Owners of the popular Redmi Note 8 Pro face the need to return the device to factory settings sooner or later, whether it’s caused by selling the gadget, transferring it to another user, or system errors that cannot be corrected by conventional methods. Regardless of the cause, the data cleanup procedure requires careful attention and understanding of all the consequences.
Today’s MIUI-based smartphones store vast amounts of personal information, from bank application passwords to personal photos. A process known as Hard Reset completely destroys user data, bringing the software back out of the box. It’s important not to confuse this with simply deleting files or resetting network settings.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can do a complete cleanup on your device, look at the standard method through the settings menu, the alternative through Recovery Mode Recovery, and also look at the important nuances of protecting your Google account and MIUI.
Preparation of the device for the discharge procedure
Before any manipulation of system files begins, a number of preparatory steps must be taken, and ignoring this step can lead to the loss of important data or locking the device after restarting.
Create a full copy of all your important data. You can use built-in MIUI tools, cloud services, or third-party PC programs. Make sure your contacts, messages, and media are stored in a safe place, as it will be impossible to recover them without a backup.
Pay special attention to battery charge. The process of complete cleaning and subsequent initial setup can take considerable time. If the battery runs out at a critical time of writing system files, this can lead to damage to the software.
- 🔋 Charge the smartphone battery to at least 60-70% before the beginning of the procedure.
- ☁️ Check your data sync with your Mi Cloud or Google Drive account.
- 📱 Remove the microSD card if it is installed to avoid formatting it.
- 🔑 Write down or remember passwords from Google and Mi accounts that were used on your device.
Remember to unplug your device from your Google account if you plan to sell the phone, which will prevent you from requesting confirmation after a reset, known as FRP-lock, by going to your account settings and deleting your current profile.
⚠️ Warning: If you don’t know the password from a Google account tied to your phone, a Recovery reset could result in a device being completely locked (FRP). Make sure you remember the entry data.
Method 1: Reset via system settings (Soft Reset)
The safest and easiest method available to every user is to use a regular settings menu, which is suitable if the smartphone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you have access to the MIUI interface.
To start, open the main app menu and find the Settings icon. In the list that opens, scroll down to About Phone, where the basic tools for managing the system and device information are hidden.
At the bottom of the screen, you'll see "Reset" and clicking on it will suggest two options: "Reset all settings" and "Erase all data." We're interested in the second option, which acts as Factory Reset.
☑️ Pre-reset check
Once you select the deletion option, the system will request proof of identity, PIN-A screen unlock code or password is a protective measure to prevent unauthorized persons from accidentally deleting data.
The final window will show a warning that all data will be deleted, and the system may also warn you that you can not restore files after the process is completed, click on the button “Reset settings” or “Clear all” to start the process.
The smartphone will reboot, and the MIUI logo will appear on the screen with a progress indicator, depending on the amount of information accumulated, this stage can take from 5 to 15 minutes.
Method 2: Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
If the device doesn't turn on, freezes on the logo, or the touch screen stops responding, the standard menu method becomes unavailable, and in such cases, the recovery mode, or Recovery Mode, is used.
To enter this mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the volume button and the power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume key.
You'll see a Recovery menu with a few points, and you'll be able to navigate with volume buttons (up/down), and you'll select a point with a short press of the power button, and you'll need to find "Wipe Data."
- 🔘 Select the “Wipe Data” option using volume buttons and confirm with the power button.
- 🧹 In the following menu, select “Wipe All Data” for a complete cleanup.
- ✅ Confirm the action by selecting “Confirm».
- 🔄 Once completed, click on “Back to Main Menu” and select “Reboot” to reboot.
Importantly, newer versions of MIUI may require you to enter an unlock password or a pattern lock if the device has previously been unlocked to confirm the reset.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Once the Wipe All Data command is successfully executed, the device will start restarting, and the first launch after reset will last longer than usual, as the system needs to re-initialize all components.
⚠️ Warning: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working, and the controls are solely physical volume and power buttons.
The FRP Problem and Google Account
One of the most common problems after resetting settings on Android devices is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) locking, a security mechanism developed by Google to protect against theft.
The essence of the protection is that once reset, the phone will require you to enter a login and password from a Google account that was synced to the device before cleaning, and if you don't remember this data, unlocking the phone will be extremely difficult.
To avoid this situation, before performing a reset by any of the methods, manually delete your Google account from your phone settings. Go to Accounts and Sync, select your Google account and click Delete Account.
| Action. | Results without deleting the account | Result after removal of the acc> |
|---|---|---|
| Resetting settings | Requesting Google Password When Enabled | The phone's on right away. |
| Selling the device | The customer will not be able to use the phone. | The buyer sets up his account |
| Forgot the password. | The risk of getting a "brick" | Safe reboot |
| Change of ownership | Previous owner’s data stays in the cloud | Complete data isolation |
A similar situation applies to the Mi Account. If the phone has entered a Mi Account and enabled the "Find the device" function, after reset, you will need to enter a password from it. Delete the Mi Account through the settings menu before cleaning.
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Deleting your Google and Mi accounts before reset is a must-do step for the new owner or you to successfully activate the phone after cleaning.
Removal and errors in resetting
Unforeseen situations may occur during data cleanup, such as the phone being got stuck during booting or cyclically restarting, often due to damage to system files or lack of space for temporary operations.
If the device is stuck on the Redmi or Android logos for more than 20 minutes, try a forced reboot. To do this, press the power button and hold it for about 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.
In cases where a standard reset does not help to eliminate system errors, it may be necessary to flash the device using a computer and the Mi Flash Tool utility.
- 🔄 Cyclical reboot may indicate a conflict of system applications.
- 💾 The “Data is corrupted” error is often solved by formatting the data partition through Recovery.
- 🔌 Using the original cable is important when connecting to a PC for diagnosis.
Sometimes users are confronted with a message saying, “Discharge failed.” This can occur if sectors are damaged on the internal drive or if the system cannot obtain rights to write, in such cases it is recommended to contact the service center.
Initial adjustment after cleaning
After successfully completing the reset and reboot procedure, you will see a welcome screen identical to the one you had when you first turned on the new phone, and the interface language will likely be set by default (often English or Chinese).
Choose the language you want and connect to your Wi-Fi network, which is necessary to activate your device and check the status of the locks, and if you delete your accounts correctly, the system will miss the security check.
This will be followed by a suggestion to restore data from a backup. If you've previously created a backup on Google Drive or Mi Cloud, you can restore contacts, apps and settings. If you don't need a copy, select "Do not copy."
Set up security settings: add a fingerprint, face or install a new one PIN-This is critical to protecting your data in the future, and remember to update your system software if the system suggests it.
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When you first set up, you should avoid installing unnecessary pre-installed applications (bloatware) if the system offers you to choose installation options, which will save space and speed up work.
The final step is to log into your main Google account and your Mi Account, and then the phone is ready for full use, and check the basic functions: calls, internet, and cameras.