Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 will sooner or later face the need to return the device to its original state, which can be caused by selling the gadget, transferring it to another user or the desire to fix software errors accumulated during active operation. Deep cleaning of the system allows you to eliminate many bugs that are not solved by conventional methods.
A complete reset procedure, often referred to as a “hard reset”, deletes all user data, including photos, contacts, apps and personal settings, which is why it is critical to make sure that you have an up-to-date backup of information before starting any action, and ignoring this step will lead to the irretrievable loss of important files.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the two main ways to return the Redmi Note 8 to factory settings: through the standard Android settings menu and using Recovery mode. Also, we will highlight the subtleties of working with a Google account and Mi Account so that after a reboot you do not encounter a lock on the device.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before you start cleaning, you have to do a number of preparatory tasks, the most important of which is to create a backup, and you can use Google Drive cloud services or the built-in Services and Feedback app (formerly Mi Cloud) to save contacts, calendars and notes.
Media files such as photos, videos, and music are best copied to a computer or external drive via a computer or a computer. USB-It is also worth checking the list of installed applications and remembering passwords from important accounts, since after resetting they will have to be re-entered.
Be sure to check the battery level. To perform a safe cleaning procedure, the device must be charged at least 50-60%. If the phone turns off due to a discharge during the erasure, this can damage the system files and prevent further loading.
⚠️ Note: Deleting your Google account before reset is not always required, but unlocking the screen (deleting) PIN-code or pattern lock before the procedure is recommended to avoid confusion at the first setting.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Method 1: Reset via the Android settings menu
The easiest and safest way to get the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 back to factory status is to use the built-in operating system functionality, which is suitable when you have access to your desktop and phone menu. It does not require special knowledge or a computer connection.
To start, open the main menu and find the Settings icon. In the settings list that opens, you need to scroll down to the About Phone section, and this is where the basic device and system management information are located.
Inside the About Phone section, look for Settings Reset (sometimes called Factory Reset or Erase All Data) and the system will warn you that all data will be deleted. Press the Delete All Data button or Reset Settings button.
The screen will display a final warning listing the data to be deleted, you will need to confirm the action, possibly by entering a digital unlock password or a pattern lock, and after confirmation, the cleanup process will begin, which will take several minutes.
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If the phone has two-factor authentication or account protection enabled, the system can request a password from Mi or Google before starting a reset.
Method 2: Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
If the smartphone doesn't turn on, freezes on the logo or the touch screen doesn't respond to commands, the forced reset method is used through recovery mode, which is deeper and allows you to clear the memory even when the operating system is not working.
To enter Recovery mode on the Redmi Note 8, you need to turn the device off completely. Then simultaneously press the volume button and the power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to hold the volume button.
When the Main Menu menu appears (usually with black background and color text), the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is made by the power button. You need to select the Wipe Data item.
In the next menu, select Wipe All Data. The system will request confirmation — select Confirm. After the cleaning process is complete, select Back to Main Menu, and then Reboot -> Reboot to System to restart your phone.
⚠️ Note: When reset via Recovery, the menu may be in English. Be careful when selecting items so as not to trigger unintended actions such as connecting to Mi Server (Connect with MIAssistant).
What if the Recovery menu doesn’t appear?
Dealing with Google and Mi accounts after resetting
Xiaomi’s current smartphones are equipped with a powerful FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security system that links the device to the last used Google account. If you reset your phone but didn’t pre-delete your account, the first time you activate it, the system will require you to enter a password from that account.
The same is true of Mi Account: If Find Device is active, the phone will be locked without entering a password from Mi. This is done to protect against theft: even after flashing, the attacker will not be able to use the phone.
The table below shows the main actions to be performed with accounts before and after a reset:
| Action. | Before dumping. | After discharge |
|---|---|---|
| Google account | It is advisable to remove from the settings | Be sure to enter the login and password |
| Mi Account. | Turn off "Find the device" | Enter data to unlock |
| Screen password | Recommended to be removed | Invent a new one when setting up |
Deleting accounts before selling the device
If you’re planning to sell or gift your Redmi Note 8, simply resetting your settings may not be enough to keep your data completely private, even though the data will be deleted.
Before selling, make sure to log out of all apps. Check messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), social networks and email clients. In the settings of the phone itself, go to Accounts and Sync and delete all associated accounts.
Pay attention to payment data. If you have used Google Pay or saved your credit card details in Chrome, make sure they are deleted from servers or change access passwords. Once you sell the device, you will no longer be able to control the security of this data.
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Deleting your accounts before resetting is the only way to ensure that the new owner does not have access to your personal information and cloud services.
Solving and eliminating errors in resetting
Sometimes the reset process may go wrong, like the phone hanging on the Mi logo or going into a cycle of constant reboot, and most of the time, it's done by repeating the reset procedure through Recovery Mode.
If after reset, the phone requires activation, but does not see the network, check the correct installation. SIM-The problem may also be incompatibility of the firmware (for example, if the Chinese version of the software was installed on a global device or vice versa.
It happens that when you restore the data from the backup, the old errors come back, which happens if you copy not only the contacts and photos, but also the application settings or system files, in which case you recommend configuring the phone as new, installing the applications again.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone is locked and requires an unlock code that you did not install, it may have been stolen or found by a previous owner.