How to completely clean Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: from reset to deep cleaning

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is a popular smartphone that is still in demand in the secondary market even after years. But before selling, transferring to a new owner or simply solving software problems, it must be completely cleaned. Simply deleting files is not enough: personal data, app cache, account settings and even login traces remain in memory. In this article, we will analyze all the ways from a standard reset to deep cleaning with fastboot and recovery.

It is important to understand that “complete cleaning” involves not only deleting photos and messages, but also resetting all system settings, deleting associated Mi Account accounts, and cleaning partitions. /data and /cache. If you plan to sell a phone, it’s not enough to just format a memory card – you need to return the device to a factory state so that the new owner can not recover your data.

We'll look at this.

• 🔄 Standard reset via settings MIUI
• 🛠️ Cleaning with Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)
• 💻 Deep Formatting with Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool
• 🧹 Manual deletion of residual files after reset
• ⚠️ Risks and how to avoid a “brick” (inoperable device)

1.Preparation for cleaning: what to do before discharge

Before you start resetting, follow a few critical steps: Failure to follow these rules can result in data loss or device lockdown.

First, back up all important data:

• 📸 Photos and videos (check folders) DCIM, Pictures, WhatsApp Images)
• 📱 Contacts (export to.vcf via Contacts app)
• 💬 Messages (use Mi Mover or use the same) SMS Backup & Restore)
• 🎵 Music and documents (copy from internal memory to PC)

Xiaomi

Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup

WhatsApp

Second, unplug all accounts:

• 🔑 Mi Account (Go to Settings) → Xiaomi account → Get out)
• 📧 Google (in Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Delete the account)
• 💳 Banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc. – remove the device binding in the security settings)

Mi Account

Mi Cloud Activation Lock

Third, check the battery status. Reset via recovery or fastboot can take up to 30 minutes. If the charge is below 50%, connect the phone to the charger. Also make sure you have the original one. USB-cable – cheap analogues can interrupt the connection during firmware.

⚠️ Warning: If you are cleaning your phone due to viruses or suspicious activity, do not connect it to your main PC without first checking with antivirus.

2. Method 1: Standard reset via MIUI settings

This is the easiest and safest method if the phone turns on and reacts to touch, and is suitable for most users who want to return the Redmi Note 8 to factory settings before selling or troubleshooting.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section.
3. Tap 7 times on the item Version MIUI, to activate Developer Mode (not necessary for resetting, but useful for further manipulation).
4. Return to the main settings and select Additional → Backup and reset.
5. Press Resetting.
6. Select Delete all data (do not Reset network settings!).
7. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
8. Confirm the action by clicking Reset the phone.

It takes 5-15 minutes, and when it's done, it will restart and suggest that you go through the initial setup, just like you did after you bought it.

All accounts (Mi, Google, social networks) have been deleted)|Created a backup copy of important data|Battery charge > 50%|Banking applications and two-factor authentication are disabled-->

What is removed in such a discharge:

• 📱 All user data (photos, videos, music, documents)
• 📋 System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, screen brightness)
• 🔧 Installed applications and their data
• 🔒 Passwords and keys (including fingerprints and Face Unlock)

However, not all sections are completely cleaned, for example:

• 🗃️ Files in a folder /sdcard/MIUI/backup (backup)
• 🔄 Cash updates. OTA (into /cache)
• 🛡️ Some Mi Account information if the account has not been untied

💡

After the reset, check the folder. /sdcard/MIUI/backup — You can have backups of text messages, calls and settings, and you can manually delete them through the file manager.

3. Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If the Redmi Note 8 is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch, or is locked with a pattern lock, use Recovery Mode. This method works even without access to the main system.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time.
3. Hold them until the Mi logo appears and vibrations (usually 5-10 seconds).
4. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu in English or Chinese.

Note:

Recovery

Food + Volume Down

Further action:

• 🔹 Use volume buttons to navigate the menu, power button to select.
• 🔹 Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data on Chinese firmware).
• 🔹 Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data or Confirm.
• 🔹 Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe complete).
• 🔹 Go back to the main menu and select Reboot. → Reboot to System.

If the phone requires a Mi Account password after reset, the account has not been untied until cleared, in which case it will require official unlocking through Xiaomi service (can take up to 72 hours), an alternative way is firmware via Fastboot (more on this below).

⚠️ Warning: Do not select Wipe All or Format Data in Recovery unless you are sure of your actions. This can damage system partitions and "brick" the device.

4. Method 3: Deep Cleaning with Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool

This method is suitable for advanced users who want to completely reflash the phone, removing all traces of the previous firmware.

