Xiaomi’s Redmi Note series is well-deservedly considered one of the most popular mid-range devices. The 2019 Redmi Note 8 Pro still remains in service with millions of users thanks to a combination of performance and price, but over time, even the most powerful gadget can face software errors, a buildup of system debris or a slowdown in the interface response rate.
In situations where the phone is starting to run unstable, or you plan to sell the device, the only surefire solution is to return to the original state. The procedure of resetting the Redmi Note 8 Pro before factory settings allows you to clear the internal memory of all user data, delete the cache and return the software to the state “out of the box”.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the recovery methods available, how to safely clean through the settings menu, how to use the Recovery Engineering Menu if the screen is not responsive, and what to do in critical situations. It is important to understand that this process is irreversible, so you need to carefully study each step before starting active actions.
Preparation of the device before the procedure
Before embarking on radical memory cleanup measures, a number of preparatory steps must be taken: ignoring this stage can lead to the irretrievable loss of important photos, contacts and documents. Backup is a must-see step, even if you are sure that you do not need important files.
Xiaomi owners should check sync with the Mi Cloud service, which allows you to save not only contacts and notes, but also the location of icons on the desktop, as well as the settings of alarms. Go to the account menu and make sure that the sync status is displayed as current.
It is also critical to charge the battery. The memory partition formatting process requires stable power, and if the battery runs out at the time of system files writing, the device can turn into a brick and stop turning on.
- 📱 Make a full backup of data to an external drive or to the cloud.
- 🔋 Charge the battery of the smartphone to a minimum 50-60%.
- 📲 Extract. SIM-microSD card and memory card if installed.
- 🔑 Remember or write down your password from your Mi Account and Google account.
☑️ Ready to dump
Method 1: Reset via the Android settings menu
It's the safest and easiest method that works for most users. It's applicable if you have access to your smartphone desktop and the touch screen responds to touch. The MIUI (Android shell) operating system has a built-in cleaning mechanism that minimizes the risk of errors.
To start, open the main menu and find the Settings icon. You'll need to scroll down to the bottom of the About section. That's where the key system management functions are hidden. Click on Reset or Advanced Settings depending on your firmware version.
The system will offer two options: Reset (saves files) and Erase all data (full reset). PIN-Screen unlock code to confirm your identity.
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Before pressing the reset button in the settings menu, check if Find Device is enabled. If it is active, the phone will require a password from the Mi Account after rebooting, which is a measure of protection against theft.
The deletion process will take 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the amount of memory filled. The smartphone can reboot several times, the screen will go out and light up again. Do not touch the device at this moment, so as not to interrupt the critical process.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If the phone freezes, doesn't turn on, or the touch screen stops responding, the standard path through the settings becomes unavailable, and in this case, Recovery Mode comes to the rescue, a low-level environment built into the device's memory that allows you to control the system bypassing the main interface.
To enter this mode on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, you need to perform a combination of actions. Turn off the smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume button.
When a menu with several items appears on the screen (usually in English or Chinese), the volume buttons (up/down) control the menu, and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item.
⚠️ Note: In the Recovery menu, navigation can be done not only with buttons, but also by touching the screen if the touchscreen drivers are loaded correctly. However, you should not rely on the sensor in this mode - use physical buttons to guarantee the result.
Once you select Wipe Data, the system will prompt you to confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data, and then you will need another confirmation at Confirm, and the formatting process will start, the progress of which will be displayed as a percentage.
What to do if you recover in Chinese?
Resetting via computer with ADB
For advanced users who don’t have a volume button working or have specific software glitches, there is a method of resetting over the Android Debug Bridge debugging bridge (ADB). This method requires the presence of a computer, USB-cable and installed drivers for Xiaomi.
The smartphone itself must activate the USB Debugging option, which is in the hidden Developer Menu, which is triggered by seven clicks on the build number in the About Phone section. If this option was enabled earlier, you can connect the phone to your PC.
On your computer, open the command line in the ADB tool folder. Enter the command to reboot to recovery mode:
adb reboot recoveryOnce the command is executed, the phone will automatically go into recovery mode, then you can use the command to directly start the vape if Recovery supports scripts:
adb shell recovery --wipe_dataThis method is less popular among ordinary users due to the need to prepare the workplace and install software, but it is a powerful tool in the arsenal of service engineers.
Solving problems: Forgotten password or account lock
One of the most common reasons Redmi Note 8 Pro owners look for reset instructions is a forgotten pattern lock or password.The Hard Reset method through Recovery allows you to bypass the screen lock by deleting all data, including the password file.
But here comes the Google FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security mechanism and similar Mi Account protection, and once reset and turned on, the phone will require you to enter a Google account that was synced to the device before the reset, which is anti-theft protection.
If you forget your Mi Account password, you can re-establish access via the official mi.com or account.xiaomi.com from any other device, and without this step, unlocking your phone will be extremely difficult, and sometimes impossible, without contacting the service center with a check for purchase.
The table below shows the main scenarios of blocking and how to solve them:
| Script | Action. | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| Forgotten pattern lock | Hard Reset via Recovery | Total loss. |
| Blocking Mi Accounts | Recovery of password on the site | Data will be retained |
| System failure (Bootloop) | Reset via Recovery or Fastboot | Total loss. |
| Forgotten Google Account (FRP) | Data entry or flashing | Depends on the method. |
What happens after reset and initial setup
After the formatting procedure is successfully completed, the Redmi Note 8 Pro will restart. The first launch can take longer than usual - from 3 to 10 minutes. The screen can display the Mi or Android logo, which is a normal phenomenon, indicating the assembly of a new file system.
You'll see a welcome screen. You'll have a language, you'll have a Wi-Fi connection, you'll have a security update, you'll have a login, you'll have your Google account and your Mi Account.
At the setup stage, Google will suggest recovering data from the backup. If you created the backup before reset, select it and start the process. Contacts, call history and app list will start returning to the device automatically.
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The first start after the reset is the most energy-intensive time for the processor. Don't load the phone with games or heavy tasks in the first 30 minutes, let the system optimize the background processes.