Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is still a popular budget smartphone due to balanced performance and support for custom firmware. However, over time, any gadget begins to slow down, produce errors or require preparation for sale, in which case resetting to factory settings becomes the optimal solution.
This procedure removes all user data, returning the device to the “out of the box” state, but there are nuances: on Redmi 5, reset can be blocked by a tied Mi Account, and improper actions in Recovery mode can turn the phone into a “brick.” This guide provides proven reset methods, including bypassing typical errors, as well as tips for saving important data.
When you need to reset to factory settings
Before you start the procedure, make sure it is really necessary. Here are the key situations where the reset is justified:
- 📱 Selling or transferring a phone – deleting personal data (photos, messages, accounts) without the possibility of recovery.
- 🐢 Strong brakes – if cleaning the cache and disabling background applications did not help to return performance.
- 🔄 Cyclical reboot – the phone only boots to the Mi logo and restarts again.
- 🚫 Screen locking – forgetting the pattern lock or PIN-code and unlocking through Mi Account is not available.
- 🛠️ Failed update – after firmware, errors appeared, applications crashed or functions did not work.
Resetting won’t help if the problem is related to hardware malfunctions, such as a broken screen, a power button or a damaged motherboard, in which case repairs are required at a service center.
⚠️ Note: On Redmi 5, resetting through the settings menu requires you to enter a password from Mi Account if Find Device was previously activated!
Preparing for resetting: data retention and account untiing
The factory reset erases all information from internal memory, including:
- 📸 Photos and videos in the gallery (except for those in the gallery) SD-map).
- 📱 Contacts that are not synced to Google or Mi Cloud.
- 📝 Communications in SMS/MMS and chat messengers (if there is no backup copy).
- 🎮 Save games and customize applications.
- 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices.
To avoid losing something important, follow the steps:
Backup to Mi Cloud (Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup)
Copy photos/videos to your computer or cloud (Google Photos, Yandex Drive)
Export contacts to VCF file (Contacts → Settings → Import / Export)
Record the phone's IMEI (dial *#06#) in case of recovery after resetting
Unplug Google and Mi accounts (Settings) → Accounts)-->
Pay special attention to the Mi Account unbundling. If the phone is tied to a Xiaomi account, it will require login and password to be entered after the reset. If you do not remember them, it will be difficult to unlock the device (you will need to contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership).
What to do if you forget your Mi Account information?
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 as simple as possible and minimizes the risk of error.
Instructions:
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Go to the section Additional settings → Recovery and reset.
- Select Reset (on some versions of MIUI – Reset all settings).
- The system will tell you what to delete: 📱 Personal data (required). 📁 Application settings (optional). 📡 Network settings (if you have problems with Wi-Fi or mobile internet).
Reset your phone settings
Wait for the reboot (it will take 3-5 minutes).
Once reset, the phone will boot with a welcome screen, as after purchase. If Mi Account was previously activated, the system will request a login and password to confirm ownership.
⚠️ Attention: On versions MIUI Below 12, you may lose your Russian language on the menu. To get it back, connect to Wi-Fi, then go to Settings. → Additional settings → Language & input → Languages and select Russian.
Once a year for prevention
Just before the sale.
When the phone starts to brake
Never dropped it.
Another option-->
Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)
If Redmi 5 doesn’t boot beyond the Mi logo, freezes on the lock screen or reboots cyclically, resetting through Recovery will help.This method works even without access to the system, but requires care.
Steps:
- Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
- Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
- In the menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
- Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some versions – Wipe & Reset).
- Confirm the action by selecting Confirm or Yes.
- Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power Button + Volume down until the Fastboot screen appears (Android robot labeled Fastboot Mode).
- Connect the phone to the computer.
- Open the command prompt (cmd) in the ADB folder and type: fastboot devices If the phone is determined (its serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the drivers.
- Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot
On Redmi 5, a Fastboot reset does not remove the binding to the Mi Account if the bootloader is locked.To completely bypass the lock, you need to unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi Unlock Tool.
⚠️ Warning: Incorrect commands in Fastboot can damage firmware. Don't use commands like fastboot erase system, which will cause your phone to fail!
💡
Fastboot reset is the most radical method, and only use it if the first two methods don't work and you're confident in what you're doing.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When you reset Redmi 5, you're going to have a typical problem, and here's how to solve it:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Phone asks for Mi Account password after reset | Xiaomi account was tied to the device | Enter your account details. If you forgot, restore it via account.xiaomi.com |
| Discharge interrupted by 50% or 99% | Userdata partition is damaged or space is not enough | Re-reset via Recovery or Fastboot. If it doesn't work, re-flash the phone. |
| After the reset, there is no Russian language | Language packs removed | Connect to Wi-Fi, then add Russian manually in the settings |
| Recovery won't open | Recovery section damaged or buttons faulty | Use Fastboot or reflash Recovery via ADB |
If the phone doesn’t turn on or hangs on the logo after reset, try:
- Press the power button for 20-30 seconds to force reboot.
- Repeat reset via Recovery.
- Flash your phone with the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
What to do if the phone does not see after reset SIM-map?
How to recover data after resetting
If you haven't backed up, the chances of getting your data back depend on whether the memory was overwritten after the reset. If the phone wasn't actively used, you can try recovery software:
- 💻 DiskDigger – Searches for deleted photos and videos on internal memory.
- 📱 EaseUS MobiSaver – Recover Contacts, Messages and Files.
- 🔍 Recuva – a universal tool for Windows (requires to connect the phone as a drive).
Important:
- Do not install recovery programs on the phone itself – it will overwrite the data.
- Use it. OTG-cable and flash drive to save recovered files.
- The fewer actions you take after a reset, the better the chances of getting your data back.
To restore contacts and messages, check:
- 📧 Archive in Google Contacts (if synchronized).
- ☁️ Backups to Mi Cloud (available at i.mi.com).
- 💬 Export chats in instant messengers (for example, WhatsApp backups are stored in the /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases).