How to make a hard reset on Xiaomi Mi5: 3 proven ways

The Xiaomi Mi5 is the legendary 2016 smartphone that is still used by thousands of users. But even the most reliable device eventually slows down, glides or refuses to load. In such cases, hard reset becomes the only way to restore the phone to work, but the wrong actions can turn your Mi5 into a brick — especially if it is a model with a locked bootloader or custom firmware.

In this article, you will find three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery Mode and Mi Flash Tool), as well as solutions to typical problems: from the error This device is locked to endless boot after reset. We will take a detailed look at each step, taking into account the features of the Mi5, including versions on the Snapdragon 820 and options with unlocked / locked bootloader. If you have never done a hard reset before, do not worry: the instructions are adapted even for beginners.

What is Hard Reset and When is It Needed?

The term hard reset is often confused with a normal reboot or reset via settings.It is actually a complete erasure of all data on the device, including system files, and a return to factory state. On the Xiaomi Mi5, the procedure has nuances due to:

🔒 Locked bootloader on most devices purchased officially
📱 Two Recovery variants: stock (original) and TWRP (castom)
🚫 Risk of “bricking” when interrupting a process or using inappropriate firmware

When to make a hard reset on Mi5:

🐢 Smartphone is severely slowing down despite clearing cache and removing apps
🔄 Obsessessive to the Mi logo or download screen
📵 Responds to touch, button, or charge (after checking for hardware faults)
🔓 Forgot the pattern lock/PIN- code, and the Mi Account is not tied
🦠 Suspicion of a virus or malware that is not removed by an antivirus

⚠️ Warning: If your Mi5 was bought handheld and already unlocked, a reset via standard Recovery could result in a No command error.

What does not solve hard reset:

🔋 Battery problems (blown, fast discharge)
📡 Hardware defects of modules (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, camera)
💧 Damage from water or falls

📊 Have you ever done a hard reset on a smartphone?

Yeah, you.

Yeah, at the service center.

No, but I'd like to learn.

No, and no planning.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before embarking on a hard reset, follow the mandatory steps to avoid losing important data and recovering issues:

Backup data | Check the battery level (minimum 50%) | See bootloader status (unlocked/locked) | Download the original firmware for your version of Mi5 | Prepare the USB- cable and PC (for methods via Mi Flash Tool)

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Details on each item:

1. Backup

Even if the phone doesn’t turn on, some of the data can be saved:

Photo/Video: Connect the Mi5 to your PC in MTP mode (if the lock screen is running) or use ADB pull to extract files.

Contacts: sync with Google Account or export to.vcf.

Messages: Use applications like SMS Backup & Restore.

2. Battery charge

The minimum threshold is 50%, but it is better to charge up to 80%. If the phone does not turn on, keep it charging for at least 30 minutes before resetting. On the Mi5 with a discharged battery, the process can be interrupted, which will damage the system partition and need to be firmware through the EDL.

Status of loader

To find out if the bootloader is unlocked, you can:

- Turn on the phone.

- Go to Settings → About Phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.

- Go back to Settings → Additional → For developers and find the Mi Unlock Status item.

Loader status	What does it mean?	Can I make a hard reset with Recovery?
Locked (Locked)	Official firmware, the warranty is valid	Yes, but only standard Recovery.
Unlocked (Unlocked)	Installed custom firmware or TWRP	Yes, but you may need to use Fastboot.
Unknown (phone not switched on)	Impossible to determine	Try both options for recovery

4. Firmware and tools

If you are planning to reset via the Mi Flash Tool, download in advance:

Official firmware for Mi5 (version depends on the model code: gemini for global, capricorn for Chinese).

Mi Flash Tool (the latest version from Xiaomi)

Qualcomm drivers for the Snapdragon 820.

⚠️ Warning: Firmware running the Mi Flash Tool with an incorrectly selected version of the software (e.g. global instead of Chinese) will result in an Anti-rollback error and a complete loss of device performance.

This is the safest method, but it only works if:

📱 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
🔓 You remember the pattern lock./PIN-code
🔄 No logo fixation

Step-by-step:

Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
Scroll down and select Additional.
Smack Recovery and Reset.
Select Settings Reset.
The system will tell you what to delete. Mark: 📱 Applications and their data 📁 Media files (if you didn't backup) 🔑 Settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.)

Reset the settings

The process will take 3-5 minutes, and when it is finished, the phone will restart and prompt you to set it up as new.

💡

If after a reset, the phone asks you to enter a Mi Account you don’t remember, try bypassing the protection through the FAQ section at the end of the article.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (volume buttons + power)

This method is suitable if:

🔒 Phone not switched on or got stuck on logo
📵 Not responsive to touch, but buttons are working
🔄 You need to reset your settings without logging in.

The Xiaomi Mi5 has two types of recovery:

🔧 Stock Recovery (original) – limited features, basic options only.
🛠️ TWRP (castom) - Extended features, but requires an unlocked bootloader.

Instructions for Stock Recovery:

Turn off the phone (squeeze the power for 10 seconds if it freezes).
Press Volume Up (+) + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
Release the buttons. You'll be taken to the Recovery menu (English or Chinese).
Use Volume Down (-) for navigation and Nutrition for selection.
Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data.
Confirm the action (Confirm).
Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If you have TWRP:

Loading into TWRP similar (buttons of volume)+ + Nutrition).
Select the Wipe → Advanced Wipe from the menu.
Check the boxes: 📱 Dalvik/ART Cache 🗃️ System 📁 Data 🔄 Cache

Swipe to Wipe

Reboot System

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is stuck on the logo after resetting via TWRP, the firmware has been removed without installing it, in which case you will need to flash the device through Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool.

What happens if Recovery does not open?

If after pressing Volume++ Power the phone vibrates but the screen remains black: 1. Check if the Volume button has stuck down (-) (it can block the entrance to Recovery). 2. Try an alternative combination: Volume up (+) + Volume down (-) + Power (hold 15 seconds). 3. If the phone has previously fallen or got wet, the button plume may be damaged - disassembly will be required.

Method 3: Firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (for "bricks")

This method is the last chance if:

🧱 Phone turned into a brick (no buttons, no boot)
🔧 Previous reset methods have failed
📥 Official firmware must be returned after failed experiments with custom ROM

To run through the Mi Flash Tool, you will need:

💻 Windows computer 7/10/11 on macOS/Linux Possible problems with drivers)
🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set)
📁 Fastboot firmware for your model Mi5 (download only from the official Xiaomi website)
🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version)

Step-by-step:

Install the Mi Flash Tool and Qualcomm drivers on your PC.
Unpack the downloaded firmware into a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Mi5_Fastboot).
Turn off the phone. Press Volume Down (-) + Power and connect the USB- cable to your PC. Hold the buttons until the image of a rabbit in a hat-eared (Fastboot mode) appears on the screen.
Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
Click Select and point the way to the firmware folder.
At the bottom, select firmware mode: Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended for reset) Clean all and lock – cleaning + lock bootloader (if it was unlocked) Save user data – firmware without loss of data (not suitable for hard reset)

Refresh

Mi5

COM3

Flash

5-10 minutes

Success

Nutrition

The first download after the firmware can take up to 15 minutes – do not interrupt the process!

💡

Firmware via the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean all and lock option will block the bootloader. If you plan to install custom firmware in the future, choose Clean all.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the exact instructions on Xiaomi Mi5, there can be errors.

Mistake.	Reason.	Decision
This device is locked in Fastboot	Locked loader	Unlock with Mi Unlock Tool (Mi Account binding required)
The phone vibrates but does not turn on after resetting	System partition or incompatible firmware damaged	Scroll through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option
Anti-rollback (error 7)	Trying to stream an older version of MIUI	Download the firmware of the same or newer version
Requirement to enter Mi Account after reset	The account was tied to the device	Enter your account details or delete the link through Xiaomi’s website
No command in Recovery	Recovery standard damaged or TWRP installed	Fastboot (fastboot flash recovery recovery.img)

Additional advice:

🔄 If the phone loads into Fastboot after reset, try flashing only the system partition without clearing the data.
📡 If your PC connection is lost during firmware, check the cable and port USB (better use USB 2.0 on the back of your PC).
🔋 If the phone is out of charge during the process, plug it into charging for 30 minutes before trying again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hard reset on Xiaomi Mi5

🔓 How to bypass Mi Account request after reset if I can't remember password?

If the phone asks you to enter your Mi Account after a hard reset, there are several ways: Try to restore your password through the official website (you need access to the email/ phone). If the account is not yours (the phone is bought by hand), contact the previous owner to unbundle. To bypass the security, you will need firmware through EDL- mode (you need an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable).

📱 Can you make a hard reset on Mi5 without losing data?

No, hard reset always deletes user data (photos, messages, apps). However: If the phone turns on, backup through Settings → Additional → Backup. If the screen doesn't work, but the phone is determined by the PC, use ADB pull to extract files. To recover data after a reset, you can use programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver, but success is not guaranteed.

🔧 How do I know if the boot loader is unlocked on Mi5?

There are three ways: Settings (if the phone turns on): Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (stamp 7 times) → For developers → Mi Unlock Status. Through Fastboot: fastboot oem device-info, Look for Device unlocked: true/false. Behavior: If this device is unlocked when you boot in Fastboot, bootloader is unlocked.

🔄 What to do if after a hard reset the phone is getting stuck on the Mi logo?

Causes and Solutions: Incompatible firmware: Swipe the correct MIUI version for your model through the Mi Flash Tool. Damaged sections: Complete clean-up (Clean all) and firmware again. Bootloader problems: If the bootloader was previously unlocked, try flashing stock ROM with the Clean all and lock option. Hardware malfunction: If the firmware doesn't help, check the memory (eMMC) - perhaps a replacement is required. If the screen flashes or artifacts appear, this may indicate problems with the display or plume.

💡 Can I roll back the firmware to an older version MIUI?

The Xiaomi Mi5 has an Anti-Rollback system that blocks rollbacks to older versions. If you try to flash through an earlier firmware, you get an error: Anti-rollback check fail Solutions: Only stitch through versions that are newer or equal to the current one. If you want the old version, look for modified firmware without Anti-Rollback (the risk of "bricking" is high!). For models with Snapdragon 820, sometimes firmware through EDL helps, but authorization is required.