Hard Resets on Xiaomi Redmi 5A: 3 working ways to reset to factory settings

Xiaomi Redmi 5A is one of the brand’s most popular budget smartphones, released in 2017, but still in active use. Over time, any gadget begins to slow down, give out errors or require flashing. In such cases, hard reset (full reset to factory settings) becomes the only solution, but the wrong actions can turn the phone into a “brick” – especially if it is a model with a locked bootloader or custom firmware.

In this article, you’ll find three proven ways to make a hard reset on a Redmi 5A: through the settings menu, with Recovery Mode, and at least through Fastboot. We’ll take each method down by step, point out critical points that ignore 90% of the instructions on the network (for example, why you shouldn’t reset a phone with a dead battery), and give answers to frequent questions. If your device is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touches, or needs to be unlocked, here you will find a solution.

What is Hard Reset and When You Need It

Hard reset is a complete reset of the smartphone to the factory settings, in which you delete:

• 📱 All installed applications and their data
• 📷 Photos, videos and music (if not saved) SD-map)
• 🔑 Google Accounts, Mi Accounts and Passwords
• 📊 System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, screen brightness, etc.)

The difference from soft reset is that hard reset erases all user data, returning the phone to a "out of the box" state, which helps in cases where:

• 🐢 Strong braking or permanent lags
• 🔄 Location on the Mi or Redmi logo when enabled
• 🚫 Screen locking (forgot the pattern lock or PIN)
• 🦠 Viral infection or suspicious activity
• 🔧 Preparing the phone for sale or transfer to another user

⚠️ Note: If you are dropping Redmi 5A Because of the locked screen, but previously tied to the device Mi Account, after the reset, the phone will require you to enter the username and password from this account. Without them, it will be impossible to unlock the device (you will need official confirmation from Xiaomi).

Before proceeding with the reset, make sure that:

1. The phone is charged at least 50% (when the discharge during the process, a firmware failure is possible).
2. Important data (contacts, photos) are copied to a computer or cloud.
3. You have access to Mi Account if your phone is linked to your account.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is working)

This is the easiest and safest method, but it is only available if:

• 📱 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• 🔓 You know the password/pattern lock to unlock.
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 30%.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select Additional (or Advanced Settings in some versions of MIUI).
3. Go to Restore and Reset → Reset settings.
4. Click Reset your phone settings.
5. The system will prompt you to enter a password (if installed) and confirm the action.
6. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

If the menu does not include Additional, try an alternative route:

Settings → About the phone → Reset settings → Erase all data

⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi firmware 5A When you reset, you might have a "No command" error with the Android robot lying down. + Volume Up for 10 seconds to reboot.

Make a backup copy of the data|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account (if tied)|Disable your Google account (optional) to avoid FRP-lock-in)-->

Method 2: Hard Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If the Redmi 5A is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch, or reboots cyclically, you will need to use Recovery Mode, which works even when the screen is locked, but requires accurate execution of instructions.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (if it freezes, hold the Power for 15-20 seconds).
2. Press the buttons at the same time: Power + Volume Up Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. In the Recovery menu, use Volume Up/Down buttons for navigation and Power to select.
4. Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in older versions).
5. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
6. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the icons:

If after reset, the phone requires you to enter Mi Account data, but you do not remember them:

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on for more than 10 minutes after reset, remove the battery (if possible), wait 30 seconds and try again. On the Redmi 5A, the battery is non-removable, so just hold the Power for 20 seconds to force shutdown.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is used in extreme cases where:

• 🔧 Recovery Mode is unavailable or damaged.
• 📦 You need to reflash your phone (for example, after a failed update).
• 🔒 You need to unlock the bootloader (bootloader).

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and program ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or qualitative analogue).
• 🔋 Charging the phone at least 70%.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Power + Volume Down for 10 seconds The screen will appear a hare in a hat-eared and the inscription Fastboot.
2. Connect the phone to the computer.
3. Open the command prompt (CMD) in the ADB folder and execute the command: fastboot devices If the phone is identified (its serial number appears), continue. If not, install the drivers.
4. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: fastboot erase commands delete data irrevocably. If you plan to reflash your phone, first unlock the bootloader with the command fastboot oem unlock (you will need a tied Mi Account).

If after the execution of commands the phone does not turn on:

• Check if fastboot reboot is properly entered.
• Try to turn off the cable and clamp the Power for 20 seconds.
• If the screen is black, the firmware may be damaged, and you'll need to flash it through the Mi Flash Tool.

💡

Fastboot reset is the most radical method, and only use it if the first two methods fail, as it requires command line skills and can lead to a loss of warranty.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, users face problems.

If the phone is even slower after reset:

• 🧼 Install the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔄 Reset again (sometimes the data is not completely deleted).
• 🛠️ Replace the battery (on Redmi) 5A After 3-4 years of operation, the battery loses capacity, which leads to lags).

How to avoid problems after a hard reset

To keep the phone stable after resetting:

1. Do not restore data from the backup if the cause of the reset was viruses or malfunctions.
2. Update your firmware to the latest version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
3. Install only the necessary applications. Overuse of programs is the main reason for the brakes on the Redmi 5A (only 2 GB of RAM).
4. Turn off animation to speed up: Settings → Additional → Developers → Animation (set 0.5x)

If you're selling a phone:

• 📱 Log out of Mi Account and Google Account in Settings.
• 🔄 Reset again after leaving your accounts.
• 📋 Save a check or box – the new owner may require proof of purchase to unlock.

💡

After reset, turn on Developer Mode (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version – press 7 times). Then turn off Blinking Notifications and Auto Brightness – this will save battery life.

Redmi 5A flashing after a failed reset

If the phone doesn't turn on even after a hard reset, the firmware may be damaged, and you'll need to flash it through the Mi Flash Tool.

• 💻 Windows computer.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C.
• 📦 Firmware for Redmi 5A (The code name is riva, and you can download it from the official website.
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool Programming.

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\riva).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
3. In the program, select a folder with firmware and press Refresh (the device should appear).
4. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: When flashing through the Mi Flash Tool, select Clean All mode. Clean All and Lock mode will block the bootloader, making it harder to manipulate the phone further.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions