How to fully format Xiaomi Redmi 5A: a detailed guide with photos

Xiaomi Redmi 5A is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, which is still actively used.Over time, any phone starts to slow down, glitch or require complete cleaning before selling. Formatting (reset to factory settings) solves most software problems, but it is important to do it correctly so as not to lose important data or lock the device.

In this article, we will look at all possible ways to reset Redmi 5A: through phone settings, Recovery mode, and even with the PC (if the smartphone does not turn on), focus on saving photos, contacts and applications, and how to avoid mistakes like Mi Account Lock after a reset. If you plan to sell or transfer the phone, here you will find a checklist for a complete cleanup.

Warning: on the Redmi 5A with MIUI 12+ firmware, resetting through settings does not delete data from internal memory (photos, videos, documents) - only apps and settings.

Preparation for formatting: what to do before the dump

Before you reset Redmi 5A, follow the mandatory steps to avoid data loss and Mi Account issues.

The most common mistake users make is to reset the phone without logging out of the Xiaomi account, after which the device may require the username / password of the previous owner (even if you know it, sometimes there are problems with the servers).

• 🔄 Delete your Mi Account in Settings: Settings → Xiaomi account → Delete your account. If the option is inactive, check your Internet connection.
• 📱 Remove the screen lock (PIN, After resetting, the phone will require you to enter the old password if it was set.
• 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 50%. Interrupting the reset process can cause the device to "brick" (inoperability.
• 📁 Save important data: Contacts (export to file) VCF), Use Mi Cloud, Google Photos or connect your phone to your PC.

If you are resetting your phone before selling, be sure to check:

Xiaomi account deleted|Screen lock removed|Data backup made.|Resets are performed via Recovery (not through settings)|Checked the absence of linked cards in Google Pay-->

Attention to details: Redmi 5A with firmware older than MIUI 11, after resetting through settings, files remain in DCIM, Downloads and WhatsApp folders, which must be manually deleted or used for a full reset via Recovery.

💡

If you forgot your Mi Account password but your phone is still working, try resetting it via account.xiaomi.com before formatting. Once you reset your phone, it will be harder to recover access!

2. Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the easiest)

This method is suitable if Redmi 5A is turned on, reacts to touch and you have access to the settings menu.

Instructions:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the section Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Resetting (on some firmware - Erase all data).
4. Confirm the action by entering the screen lock password (if it was set).
5. Wait for the reboot (it will take 3-5 minutes).

Once reset, the phone will start as new. The important thing is, if you're selling a device, then you should go to Recovery and select Wipe Data again, and that will delete the remaining files.

Typical problems when resetting through settings:

• ❌ The phone is stuck on the Mi logo, so the process is interrupted.
• ❌ After reset, asks for a password from Mi Account – you did not delete the account in advance (solution – see Section 5).
• ❌ No photos removed – this is normal for this method (use Recovery for full cleaning).

3. Method 2: Hard Recovery Reset (complete cleaning)

Recovery mode is a service menu that lets you reset your phone even if it's not on or locked. Redmi 5A uses stock Recovery (standard) or TWRP (if you installed it), and we'll look at both.

How to get to Recovery on Redmi 5A:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up simultaneously 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).

If you have a standard Recovery (black screen with yellow inscriptions):

• 📱 Select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
• 🔄 Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
• 🔙 After cleaning, go back to the main menu and select Reboot. → Reboot to System.

If you have a TWRP (blue/orange interface):

• 📱 Tap Wipe. → Format Data.
• 🔄 Enter yes to confirm.
• 🔙 Reboot through Reboot → System.

Reset time: Recovery takes longer (5-10 minutes) and don't interrupt it even if the screen is out, wait for the vibration or the Mi logo to appear.

Yeah, I dropped my phone.|Yeah, I was installing custom firmware.|No, but I know what it is.|No, I don't plan on.|I don't know what it is.-->

⚠️ Warning: If after reset via Recovery, the phone requires a password from Mi Account, and you do not remember it - do not enter it at random! After 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will be locked for 72 hours).

4. Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If Redmi 5A doesn't respond to buttons, hangs on the logo, or doesn't go into Recovery, the last option is to reset via Fastboot with a PC, which requires installing drivers and the Mi Flash Tool program.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Mi Flash Tool Programming.
• 📁 Firmware for Redmi 5A (Download from Xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).

Step-by-step:

1. Install Mi Flash Tool and drivers (if Windows does not find them automatically, download the official drivers).
2. Turn off Redmi 5A and press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (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. Unpack the downloaded firmware (file with extension.tgz) in the folder without Cyrillic.
5. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
6. At the bottom, select Clean All (full clean) and click Flash.
7. Wait for the end (10-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

Importantly, this method completely reflashes the phone, not just resets it.

• ✅ The device will be as new (including the version) MIUI).
• ❌ All data is deleted without the possibility of recovery.
• ⚠️ If the firmware is not suitable for your model, the phone may stop turning on (hard brick).

💡

Fastboot is the only way to bring Redmi 5A back to life that doesn't respond to buttons or freezes on boot, but requires care: the wrong firmware can finally break the device.

5.How to Unblock Mi Account After Resetting

If you forgot to delete your Mi Account before reset, the phone will require you to enter your username and password after activation.

Method 1: Restoring access

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
2. Click Forgot Password? and follow the instructions (requires access to an email or phone linked to your account).
3. After restoring the password, enter it on the phone.

Method 2: Unlocking through the service center

If you don’t remember the email or phone attached to your account:

• 📄 Prepare a check or box from your phone (proof of purchase).
• 📍 Find the nearest Xiaomi service center.
• 🔓 Ask to unlock the device. The procedure is free, but it can take 1-3 days.

Method 3: Bypassing the lock (unofficial)

If you don’t have a check and your account isn’t yours (for example, you bought a phone with your hands), you can try:

• 🔧 Install TWRP and through it delete the account files (requires an unlocked bootloader).
• 📱 Use it. EDL Mode and flash the phone through the Mi Flash Tool with a checkmark Clean All and Lock (risky!).

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial ways to bypass Mi Account locks can lead to hard brick or ban Xiaomi account.We recommend using them only as a last resort and at your own risk.

Frequent Formatting Errors of Redmi 5A and Their Solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have problems.

Additional advice:

• 🔄 If the phone doesn’t turn on after reset, plug it into charging for 30 minutes, then try to go to Recovery.
• 📱 If the screen doesn’t respond to touch in Recovery, use volume buttons for navigation and power to select.
• ⚡ If the battery is quickly running out after firmware, make a Wipe Cache in Recovery.

7.How to recover data after reset (if you did not make a backup)

If you forgot to save important files before formatting, there are chances of recovery — but they depend on how you reset:

After resetting through settings:

• 📁 Photos and videos can stay in folders DCIM Pictures – check through the file manager.
• 📞 Contacts can be restored if they have been synced with a Google Account (check contacts.google.com).
• 💬 Communications SMS It is almost impossible to recover (if there was no backup in the Mi Cloud).

After resetting via Recovery/Fastboot:

• ❌ Data deleted irrevocably (unless you used programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver before resetting).
• 🔍 You can try connecting your phone to your PC and scan your internal memory with recovery programs (success is not guaranteed).

Data recovery programs (at your own risk):

• 💻 Tenorshare UltData (paid, supported by Xiaomi).
• 💻 EaseUS MobiSaver (Free version with limitations).
• 💻 Dr.Fone (paid, high chance of photo recovery).

⚠️ Note: Do not install data recovery software on Redmi itself 5A — They can overwrite deleted files, making recovery impossible!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions