How to roll back Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro to factory settings: a complete guide with photos

Why Reset the Redmi Note 8 Pro to Factory Settings and When It’s Needed

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro to factory status is a radical, but sometimes the only way to get the smartphone back on track, which deletes all user data, including apps, photos, accounts and settings, returning the device to a “out of the box” state.

First, if the smartphone started to slow down or spontaneously reboot after the MIUI update. For example, after switching to MIUI 14, many Redmi Note 8 Pro users faced lags due to unoptimized old-iron software (Helio G90T + 6 GB of RAM). Second, the reset helps with viral infection, when malware has been introduced into system files and is not deleted by antiviruses. The third case is the preparation of the phone for sale: so you are guaranteed to delete all personal information. Finally, a reset may be required after unsuccessful experiments with unlocking the cast or installation of the firmware.

It’s important to understand that the Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia) has a distinct architecture: this smartphone is powered by a MediaTek processor, not a Qualcomm Snapdragon like many other Xiaomi models.

• 🔧 There is no official support for unlocking the bootloader via fastboot (unlike devices on Snapdragon).
• 🔄 Recovery through EDL-The mode requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable.
• ⚠️ An improper reset can result in a “brick” (complete inoperability) due to MediaTek Secure Boot blocking.

Before proceeding with the procedure, check if a more gentle method will help: cleaning the cache in Recovery, rolling back updates through Settings. → About phone or reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset network settings. If these methods have not worked, read on.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the procedure

An ill-conceived reset can result in the loss of important data or even locking the device, for example, if you forget to unplug your Mi Account, after resetting the phone will require you to enter your username / password, and without them it will be extremely difficult to unlock it.

Start with backup. Even if you plan to recover data later, some files (such as WhatsApp messages or game saves) may be lost permanently.

• 📱 Local Copying: Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup (saves contacts, SMS, call-book).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Enable synchronization in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud (free of charge 5GB).
• 💻 Manual transfer: connect your phone to your PC via USB-cable in file transfer mode (MTP) and copy the folders. DCIM (Photos, Downloads (downloads) and Android/data (file).

Pay special attention to the accounts:

1. Delete all Google accounts in Settings → Accounts → Google (otherwise, after the reset, you will need to re-enter them).

⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from the Mi Account tied to the phone, the reset will activate the Mi Cloud lock (https://account.xiaomi.com), In some cases, the unlocking takes up to 30 days!

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

This is a good method if the phone turns on and responds to touch, and you remember the unlock password. The advantage of the method is simplicity and minimal risk of errors. MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone.
3. Click Backup and Reset (in some versions of MIUI, the item is called Additional → Reset).
4. Select Resetting (not to be confused with Network Resetting!).
5. The system will prompt you to enter a PIN/password/pattern lock for confirmation.
6. Click Remove everything and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After the reboot, the phone will start with the initial setup wizard, as after the purchase. If at this stage the error "failed to reset", try:

• 🔌 Connect charging (sometimes the reset is interrupted due to low battery charge).
• 📶 Disable Wi-Fi and mobile data (settings) → SIM-map → switch off data transmission).
• 🔄 Restart the phone and try again.

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If after reset, the phone asks you to enter the old password and you do not remember it, try connecting to the Internet via Wi-Fi. Sometimes the system allows you to skip the check after connecting to the network.

This method does not remove MIUI updates, the phone will remain on the same firmware version as before the reset. If the purpose of the reset is to eliminate errors after the update, this method may not help.

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If the Redmi Note 8 Pro doesn’t respond to touch, hovers on the MI logo, or reboots cyclically, a Recovery reset will help, which is sewn into the firmware and works even when the system files are damaged. Importantly, the Redmi Note 8 Pro uses stock MIUI Recovery, not TWRP (unless you installed it separately).

Instructions for entering Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and the phone will go to the Recovery menu (black screen with white text in English/Chinese).

Recovery is controlled by volume buttons (Up/Down for navigation) and Power for confirmation.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data in Chinese version).
2. Confirm your choice by selecting Wipe All Data (in some versions – Yes).
3. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wiped successfully).
4. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

If after resetting the phone again stuck on the logo, it could mean:

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI Recovery for Redmi Note 8 Pro Wipe Data may be called Factory Reset or Erase All Data. If you see a menu in Chinese, look for characters (clean up data) or (restore factory settings).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method requires a computer with MediaTek drivers installed and a Mi Flash Tool program.

• 📱 The phone doesn’t even load in Recovery.
• 🔧 You need to refashion the device to another version. MIUI.
• 🔓 You need to unlock the bootloader (but remember: it’s harder on MediaTek than on Snapdragon).

The work will require:

• 💻 Windows PC 7/10/11 (on Mac/Linux Mi Flash Tool is not working).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set).
• 📄 Firmware for Redmi Note 8 Pro (download from the official Xiaomi website, choosing the model begonia).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version - download here).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware (a file with the.tgz extension) into a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\begonia).
2. Install MediaTek drivers (you can download here).
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: pinch Power + Volume down for 10 seconds.
4. Connect your phone to your PC. The device should appear in the Device Manager MediaTek Preloader USB VCOM Port.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
7. Wait until it is finished (Green Success) and turn off the phone.

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with the MediaTek Helio G90T processor, you can’t unlock the bootloader through the standard fastboot oem unlock procedure, as on the Snapdragon.

Frequent Resetting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, Redmi Note 8 Pro users face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

Especially often, users are faced with a Mi Account lock after a reset, which is anti-theft protection, but it also creates problems when selling legally, to avoid being blocked:

• 🔗 Untie your account before reset: Settings → Xiaomi account → Delete the account.

Another common problem is the loss of IMEI after being reset via Fastboot, which is caused by damage to the NVRAM partition, which stores the serial numbers of the communication modules, and you can restore the IMEI using the engineering menu:

1. Dial on the phone keyboard ##3646633##.
2. Go to Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information.
3. In the field AT+ enter: AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1" AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2" (substitute IMEI_1 and IMEI_2 original numbers from the box or stickers under the battery).
4. Reboot the phone.

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If the sound is lost after the reset, check if the Audio settings in the engineering menu (#3646633##) are lost. Often the problem is solved by resetting the sound settings in Hardware Testing → Audio → Normal Mode → Reset.

What to do after resetting: initial setup and optimization

After a successful reset, the phone will start with an initial setup wizard.

1. Connect to Wi-Fi (not mobile) – this will speed up the download of updates.
2. Skip signing in to Mi Account if you don’t plan to use Xiaomi services (this will reduce data collection).

Recover the data.

Update the firmware

Settings → About the phone → System update

To improve performance, the Redmi Note 8 Pro after resetting:

• 🚀 Turn off animation: Turn on Developer Mode (click 7 times on Version) MIUI In About Phone, then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, install: Windows animation: Off. Transition animation: Off. Animator duration: Off.
• 🧹 Limit the background processes: in Settings → Annexes → App management disable auto-start for unnecessary programs.
• 🔄 Reset the cache once a month: Settings → Additionally. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

If the phone still brakes or warms up after reset, check:

• 🔋 Battery status: Install AccuBattery and check for wear (if capacity is below 80%, it’s time to change the battery).
• 🌡️ Processor Temperature: Use the CPU Monitor - up to 45°C in plain, up to 65.°C under load.
• 🛠️ Firmware integrity: If errors repeat, search the phone via Fastboot (Method 3).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Redmi Note 8 Pro Reset