How to reset Xiaomi Mi5 to factory settings: 3 working ways

The Xiaomi Mi5, released in 2016, is still popular with users due to its reliability and performance. However, over time, any smartphone begins to “brake”, glitch or require complete cleaning before selling. In such cases, a reset to factory settings (Hard Reset) becomes the only solution. But how to do it correctly, so as not to turn the phone into a “brick”?

In this article, you'll find three proven reset methods -- phone settings, Recovery mode, and Fastboot. We'll go through each step in detail, warn against common errors, and give tips on how to save important data. And if you're afraid of messing up, at the end of the article, there's an FAQ with answers to the most common questions.

Before you start, remember: Reset removes all data from the device, including photos, contacts and installed apps. So make sure to back up!

1.Reset Preparation: What to Do Before Hard Reset

Resetting the Xiaomi Mi5 to factory settings is an irreversible process, and if you don't prepare in advance, you risk losing valuable information.

• 📱 Back up. Use the settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset or cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive:
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%.If the phone turns off during reset, it can damage system files and "brick" the device.
• 🔐 Make sure you know the data from your Mi Account. After a reset, the phone may require you to enter a username and password from your Mi Account if you have previously activated the Find Device feature.
• 📶 Disable all accounts (Google, Mi, social networks) in Settings → Accounts.This will make it easier to set up after a reset.

If you drop your phone before selling, additionally:

• 💳 Remove Linked Bank Cards from Google Pay or Mi Pay;
• 📍 Disable Remote Management in Mi Cloud;
• 🔄 Log out of all messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.) so that the new owner does not get access to your chats.

⚠️ Attention: If on Xiaomi Mi5 customized recovery (for example, TWRP), Standard resetting through settings may not work, in which case use the methods for Recovery or Fastboot described below.

Backed up.|Battery charge ≥50%|Shut down all accounts.|Deleted the bank cards.|Out of messengers.-->

2. Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the easiest)

This method is suitable if:

• 📱 The phone is on and running stably;
• 🔓 You remember the pattern lock or PIN-code;
• 🛠️ No need for a “deep” cleaning (for example, when selling).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Select Settings Reset.
4. Click Delete all data (could be called Phone Reset).
5. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if required.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset the phone.

It takes 5 to 10 minutes, and the phone reboots and returns to its original state, just like it did after the purchase, and the first run can take longer than usual, which is normal.

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires data entry from Mi Account, and you forgot them, you can restore access only through the official website account.xiaomi.com!

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If the phone is loading for longer than 15 minutes after reset, don’t panic. Try pressing the power button for 10-15 seconds to force a reboot.

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

If the Xiaomi Mi5 doesn’t load, hangs on the logo or is locked with a pattern lock, resetting through Recovery mode will help.This method is also useful if the first method didn’t work.

Note: The Mi5 can be equipped with standard Recovery (from Xiaomi) or custom (for example, TWRP).

3.1. Resetting through standard Recovery

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons. You'll see the Recovery menu (English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Clear All Data).
6. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
7. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

3.2. Reset via TWRP (Castom Recovery)

If you have TWRP installed, the process is slightly different:

1. Go to Recovery (as in paragraphs 1-3 above).
2. Press Wipe.
3. Select Advanced Wipe.
4. Check the boxes: Dalvik / ART Cache; System; Data; Internal Storage (if you want to erase everything, including files).

Swipe to Wipe

Reboot System

⚠️ Note: If, after discharge, through TWRP phone not turning on, possibly damaged firmware, in which case you will need to flash through Fastboot (method 3).

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This is the most reliable, but it's also the most complex, and it's good if you:

• 🔧 The phone does not turn on or respond to buttons;
• 🔄 Recovery is damaged or missing;
• 🛠️ You need to refashion the device from scratch».

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and Mi Flash Tool;
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original);
• 📥 Firmware for Xiaomi Mi5 (Download from the official Xiaomi website).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down for 10 seconds until the image of the rabbit in the hat appears.
3. Connect the phone to the computer.
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Refresh (the device should appear).
5. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
6. Wait for the end (5-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

If the Mi Flash Tool does not see the device:

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0);
• 🔄 Reinstall the driver (use Mi) PC Suite);
• 🛠️ Check the cable (non-original cables may not transmit data).

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the firmware process! this can cause permanent damage to the bootloader and turn the phone into a "brick».

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Fastboot reset is the only way to restore the Xiaomi Mi5 if the firmware or Recovery is damaged.However, it requires a computer and minimal technical skills.

5.What to do after reset: initial setup

After a successful reset, the Xiaomi Mi5 will launch as a new one.

1. 🌍 Choose a language and region;
2. 📶 Connect to the Wi-Fi network;
3. 🔑 Enter the data from Mi Account (if you were tied);
4. 📱 Restore data from backup (if you did backup).

Tips for optimal work:

• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system;
• 🛡️ Install antivirus (such as Avast or Bitdefender);
• 📵 Turn off unnecessary background processes in Settings → Battery → Nutrition management;
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly (use Settings) → Warehouse → Cleanup).

If the phone is running slower than before, the problem may be:

• 🔋 Worn-out battery (check battery health at AccuBattery);
• 🛠️ Overheating of the processor (use) CPU Monitor);
• 📱 Update your old firmware (update via Mi Flash Tool).

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To speed up the Xiaomi Mi5 after reset, turn off the interface animation. To do this, activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in About Phone), then set Windows Animation = Off in the Developer Settings.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following the instructions, users often face problems.

If none of the methods worked, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., damaged memory or motherboard), in which case it is better to contact the service center.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions