How to Reset Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 to Factory Settings: A Complete Guide with 3 Working Methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 remains a popular smartphone even years after its release – thanks to reliable hardware and flexible firmware MIUI. But over time, any gadget begins to slow down: temporary files accumulate, updates conflict, and viruses or unsuccessful experiments with root rights can make the phone almost unusable, in such cases, resetting to factory settings is the most effective way to return the device to a “second life”.

But the procedure is nuanced: An improper reset can result in loss of access to your Mi Account (if you don’t remember your password), deletion of important data without recovery, or even “bricking” the device when you interrupt the process. In this guide, we will discuss three official methods for resetting Redmi Note 5 (including hidden Recovery and Fastboot features), explain how to prepare for the procedure, and warn against typical errors that users make.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the start

Resetting to factory settings is not just the press of a button, it depends on your actions to the procedure whether the phone will remain functional and whether you can recover afterward data.

• 📱 Back up. Use the settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset or third-party apps like Titanium Backup (for root) will save contacts, photos and some settings, but not all apps.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%.When reset via Recovery or Fastboot, discharging during the process can make it impossible to turn the phone on.
• 🔑 Make sure to remember the data from Mi Account. After resetting Redmi Note 5 will require entering a login / password from the Xiaomi account associated with the device (Mi Cloud Activation Lock feature).
• 📶 Turn off all screen locks. PIN-A code, pattern lock, or fingerprint can prevent you from logging into Recovery.

Pay special attention to the item with Mi Account. If you forget your password, restore it before resetting on the official website account.xiaomi.com. Otherwise, the phone will turn into a “brick” – unlock it without proof of account ownership will be extremely difficult.

Backup in Mi Cloud or Google Drive|Charge the phone before 50%+|Remember the username/password from Mi Account|Delete PIN/graphical|Get out. SIM and a memory card (optional)-->

If you plan to sell or transfer the phone to another person, be sure to log out of Mi Account in the settings (Accounts → Mi Account → Sign out).

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest)

This is a method that works if the phone turns on and you can log in, and it's the simplest and least risky method, because it's controlled by MIUI.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Select Reset (in some versions of MIUI – Reset to factory settings).
4. The system will suggest choosing which to reset, and we recommend that you mark all items (including Network Settings and Applications) to avoid conflicts after the reboot.
5. Confirm the action by entering PIN-code or pattern lock (if installed).
6. Click Delete Everything and wait until the process is complete (usually takes 3-5 minutes).

The phone will automatically reboot and start setting up as it did after purchase, and if the Redmi logo appears on the screen and the process freezes, don't panic: the first turn on after the reset can take up to 10 minutes.

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If after resetting the phone asks you to enter the password from Mi Account, but you do not remember it, try to restore access through your computer. Use the "Forgot your password?" feature on the Xiaomi website - sometimes this works even after several unsuccessful attempts.

⚠️ Note: If you have used root rights or installed custom firmware, resetting through the settings menu can lead to a bootloop ( loop reboot.

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

If the Redmi Note 5 is stuck on the logo, doesn't respond to touches, or is locked with a password you've forgotten, Recovery Mode, a special recovery mode, is built into the firmware and doesn't require a PC connection.

Instructions for entering Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).

Recovery is controlled by the volume (move) and power (select) buttons.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data in Chinese version).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. Once completed, go back to the main menu and select Reboot.

It can take up to 10 minutes. If the phone gets back into Recovery after the reboot, then the firmware is damaged - you will need to flash it through Fastboot (method 3).

⚠️ Note: If you have a Can't mount error in Recovery /data Or E:unknown volume, which signals damage to the data partition, and in this case, resetting through Recovery will not help, you need a Fastboot or flashing through the Mi Flash Tool.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

The Fastboot method is the most radical and requires a computer connection, and it's useful if you:

• 🔄 The phone is stuck in bootloop (infinite reboot).
• 🔧 You need to completely reflash the device (for example, after a failed update).
• 🔒 Recovery Mode is not available or working.

For this method, you will need:

• Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download on the official website).
• USB Type-C cable (original or high-quality analogue).
• Mi Flash Tool (for Windows) or fastboot from Android SDK.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared image will appear).
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

fastboot devices

If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), execute the reset command:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

These commands will completely clear user data and cache, but save the firmware. If you need to reflash the phone from scratch, download the official firmware for the Redmi Note 5 (codename whyred) from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater site and use the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Attention: fastboot commands are irreversible. If you accidentally run fastboot erase system, the phone will stop loading, you will need a complete firmware. Always check the commands you type!

Through the Settings menu | Through Recovery Mode | Through Fastboot | I haven't tried-->

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

• 🔄 The phone is stuck on the logo after the reset, and it was a firmware conflict or corrupted system files, so you can do it again on Fastboot or you can do it again.
• 🔒 Requires a password from Mi Account, but you don't remember it.Solution: restore access through the official website or contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.
• 📱 The sensor in Recovery Mode is not working. Cause: damage to the display or firmware. Solution: use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
• 🔌 The computer doesn't see the phone in the Fastboot. It's because there's no driver or there's a faulty cable. PC Suite or drivers manually through Device Manager.

If the phone is running slower than before the procedure, check:

• 📲 Version MIUI — It may be an outdated firmware. Update it to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🧹 Residual files - sometimes a reset doesn't clear the cache completely.Go to Recovery and select Wipe Cache.
• 🔋 Battery status - if the battery is worn out, the phone will brake regardless of the reset.Check the battery health in Settings → Battery.

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If the reset didn’t solve the problem (for example, the phone is still overheating or turning off), the reason is likely a hardware malfunction.

How to recover data after resetting

If you have not made a backup, the chances of returning deleted data depend on the type of reset that was performed:

• 🔄 Reset via the settings menu: data is deleted software and can be recovered using utilities like DiskDigger or Recuva (root required).
• 🧹 Dumping through Recovery/Fastboot: data is deleted at a low level and recovery is unlikely (especially if the phone was used after resetting).

For recovery:

1. Install an application on your phone to scan deleted files (for example, Undeleter).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and scan the internal memory, and the odds are higher if you don't write new data to your phone after the reset.
3. To restore contacts, check sync with Google Account or Mi Cloud.

If the function Encryption of data was enabled on the phone (in the security settings), it is impossible to restore files after reset - they are deleted irrevocably.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions