How to reset Xiaomi Redmi 5A to factory settings: all working ways

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 5A to factory settings can be a challenge in a variety of situations, from preparing the phone for sale to fixing software failures. This model, released in 2017, is still in use today, but its MIUI firmware (most often version 9.6-12.5) has features that are important to consider when resetting. For example, after a hard reset, a device may require data input from the associated Mi Account - even if you forget the password from the lock screen.

Unlike new Xiaomi smartphones, where reset is often blocked by Find My Device, Redmi 5A is a simplified procedure, but requires attention to detail. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven methods - from standard reset through settings to bypassing locks through Fastboot.

If your Redmi 5A is slowing down, not turning on or asking for a password from an old account, don’t rush to bring it to the service. In 90% of cases, the problem can be solved by yourself, following our instructions.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do before the start

Before you start resetting, make sure you follow all the critical steps. Without a backup, you will lose photos, contacts, messages and app data – it will be impossible to restore them after a hard reset.

This is especially true for the Redmi 5A, as the model does not support automatic backup to the Mi Cloud on newer versions of MIUI.

• 📱 Save contacts: Export them to.vcf via the Contacts app or sync with your Google account.
• 📷 Copy photos and videos: Connect your phone to your PC via USB (File Transfer mode or use cloud services.
• 🔑 Remember the Mi Account details: After the reset, the phone may require a login and password from the associated Xiaomi account.
• 🔋 Charge the battery: The charge level must be at least 50% to avoid being turned off during the procedure.

If the phone is locked and you can’t access files, try connecting it to your computer in MTP mode (sometimes it works even when the screen is locked).

⚠️ Attention: If on Redmi 5A Find My Device (located in Settings) → Mi Account. → Find the device, after resetting the phone will require data input from the associated account Mi. Without them, it will be impossible to unlock the device without contacting the service center.

💡

If you don't remember the password from your Mi Account, try to restore it through account.xiaomi.com before the reset. After a hard reset, recovery can be blocked for 72 hours.

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is on)

It's the easiest and safest method, but it only works if you can unlock the screen and log in to settings. It's good for eliminating software glitches or getting your phone ready for sale.

Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi 5A (relevant to MIUI 9-12):

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select the Reset option.
4. Click Delete all data and confirm the action.
5. Enter the password from the lock screen (if requested).
6. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 3-5 minutes).

After the reboot, the phone will be like new – you will need to reconfigure the language, connect to Wi-Fi and log into your Mi Account (if it was tied).

Battery level (minimum 50%)|Backup of contacts and files|Disabling your Google account (if you plan to sell)|Memorizing the password from the Mi Account-->

⚠️ Warning: If after a reset, the phone asks for a password from an old Mi Account and you don't remember it, don't enter the data at random. After 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will lock for 24 hours.

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

If the Redmi 5A doesn't respond to clicks, freezes on the logo, or doesn't go beyond the lock screen, you'll have to use Recovery Mode, which erases all data, but doesn't require access to the system.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the buttons at the same time: Volume up (+) + Power for standard Recovery. Volume down (-) + Power to go to Fastboot (if the first method did not work).

10-15 seconds

Mi

From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English by default).

Move through the menu with volume buttons, confirm the choice of the power button.

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Reboot → Reboot to System

If the phone still doesn’t turn on after reset or if it gives a “No command” error, try repeating the procedure by selecting the Wipe Cache Partition before resetting the data.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Account (if you forgot the screen password)

If you have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code, but remember the data from the Mi Account, you can reset the screen lock through the Xiaomi website:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 Mi Account was linked to the device.
• 🔄 Find My Device is activated.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, select your Redmi 5A.

Important: this method does not perform a complete reset - it only removes the screen lock. To completely clean the phone, use Method 1 (reset via settings) after unlocking.

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Mi Account reset only works when the phone has an active Internet connection, and if the Wi-Fi is off, connect to the network via another phone in hotspot mode.

5. Method 4: Unlocking via Fastboot (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., the phone asks for Mi Account password after reset), you can try unlocking the bootloader and flashing clean firmware, which requires a computer and basic knowledge of working with ADB/Fastboot.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tools ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Firmware for Redmi 5A (for example, official MIUI).
• 🔑 Unlocked bootloader (unless previously unlocked).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn the phone into Fastboot mode: Turn off the device. Press Volume down (-) + Power for 10 seconds.

Connect your phone to your PC via USB.

cmd

ADB

fastboot devices

(Serial number of the device must be displayed).

fastboot oem unlock

Attention:

It'll erase all the data!

fastboot flash all [name file firmware.zip]

fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: Unlock the bootloader on Redmi 5A It can lead to a loss of warranty (if it is still valid), and after unlocking, the phone will be reset to factory settings and all data deleted, and there is a risk of "bricking" if you interrupt the firmware process.

6. Method 5: Bypassing locking through EDL Mode (extreme case)

If all previous methods failed (for example, the phone asks for the Mi Account password and you don’t remember it), the last option is the EDL (Emergency Download Mode) firmware, which requires special equipment (EDL cable or Deep Flash Cable) and is only suitable for advanced users.

Warning: EDL can lead to total data loss and warranty cancellation, and it often requires paid tools like the Mi Flash Pro or UFi Box.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware for Redmi 5A in.tgz format (for example, from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website).
2. Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver on your PC.
3. Connect your phone to your PC in mode EDL: Turn off the device. Close the Test Point contacts on the motherboard (disassembly required). USB-cable - the computer must define the device as QHSUSB_BULK.

Mi Flash Tool

Clean All

After successful firmware, the phone will be completely reset, but it may be necessary to re-activate through the Mi Account if the device was previously tied.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you reset the Xiaomi Redmi 5A, users often face typical problems, and we have collected the most common ones and ways to fix them.

If none of the methods worked, the problem may be in the hardware (e.g., damaged eMMC memory), in which case we recommend contacting the service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions