Reset Xiaomi Mi 8 to factory settings: a complete guide with photos

Xiaomi Mi 8 is the flagship of 2018, and still relevant today thanks to its powerful hardware and support for updates. But even such a reliable device can eventually start to slow down, produce errors or require a complete system reinstallation. Factory reset solves 90% of software problems, but it is important to do it correctly so as not to lose important data or turn the phone into a brick.

In this article, 5 proven reset methods (including emergency for non-functioning devices), step-by-step instructions with a photo, as well as answers to frequent questions: what to do if the Mi 8 does not turn on after reset, how to bypass the Mi-account lock, and why photos were lost. Particular attention was paid to data preservation - without this step, the reset can result in the loss of contacts, messages and media files.

When you need to reset Xiaomi Mi 8 to factory settings

Resetting is not a panacea, but in some cases it is the only way to get your phone back on track.

• 🐢 The phone is stuck on the logo or cyclically rebooting (bootloop).
• 📱 Applications are spontaneously closed, and the system emits errors like “Com.android.phone process stopped».
• 🔒 You forgot your graphical key or password, and unlocking through Mi-account doesn’t help.
• 📲 The phone is severely slowed even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary applications.
• 🔄 Planning to sell or transfer the device – reset will delete all personal data.

Before resetting, however, check for alternative solutions:

• ⚡ Cache Clearing in Recovery (does not delete data, but eliminates many lags).
• 🔄 Update MIUI Up to the latest version (sometimes bugs are patched).
• 🛠️ Removing Problem Apps Through Safe Mode.

⚠️ Note: If the Mi 8 is locked through Find Device (remote lock Xiaomi), reset will not help – you will need to enter a password from the account Mi-account associated with the device.

Preparing for resetting: how to save data

The factory reset completely removes all files from internal memory, including:

• 📁 Photos and videos in the gallery (unless saved in Google Photos or Mi Cloud).
• 📞 Contacts (unless synced with Google or Mi-account).
• 💬 Communications in SMS and messengers (if there is no backup copy).
• 🎮 Save in games and settings of applications.

Methods of backup:

Important: If the phone doesn't turn on, try connecting it to your PC in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down + Power) and copying data through ADB or programs like Mi PC Suite. However, the odds are low - without root rights, access to files is limited.

💡

If you have Mi Cloud sync enabled, contacts, notes and some settings will be restored automatically when you log in to the same account.

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

The easiest and safest method is through a standard menu.

• 📱 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• 🔓 You know the password to unlock.
• 📶 No critical system errors.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to About Phone → Backup and Reset.
3. Select Settings Reset.
4. Click Delete all data and confirm the action.
5. Enter the password from the lock screen (if required).
6. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the phone will switch on with the original setup wizard, as after purchase. If you previously tied Mi-account, you will need to enter your username and password to activate.

Backup | Charge your phone at least 50% | Remember your Mi-account password (if tied) | Disable your Google account (if you plan to sell)

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

If the Mi 8 doesn’t turn on, freezes on the logo, or reboots cyclically, use Recovery Mode.This method works even without unlocking the bootloader, but requires care.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (squeeze the power for 10 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (English or Chinese).
4. Use Volume Down for navigation and Nutrition for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm.
6. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Possible problems:

• 🔐 If Recovery requires a password, and you do not remember it – reset is impossible without unlocking the bootloader.
• 📵 If the menu is in Chinese, look for the characters "Data Cleanup).
• 🔄 If after resetting the phone again stuck on the logo - you will need flashing through Fastboot.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method deletes all data, including files in internal memory, and requires a connection to a PC.

• 🔧 Recovery does not open or requires a password.
• 📱 The phone doesn't respond to the buttons.
• 🔄 You need to reflash the device after a failed update.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (download from the official website).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🔋 Charging the phone at least 30%.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off Mi 8.
2. Press Volume Down + Nutrition until the hare in the eardress cap appears (Fastboot mode).
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute commands in turn: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the device) fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: If the Mi 8 bootloader is locked, the fastboot erase userdata command may not work, in which case you will need to unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool (the process takes up to 720 hours of latency!).

💡

Resetting via Fastboot is the only way to bring the phone back to life if it doesn't respond to buttons and boot Recovery.However, without an unlocked bootloader, functionality will be limited.

Method 4: Reset via Mi PC Suite (official Xiaomi utility)

If you're afraid of the command line, use Mi PC Suite, which automates the process and reduces the risk of errors.

Instructions:

1. Download Mi PC Suite from the official website and install it on PC.
2. Connect the Mi 8 to your computer via USB.
3. Run the program and wait until it determines the device.
4. Go to Backup and create a copy of the data (optional).
5. Select System Reset → Reset to factory settings.
6. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (the phone will restart automatically).

Pros of the method:

• ✅ Simple interface without commands.
• ✅ Ability to create a backup before resetting.
• ✅ Suitable for inexperienced users.

Cons:

• ❌ It doesn't work on all versions. MIUI (sometimes manual reset is required).
• ❌ It may not recognize the phone if the drivers are installed incorrectly.

Method 5: Reset via Find Device (remote)

If your phone is lost or stolen, but you have access to your Mi-account, you can reset it remotely via Find Device.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select your Mi 8 from the device list.
3. Click Erase Data → Reset to factory settings.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

Limitations:

• 📶 The phone must be connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔋 The battery should be at least 20%.
• 🔒 After reset, the device will lock and require data input from Mi-account on the first turn on.

⚠️ Note: Remote reset does not work if the phone is disabled or in airplane mode, and after reset, the device will not appear in Find Device until it is activated again.

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery of data

After a successful reset, the Mi 8 will turn on with the original setup wizard.

1. Choose a language and region.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi.
3. Sign in to Mi-account (if the phone was tied).
4. Restore the data from the backup (if you created it).
5. Set up your fingerprint and pattern lock.

Post-reset problems and their solutions:

If your phone is running slower than before, check:

• 🔄 Version MIUI — It may need an update.
• 🧹 Clean the cache in Recovery (Wipe Cache).
• 🛠️ Turn off animation in the developer settings (accelerates the interface).

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Mi 8