How to reset all settings on Xiaomi Redmi 5A: 3 proven ways

The Xiaomi Redmi 5A is one of the brand’s most popular budget smartphones, but even it eventually starts to slow down, glitch or simply requires a “clean start.”Resetting to factory settings solves 90% of software problems, from accidental crashes to viruses and congested memory.

In this article, you will find three official reset methods (via menu, Recovery and Fastboot), learn how to prepare your phone to avoid losing important files, and what to do if the Redmi 5A does not turn on or hangs on the logo. And we will also explore the unique feature of this model: why IMEI sometimes disappears after a reset via Recovery and how to avoid it.

When you need to reset settings on Xiaomi Redmi 5A

Resetting to factory settings is a last resort, but sometimes it is necessary. Here are 5 signs that your Redmi 5A needs a “hard reboot”:

• 🐢 The phone became unbearably slow even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary applications.
• 🔄 Applications spontaneously close or issue errors (e.g., “Stopped” or “Stop”) MIUI Launcher»).
• 📱 The screen hovers on the Xiaomi logo or flashes when booting.
• 🚫 Suspicious programs that are not removed in the standard way.
• 🔋 The battery is discharged in a few hours for no apparent reason (after replacing the battery or updating the software).

But before resetting, check out alternative solutions:

• ⚡ Clean the cache manually: Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🛠️ Remove problematic apps in Safe Mode (click the Power button) → «Safe regime»).

⚠️ Attention: If Redmi 5A Does not respond to buttons or load beyond the logo, reset via menu is not possible – use Recovery or Fastboot methods (described below).

Preparing for resetting: how to save data

Reset to factory settings completely removes all data from internal memory: photos, contacts, messages, installed applications and even files on the computer. SD-If you use it as an internal memory, here's how to avoid loss:

1. Backup through MIUI

Redmi 5A has a built-in backup feature:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Click Local Backup → Select data (contacts, messages, applications).
3. Start the process and wait until it is completed (it can take 10–30 minutes).
4. Copy the backup file (.mbk) to your computer or cloud.

2. Photo and video preservation

The fastest way is:

• 📁 Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).
• 🖥️ Copy the folders. DCIM (Photo/video, Downloads and Pictures on your computer.
• ☁️ Or upload files to Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex.Disk.

3. Export of contacts and SMS

For contacts:

• Open the Contacts app → ⋮ → Contact management → Exports/imports.
• Export contacts to a.vcf file (memory card or internal memory).

For SMS, use third-party applications such as SMS Backup & Restore.

⚠️ Please note: if you have used SD-The card is an internal memory (Adoptable Storage function), after reset, all data on it will be encrypted and inaccessible!

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the easiest one)

If the phone turns on and responds to touch, use this method. It's the safest and doesn't require any additional tools.

Step-by-step instruction

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Select Settings Reset.
4. Click Delete all data (you may need to enter a pattern lock or password).
5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset phone settings.
6. Wait for the process to be completed (the phone will restart 1-2 times).

The entire process takes 5-10 minutes, and after the reboot, you will be greeted by the screen of the initial setting, as after the purchase.

What to do if the reset is suspended

If the phone is on the reset screen (more than 30 minutes):

• 🔋 Make sure the battery is over 50%.
• 🔄 Forced reboot the device by pressing the power button for 15-20 seconds.
• 🛠️ If the freeze is repeated, use reset via Recovery (method 2).

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If after resetting the phone asks you to enter a Xiaomi account that you do not remember, use the password recovery service. Without this, you will not be able to unlock the device!

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

If Redmi 5A doesn’t load beyond the logo, freeze or lock with a pattern lock, Recovery Mode will help.This is a built-in recovery menu that works even when the system crashes.

How to Sign In to Recovery on Redmi 5A

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the power button + volume button at the same time.
3. Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.

In Recovery, control is carried out by volume buttons (movement) and power button (selection).

Resetting instructions

1. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in newer versions).
2. Then select Wipe All Data (remove all data).
3. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
4. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe complete).
5. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If after reset the phone does not turn on or gives an error No OS installed, then the firmware is damaged - you will need to flash through Fastboot (method 3).

⚠️ Note: Some versions of Redmi 5A After resetting through Recovery, it may disappear IMEI (It's due to the firmware, and to avoid a problem, write down your own before resetting. IMEI (Type *#06# or use method 1 (via menu).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is used if:

• 🔧 The phone does not respond to buttons and is not included in Recovery.
• 📱 No command or DM-Verity corruption error.
• 🔄 You need to reflash the device after a failed update.

To reset via Fastboot, you will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool program.

Step-by-step instruction

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool and the official firmware for Redmi 5A (model riva).
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the power button + volume down button for 10 seconds.
3. Connect Redmi 5A to your computer via USB.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All mode and press Flash.
6. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes) and the phone will automatically restart.

After flashing all data will be irretrievably deleted, and the phone will return to factory condition.

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Fastboot reset is the only way to bring the Redmi 5A back to life if it doesn't respond to buttons and boots into Recovery. But this method requires a computer and official firmware. Never use firmware from third-party sources - it can finally "brick" the device!

What to do after resetting settings

After a successful reset, the Redmi 5A will return to factory status.

1.Initial setting

• 🌍 Select the language and region (Russia is recommended for the correct operation of services).
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi (If you sell a phone, skip this step).
• 🔑 Enter your Xiaomi account (if you forgot your password, restore it here).
• 📱 Set up a pattern lock or PIN-code.

Data recovery

If you have made a backup copy:

• ☁️ Recover data from Mi Cloud (if the copy was uploaded to the cloud).
• 📁 Copy files from your computer back to your phone.
• 📞 Import contacts from the.vcf file.

3. Optimization of work

Redmi 5A does not stop after resetting:

• 🚫 Do not install antiviruses and cleaners – they only load the system.
• 🔄 Turn off auto-update apps in the Play Market.
• 📵 Limit the background activity of applications: Settings → Battery → Nutrition management.

If the phone is still braking after reset, check the battery status (possibly a replacement is required) or calibrate the battery:

1. Discharge the phone to 0% and turn it off.
2. Charge to 100% without interruptions (do not turn on!).
3. Turn off the charging, turn on the phone and recharge to 100%.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the right reset, there can be problems, and here are the 5 most common ones and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, it may be a hardware problem (damaged motherboard, memory or plumes), in which case, contact the service center.

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Before the Redmi sale 5A Delete your Xiaomi and Google account, otherwise the new owner will not be able to use the phone! → Accounts and delete all associated profiles.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions