Owners of the legendary Redmi Note 5 (also known as the Redmi Note 5 Pro in some regions) often face the need to completely clean the device, whether it’s selling it, transferring it to another user, or wanting to fix software bugs accumulated over the years of active use. Resetting to factory settings is a radical, but often the only sure way to return the smartphone to its former agility.
The MIUI shell recovery process has its own nuances that are important to consider so as not to lock the device permanently. Unlike stock Android, Xiaomi’s ecosystem is tied to the Mi Account, which adds security, but also creates additional difficulties when reselling. Below we will discuss in detail all available methods.
Before you take action, you need to realize that the process is irreversible, that all your photos, contacts, messaging and installed apps will be permanently deleted, and that backup is a critical step, and ignoring it can lead to the loss of valuable data forever.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
Any manipulation of system files requires careful preparation. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is characterized by high user data density, so the first step is to create a full copy of the information. You can use cloud storage Mi Cloud or third-party services like Google Drive, but for reliability, it is better to copy media files to your computer.
The second critical point is battery power: the data partition formatting process can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of information, if the device turns off at the time of writing system files, it can damage the bootloader, and make sure that the charge level is at least 60%.
☑️ Checklist before reset
It is also important to check the device's security status if the phone has a lock screen, pattern or PIN-Once reset, the system will require you to enter data from a Google account or Mi Account that was previously synced to the device. FRP (Factory Reset Protection).
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from a Google account that was synced to your phone before the reset, unlocking your device will be extremely difficult, and in some cases impossible, without contacting the service with purchase checks.
Method 1: Reset via system settings (standard method)
The safest and easiest option available to every user is to use the built-in MIUI shell functionality, which is suitable for cases where you remember the password from the lock screen and have access to the settings menu, and ensures that all system processes are completed correctly before formatting.
To start, go to the main menu and find the Settings icon. Next, scroll down to About Phone. This is where the basic device management tools are hidden. In the menu that opens, select Reset option, which is usually located at the bottom of the list.
The system will offer two options: reset only settings or delete all data. To clean it completely, choose Clear Everything. The device will warn you that all files will be deleted. Once confirmed, the phone will restart and begin the cleanup process, which is visually displayed as a MI logo and progress scale.
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Before pressing the "Clear Everything" button, make sure that SIM-The card is removed unless you plan to move contacts from it, as some older versions are removed. MIUI SIM card data may also be affected.
It is important not to interrupt the process even if the phone appears to be hanging. Internal formatting processes can temporarily slow down the response of the touchscreen. Once cleaned, the device will automatically restart and start as new, requiring initial language and network setup.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If your smartphone doesn't turn on, you're stuck on your logo, or you've forgotten your pattern lock, the standard menu method will be unavailable, and in these situations, Recovery Mode comes to the rescue, a low-level environment that allows you to control the device bypassing the main operating system.
To enter this mode on the Redmi Note 5, you need to turn the device off completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up and the power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume until the Recovery menu appears.
What to do if the Recovery menu doesn’t appear?
In the menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item and confirm the action. The system can ask for consent several times, requiring you to select Confirm. After successful completion, select Reboot to restart.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touchscreen does not work, the control is carried out exclusively by mechanical buttons on the body of the smartphone.
The problem of blocking Mi Account and Google FRP
Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with a dual security system. The first is a binding to a Google account (FRP), which is activated when you first sign in to the Play Market. The second is the Mi Account’s own protection, which is more stringent and is tied to the device’s serial number (IMEI).
If you don't log out of your Mi Account before you reset, you'll need to log in your password, and you won't be able to use it without it, and it's designed to protect you from theft, and even after you flash it, it's still a brick for someone else.
The table below shows the main differences between the types of locks and how to prevent them:
| Type of protection | When activated | How to avoid problems |
|---|---|---|
| Google FRP | When logging into a Google account | Remove your account from settings before resetting |
| Mi Account | When logging in to Mi Cloud | Leave the Mi Account in the settings |
| Screen key | When locking is installed | Remember your password or disable it before selling |
Solving common errors in resetting
Redmi Note 5 users may experience a situation where the phone freezes during the loading phase of the MIUI logo after cleaning, which may indicate damage to system files or a conflict of updates.
In some cases, the device may enter a bootloop cycle. If the standard Hard Reset via Recovery doesn't help, you may need to flash the device using your computer and the Mi Flash Tool. However, this is already a more complex procedure that requires an unlocked bootloader.
Another common problem is the Update failed error or inability to complete the reset, often due to lack of space in the system partition or damage to the file system, and in such cases, it is recommended to contact the service center for the diagnosis of physical memory.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try Hard Reset if the charge indicator flashes red.Put the phone on charge for at least 30 minutes first, otherwise it may turn off at a critical moment.
Setting up Redmi Note 5 after resetting
Once you've completed the procedure, you'll see a welcome screen, and the first step is to select a language and connect to a Wi-Fi network, and without the Internet, you can't activate the device and check for security updates, and the system can suggest that you restore the data from the backup.
If you plan to use the phone further, it is recommended to check for software updates immediately. For Redmi Note 5, the official updates have already been discontinued, but installing the latest available version of MIUI will ensure the stability of the applications. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
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After the reset, be sure to install the antivirus and update all apps through the Play Market, as older versions may contain security vulnerabilities.
Set up biometric protection: fingerprint and facial recognition. Not only is it convenient, it's also necessary for some banking applications to work, and don't forget to re-sign in to Mi Account if you're not selling the device to keep the "Device Search" feature.