Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro Formatting: 4 Reset Methods + Error Solving

Why to Format Redmi Note 8 Pro and When It’s Needed

Formatting a smartphone is a radical but sometimes the only way to get it back on track. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, released in 2019, is still popular with users thanks to the powerful MediaTek Helio G90T processor and 64MP camera. However, over time, even this “iron monster” begins to slow down, emit errors or refuse to boot.

Main reasons for resetting: selling your phone, removing viruses, eliminating freezes after updating MIUI, Unlocking a pattern lock or recovering from a failed rooting, and it's important to understand that formatting erases all data from internal memory, including photos in the folder. DCIM, messages and applications installed, and files on SD-The card (if installed) remains intact – but only if you have not selected the “Clear Everything” option in Recovery.

This article covers all the current reset methods for the Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia), including bypassing common errors like "This device is locked" or "Can't mount /data." We'll also learn how to save important data before formatting and what to do if the phone does not respond to buttons.

Preparation for formatting: backup and important nuances

Before you reset, make sure you have backups of mission-critical data.The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro does not support automatic cloud backup of all data (unlike the newer models with MIUI 14+), so you will have to act manually.

• 📸 Photos and videos: copy folders DCIM, Pictures and Movies on a computer or cloud (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk).
• 📱 Contacts: export in.vcf format via the Contacts app or sync with your Google account.
• 💬 Messages: Use applications like SMS Backup & Restore to save history SMS/MMS.
• 🎮 Game saves: For cloud-saving games (such as Genshin Impact) link your account to your email account.

If the phone is tied to a Xiaomi account, after reset, you will need to enter a username and password to unlock (Mi Account Lock function). Without this data, the phone will turn into a “brick” – you can restore access only through the official Xiaomi service with a purchase check.

⚠️ Warning: If you bought the Redmi Note 8 Pro from hand and the previous owner did not untie the Mi Account, resetting the settings will lock the device permanently. → Mi Account → Security.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest method)

This is a method that works if the phone turns on, responds to touch, and you have access to the menu, and it's the simplest and least risky method, because it doesn't affect system partitions.

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the About Phone section → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Resetting (not to be confused with Network Resetting).
4. The system will tell you whether to clear the internal memory. SD-map, you can uncheck the box with Clear SD-map.
5. Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or password.

It takes 3-5 minutes to reboot and display the initial setup screen, like after purchase, and if the reset is followed by the message "This device is associated with a Mi Account", enter your Xiaomi account details.

Backup important data|Battery charge > 50%|Unplug your Google account (if you plan to sell)|Remember the username/password from Mi Account|Get out. SIM-map SD-map (optional)-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 12.5+ After the reset, the section for the second part may disappear. SIM-This is a bug that can be treated by rebooting or updating the software.

Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't boot)

If the Redmi Note 8 Pro is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or doesn’t respond to touch, you’ll need to use Recovery Mode, which works even if the firmware is damaged, but requires care.

Instructions for entering 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 and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see a menu in English with touch support.

On the Recovery menu:

1. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (full reset).
2. Confirm the swipe down (as in TWRP).
3. After cleaning, go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If instead of the standard Recovery, you see the orange state, it means that the bootloader was once unlocked on the phone.

• 🔧 Select Connect with MiAssistant and connect your phone to a PC with the Mi Flash Tool installed.
• 📥 Download the official firmware for begonia (for example, from the Xiaomi website) and run it through Fastboot.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Cloud (remote)

Remote reset is available if the phone is synced to the Mi Cloud and connected to the Internet, a method that is convenient if the phone is lost or stolen (but not locked).

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in with the same account you have linked to your phone.
2. In the Devices section, select your Redmi Note 8 Pro.
3. Press Find the device. → Erase the data.
4. Confirm the action by entering a password from the Mi Account.

Please note that:

• 🔄 The phone must be switched on and connected to Wi-Fi/mobile.
• ⏳ It can take up to 30 minutes (depending on the speed of the internet).
• 🔒 After reset, the device will lock and require the entry of Mi Account data at the first boot.

⚠️ Warning: If an attacker resets the phone through Mi Cloud and then enters his Mi Account details, you will lose access to the device forever.

Method 4: Full formatting via Fastboot (for power users)

This method requires a computer and knowledge of ADB/Fastboot commands.

• The phone does not load or enter Recovery.
• The anti-Rollback protection worked after firmware of the old version of MIUI.
• You need to remove the encryption of the data (for example, if the password is forgotten).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
2. Connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to the PC, holding Volume Down + Power (Fastboot mode).
3. Open the command line in the platform-tools folder and execute: fastboot devices If the phone is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install MediaTek drivers.
4. Complete cleanup: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot format:ext4 userdata fastboot format:ext4 cache
5. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

After this procedure, the phone will be as new as ever, but all data (including the contents of internal memory) will be permanently deleted. If you need to save IMEI or warranty data, do not use the fastboot erase frp command - it also erases the information about the account association.

💡

If after the commands fastboot phone is stuck on the Mi logo, try flashing stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool. Select the clean all mode (not clean all and lock, otherwise the bootloader will be blocked).

Typical errors after reset and how to fix them

Even after successful formatting, the Redmi Note 8 Pro may not be behaving properly.

If Google (Play Market, Gmail) services are lost after the reset, it means that the firmware has not passed Google certification.

1. Install Google Installer from Xiaomi’s official website.
2. Or run the firmware marked EEA (Europe) through Fastboot.

💡

If after resetting the phone requires a password that you did not set, it means that the previous owner did not untie the Mi Account. In this case, you can restore access only through the official Xiaomi service with the provision of a purchase check.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi Note 8 Pro formatting