settings is an irreversible process that removes:

• 📱 All installed applications and their data (including saves in games)
• 📂 Photos, videos, music and documents in internal memory
• 🔑 Google accounts, Mi Accounts and other authorizations
• 📋 System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, brightness, sound, etc.)
• 🔄 Updates to the firmware (the phone will return to that version) MIUI, which was on the purchase)

If important data are not stored in advance, it will not be possible to restore it (or require expensive specialist services).

⚠️ Note: On the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro with unlocked bootloader, a reset via Recovery can result in data loss on the memory card (if used as internal storage!

Methods of backup:

Also check:

• 🔋 Battery charge (at least 50% - reset at low charge can be interrupted).
• 🔌 The presence of the original cable USB (You will need to reset via Fastboot).
• 📋 Remember the password from Mi Account – after resetting, the phone may require input to unlock (if there was a binding).

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the easiest one)

If the phone is turned on and you remember the pattern lock/PIN-code, this is the fastest and most secure method, and it works even on a locked screen (if you know the password to unlock it).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the About Phone section (or additionally) → About the phone in new versions MIUI).
3. Tap 7-10 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (optional, but useful for debugging).
4. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Backup and Reset.
5. Click Reset settings (or Reset to factory settings).
6. Choose whether to clean your internal memory (if you plan to sell your phone, yes).
7. Confirm the action by entering the password / pattern lock.
8. Wait for the reboot (it will take 3-7 minutes).

After resetting, the phone will turn on as new – you will need to go through the initial setting (choice of language, connection to Wi-Fi, login to your account).

Battery charge > 50%|Backup created|Mi Account sync is disabled (if not required)|Removed memory card (if used)-->

⚠️ Note: If the Mi 8 Pro has custom firmware installed (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), resetting through the menu can lead to a logo hanging.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery (if the phone is not turned on)

If the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or does not respond to touch, Recovery mode, the built-in recovery menu, will help. It is on all Xiaomi smartphones, but the interface may differ depending on the version of the firmware.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time.
3. Hold until the Mi logo appears, then let go.
4. After 5-10 seconds, the Recovery menu will open (in English or Chinese).

Further action:

• 📱 If the menu is in Chinese: select (data cleanup) → (cleanse).
• 🌐 If the menu is in English: select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
• 🔄 Confirm the action (usually you need to choose Confirm or Yes).
• 🔙 After completion, select Reboot. → Reboot to System.

The phone will reboot and start setting up from scratch, and if there is a No OS installed error after reset, then the firmware is damaged and you need to refashion the phone via Fastboot (mode 3).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method requires a computer and knowledge of commands, but it is the only working option if the phone is completely “brick” (not on, does not go to Recovery, does not detect a PC).

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 The original cable. USB (better-out-of-pack).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for firmware) or ADB/Fastboot (discharged).
• 🔋 Battery charge > 30% (otherwise the process will be interrupted).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB/Fastboot Tools (or Mi Flash Tool if you need firmware).
2. Turn off the Mi 8 Pro and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with fastboot.
5. Enter the command to reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot
6. If you need to reflash your phone, download the official firmware for the Mi 8 Pro (codename equuleus) from the Xiaomi Firmware website and use the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Attention: fastboot erase commands delete data irrevocably. If you make a mistake with the partition (for example, enter a fastboot erase system), the phone will stop booting and you will need a complete flashing!

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Before working with Fastboot, disable the antivirus – it can block Xiaomi drivers as potentially dangerous.

Frequent post-reset problems and their solutions

Even if the reset is successful, there may be problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the phone is slower than before, check:

• 🔄 Version MIUI (Maybe the reset rolled it back to an old, unoptimized firmware).
• 🧹 Residual files (sometimes debris remains after the reset - clear through Settings) → Warehouse).
• 🔋 Battery status (if the phone is quickly discharged, the battery may be worn out).

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If the phone requires the previous owner’s account after resetting, it is Google FRP (Factory Reset Protection). To unlock, you need to enter the login and password from Google, which was tied before the reset.

How to recover data after reset (if there is no backup)

If you forgot to make a backup, the chances of returning the data depend on what type of reset was performed:

• 📱 Reset via the settings menu: data is deleted software and can be recovered using utilities like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver (but not always completely).
• 🔧 Dumping through Recovery/Fastboot: Data is deleted at a low level (userdata partition formatting) and recovery is almost impossible.

Instructions for recovery (only for the first case):

1. Install Tenorshare UltData or DiskDigger on your PC.
2. Connect the Mi 8 Pro to your computer in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
3. Select the type of files to scan (photos, messages, contacts).
4. Wait until the analysis is completed (it may take several hours).
5. Save the files found on the PC.

Important: Do not write new data to your phone after a reset, which reduces the chances of recovering old files.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions