How to reset Xiaomi Mi 8 to factory settings: 3 proven ways

The Xiaomi Mi 8, released in 2018, is still a popular smartphone thanks to its powerful hardware and MIUI support. But even the most reliable device eventually starts to slow down, glitch or require a complete system reinstallation. Resetting to factory settings is a radical but effective way to return the phone to its previous speed, fix software failures or prepare the gadget for sale.

In this article, you will find three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery and Fastboot), as well as instructions for emergency situations – when the phone is locked, does not turn on or gives out errors. We'll go into detail about what data will be deleted, how to save it, and what to do if the reset freezes or is interrupted. MIUI Mi 8 features (including Mi 8 versions) SE and Mi 8 Pro).

When do I need to reset to factory settings?

Resetting is not a cure-all, but in some cases it is really necessary. Here are 5 signals that it is time to return the phone to its original state:

• 🐢 Strong brakes – applications open for a long time, animation “popods”, although free memory is enough.
• 🔄 Cyclical reboot – the phone spontaneously turns off and turns on in an endless cycle.
• 🚫 Screen locking – forgetting the pattern lock or PIN-code and Mi Account is not tied.
• 📱 Preparation for sale – you need to delete all personal data without the possibility of recovery.
• 🔧 Failures after update — MIUI Starting to “fly out” and basic functions (calls) are not working, SMS, Wi-Fi).

Before resetting, however, check for alternative solutions:

• 🧹 Cleaning the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clear cache (does not delete data, but speeds up the system).
• 🔄 Reverse updates – if problems started after the update MIUI, Try to go back to the previous version.
• 🛠️ Resetting individual applications to Settings → Annexes → [Select an application] → Warehouse → Clear the data.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Mi 8, resetting through settings does not delete files from the microSD card, but erases everything from internal memory, including photos in the folder DCIM, If the phone is synced to Mi Cloud, contacts and notes can be restored.

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

If the phone turns on and you remember the lock password, it's the fastest and most secure method, and it works on all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS for Mi 8).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device in New Versions).
3. Slip on Reset (may be called Reset and Reset).
4. Select Erase all data (reset to factory settings).
5. Enter. PIN-lock screen code or password (if requested).
6. Confirm the action by clicking Erase Everything (or Delete Everything).

The phone will reboot and start the cleaning process, which will take 3-10 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

Make a backup copy of important data|Remember the username and password from Mi Account|Connect charging (the battery must be charged at least 50 times%)|Make sure that SIM-Card removed (if you need to keep contacts)

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⚠️ Note: If the Mi 8 is enabled with Find Device, after resetting, the phone may require you to enter the Mi Account data that was previously tied. Without this, it will be impossible to unlock the device! → Mi Account → Find Device.

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

If the Xiaomi Mi 8 is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or doesn’t respond to touch, resetting through Recovery will help.This method is also suitable if you forget the lock password.

How to Sign In to Recovery on Mi 8:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up 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 (up/down for navigation) and power button (select).

Next:

1. Choose a language (usually English or English).
2. Go to Wipe Data (or Clear Data).
3. Select Wipe All Data (Erase All Data)
4. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
5. Once you’re done, go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

It takes 5-15 minutes, and if the phone freezes again after the restart, the firmware may be damaged and you will need to flash it through Fastboot (see next section).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is needed if:

• 🔧 Recovery is damaged or not opened.
• 📱 The phone is locked and does not respond to other methods.
• 🔄 You need to sew clean. MIUI after a failed update.

To reset via Fastboot you will need:

• 💻 Windows computer (or Mac/Linux driverless ADB).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📦 Stock firmware archive for Xiaomi Mi 8 (download from official website).
• 🛠️ MiFlash (for firmware) or ADB Tools (for teams).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down for 10 seconds to enter the Fastboot (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Open Command Prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (serial number will appear), continue.
5. For a full reset, run the command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache or run the stock MIUI through MiFlash (instruction below).

If you need to re-watch the phone:

1. Download and unpack the archive with firmware (for example, dipper_global_images_V14.0.1.0.TMAMIXM_20230101.0000.00_12.0_global for Mi 8).
2. Open MiFlash, select the firmware folder and press Refresh (should appear) COM-port).
3. At the bottom, select Clean All (full clean) and click Flash.
4. Wait for the finish (5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.

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If MiFlash issues a critical partition flashing error is not allowed, unlock the bootloader through Xiaomi's official tool. This will take up to 72 hours (Mi Account binding is required).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Mi 8 reset via Fastboot without stock firmware MIUI may result in loss IMEI Always use official firmware from Xiaomi's website!

How to save data before resetting?

Resetting to factory settings irrevocably removes:

• 📸 Photos and videos (folders) DCIM, Pictures, Movies).
• 💬 Communications (SMS, chats in WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.).
• 📞 Call log and contacts (unless synced with Google or Mi Cloud).
• 🎮 Game and application data (save, settings, cache).
• 📝 Notes and documents (including files in Downloads).

Methods of backup:

Step-by-step copying on PC:

1. Connect the Mi 8 to your computer via USB.
2. Select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain.
3. Open the folder of your phone on your PC and copy important data (DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp, etc.).
4. For SMS backup, use the SMS Backup & Restore app (saves to XML).

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Even if you have made a backup, check its integrity before resetting! open a few files on your PC to make sure they are not corrupted.

What to do if the reset is frozen or not working?

Sometimes the reset process is interrupted, it's 5 percent, 50 percent, 99 percent, or the phone doesn't respond to commands at all.

• ⏳ Reset hung on the Mi logo: Wait 30 to 60 minutes — sometimes it's slow. If nothing changes, force the phone to restart (press the power button for 15 seconds) and reset again.
• 🔒 After reset, you need an old Mi Account: This is protection against theft. Enter the account that was tied before the reset. If you don't remember the password, restore it on Xiaomi.

If the phone does not respond to the buttons and does not charge:

• 🔋 Check the other cable and charger.
• 🔌 Try connecting to a PC – if defined as Qualcomm 9008, you’ll need firmware through EDL-The mode (only for experienced users!).
• 🛠️ Contact the service center - a malfunction of the motherboard is possible.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Mi 8