• 🔒 Phone locked off Mi Account after reset;
• 🐌 The system is severely slowed down due to damaged files;
• 🔄 You need to install custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience).

The work will require:

• 💻 Windows computer (7/10/11);
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable;
• 📦 Mi Flash Tool (download from official website);
• 📱 Redmi Note 8 firmware (codenamed Ginkgo for global version or willow for Indian version).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool. Also install Xiaomi drivers (usually bundled with the program).
2. Download the firmware for your model (for example, ginkgo_global_images_V12.5.1.0.RCOMXM_20210929.0000.00_10.0_global). Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the Power + Volume buttons down for 10 seconds The screen will see a hare in a hat-eared (Fastboot logo).
4. Connect your phone to your PC. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
6. At the bottom of the program, select Clean All (full clean) or Clean All and Lock (clean + lock the bootloader).
7. Press Flash and wait for completion (10-20 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.

Once the firmware is in place, the phone will look like new, without any trace of previous data.

• ⚠️ All data will be permanently deleted, including files on internal memory;
• ⚠️ If you choose Clean All and Lock, the bootloader will lock and you will need to re-unblock the custom firmware installation;
• ⚠️ Some firmware may require Mi Account binding when first enabled.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the firmware process through the Mi Flash Tool. If you turn off the cable or turn off the PC during the recording stage, the phone can turn into a "brick" (will not even be included in the Fastboot). EDL-port or service centre.

5 Manual deletion of residual files after reset

Even after a complete reset, the Redmi Note 8 may still have tails — files that are not deleted by standard means — that need to be manually deleted, especially if you’re transferring your phone to another person.

Where to look for residual data:

• 🗃️ folder /sdcard/MIUI/backup — contains backup copies of SMS, calls and settings;
• 📁 folder /sdcard/Android/data — There may be app caches here;
• 📁 folder /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails — thumbnails of deleted photos;
• 📄 File. /sdcard/miui/bugreport — Error logs for personal information.

To remove them:

1. After reset, turn on the phone and go through the initial setting (you can miss the account binding).
2. Install any file manager (for example, FX File Explorer or Built-in Files).
3. Enable the display of hidden files (in file manager settings).
4. Delete the specified folders and files.

It is also recommended that:

• 🔍 Check the folder. /sdcard/Download — There may be uploaded documents;
• 🔍 Clear Google Play Services Cash (in Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Google Play Services → Memory. → Clear the cache);
• 🔍 Delete the Gallery app data if there are still thumbnails.

💡

Even after a Fastboot reset, some data can be recovered when you first connect to Wi-Fi (like Google backups).To avoid this, don't connect your phone to the network before transferring it to a new owner.

6.Checking the phone after cleaning

Before you transfer the Redmi Note 8 to another person or start using it again, check:

What to check:

• 🔍 No Accounts: Go to Settings → Accounts – there should not be a Mi Account or Google linked;
• 🔍 Memory Cleanliness: Open the file manager and make sure folders are in place DCIM, Download, Pictures are empty;
• 🔍 Operating capacity: Check camera, speakers, sensors (gyroscope, compass), communication modules (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS);
• 🔍 No locks: Restart your phone – it shouldn’t require you to enter your Mi Account password.

If the phone was cleaned to troubleshoot (lag, overheating, errors), pay attention to:

• 📉 Battery Charge: Calibration may be required after reset (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruption);
• 🔄 Updates: Check for fresh security patches in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system;
• 🛡️ Security: Install an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) and check the system for malware.

If there are problems after cleaning (for example, the phone still brakes), it is possible that the reason is in the hardware:

• 🔋 Exhausted battery (check in the AIDA64 or AccuBattery);
• 🔥 Overheating of the processor (clean the charging and dynamics connector from dust);
• 💾 Damaged flash memory (tested by Dead Pixel Test or Adb shell).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When cleaning the Redmi Note 8, users often face some problems.

Other typical problems:

• 🔌 Phone is not defined in Fastboot: Try another cable or port USB 2.0; Disable the driver signature in Windows (bcdedit) /set nointegritychecks on the command line on behalf of the administrator).
• 🔒 Unlocking the bootloader: Make sure that the Mi Account is linked to the phone and has developer rights. Also check that the device is added to the personal account.
• 📱 After the firmware there is no Russian language: Download the firmware marked global or ru (for example, ginkgo_global_images...).

⚠️ Warning: If you're cleaning your phone for sale, don't enter your accounts when you first turn on after you reset. Give the device to the new owner in a "post-purchase" state - let him link his data himself.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions