Xiaomi’s Redmi series has proven to be reliable, but even the most stable MiUI system can fail over time. Users often find themselves in a situation where the device starts to run slower, strange application errors appear, or the device stops responding to commands.
Known as Hard Reset, it clears internal memory of accumulated digital debris, viruses, or faulty system configurations. It’s important to understand that this is a radical method that will delete all personal information, including contacts, photos, and installed programs.
In this article, we will take a look at all the options available for resetting the Redmi 5. We will look at standard methods through menus, Recovery engineering mode and remote account management, learn how to properly prepare the gadget for the procedure and what to do if the system is blocked.
Preparation of the device for the discharge procedure
Before taking decisive action, a number of preparatory steps must be taken, and ignoring these steps can lead to loss of important data or problems activating the device after rebooting. Make sure you understand the consequences: complete deletion of data is irreversible without a pre-built backup.
First of all, check the battery level. The process of formatting memory and reinstalling system files requires energy. If the phone turns off at the time of recording system sectors, it can damage the bootloader. The optimal charge is at least 60-70%.
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Before the procedure, be sure to remove SIM-MicroSD card and memory card, if installed, to avoid their accidental formatting or damage to contacts during system restart.
The second critical point is that you have to link to your Google account and your Mi Account, and once you reset, the security system will require you to enter the login and password from the account that was the last one on that device, which is a theft protection known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection).
- 📱 Backup your contacts to Google’s cloud or save them to the Google cloud SIM-map through the phone book menu.
- 📸 Transfer photos and videos to your computer or upload them to cloud storage, such as Google Photos or Yandex.Disk.
- 🔑 Remember or write down account passwords, as they will be required for authorization immediately after activation.
- 🔌 Connect your device to a stable Wi-Fi network or make sure you have mobile internet to check your accounts.
Don’t neglect checking the list of installed applications. Sometimes users forget that important documents are stored in the memory in messengers or save games. Use the built-in Settings → Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset → Reservation Mi to create a local copy.
Resetting settings through the smartphone menu
The easiest and most secure way to get back to factory settings is from the operating system that's running, and it's suitable for those cases where you remember the pattern lock or the unlock pin, and the phone interface responds to your actions. The MiUI shell algorithm may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the overall logic is maintained.
To start, open the main menu and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear, and in the list of options, you need to scroll down to the Advanced Settings or About Phone section, depending on the version of the interface, we are interested in the Recovery and Reset item.
☑️ Checklist before resetting through the menu
In the menu that opens, select Reset or Delete All Data, and the system will warn you that all files will be destroyed, you will need to confirm the action, possibly several times, and enter the unlock password to confirm the identity of the owner.
⚠️ Note: If the phone has the Find Device feature enabled by Xiaomi or Google, the system will require you to enter your account password before starting the reset.
Once confirmed, the phone will restart and the cleaning process will begin, the Mi logo or Android with a progress indicator can be displayed on the screen. Do not touch the device at this point. The whole process takes 5 to 15 minutes, after which the smartphone will turn on as a new one, suggesting you choose a language and connect to Wi-Fi.
Use of Recovery Mode (Recovery Mode)
If the operating system is not booting, hanging on the logo or the touch screen does not respond, Recovery mode will come to the rescue. This is a special diagnostic mode built into the device memory regardless of the main OS.
To get into the recovery menu on Redmi 5, turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the "Loud Up" and "Power" buttons. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold "Loud Up" until the Recovery menu appears.
Recovery interface on Xiaomi smartphones often supports touch control, but navigation is also possible with volume buttons (up/down) and power button (select).
- 🔘 Use volume buttons to move the cursor if the sensor is not working.
- 🔘 The power button serves as an analogue of the click "Enter" to confirm the choice.
- 🔘 Be careful: do not confuse Wipe Data with Reboot, otherwise you will have to start the login procedure again.
- 🔘 Confirmation of reset often requires selecting a Confirm item or dragging a slider.
Once you select the reset point, the system will request confirmation. Select Confirm and wait until the process is complete. The screen will display a message "Data wiped successfully." Then select Back to Main Menu and then Reboot → Reboot to System.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Remote reset via Google Find My Device
In situations where you can't access the phone's menu and the buttons don't respond, you can use remote control, which requires that the smartphone be turned on, connected to the Internet, and has a Google account activated with geolocation permission.
Go from your computer or other smartphone to the official Google Find My Device website. Log in to the same account that is linked to the problematic Redmi 5. The system will try to locate the device. If the connection is established, you will see a map and control menu.
In the side menu or at the bottom of the screen, select the option “Erase Device” (Erase Device), the system will warn that all data will be deleted forever. Once confirmed, the command will be sent to the phone. Once the device communicates with the Google server, it will begin the reset process.
⚠️ Warning: Remote reset is only possible if the phone has access to the network. If the device is offline, the command will be executed automatically as soon as it appears on the network.
This method also helps bypass the forgotten pattern lock, since after reset, the phone will require authorization, but it does not delete the Google account from memory before reset, so knowing the password will still be required for further work.
Solving Mi and Google Account Problems (FRP)
Once you've done Hard Reset, you often encounter a lock activation screen, which is FRP, which protects your device from theft, and if you drop your phone without untieing your accounts first, you'll need to enter a password.
In the case of Xiaomi, the lock can be double: from Google and from Mi Cloud. If you forget the password from the Mi Account, you can restore access through the site i.mi.com using the linked phone number or email. Without this, you will not officially unlock the device.
There are table problems and solutions when blocking:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Requires a Mi Account password | Not exiting the Mi Cloud before resetting | Enter a password or restore through the Mi Account website |
| Requires a Google Password | The account was synchronized before resetting | Enter Google Account Data or Restore Access |
| Writes "Device locked" | The “Find the Device” function is enabled | Remotely unlocked via i.mi.com |
| He doesn't accept passwords. | A password change or entry error recently | Wait 24 hours or check the keyboard layout |
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The only guaranteed way to avoid FRP issues is to manually log out of all accounts (Google and Mi) before performing a settings reset.
If you bought the phone with your hands and it is locked by the previous owner, contact him to unlock.The bypass of FRP blocking by third-party methods is often unstable and may violate warranty terms or laws.
Actions after discharge has been completed
When the phone has successfully restarted and the welcome screen suggests you choose a language, the initial setup stage begins. Don't rush to connect all services at once. First, make sure that the device is stable, does not warm up or discharge in an hour.
When connected to Wi-Fi, the phone can start downloading system updates. For the Redmi 5 model, which is no longer receiving new versions of Android, this can mean installing the latest security patches for your MiUI version.
Then you sign in to your Google account, and if you've backed up before, it will suggest you restore apps and settings from the cloud, you can select selective recovery to keep things from being downloaded, and you can synchronize your contacts and photos automatically when you have the Internet.
- 🚀 Check the operation of the touch screen throughout the area, typing text in notes.
- 📶 Make sure the network is stable and the internet connection is working properly.
- 🔊 Test the speakers and microphone through a voice recorder or bell.
- 📷 Take a test photo to check the camera after reset.
Importantly, once turned on for the first time, the phone can run slower than usual for 30-60 minutes. This is normal behavior: the system indexes files, optimizes applications and adjusts background processes. Give the device time to "swing."
The final step is to install the necessary apps and return the personalization settings. Now your Xiaomi Redmi 5 is clean and ready to go. Regularly cleaning the cache and removing unused programs will help avoid the need to reset in the future.