How to fully format Xiaomi Mi 8: safe reset to factory settings

The Xiaomi Mi 8, released in 2018, remains a popular smartphone thanks to its powerful hardware and flexible MIUI firmware. However, over time, any gadget begins to slow down, glitches or requires complete cleaning before selling. Formatting (reset to factory settings) solves these problems, but it is important to do it correctly - otherwise you risk losing data or locking the device.

In this article, we will discuss the three official ways to format the Mi 8: through the phone settings, Recovery mode and the Fastboot tool. We will also explain how to prepare the device for resetting, what errors users most often make, and what to do if the phone does not turn on after formatting. The instructions are relevant for all versions of the series: Mi 8 Standard, Mi 8 SE, Mi 8 Lite and Mi 8 Pro.

Preparing for Formatting: What to Do Before Resetting

Factory reset removes all data from internal memory: photos, contacts, messages, installed applications and even files on the memory card (if it is formatted as internal storage).

📱 Create a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup or manually copy files to PC.
🔒 Make sure you know the username and password from your Mi Account – after resetting, the phone will require authorization.
🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%. interruption of the process due to discharge can lead to a "brick" (inoperability) of the device.
📡 Turn off the lock. FRP (Factory Reset Protection, if activated. delete all Google accounts in Settings → Accounts.

If you are planning to sell or transfer your phone, you will also:

💳 Log out of all accounts (Mi, Google, social media).
📲 Delete. SIM-card and memory card (if used as a removable drive).
🔄 Untie the device from Xiaomi Cloud and Find Device.

⚠️ Note: If the Mi 8 is customized Recovery (e.g, TWRP), A standard reset via settings may not work, in which case use the Fastboot method or re-flash the device.

📊 How often do you reset your smartphone to factory settings?

Once a year.

Just before the sale.

Never dropped it.

Where necessary (with brakes)

This is a good way to do it if the phone is switched on, not locked, and you have access to the menu, and it takes 5-10 minutes and doesn't require a PC connection.

Instructions:

Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
Go to the About Phone section → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
Select Resetting (sometimes called Delete All Data).
Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN-code.
Wait until the process is complete (the phone will reboot automatically).

Once you reboot, you'll be asked to configure the Mi 8 as a new device, and if the phone requires input from the Mi Account, log in, which is standard anti-theft protection.

Backed up.|Charged the phone to 50%+|Deleted Google Accounts (if necessary)|I remember the data from Mi Account.-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (especially global) Recovery and reset may be elsewhere: Settings → System system → Additionally. → Reset. If you can't find a section, search by settings (the magnifier icon at the top).

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

If the Mi 8 is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch or is locked, use Recovery mode, which is also useful if you have forgotten the pattern lock.

Step-by-step:

Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
Release the buttons - you will be taken to the Recovery menu (navigation is carried out by volume buttons, the choice is by the power button).
Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in older versions).
Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items:

📱 The first item is reboot (Reboot).
🗑️ The third item is reset (Wipe Data).
🔧 The last point is the exit (Back).

What happens if Recovery does not open?

If the phone vibrates after holding Power + Volume up but doesn't load the menu, try: 1. Connect the charger and try again. 2. Hold the buttons longer (up to 15 seconds). 3. Use Power + Volume down (on some firmwares). If nothing helps, go to the Fastboot method.

Problem.	Reason.	Decision
Phone is not included in Recovery	The loader or firmware is damaged.	Use Fastboot or reflash the device
Recovery menu in Chinese	Chinese firmware installed	Orient by the location of items or change the firmware
After resetting, the phone asks for a password	Mi Account Protection Activated	Enter account details or unlock through Find Device
Discharge interrupted by 50%	The file system is damaged.	Perform a reset via Fastboot or flash again

Method 3: Formatting via Fastboot (for power users)

Fastboot is the most reliable method, but it requires a connection to a computer and a driver installation.

🔄 Phone is not included in Recovery.
📱 A custom firmware is installed or TWRP.
🔧 All partitions (including cache and data) must be cleaned completely).

The work will require:

💻 Windows computer (or Mac/Linux fixed ADB).
🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
📦 Archives from Google's platform-tools.
🔋 Charging the phone at least 70%.

Instructions:

Unpack the platform-tools into a folder on the C: drive (e.g., C:\platform-tools).
Open the Command Prompt on behalf of the administrator and go to the folder: cd C:\platform-tools
Turn off the Mi 8 and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
Connect your phone to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the Mi USB Driver drivers.
Run the full reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

When you reboot, the phone will look like new. If you want to reflash the device completely (for example, after a failed update), use the command:

fastboot flash all [name firmware].zip

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

2. disable driver signatures in Windows (to do this, type bcdedit/set nointegritychecks on and restart your PC).

3.Use the original Xiaomi cable – cheap counterparts often don’t transfer data to Fastboot.-->

Frequent Misforming Mi 8 and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, users encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

🔄 phone is stuck on logo after reset → Most likely, the firmware is damaged. Do a reset via Fastboot or reflash the device.
🔒 After formatting requires an old password → It's protection. FRP. You need to enter data from the last Google account or reset it through Find My Device.
📱 Not included after reset via Recovery → Maybe the battery's gone. Put the charge on for 30 minutes and try again.
🗑️ Data hasn't been deleted. → If you used reset via settings, but the files are left, repeat the procedure via Fastboot.

Another common problem is the Cannot load Android system error after reset, which occurs if:

Unofficial firmware installed.
The system section is damaged.
Incompatible version of MIUI.

Solution: Sweat your phone with the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

💡

If the Mi 8 doesn't turn on or gives you an error after reset, DO NOT try to repeat the procedure many times. This can aggravate the problem.

How to recover data after formatting (if you did not make a backup)

If you forgot to save important files, the chances of them being recovered are there, but they depend on which reset method you used:

📱 Resetting via Settings: Data can be recovered by programs like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver, but only if no new files have been written after resetting.
🔧 Reset via Recovery or Fastboot: Recovery unlikely as data overwrites zeros.

For recovery:

Connect the Mi 8 to your PC in MTP mode (if the phone is turned on).
Install the DiskDigger program (there is a free version).
Select internal memory scanning (not SD cards!).
Save the files found to the computer.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install data recovery software on the Mi 8 itself, this will overwrite deleted files and make them impossible to recover.

If you need to restore contacts or messages, check:

📱 Sync with Google Contacts (if enabled).
🔄 Backups in Mi Cloud (if your Xiaomi account was tied).
💬 Exporting messages to Telegram or Viber (if you used cloud chats).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Mi 8 Formatting

Can I format Mi 8 without losing data?

No. Any factory reset removes all user data from internal memory, and the only way to save files is to back up in advance.

What if the phone asks for an old Mi Account password after resetting?

This is Xiaomi's standard protection against theft. Enter the account that was linked to the phone. If you forget your password, restore it to account.xiaomi.com. If the phone is bought with your hands and the previous owner has not untied the account, contact him or support Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

How to format Mi 8 if you forget the pattern lock?

Use Recovery (method 2) or Fastboot (method 3). Both methods bypass screen locking, but will require authorization to Mi Account after rebooting.

Will the formatting of the MIUI version reset to the factory?

No. Reset only deletes user data, but it doesn't roll back firmware. If you've updated MIUI over OTA, the last version you've installed will be left after formatting, and to get back the factory firmware, you need to manually flash your phone through Fastboot.

Can I format Mi 8 without a Fastboot?

Yes, but only if the phone is on and you have access to the menu. Connect the Mi 8 to your PC, open Settings → About Phone → Restore and Reset and reset through the phone interface. The Fastboot method is only for dead devices or deep cleaning.