Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 8 to factory settings is a forced measure when the smartphone starts to brake, emit errors or you forget the pattern lock. The procedure deletes all user data, including photos, contacts and installed applications, so it is often called “hard reboot.” In this article, we will discuss three official ways: through the phone settings, Recovery mode and the Mi Flash Tool for PC.
The Redmi 8, codenamed Olive, was released in 2019, but is still in demand thanks to its robust hardware and custom firmware support, but over time, even this device may require resetting, for example, due to a freeze on the MIUI logo, errors after an update, or viruses. It is important to understand that resetting will not fix hardware problems (such as a broken screen or a faulty battery), but will return the software part to a “clean” state.
Before you start, check:
- 🔋 Battery charge – at least 50% (when reset via Recovery, the phone should not turn off).
- 📱 Backup of data (contacts can be synced with Google Account and files can be copied to PC).
- 🔑 Access to your Mi Account if your phone is tied (required to unlock after resetting).
1. Reset via phone settings (the easiest way)
This method works if you have access to the Redmi 8 menu and the phone turns on. It is suitable for eliminating software lags or preparing the device for sale.
Instructions:
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (if not already activated).
- Return to the main settings menu and select Additional Settings → Recovery and Reset.
- Click Reset settings and confirm the action.
It takes 5-10 minutes. Once you reboot, the phone will suggest you set it up as new. If you forget your Mi Account, resetting through the settings won't help, you'll need to unlock it through Fastboot.
Sync contacts with Google | Copy photo/video on PC | Remember login/password from Mi Account | Charge phone up to 50%+
-->
2. Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)
If Redmi 8 is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or doesn’t respond to touch, use Recovery Mode, which doesn’t require a PC connection, but only works if Recovery isn’t damaged.
How to log in to Recovery:
- Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
- Keep Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
- Release the power button, but keep Volume up until you see the Recovery menu.
In the Recovery menu, the volume (move) and power (select) buttons are controlled.
- 📱 Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
- 🔄 Confirm reset (you will need to enter the password from Mi Account if the phone was tied to you).
- 🔙 After completion, select Reboot. → Reboot to System.
⚠️ Note: If the phone is resetting via Recovery with a "This device is locked" error, Mi Cloud protection is activated. Unlocking will require the official Mi Unlock Tool tool and access to the account to which the device is linked.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
3. Reset via Fastboot (for power users)
The Fastboot method is the most radical one, and it's useful if you:
- 🔐 Mi Account password is forgotten (but you remember the account details to which the phone is linked).
- 🤖 The phone doesn’t even load in Recovery.
- 📦 You need to reflash the device from scratch (for example, after a failed update).
The work will require:
- 💻 Windows computer (or macOS/Linux driverless ADB/Fastboot).
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
- 🛠 Mi Flash Tool (official utility from Xiaomi).
- 📄 Firmware for Redmi 8 (download from Xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
- Connect Redmi 8 to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
- In the utility, click Select and specify the path to the unpacked firmware (file with the.tgz extension).
- Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
- Wait for the finish (10-15 minutes) and restart the phone.
| Mode in Mi Flash Tool | What's he doing? | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Clean All | Complete reset with deletion of all data and unlocking the bootloader | If you forget your password or your phone is blocked |
| Clean All and Lock | Reset with bootloader lock (requires authorization in Mi Account) | For sale of the phone (protection against re-dumping) |
| Save User Data | Flashing without deleting user files | If you need to update the software, but save the data |
⚠️ Note: When you reset via Fastboot, the bootloader unlocks, which can lead to a loss of warranty (if it is still valid).In addition, Xiaomi limits the number of unlocks for one account - no more than one device in 30 days.
💡
If the Mi Flash Tool is running a "Couldn't load device" error, check the drivers. ADB Or try another one. USB-Sometimes it helps to reconnect the cable or reboot the PC.
4 Unlocking Mi Account after reset
If you reset the Redmi 8 and you forget the Mi Account that the phone was attached to, the screen will require you to enter your username and password, which is a theft protection that you can't legally circumvent.
Methods of unlocking:
- 📧 Restore your password via account.xiaomi.com (access to the email or phone number specified during registration is required).
- 📞 Contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box with) IMEI).
- 🔓 If you bought your phone with your hands, try contacting the previous owner (IMEI You can find it on the box or via the command *#06#).
Informal methods (e.g. through EDL-Mode or paid services can permanently lock the device or cause loss IMEI. Xiaomi is actively fighting against bypassing protection, so the risks are high.
💡
The only legal way to unlock Mi Account is to restore access to the associated account, all other methods violate the terms of use and can lead to the locking of the device.
5. Frequent errors and their solutions
Even if you follow the instructions, the Redmi 8 may not go as planned.
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "This device is locked" after resetting | Mi Cloud protection is activated and account details are incorrect | Restore access to Mi Account or contact Xiaomi for support |
| The phone vibrates but does not turn on after resetting | Failed firmware or damaged Boot partition | Repeat the firmware via Fastboot with another version of MIUI |
| Mi Flash Tool gives you Flash done, but the phone doesn’t load | Incompatible firmware or error in recording | Try a different version of the firmware (e.g. Global instead of China) |
| After reset, there is no net (IMEI reset) | Modem partition is damaged (often occurs with unofficial firmware) | Restore IMEI through QCN-file or refer to the service |
If none of these methods helped, the problem may be in the hardware:
- 🔋 Faulty battery (phone turns off when charge is low even during reset).
- 💾 Damaged memory (eMMC chip fails with frequent overheating).
- 🔌 Oxidized contacts on the motherboard (for example, after moisture hits).
In such cases, self-repair is not recommended - it is better to contact the service center. The average cost of diagnosing Redmi 8 in 2026 is from 500 to 1500 rubles.
6. Alternatives to resetting: when can you do without it
Before you drop your phone, check if a less radical solution will help:
- 🐢 Lags and brakes: try clearing the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning or disabling animation in developer mode.
- 🔄 Errors after the update: rollback to the previous version MIUI via Recovery (if backup is available).
- 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock: sometimes sign in via Mi Account on i.mi.com (Find device feature»).
- 🦠 Viruses: scan your phone through Google Play Protect or antivirus (e.g. Malwarebytes).
If the problem is a lack of memory, try transferring applications to the memory card:
- Insert microSD (up to 512 GB, FAT32 format).
- Go to Settings → Applications.
- Select the application → Storage → Change → Memory Map.
💡
Before resetting, check if changing the firmware region helps. For example, if you have MIUI China, try using Global or EEA, which can eliminate localization errors.