The Android operating system over time tends to overgrow with unnecessary software “garbage”, which inevitably accumulates during active operation. Owners of the popular flagship Xiaomi Mi 8 often face slowdown of the interface, app freezes and sudden failures that cannot be eliminated by standard cache cleaning.
Returning the device to its original state is a radical but often the only effective way to reanimate the smartphone and return it to factory performance.A complete reset removes all user data, settings and installed applications, leaving the system as it was immediately after purchase.
However, before you start the procedure, you need to clearly understand the consequences of your actions and prepare yourself properly so as not to lose important contacts or photos forever. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available methods for resetting the Mi 8, from the regular settings menu to the use of the Recovery engineering menu.
⚠️ Warning: The procedure of complete reset irrevocably deletes all personal data from the internal memory of the smartphone, including contacts, SMS, photos, videos and installed applications.
Preparation for the data-dumping procedure
Before initiating the process of erasure, it is critical to perform a number of preparatory actions, and ignoring this stage can lead to loss of access to accounts or loss of valuable information that can not be restored.
The first step is to create a full backup of all important files. You can use Google Drive cloud storage or local copying to your computer via a computer. USB-Also, be sure to check the synchronization of contacts with your Google account.
Special attention should be paid to the Mi Account. If you do not untie the account before resetting, after turning on the phone will require a password from the previous owner (the function of protection against theft), This can be a serious problem if you forget the login details.
- 🔋 Make sure that the battery is at least 50-60%, So that the device does not turn off at the most inopportune moment.
- 📁 Copy the folders. DCIM, Pictures and Download to external media or to the cloud.
- 🔐 Write down or remember passwords from Google and Mi accounts that were linked to your smartphone.
- 📱 Extract. SIM-microSD card and memory card, if installed so as not to accidentally format them.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Some users neglect to check the battery power, relying on the indicator as a percentage, but in older batteries the readings may be incorrect, and the phone can turn off at 20% charge, which is unacceptable during the reset process.
Resetting method through system settings
The easiest and safest way to bring the Xiaomi Mi 8 back to factory status is to use the built-in functionality of the operating system. This method is suitable for those cases when the smartphone turns on, the screen responds to touch, and you can get into the menu.
To start, go to the main settings menu. The interface may vary depending on the firmware version (MIUI), but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section that deals with the general settings of the device.
In newer versions of the shell, the path is as follows: go to Settings → About Phone → Reset. In older versions of MIUI, this item may be in Advanced Settings → Recovery and Reset.
| Action. | Description of the outcome | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| Resetting all settings | Complete deletion of data | High (data loss) |
| Resetting Wi-Fi settings | Deletion of network passwords | Low. |
| Resetting Bluetooth settings | Device untied | Low. |
| Resetting screen settings | The return of brightness and fonts | Minimum |
Once you select "Erase all data," the system will require confirmation. You will need to enter a pattern lock, PIN-The screen unlock code or password that is currently installed is protection against accidental reset by unauthorized persons.
The system will once again warn you that all data will be destroyed. Press the "Next" button and then "OK" or "Reset." The smartphone will reboot and the formatting process will begin, which can take 5 to 15 minutes.
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If the phone asks to confirm the action SMS or a call, make sure that SIM-The card is inserted and has a network signal, otherwise the reset may not start.
Use Recovery Mode for Hard Reset
Sometimes the Android system is so damaged that the settings menu is not available, or the phone goes into an endless restart (bootloop), in which case the Recovery mode comes to the rescue.
To enter this mode on the Xiaomi Mi 8, you need to perform a certain sequence of actions with the buttons. Make sure the device is completely turned off. If the phone freezes, press the power button for 10-15 seconds before vibration.
Once the screen goes out, press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time, hold them until the Mi logo appears, and then the power button can be released while still holding the volume.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touchscreen does not work. Navigation on the menu is carried out by volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button.
You'll see a menu with a few items in English. Using volume buttons, go to Wipe Data and press the power button to confirm. In the next menu, select Wipe All Data.
What to do if the Recovery menu does not open?
The system will request final confirmation by highlighting Confirm. After agreeing to the action, the cleanup process will begin. Upon completion, select Reboot and then Reboot to System to run the normal operating system.
Reset via Xiaomi’s Find Device service
There is another method that allows you to remotely reset the Mi 8 settings.It is especially relevant if you lost your phone or it was stolen and you want to remotely destroy the data on it.
This method requires that the smartphone was signed in to Mi Account, and also turned on the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).If the device is offline, the command will be executed at the first connection to the network.
Go from your computer or other smartphone to the official i.mi.com website. Sign in using the same account as on the lost device. From the menu, select your Xiaomi Mi 8 from the list of associated devices.
- 🌐 The method works only if there is an active Internet connection on the target device.
- 🔒 The feature is useful for protecting personal data when stealing a gadget.
- ⏳ A command can be executed with a delay if the network signal is unstable.
In the device management interface, find the "Erase Data" or "Wipe Data" button, and once confirmed, the phone will receive a command to reset completely, which is a reliable way to protect your privacy.
Solving problems after discharge
Once the Hard Reset is complete and the phone is turned on, you will see the screen of the initial setup, but sometimes the process may not go quite smoothly, and specific questions may arise.
One of the common problems is that you need to activate, and if a phone writes "Device locked," or asks for a password from an account you don't remember, it means that FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is working, and it's very difficult to get around it without your Google account data.
And people often notice that after the first turn on, the phone gets very hot and discharges quickly. This is normal behavior: the system indexes files in the background, updates applications and configures services. Let the device work for 1-2 hours.
If the phone is permanently rebooted or hangs on the logo after the reset, the system partition may have been damaged or the update interrupted, in which case you may need to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
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Requiring Google password after a reset is not a mistake, but a security feature that prevents unauthorized users from using stolen devices.