How to reset Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T to factory settings: the full guide

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T is a popular smartphone with a balance of price and functionality, but even it can eventually start to slow down, issue errors or require a complete cleanup before selling. Hard reset solves most software problems, but requires caution: without preparation, you risk losing photos, contacts and app data.

In this article, three proven reset methods (via settings, Recovery Mode and Fastboot), detailed instructions for each, and answers to frequent questions: what to do if the phone does not turn on, how to bypass the lock. MIUI After reset and how to recover data. All methods are relevant for Redmi Note 8T base MIUI 12/13/14 Android 9/10/11.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you start resetting, be sure to follow 4 steps – this will save you from losing important data and problems with your Xiaomi account:

• 📱 Back up. Use the built-in Settings tool. → The phone. → Backup or third-party services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) Pay special attention to: Contacts (export to.vcf) Photos/video (copy to PC or cloud) Messages (applications like.vcf) SMS Backup & Restore)
• 🔒 Make sure to remember the data from the Mi Account. After the reset, the phone will require you to enter a login / password to unlock (Factory Reset Protection protection).
• 📶 Disable all accounts (Google, Mi Account, Samsung Account, if any) and make it easier to set up after a reset.

If you drop your phone before selling, additionally:

• ✅ Log out of all accounts manually (Settings) → Accounts).
• ✅ Delete. SIM-card and memory card (if any).
• ✅ Turn off Find your device in Mi Cloud.

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⚠️ Warning: If you forget your Mi Account password, reset will lock your phone.

Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the safest)

This is a method that works if the phone turns on and responds to touch, and it's the simplest and doesn't require any additional tools.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Backup and reset.
3. Select Settings Reset.
4. Click Delete all data (you may need to enter a pattern lock or PIN-code).
5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset the phone.

The phone will restart and start the cleaning process (it takes 5-15 minutes) and after you complete it, you will see the screen of the initial setup, as after you purchase it.

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If the menu does not have the option “Reset settings”, try the alternative path: Settings → Additional → Reset and Reset.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If the Redmi Note 8T is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch or is locked, use Recovery Mode, a special recovery mode. It does not require a computer, only physical access to the phone buttons.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power Button + Volume Up button at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (full reset).
6. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
7. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items:

• 📛 The first item is Reboot (reboot).
• 🧹 The second item is Wipe Data (reset).
• 📥 Third item – Connect with MiAssistant (for firmware via PC).

⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi Note firmware 8T Wipe All Data can be called Factory Reset or Clear Data. Not to be confused with Wipe Cache - it's just cache clearing, not a complete reset!

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is needed if:

• 🔄 The phone is loaded and not included in Recovery.
• 🔧 Requires a complete flashing (for example, after a failed update).
• 🔒 You need to unlock the loader before resetting.

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with Windows or Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers (download from the official website).
• 📦 Firmware for Redmi Note 8T (Fastboot version, not Recovery!).

Instructions:

1. Install drivers and Mi Flash Tool on PC.
2. Turn off the phone and turn it into Fastboot mode: Press the power + volume down button for 10 seconds. A hare in a hat-out hat (Fastboot logo) will appear on the screen.
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
5. Press Refresh – the program must determine the device (appears) COM-port).
6. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
7. Wait for the end (5-10 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.

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⚠️ Note: Fastboot removes all data without recovery, including files on internal memory. If the phone has been encrypted, you may need to enter the old password after firmware is installed!

Frequent Resetting Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and let's look at the 5 most common mistakes and how to solve them:

• 🚫 "This device is locked" (Mi Account) Reason: The phone is tied to Xiaomi's account, and after the reset requires data entry. Solution: Enter the username/password from Mi Account that was tied before the reset. If you forget the data, restore it to account.xiaomi.com. If the phone is bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie the account, contact Xiaomi support with proof of purchase.
• 🔄 Phone freezes in reset phase Cause: damaged system files or unstable firmware Solution: Wait 30 to 60 minutes, sometimes it takes longer. If the screen doesn't change, force the phone to restart (press the power button for 20 seconds) and reset again via Recovery. If it doesn’t work, run your phone through Fastboot (see Method 3).
• 📵 Not activated after reset Reason: Interrupted process or damaged firmware Solution: Try going to Fastboot. + Turn down the volume and go through the phone. If it doesn't respond to the buttons, plug it in for 1-2 hours, maybe the battery has gone down).

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If after resetting the phone requires an old password (for example, from Google), and you do not remember it – you will have to sew the device through Fastboot with a complete clearing of the userdata partition.

How to recover data after resetting

If you haven’t made a backup in advance, the chances of returning the data depend on what type of reset was performed:

• 🔄 Reset via Settings: Data is deleted software, but you can try to recover it using utilities like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver (root access required).
• 🧹 Recovery Reset: Recovery unlikely as data partition overwrites.
• 💻 Fastboot Firmware: Data deleted irrevocably (unless backed up in Mi Cloud or Google Drive).

Instructions for recovery (if reset was through settings):

1. Install DiskDigger from Google Play on your phone.
2. Start the internal memory scan (select Full Scan).
3. Mark files for recovery (photos, videos, documents) and save them to a memory card or cloud.

To restore contacts:

• If you have synced with Google, your contacts will automatically be restored when you add an account.
• If you synced with Mi Cloud, check the data at i.mi.com.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install data recovery software on the same partition from which the files were deleted! This will reduce the chances of success.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions