How to reset Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 to factory settings: 3 working ways

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 to factory settings can be required in a variety of situations, from the banal slowdown of the system to preparing the device for sale. However, not all users know that a full reset removes not only apps and settings, but also all personal data — photos, contacts, messages. If you do not back up in advance, it will be extremely difficult or impossible to restore information.

This guide covers all the current reset methods for Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred), including options for locked phones, devices with a damaged screen or a broken system. We will also analyze the typical errors that occur when resetting through Mi Recovery, and explain how to avoid them. If your smartphone is getting stuck on the Xiaomi logo or constantly rebooting, here you will find a solution.

Before you start, make sure you have:

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50% (when reset via Recovery, the phone should not turn off).
• 📱 Backup of important data (contacts, photos, messages).
• 🔑 Password from Mi Account if it was linked to the device.
• 🛠️ Cable USB (In case you need a connection to the PC).

1.Resetting preparation: what to do in advance

Resetting to factory settings is an irreversible process. Even if you plan to use your phone further, you risk losing valuable data without backup. There are several ways to save information on the Redmi Note 5:

📌 Method 1: Reservations via Mi Cloud

• 🖥️ Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
• 📁 Select data for saving (contacts, notes, SMS, setup).
• ⚡ Click “Start Backup” and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Note: This method requires a Mi Account and a stable Wi-Fi connection. If you forget your account password, restore it in advance - after reset, you may need authorization.

📌 Method 2: Local copy on PC

If cloud storage is not available, connect Redmi Note 5 to your computer via USB and manually copy files from folders:

• 📸 DCIM — photo and video.
• 🎵 Music, Downloads – Music and Downloads.
• 📞 Contacts – Export contacts to the file VCF via the “Contact” appendix».

💡

If the phone is not detected by the computer, turn on File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain after you connect.

🔧 Account untied

After the reset, you may need to re-enter your Google and Mi Account details to avoid activation issues:

1. Delete your Google account in Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Untie Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out.

If you are selling a phone, be sure to follow this step – otherwise the new owner will not be able to use the device without your data.

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (for a working phone)

This is the easiest and safest method if your Redmi Note 5 is turned on and reacts to touch. MIUI 9–14.

📱 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section (or additionally) → On the phone in the old versions MIUI).
3. Tap 7-10 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You became a developer!” appears.
4. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional → for developers.
5. Activate the option to unlock OEM (this will allow you to reset your phone without unnecessary checks).
6. Now go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
7. Select Resetting → Delete all data.
8. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.

🕒 The phone will reboot and start the reset process, which will take 5-10 minutes!

Developer mode activated|Unlocking enabled OEM|Backup done.|Google and Mi accounts are suspended|Battery charge >50%-->

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires you to enter the old password from Mi Account, and you do not remember it, you will have to unlock the device through the official service Xiaomi.

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

If the Redmi Note 5 is stuck on the logo, reboots constantly or doesn’t respond to the screen, you’ll need to use Recovery mode, which is also suitable if you forget your pattern lock or password.

🔧 How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume Up button at the same time.
3. Keep them until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.

📌 In the Recovery menu, control is carried out by volume buttons (up/down for navigation, power for selecting).

🔄 Resetting instructions:

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data in older versions).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe successful).
4. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

🛑 If the phone is stuck on the logo again after the reset, the firmware may be damaged.

Method 3: Reset via ADB (for power users)

If the buttons are not working or the screen is broken, but the phone is determined by the computer, you can reset via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

🖥️ What's the matter:

• 💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB on your phone (if the screen is working, activate Settings) → For developers).

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 5 to your PC.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the phone is determined, you will see its serial number.
4. Reset by command: Adb shell recovery --wipe_data Or (for new versions) MIUI): adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MASTER_CLEAR

⚠️ Attention: If debugging is on USB It wasn't enabled in advance, it won't work, so you just have to run the Fastboot firmware.

💡

Dumping through ADB — The only way to get around locking the screen if the volume buttons don't work, but USB-port.

5. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, Redmi Note 5 users face typical problems.

🔴 Error: "This device is locked" (Mi Account)

If after a reset, the phone requires you to enter the data of the Mi Account that was previously tied, this means that the Find Device protection has worked.

• 🔑 Enter the login and password from the account that was on the phone.
• 📧 If you forget your data, restore it via account.xiaomi.com.
• ⏳ If your account is not yours (for example, a hand-built phone), contact your previous owner or Xiaomi support to unlock it (a check or proof of purchase is required).

🔴 Error: "No command" in Recovery

If after entering Recovery you see an Android lying down with the word No command, it's not critical.Push and hold the Power Button, then once press Volume Up - the Recovery menu will appear.

🔴 Error: The phone does not turn on after resetting

If the Redmi Note 5 does not respond to the power button after resetting:

1. Connect the charger and wait 30 minutes.
2. Try to clamp Power + Volume down for 20 seconds (forced reboot).
3. If it doesn’t work, run your phone through Fastboot (instructions below).

6.How to recover data after reset

If you haven't backed up, the chances of returning deleted files are minimal, but there are.

🔍 Photo and video recovery

You can use programs like DiskDigger or Recuva to recover multimedia files.

• 📱 The phone must be determined by the computer.
• 💾 No new data was written to internal memory (otherwise, the old files will be overwritten).
• 🔧 Root rights required for deep scanning.

📞 Reconciliation

If your contacts are synced to Google or Mi Cloud, they will automatically recover after you log in.

1. Check it out. SIM-Map - some contacts may have been saved on it.
2. Use programs like GT Recovery (require root).

📊 Recovery of communications

SMS and WhatsApp/Telegram chat history are the hardest to recover if you haven't backed up:

• 🔄 For WhatsApp: Check the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases — Maybe there's a file left. msgstore.db.crypt12.
• 📱 For SMS: program SMS Backup & Restore can help, but only if the phone is rooted.

Important: After resetting, new data is written on top of the old data, so the faster you start recovering, the better the chances of success.

7. Alternatives to dumping: when it is not needed

Sometimes users resort to resetting when the problem can be solved by simpler methods.

⚡ If the phone is slowing down:

• 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🚫 Remove unused apps (especially from the Settings list) → Battery → Consumption).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

🔒 If you forget the pattern lock:

Try unlocking your phone through your Mi Account:

1. 5 times enter the wrong key until the button “Forgot your password?” appears.
2. Enter the Mi Account data associated with the device.
3. Reset the key via SMS or email.

📶 If the network or Wi-Fi is not working:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📡 Reset network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
• 🔧 Update your operator profile (type ##4636## and select Update»).

💡

In 80% of cases, cleaning the cache and removing the heavy applications solves the brake problem without completely resetting.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Redmi Note 5