Xiaomi Redmi 5 to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Introduction: When to Reset and What to Expect

Reset Xiaomi Redmi 5 And this is a radical, but sometimes necessary, solution to the factory settings. 2018 The year, still popular due to the balance of price and characteristics: Snapdragon processor 450, 3/4 GB RAM and battery per battery 3300 However, over time, even it begins to “brake”, to make mistakes or requires preparation for sale.

The main reasons for resetting: system freezes, viruses, preparation for flashing, deletion of personal data before selling or transferring the device. 5 erases everything, including files in internal memory, accounts Google/Mi MicroSD cards (if installed) are usually unaffected, but it is better to remove them in advance.

In this article, three working reset methods (via settings, Recovery Mode and Fastboot), data saving tips and solving typical errors. If your Redmi 5 is locked or doesn't respond to touch, skip the hardware reset section.

Step 0: Preserving data before resetting

Before you reset Redmi 5, copy important files. Even if your smartphone is unstable, there are several ways you can:

• 📁 Backup through MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup: The system will create an archive with contacts, messages, and settings (but not photos or music!).
• ☁️ Cloud services: upload photos to Google Photos, sync contacts with Google Account, and files to Mi Cloud (if you have a Xiaomi account).
• 💻 Manual copying: connect your smartphone to your PC through USB, Select the File Transfer Mode (MTP) and copy the folders. DCIM, Downloads and Documents.

Pay particular attention to:

• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords: no cloud can save them. Picture the network list in Settings → Wi-Fi.
• 🎮 Game saves: many mobile games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile links progress to your account, but some (like Minecraft) store data locally.
• 📱 Settings. MIUI: topics, gestures and unlocking the face will have to adjust again.

⚠️ Attention: If you forget your Mi Account password, reset will lock your device! After the procedure, you will need to enter the username / password from the last associated account. If you do not remember the data, read the section about unlocking.

Method 1: Reset via MIUI settings (if the phone is running)

The easiest way is to use the built-in menu, which is fine if Redmi 5 is turned on, touch-sensitive, and you have access to the unlock password.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Tap Reset (in some versions of MIUI – Reset all settings).
4. The system will tell you what to delete: 📱 Annexes and their data 📂 Media files (photos, videos, music) 🔄 System settings

Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN-code.

Drop it.

Once you reboot, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, like after you bought it. If your smartphone requests data from your Mi Account, enter it. If you forgot your password, see the unlock section.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 5 firmware (especially custom ones) may not have Recovery and Reset.

Method 2: Recovery Mode hardware reset (if the phone doesn’t turn on)

If Redmi 5 is stuck on the logo, doesn’t respond to touches, or is locked, Recovery Mode, a recovery service menu, works without a screen unlock password, but requires physical access to the buttons.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone. If it's frozen, press the power button for 10 to 15 seconds.
2. Hold it together: 🔘 Power button (Power) 🔼 The Volume Up button (Volume Up)

Hold them until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear (usually 5-10 seconds).

In the Recovery menu, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selection.

Wipe Data

Wipe & Reset

Wipe All Data

Reboot

It takes 5-10 minutes. If the phone requests a Mi Account after the reset and you don't remember it, see the unlock section.

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If Recovery doesn’t have Wipe Data, you have custom Recovery installed (e.g. TWRP). In this case, select Wipe → Format Data → type yes.

Method 3: Fastboot reset (for power users)

This method is suitable if:

• 🔧 You have installed custom firmware and want to return stock.
• 🐢 Recovery Mode does not open or gives out errors.
• 📦 You need to completely reflash the device (for example, after a failed update).

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/Mac.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website of Xiaomi).
• 📄 Redmi 5 firmware (select Fastboot version, not Recovery).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume Down to enter the Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic (for example, C:\redmi5_fastboot).
5. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
6. At the bottom, select Clean All mode and press Flash.
7. Wait for the end (10-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Warning: Don't turn off the cable while you're firmware! This can turn the Redmi 5 into a brick. If it's been stuck 99% longer than 10 minutes, check the connection. USB-Ports (better to use back ports on PCs).

How to Unblock Mi Accounts After Resetting

If Redmi 5 requires you to enter your Mi Account data after a reset and you forgot it, there are several ways to do this:

1. Password Recovery: Go to account.xiaomi.com. Click Forgot password? and enter the linked email or phone number. Follow the instructions in the letter or SMS.

Unblocking through proof of ownership:

• Contact Xiaomi support via the official website.
• Provide a purchase check, an IMEI box or a photo with a serial number (under the battery).
• Expect a response for 3-7 days.
• Passage EDL-Mode (for advanced): Requires special cable (EDL Cable) or soldering skills, suitable if other methods have not worked. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

If the phone is bought by hand and the previous owner has not untied the account, contact him. Without his data, it is officially impossible to unlock Redmi 5.

💡

If you buy a used Xiaomi, always check if the Mi Account is untied! ask the seller to reset with you and check that there is no password request after the reboot.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you do the instructions right, you can have problems.

If none of the methods worked, there may be a hardware problem (e.g. damaged eMMC memory).In this case, contact the service center. For Redmi 5, repairs usually cost 1500-3,000 rubles (depending on the malfunction).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions