How to reset all settings on Xiaomi Redmi 8: a complete guide with photos

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 8 to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary solution. Perhaps your smartphone started to brake after the MIUI update, got infected with a virus through a third-party app, or you just want to sell the device by deleting all personal data. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods of resetting, from the standard menu to the Fastboot mode, which will help even if the phone does not turn on.

Despite the simplicity of the procedure, many users face errors ranging from losing important photos to a “brick” after a failed reset via Recovery, we will tell you how to avoid typical problems, what data can be recovered after a reset, and what to do if the Redmi 8 is getting stuck on the Xiaomi logo, and also compare the speed of the device before and after a reset in real tests.

⚠️ Warning: Reset removes all data from internal memory, including contacts, messages, photos and installed applications. If you do not make a backup, it will not be possible to restore the information (except for files on the backup). SD-map, if it is set).

1.Resetting preparation: what to do in advance

Before you drop Redmi 8, take a few critical steps, and even if you don't think there's anything valuable on your phone, check again, it's going to be extremely difficult to get your data back after the reset.

First, keep a backup.

• 📱 Use the built-in Settings function → The phone. → Backup (minus – a copy is saved on Mi Cloud, which may not work without the Internet).
• 💾 Connect your phone to your computer and manually copy the folders DCIM (Photos, Downloads (downloads) and WhatsApp (chats).
• ☁️ Upload photos to Google Photos or Yandex.Disk – it will take time, but save memories.

Second, make sure you know the details from your Mi Account. After resetting, Xiaomi may require you to enter your username and password to unlock (Mi Cloud Lock feature).

And finally, check the battery power. It can take up to 10 to 15 minutes to reset, and if the phone turns off in the middle, the risk of bricking increases dramatically, optimally if the charge is greater than 50%.

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

If your Redmi 8 is powered on and responsive to touch, this method is the best choice. It does not require a computer or special knowledge, and the risk of errors is minimal.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Resetting settings.
3. Select Erase all data (reset to factory settings).
4. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

The phone will reboot and start the cleaning process, and the animation with the Xiaomi logo and the progress bar will appear on the screen. Don't turn the device off at this point, it can cause a firmware failure.

Make sure the battery is charged > 30%|Keep a backup copy of important data|Remember the data from the Mi Account|Disable your Google account (if you plan to sell your phone)-->

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires you to enter a password from Mi Account, and you do not remember it, do not enter the data at random. After 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will be locked for 24 hours.

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

If Redmi 8 is stuck on the screensaver, does not respond to buttons or reboots cyclically, you will have to use Recovery mode. This is a built-in recovery menu that works even when the system crashes.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time.
3. Hold them until the Xiaomi logo appears, then let them go.
4. In a few seconds you will see a menu in English with a touch panel.

On the Recovery menu:

• 🔧 Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
• 🔄 Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
• ⏳ Wait until the process is completed (usually 3-5 minutes).
• 🔙 Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System for Reboot.

⚠️ Note: Recovery Xiaomi Redmi 8 can display Wipe Cache. Don't confuse it with a full reset - clearing the cache only deletes temporary files and does not affect personal data.

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

If the first two methods fail (for example, due to a damaged firmware), the Fastboot mode remains, which requires a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool utility.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the official Xiaomi website).
2. Download the firmware for Redmi 8 (version of Fastboot) from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
3. Turn off your phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the power button + volume down for 10 seconds
4. Connect Redmi 8 to your computer via USB-cable.
5. Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Refresh (the device should appear).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

Once flashed, the phone will automatically restart with a clean system, a method that is guaranteed to delete all data, including viruses and corrupted files, but requires care, and an error in choosing a firmware can cause the device to fail.

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If the phone doesn't turn on after being reset via Fastboot, try repeating the procedure with a different firmware version, sometimes choosing an earlier stable version of MIUI helps.

5.What to do after resetting: initial setup

After a successful reset, Redmi 8 will launch as new, and you will have to go through the initial setup, which includes:

• 🌍 Language and region selection (we recommend Russia for proper service operation).
• 📶 Wi-Fi connection (required for downloading updates).
• 🔑 Sign in to Mi Account (if the phone was linked to the account).
• 📱 Recovery of data from backup (if it was created).

At this point, many people are faced with activation issues, such as if you dropped your phone before selling but didn't untie your Google account, the new owner won't be able to log in (FRP protection).

1. Before resetting, delete all Google accounts in Settings → Accounts.
2. If the phone is already reset and the account is not deleted, you will have to enter the data of the previous owner.

Also after the reset, we recommend:

• 🔄 Update MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky) before data recovery.
• 📱 Transfer applications to SD-The card is filled up quickly if the internal memory is filled.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

⚠️ If the Redmi 8 has stopped seeing SD-Check it on another device, it may be corrupted or formatted in an incompatible file system (e.g., a file system, NTFS instead FAT32).

7. Comparison of speed before and after discharge: is it worth it?

Many users reset their settings hoping to speed up the Redmi 8. But does it really help? We tested the device with MIUI 12.5 before and after the reset:

As you can see from the tests, resetting does increase productivity, but not radically.

• 📱 Interface speed (less lags when opening applications).
• 🔋 Battery life (by removing background processes).
• 📸 Camera Launch Speed and Photo Processing.

However, if your Redmi 8 is braking due to physical wear (e.g., degradation of an eMMC drive), resetting won't help.In this case, consider replacing your phone or installing it. SD-class A1 portable.

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Resetting is effective if the brakes are caused by software reasons (system clogs, viruses, conflicting applications), and if hardware problems (battery wear, damaged memory) it will not give a meaningful result.

8. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions