Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: from reset to formatting

Why you need a complete Redmi Note 8 cleanup and when to do it

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, released in 2019, is still a popular device thanks to the balanced performance and robust Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 platform. However, over time, any gadget starts to work slower, and the accumulated data — from personal photos to the cache of applications — takes up precious space.

First, if you plan to sell or transfer the device to another user. Even after manually deleting files, there are traces of activity on the phone: application logs, temporary files, account data. Second, cleaning helps eliminate software failures - for example, when the Redmi Note 8 begins to spontaneously restart, slow down or issue errors such as com.android.phone stopped. Finally, a full reset can be useful before updating the firmware if the current version of MIUI is unstable.

But it's important to understand that "complete cleaning" isn't just about removing photos or cleaning up cache, it's about getting your phone back to a factory state where all data, including settings, apps, and even system updates (in some cases), and in this article, we'll look at all the cleanups you can do, from soft resets to deep formatting of internal memory, and how to avoid losing important data and what to do if the phone doesn't turn on after a reset.

Preparation for cleaning: what to do before resetting

Before you start resetting, be sure to save all the important data. Even if you plan to clean the phone partially (for example, only user files), the risk of losing information remains.

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup. MIUI There's a built-in tool to save contacts, messages, notes, and even some app settings, and the alternative is to use Mi Cloud (Xiaomi cloud) or third-party services like Google Drive.
• 📁 Copy media files to a computer or external drive. Connect the phone to the computer. USB file transfer (MTP) and manually transfer photos, videos and music from folders DCIM, Download and Pictures.
• 🔑 Record your account details. After the reset, you will need to re-enter your username and password from Mi Account, Google, and from banking applications (if installed.
• 📱 Check your Xiaomi account binding. If you forget your Mi Account password, your phone may be locked after reset (Mi Cloud Lock feature). Make sure you remember the login details or untie the device in advance through account.xiaomi.com.

Pay special attention to applications with two-factor authentication (e.g. Telegram, WhatsApp, banking services). Once reset, you will need access to SMS or backup codes to restore accounts. If you use Google Authenticator, transfer its data to another device in advance, otherwise you risk losing access to accounts.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has Find Device enabled in Mi Account, you may need to enter a password from your Xiaomi account after resetting, even for initial setup. → Mi Account → Find Device if you plan to transfer your phone to another user.

Backup in Mi Cloud or Google Drive|

Copy photos and videos on PC|

Record logins/passwords from accounts |

Disable Find Device in Mi Account|

Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)|-->

Method 1: Soft reset via settings (without data loss)

If your goal is to just make room or fix minor lags, start with a soft clean. This method doesn't delete user files, but resets application settings and clears the cache. Here's how to do this:

1. Open Settings and go to the Application section.
2. Select Application Management → Clear cache (for all applications).
3. Go back to the basic settings and go to Memory → Cleanup. You can delete unnecessary files, duplicate photos and residual data from deleted programs.
4. To reset your network settings (if you have problems with Wi-Fi or mobile internet) go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

This method helps in 70% of cases when the phone starts to brake due to an overloaded cache, but if the problems are more serious (for example, the Redmi Note 8 does not turn on or constantly emits errors), a complete reset will be required.

Also worth paying attention to MIUI optimization. There is Battery and Performance feature in the settings → Optimization, which closes the background processes and clears RAM in one click. This will not replace a full reset, but can temporarily improve the device’s performance.

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If your phone still brakes after cleaning the cache, check the list of auto-run applications in Settings → Apps → Auto-run. Turn off auto-boot for unnecessary programs, this will reduce the load on the processor.

Method 2: Complete reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If soft cleaning doesn’t work, start completely resetting.This process removes all data from internal memory, including apps, settings, and media, but doesn’t affect the microSD card (if installed).There are two ways to perform Hard Reset: through the settings menu or using physical buttons (if the phone doesn’t turn on).

Method 2.1: Reset via MIUI settings

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Slip on Reset (in some versions of MIUI it may be called Reset and Reset).
3. Select Reset all settings (or Delete all data).
4. The system will be asked to PIN-code or pattern lock (if installed).
5. Confirm the action by pressing Erase Everything. The phone will restart and begin the cleaning process (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Method 2.2: Recovery Mode Reset (if the phone is not turned on)

If the Redmi Note 8 is stuck on the logo or does not respond to clicks, use the Restore mode:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power Button + Volume Up Button at the same time and hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery Mode menu (in English or Chinese).
4. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select the Wipe Data (or Clear Data) item.
5. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data → Confirm.
6. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

If you have characters on the Recovery menu, don't be alarmed: the first item on top is Reboot, the second is Wipe Data. Use volume buttons to navigate, and the power button to select.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware may require a bootloader to be re-activated after a Recovery reset. If the phone is this device is locked after a reboot, you have unlocked the bootloader before and now you need to unlock it again through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Method 3: Deep formatting via Fastboot (for power users)

If a standard reset doesn’t help (for example, the phone still brakes or issues errors), full formatting via Fastboot mode may be required, which erases all memory parts, including system ones, and returns the phone to a “out of the box” state. You will need a computer with installed drivers. ADB/Fastboot Mi Flash Tool and the Mi Flash Tool.

Step 1: Preparation of tools

• 💻 Install Android SDK Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
• 🔌 Download the official firmware for Redmi Note 8 (select the Fastboot version, not Recovery).
• 🔧 Install drivers for Xiaomi (can be done via Mi) PC Suite or manually through XDA Developers).
• 🔋 The charge of the phone should be at least 60%.

Step 2: Unlock the bootloader (if required)

The Redmi Note 8 has a bootloader locked by default, and you have to unlock it to deep format it, which is the official procedure, but it will reset all the data on the phone:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then go to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Mi Unlock status and link the account.
2. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and run it on PC.
3. Turn off your phone and press Power + Volume Down to log into Fastboot Mode.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and in Mi Unlock Tool, press Unlock. Wait 10-15 minutes (you may need to try again if Xiaomi's server is overloaded).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi limits the number of unlocks for one account.If you previously unlocked the bootloader on another device, you may need to wait 30 days or use another Mi Account.

Step 3: Full formatting with the Mi Flash Tool

After unlocking the bootloader, you can start formatting:

1. Unpack the downloaded Fastboot firmware into a folder without spaces (for example, C:\rom\ginkgo_global_images...).
2. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (as in step 2.3).
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
5. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
6. Wait until it's finished (the process will take 5-10 minutes) and the phone will restart in factory condition.

This method is guaranteed to delete all data, including viruses, corrupted system files and traces of previous firmware, but it requires technical skills and can lead to a phone "breakdown" if you interrupt the process or use the wrong firmware.

Method 4: Clean internal memory through TWRP (Castom Recovery)

If you want to selectively format partitions (like data only or cache), you can use custom TWRP restore, which is an alternative to standard Recovery, which gives you more control over the cleaning process, but you need to install it:

• Unlock the bootloader (as in method 3).
• Install TWRP via fastboot (instructions are available on the official website).
• Download the TWRP image specifically for Redmi Note 8 (codename device — ginkgo).

After installation of TWRP:

1. Load to TWRP (Put Power + Volume Up).
2. Go to the Wipe section.
3. Select Advanced Wipe and tick the Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data, Cache sections.
4. Swipe your finger across the screen to confirm (Swipe to Wipe).
5. After cleaning, restart the phone.

TWRP also allows you to create a full backup system before cleaning (Backup section).This is useful if you're experimenting with firmware and want to be able to roll back.

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Use TWRP only if you are confident in your actions. Incorrect partition formatting can make your phone inoperable.

What to do after cleaning: initial setup and data recovery

After a complete reset, the Redmi Note 8 will launch as new.

1. Select the language and region (it is recommended to specify the real region for the correct operation of Google services).
2. Connect to Wi-Fi (required to download updates and restore from the cloud).
3. Sign in to your Google and/or Mi Account (if your phone was linked to your Xiaomi account).
4. Restore data from a backup (if it was created).
5. Update MIUI to the latest version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.

If you’re selling a phone, don’t restore your accounts – just do the initial setup before you sign in to Google, then turn off the device and hand it over to the new owner.

After data recovery, check:

• 🔄 Main functions: calls, SMS, mobile.
• 📶 Connection to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• 🎵 Sound (speakers, microphone, headphones).
• 📷 Camera and sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer).

If you have problems after reset (e.g., sensor or camera is not working), you may have installed the wrong firmware, in which case, repeat the formatting process with the correct version of MIUI.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked and the phone still doesn’t work, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., a damaged flash memory or power controller) in which case, it’s recommended to contact Xiaomi’s service center.

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If the phone is slower than before cleaning after reset, check the animation settings. Turn on the developer mode (tap 7 times on the build number in About Phone) and turn off the animation in Settings → For developers → Animation scale (set the value of Animation disabled).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions