How to reset Xiaomi Redmi 5 to factory settings if you forgot your password: the full guide

A forgotten password on Xiaomi Redmi 5 is a situation that many users face. It is especially frustrating when the phone stores important data and access to it is blocked. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to return the device to work without knowing the password. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current methods of resetting to factory settings, their pros and cons, as well as nuances that are not written in the standard instructions.

It is important to understand that factory reset is an extreme measure that removes all data from the device: photos, contacts, messages and installed applications. If you have not backed up through Mi Cloud or locally, it will not be possible to recover information after the reset. So before starting the procedure, weigh all the risks and try alternative unlocking methods, if they are available.

Redmi 5, codenamed rosy, was released in 2017 and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor, which affects the available reset methods: for example, some generic tools for Mediatek won't work here. We'll focus on the solutions that are guaranteed to work for this model.

1. Reset via Recovery Mode (without PC connection)

The easiest and safest way to reset is to use the built-in Recovery Mode, which does not require a computer and is suitable even for users without technical skills, the main condition is that the device must have a MIUI stock firmware (non-custom).

To get into Recovery Mode on Redmi 5, follow the following steps:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button (about 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume Up button at the same time.
3. Hold them until the Mi logo appears (usually 5-10 seconds).
4. Release the buttons when the Recovery menu with an image of the Android robot appears on the screen.

In the Recovery menu, the control is carried out by the volume buttons (Up/Down for navigation) and the power button (Select). The interface can be in Chinese or English - do not worry, the necessary items are easy to recognize by icons.

Turn off the phone.|Hold the Power. + Volume Up|Wait for the Recovery menu|Select "Wipe Data"|Confirm discharge|Reset the device-->

Next:

• 🔹 Select Wipe Data (can be called Clear Data or displayed as a shopping cart icon).
• 🔹 Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data (or similar option).
• 🔹 Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 1-3 minutes).
• 🔹 Go back to the main menu and select Reboot. → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: If the phone requires you to enter a Mi Account password after the reset, it means that the device was tied to a Xiaomi account. In this case, additional unlocking will be required (see section 4).

The advantage of this method is that it's simple and doesn't need a computer, but it only works if you:

• 📱 The phone does not have a custom firmware loader installed (for example, TWRP).
• 🔒 Device not locked via Find My Device (remote lock).
• 🔄 In the Recovery menu, the Wipe Data item is available (on some modified firmware it may not be available).

2.Reset via Fastboot (using PC)

If access to Recovery Mode is blocked or the menu is damaged, you can use Fastboot mode. ADB/Fastboot cable USB Type-C (or Micro-USB, depending on the Redmi modification) 5).

Before proceeding, make sure that:

• 💻 On the PC installed drivers for Xiaomi (you can download from the official website or through the Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 The cable supports data transfer (not all charging cables are suitable for Fastboot).
• 📥 Download the archive from platform-tools (official utilities from Google).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the platform-tools archive into the root of the C:\ drive (e.g., C:\platform-tools).
2. Turn off Redmi 5 and press the Power button + Volume Down button to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect your phone to your PC via cable.
4. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter).
5. Go to the folder with utilities: cd C:\platform-tools
6. Check the connection of the device: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the phone).
7. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Once the phone is restarted, it will be completely cleaned. If fastboot erase userdata doesn't work, try an alternative command:

fastboot format userdata

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI After a Fastboot reset, you may need to re-activate the device via Mi Account. If you don't remember your account information, your phone will remain locked.

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If the fastboot device command does not show the device, try reinstalling the drivers manually through Device Manager (select ADB Interface or Android Bootloader Interface).

3.Use of Mi Flash Tool (for power users)

If previous methods did not help, you can try a complete flashing of the device through the official utility Mi Flash Tool.

• 🔧 Phone does not respond to commands in Fastboot.
• 📱 There is a custom firmware on the device.
• 🔒 After reset, you need to enter Mi Account, the data from which is lost.

This will require:

• 💻 Computer running Windows (7/10/11).
• 📥 The official firmware for Redmi 5 (you can download it on the website) MIUI Downloads).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (see the latest version on Xiaomi forums or other forums) 4PDA).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\redmi5_global).
3. Turn off the phone and transfer it to Fastboot Mode (Plug Power + Volume Down).
4. Connect the device to the PC.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. At the bottom of the program, select Clean All mode (complete cleaning).
7. Press Flash and wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes).

Important: The firmware via the Mi Flash Tool only removes the Mi Account binding in Clean All mode. If you choose a different mode, the phone may remain locked.

4 Unlocking Mi Account after reset

One of the most common problems after a Redmi 5 reset is asking for a password from Mi Account, which is related to Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which links the device to a Xiaomi account, and if you don't remember the login details, there are several ways to get around the lock:

The official method (if you remember the email):

• 📧 Go to the Mi Account website and restore the password via email or phone.
• 🔑 Use the new data to unlock your phone.

Unofficial methods (if you do not remember email):

• 📞 Contact Xiaomi Support with proof of purchase (check, box) and they can remove the link remotely.
• 🛠️ Use specialized services to unlock FRP (fee, risk of fraud).
• 🔧 Flow the device through EDL Mode (requires soldering work or boxing for firmware).

The last method, EDL Mode, is the most reliable, but it's the most complex, and it involves connecting to test points on the phone board and running firmware through special hardware. For Redmi 5, the test points are located under the back cover, next to the battery connector, and without experience, it's best not to try to do it yourself.

⚠️ Attention: Services that offer "Mi Account unlock in 5 minutes" are often scams. Don't give them card details or prepayment. Only Xiaomi or an authorized service center can officially remove the lock.

5. Alternative ways of unlocking (without resetting)

If you need to unlock Redmi 5 without completely resetting, try the following methods:

• 🔐 Reset pattern lock via Mi Account: On the lock screen, enter the wrong password 5 times? → Restore via Mi Account. Enter the data from the linked account.

Find My Device

1. Go to i.mi.com.
2. Sign in with your Mi Account.
3. Select the device and click Delete data (only works when the phone is online).
4. 💡 ADB-Teams (if debugging is included) USB): adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key (Delete the pattern lock, but not PIN/password).

Recovery Mode|Fastboot|Mi Flash Tool|Tracked to service |Not tried-->

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When resetting Xiaomi Redmi 5 users often face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

If the phone hangs on the Mi logo after reset, it may indicate:

• 🔄 Incompatibility of firmware (for example, stitched Global) ROM Chinese version).
• 🔧 Damage to modem partition (no network after firmware).
• 📱 Hardware malfunction (e.g., eMMC memory problems).

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Always check the compatibility of the MIUI version with your Redmi 5 before you run the firmware. Installing the wrong firmware can turn your phone into a brick.

7. How to avoid future data loss

To avoid the problem of forgotten passwords again, follow these guidelines:

• 🔐 Use Smart Lock: Set up the unlock by trusted device (such as Mi Band) or location in Settings → Screen locking → Smart Lock.

It's also useful to know:

• 📱 Xiaomi can have up to 5 fingerprints tied, which is more convenient than entering a password.
• 🔒 Find My Device allows you to remotely unlock your phone if it’s connected to the internet.
• 📧 Link backup email to your device to restore your Mi Account.

If you often forget passwords, consider using them. PIN-code instead of a pattern lock or a complex alphabetic-digital password. PIN 6 digits are reliable and easier to remember.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions