How to Reset Xiaomi Mi 8 to Factory Settings: The Complete Guide

Smartphone Xiaomi Mi 8, released in 2018, still remains a popular device due to its powerful processor and high-quality AMOLED-But over time, any Android operating system accumulates software errors, app caches take up gigabytes, and user data can turn into chaos. In these situations, the only correct solution is to completely reset the device to a factory state, known as Hard Reset, which returns the gadget to the state in which it was immediately after leaving the conveyor.

The need to perform a reset can occur for various reasons, from the banal sale of the phone to a new owner to critical failures in the MIUI interface. It is important to understand that the process of erasure is irreversible if a backup was not made beforehand. All personal photos, contacts and correspondence will be destroyed without the possibility of recovery by standard means.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the available methods for returning the Mi 8 to its original state, we will look at both the standard reset via the settings menu and the deeper method through Recovery mode, which is useful when the screen is locked, and we will also focus on the important nuances of working with a Google account and protecting against FRP theft.

Preparation of the device before the discharge procedure

Before you start cleaning, you need to do a number of preparatory steps, ignoring these steps can lead to loss of important information or lock the device after you reboot. The first thing you need to do is create a full backup of the data, in the MIUI shell, this can be done through the Mi Cloud cloud service or locally, saving the data to a memory card or computer.

The second critical point is the Google account. Android security has a theft protection feature (FRP). If you reset your phone without first deleting your Google account from your settings, the next time you activate it, the device will require you to enter a password from that account, and if you don't remember it, the phone will turn into a brick.

• 📸 Back up photos and videos in Google Photos or on your computer.
• 📱 Keep your contacts in memory. SIM-Maps or sync them with your Google account.
• 🔑 Make sure you know the password from your Mi Account and Google Account linked to your device.
• 🔋 Charge the Xiaomi Mi battery 8 minimum 60-70%, so that the process does not stop.

It is also recommended to remove the microSD card if it is installed. MIUI They usually ask if you need to format the card, be safe, and physically remove the media so you don't accidentally lose files from it. USB-cable and computer in case you need to flash.

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

The easiest and safest way to get the Xiaomi Mi 8 back to factory settings is to use the built-in menu system.This method is suitable for cases when the phone turns on, the screen responds to touch, and you have access to the desktop.

To start, open the Settings app (the gear icon). Scroll down the list and find the About item. This is where the basic system functions are hidden. In the menu that opens, select the Reset option. The system will alert you that all data will be deleted.

You'll see a few options on the screen, and you'll need to say, "Erase all data," and then you'll click on it, and then you can ask for a pattern lock, PIN-The unlock code or password to verify the identity of the owner is protection against accidental reset by unauthorized persons.

Once confirmed, the phone will restart and the cleaning process will begin, the Mi logo or Android with a progress indicator can be displayed on the screen, do not interfere with the device at this point, the duration of the process depends on the amount of memory occupied and can take from 5 to 15 minutes.

Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode

If your smartphone is stuck, does not respond to touch, or you have forgotten the unlock password, the standard method will not work. In this case, you need to use Recovery Mode. On the Xiaomi Mi 8, this mode is entered by a combination of physical buttons when the device is turned off.

Turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up and the power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep holding the volume button. In a few seconds, the main Recovery menu opens.

💡

Control in Recovery Mode: In Recovery mode, the touch screen does not work. Navigation on the menu is carried out by volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by a short press of the power button.

In the Recovery menu, the interface can be in English or Chinese. If you see Chinese characters, but there is an "English" option on the list, select it to switch the language. We need the "Wipe Data" section. Inside it, select the "Wipe All Data" option.

The system will request confirmation of action, usually "Confirm", after confirmation, the data partition will be formatted. After the process is completed, the screen will display the words "Data wiped successfully". To exit, select "Back to Main Menu", and then "Reboot» → «Reboot to System».

⚠️ Note: When reset via Recovery, screen bypassing does not always work on newer versions of Android due to data encryption.

The solution to the problem of blocking Google (FRP Lock)

After performing a reset, especially through Recovery, the first activation of the Xiaomi Mi 8 may require you to enter the data of the Google account, which was previously synced with this device (FRP), Protecting the owner’s data in case of phone theft.

If you dropped your phone for sale and forgot to delete your account, the new owner will have to find you to unlock. If you forgot your password, you will have to use the procedure to restore access through the Google site from another device.

To avoid FRP problems:

• 🔓 Before resetting through the settings go to Settings → Accounts and sync and delete all accounts.
• 📲 If the phone is already reset, try entering any Wi-Fi and Google account that has not been used on that device before (not working on all software versions).
• 🛠 In extreme cases, you need to flash the device using an authorized Mi Unlock account.

💡

FRP-The only way to remove it is to have a Google server-level security that you can't just turn off with a menu button.

Comparison of discharge methods: characteristics table

To make it easier to choose the right cleaning method for Xiaomi Mi 8, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you understand the differences between a software reset via menu and hardware reset via Recovery.

As you can see from the table, Recovery is the most versatile method, because it doesn't require a working operating system, but it does require physical accessibility to the device buttons. Remote reset via Mi Cloud is useful if the phone is lost, but it has enabled the Internet and search for the device.

Possible errors and ways to eliminate them

During the reset process, users may experience various errors. One of the common problems is hanging on the Mi logo after rebooting. This may indicate damage to system files or a failed update, in which case re-entering Recovery and selecting the "Wipe All Data" option again helps.

Another common situation is endless restart (bootloop). If the phone is constantly rebooting and is not included in the menu, try pressing the power button for 10-15 seconds to force reboot. If this does not help, you may need to flash through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is warming up in the processor area after reset and does not boot for more than 20 minutes, the bootloader may be damaged or there is a hardware memory malfunction.

Also, users often wonder why the phone is slow after a reset: In the first 10-15 minutes after a turn on, the system performs application optimization and file indexing, during which time the Mi 8 can work unstable. Just wait without turning off the device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)