How to Reset Your Settings on Xiaomi Mi5: All Ways (2026)

The Xiaomi Mi5, released in 2016, is still popular with users thanks to its powerful hardware and custom firmware installation. However, over time, any smartphone starts to slow down, glitches or require a complete system reboot. Resetting is a radical but effective way to return the device to its former performance. But how do you do it right so as not to lose important data or turn the phone into a brick?

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to reset the Mi5, from the standard method through menus to forced reset via Recovery and Fastboot. You’ll learn how to prepare for the procedure, what mistakes users most often make, and what to do if the smartphone does not respond to commands, and how to recover data after a reset if you forgot to make a backup.

Important: The Mi5 has multiple firmware versions (global, Chinese, custom) and the reset process may be slightly different. We have taken into account all the nuances to make the instruction suitable for any modification.

When you need to reset settings on Xiaomi Mi5

Factory reset is not a panacea, it's a last resort. Before you start, make sure the problem really requires such a radical solution.

• 🐢 Smartphone slows down, applications constantly fly out, and cleaning the cache does not help.
• 🔒 You forgot your pattern lock or password and other unlocking methods didn’t work.
• 📱 The device is infected with a virus that is not removed by antiviruses.
• 🔄 Before selling or transferring the phone to another person (to delete personal data).
• 🛠️ After a failed firmware update when the system is unstable.

However, there are situations where resetting will not help:

• ⚡ The battery discharges quickly (the problem is in the hardware, not in the software).
• 📶 Poorly catching network or Wi-Fi (possibly damaged antenna).
• 💥 The phone is not turned on due to a physical breakdown (for example, after a fall).

⚠️ Attention: If Mi5 It doesn't respond to the power button, it doesn't load even into Recovery, resetting through menus or keyboard shortcuts won't help. EDL-The mode (only for experienced users!).

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Resetting removes all data from the phone's internal memory: contacts, photos, messages, installed apps and account settings. If you don't back up, it will be extremely difficult (and sometimes impossible) to recover information.

Synchronize contacts with Google account

Copy photos and videos to PC or cloud

Write down logins/passwords from important applications

Make sure your phone has enough charge (at least 50%)

Delete the memory card (if any) so as not to lose data on it-->

Pay special attention to the Mi Account. If you forget the password from it, after reset you may face blocking Mi Account - the phone will require you to enter the account information that was previously associated. In some cases, unlocking is possible only through the official Xiaomi service.

Also check if a Google account is linked to your device (if you used it to unlock it), and FRP (Factory Reset Protection) can be activated after the reset, which requires you to enter the last synchronized account.

⚠️ Attention: If Mi5 If you have custom firmware installed (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the reset process may be different. In some cases, after reset, the phone will stop loading - you will need to re-rout the firmware.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is working)

This is the easiest and safest method to use if your smartphone is turned on and responsive to touch, and it's suitable for most users.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Go to Additional (or Advanced Settings in some versions of MIUI).
3. Choose Reset and Reset (or Reset settings).
4. Slip on Reset (may be called Reset all settings or Delete all data).
5. The system will prompt you to enter a password/pattern lock (if it is installed).
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset the phone or Delete everything.

The process will take 5-10 minutes, and when it is finished, the phone will automatically restart and prompt you to set it up as new.

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If the menu does not contain the item "Reset settings", try to enter the "Reset" request in the search box of settings - the system will tell you the right way.

On some versions of MIUI (especially Chinese) the path may be different:

Settings → About phone → System update → Menu (three dots) → Reset settings

Method 2: Reset via Recovery (if the phone doesn't boot)

If the Mi5 doesn't turn on, hovers on the logo or reboots cyclically, a reset via Recovery - a special recovery mode - will help. The Xiaomi Mi5 has two types of Recovery:

• 🔧 Stock Recovery (from Xiaomi) – limited functionality, only basic options.
• 🛠️ Castomic Recovery (e.g, TWRP) — Extended opportunities, if previously established.

We'll look at both options.

Step 1: How to Sign In to Recovery on Xiaomi Mi5

Turn off the phone (if it freezes, press the power button for 10-15 seconds).

1. Press the buttons Power + Volume up at the same time.
2. Hold them until the Mi logo appears (usually 5-10 seconds).
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu.

If instead of Recovery, the phone loads into a Fastboot, you've been holding the buttons for too long. Try again, holding the keys until the logo appears.

Step 2: Resetting in a sewage recovery

In standard Recovery, control is carried out by the volume (move) and power (select) buttons.

1. Select the Wipe Data (or Clear Data) buttons.
2. Press the power button to confirm.
3. Select Wipe All Data (or Factory Reset).
4. Confirm the action (usually you need to choose Yes).
5. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

If you don't have Wipe Data on the menu, you might have Chinese firmware.

Select Language → English → Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Step 3: Reset in Custom Recovery (TWRP)

If the Mi5 has TWRP installed, the process is simpler:

1. In the main menu, tap on Wipe.
2. Select Advanced Wipe.
3. Check the boxes Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data, Internal Storage and Cache.
4. Swipe your finger through the Swipe to Wipe strip.
5. After completion, press Reboot System.

⚠️ Attention: B TWRP Format Data is an option that completely erases internal memory, including files on the computer. /sdcard (Even if you have a physical memory card, use it only if you are sure you have backed up!

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

If the phone doesn’t boot even to Recovery, or you’re faced with a No Command error, the last option is Fastboot reset, which requires a computer and an ADB/Fastboot driver installed.

Warning: the wrong commands in Fastboot can turn the Mi5 into a brick.If you've never worked with this mode, you better contact the service center.

Step 1: Preparing the computer

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer running Windows, Linux or macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original to avoid connection issues).
• 📦 Installed drivers ADB/Fastboot (You can download from Xiaomi or Mi Flash Tool).
• 📥 Archive with Mi Flash Tool (for firmware if resetting doesn't help).

Download and install Google's Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb). Unpack the archive to the root of the C drive: for convenience.

Step 2: Sign in to Fastboot on Xiaomi Mi5

Turn off the phone.

1. Press the buttons Power + Volume down.
2. Hold them until a screen with a rabbit in a hat-eared and Fastboot inscription appears.
3. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.

If the drivers are installed correctly, the Android Bootloader Interface will appear in Device Manager.

Step 3: Resetting commands

Open the command prompt (cmd) on behalf of the administrator and go to the folder from fastboot:

cd C:\platform-tools

Check that the phone is determined by:

fastboot devices

If you see the serial number of the device in the answer, you can continue.

For reset, execute the command:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

If you need to completely reflash your phone (for example, after a failed update), use the Mi Flash Tool with the official firmware for the Mi5.

⚠️ Note: On some versions Mi5 (Especially with a blocked bootloader, the fastboot erase userdata command may not work, in which case you will need to unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (the process takes up to 72 hours).

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Fastboot resets only user data, but it doesn't affect system files. If the problem was firmware, this method won't help - you'll need a complete firmware reflash.

What to do after resetting settings

After a successful reset, the Xiaomi Mi5 will turn on as new.

1. Choose a language and region.
2. Connect to the Wi-Fi network.
3. Sign in to your Mi Account (if previously linked).
4. Restore data from the backup (if it was made).
5. Install the necessary applications.

A few tips to speed up the process:

• 🔄 If you sync your contacts with Google, they will automatically recover after you log in to your account.
• 📱 For recovery. SMS and call logs use applications like SMS Backup & Restore.
• 🖼️ Photos and videos can be downloaded back from the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) or from your computer.
• 🔒 If you forgot your Mi Account password, try to restore it through account.xiaomi.com.

If the phone brakes again after reset, it's probably the firmware problem.

• Update MIUI to the latest version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
• If there is no update, install custom firmware (like LineageOS) via TWRP.
• Check your phone for viruses (sometimes they persist even after a reset).

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users often encounter problems, and we've collected the most common errors and ways to fix them.

If none of the methods worked, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., damaged eMMC memory), in which case only repairs at the service center will help.

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If the phone is even slower after reset, try turning off animation in the developer settings. Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times to activate the developer mode. Then to Settings → Additional → For developers, set Windows Animation, Transition Animation and Animator Duration on Off.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Mi5