How to Reset Your Settings on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A: All Ways (2026)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, released in 2017. Despite its age, the device is still actively used due to its reliability and the ability to install custom firmware. However, over time, any gadget begins to slow down, glitch or require preparation for sale, in such cases, resetting to factory settings becomes the optimal solution.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to reset for Redmi Note 5A (codename ugg), including software methods through the menu, hardware reset using buttons and the nuances of working with different versions of MIUI. Particular attention will be paid to the unique problem of this model – locking the bootloader after a reset on some firmware, which is rarely mentioned in standard instructions, and you will find answers to questions about saving data, unlocking a Mi Account and restoring work after a failed reset.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you start resetting your settings on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A, it is critical to follow a few preparatory steps to avoid losing important data and activation issues after the procedure.

First, back up all critical data, and even if you're planning a soft reset that doesn't theoretically affect user files, there's always a risk of losing information.

• 📱 Mi Cloud – for synchronizing contacts, notes and certain settings (Mi Account is required)
• 💾 Local backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup
• 🖥️ Computer – for manual copying of photos, videos and documents through MTP-connection
• 🔄 Google Account – to synchronize email, calendar and part of applications

Second, check your Mi Account status. If your device has Find Device enabled or your Mi Account is linked with a confirmed phone number, you may need to enter your login and password after reset. On the Redmi Note 5A model with MIUI 10 and higher, your account is still tied to your device even after a hard reset, which can be a problem if you don’t remember the login details.

Make sure the battery is charged > 50%|Create a backup copy of important data|Remember the username/password from Mi Account|Disable your Google Account (if you plan to sell)|Check availability SIM-post-reset activation cards-->

It’s also worth considering that on the Redmi Note 5A with an unlocked bootloader, resetting can lead to automatic locking of the bootloader on some versions of MIUI. This is due to Xiaomi’s security policy, which was tightened after 2019.If you previously unlocked the bootloader to install custom firmware, after the reset, you may need to re-unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

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If you don’t remember the password from Mi Account, try to restore it INFORMATION through the official account.xiaomi.com.Once reset, recovery can be blocked for 72 hours.

Method 1: Soft Reset via the settings menu

Soft Reset is the most gentle reset method that doesn’t affect user data (photos, videos, documents), but returns system settings to factory settings. This method is suitable if the smartphone is stable, but you want to eliminate small software glitches or prepare the device for transfer to another user without full cleaning.

To perform a soft reset on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A, follow the instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Additional section (in some versions of MIUI – About Phone).
3. Select Backup and Reset.
4. Slip on Settings Reset.
5. Select Reset (without deleting data) or Reset all settings (depending on the MIUI version).
6. Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN-code.
7. Wait for the device to restart (it will take 2-5 minutes).

Once the procedure is complete, the smartphone will restart and you will see a standard welcome screen, all installed apps will remain in place, but their settings will be reset, and will also be deleted:

• 🔑 Saved Wi-Fi passwords
• 📱 Screen settings (brightness, timeout)
• 🔔 Sound profiles and notifications
• 🎯 Personalization of the interface (wallpaper, themes)

It is important to note that soft reset does not delete Google and Mi accounts, so after the procedure you do not need to re-enter data to activate. However, if you plan to sell or transfer a smartphone, this method is not suitable – use hard reset (described in the next section).

Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode

Hard Reset is a complete factory-backed cleanup of your device, which removes all data, including apps, photos, messages, and account settings, and should be used in cases where:

• 🐢 Strong slowdown of the smartphone
• 🔄 Preparation of the device for sale or transfer
• 🚨 Eliminating critical errors (infinite boot, reboot cycles)
• 🔓 Unlocking after a failed firmware update

To perform hard reset on Redmi Note 5A via Recovery mode, follow the following steps:

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 11 and higher after hard reset, you may need to enter data from the Mi Account that was linked to the device. If you do not remember the password, the reset will lead to locking the phone (so-called "Mi Account Lock").

Instructions for resetting via Recovery:

1. Turn off the smartphone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press the Volume Up (+) and Power buttons simultaneously.
3. Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery Mode menu appear on the screen.
4. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (on some versions – Wipe & Reset) with the volume buttons.
5. Confirm the choice of the power button.
6. Select Wipe All Data (complete cleanup).
7. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
8. After the process is complete, select Reboot to System to restart.

The reset process will take 5 to 10 minutes, and after the reboot, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you bought it.

• 📱 Data input from Mi Account (if the account is linked)
• 🌐 Connecting to Wi-Fi for activation
• 🔑 Entering PIN-code SIM-cards (if installed)

Yes, I did myself)|Yeah, at the service center.|No, but I'd like to learn.|No, and no planning.-->

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

If your Redmi Note 5A doesn’t turn on, hovers on the Mi logo or doesn’t respond to taps, it may need to be reset via Fastboot mode.This method is more complex and requires a computer connection, but it’s effective in cases where standard methods don’t work.

To perform a reset via Fastboot, you will need:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot Teams

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the buttons Volume down (-) + Power before the screen with the hare in the hat-eared (Fastboot mode).
3. Connect the device to the computer.
4. Open the command prompt (CMD) in the ADB folder.
5. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined, you will see its serial number.
6. Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI For the Redmi Note 5A The fastboot erase userdata command can lock the bootloader if it has been previously unlocked, in which case you will need to re-unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool with waiting. 72-168 hours.

Once the commands are executed, the smartphone will restart and begin the initial setup process, which is the most effective method for fixing serious software failures, but requires caution - incorrect commands in Fastboot can lead to a blink (complete failure) of the device.

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Fastboot reset is the only working way if the smartphone doesn’t respond to buttons or is stuck on the logo, but it requires minimal command line knowledge and risks blocking the bootloader on unlocked devices.

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery

After successfully resetting your settings on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A, you will have to go through the initial setup process. Depending on the chosen reset method (soft or hard reset), the steps may vary slightly, but the overall scheme looks like this:

First, the device will suggest selecting a language, region and connecting to a Wi-Fi network.

• 🌍 Choose the right region (e.g. Russia or Europe) as the available services of Google and Mi depend on it.
• 🔒 Enter the data from Mi Account if the account was linked before the reset. Without this step, further settings will be blocked.
• 🔄 Skip the offer to restore data from a backup if you sell a device.

Once you activate your account (if required), you will be taken to the home screen, and you can now start to recover the data:

1. Restore from backup: Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Restore from backup. Select a backup file (if you created it in advance).
2. Manual app installation: Open Google Play Market and install the apps you need. Quick installation in the Mi App Store can be used to speed up the process.

File transfer:

• Connect your smartphone to your computer and copy previously saved photos, videos and documents.
• Use Mi Drop or Google Drive for wireless transmission.

If you have problems after resetting, for example:

• 🔋 Fast battery discharge – Calibrate the battery (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruption).
• 📶 Network problems – check your settings APN In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).
• 🔊 No sound – make sure not to disturb (Settings) → Sound and vibration → Don't disturb).

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If the smartphone is slower than before the procedure, try disabling the animation interface. Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 5 times to activate Developer Mode. Then to Settings → Additional → For developers, set the Animation Size and Duration of Animation to Disabled.

Common Post-Dump Problems and Their Solutions

Even if you perform a reset on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A correctly, users often face typical problems.

1.Mi Account data is required, but you do not remember it

If after hard reset, the device requests data from Mi Account and you don’t remember the password, you have a few options:

• 🔑 Password Recovery: Go to account.xiaomi.com and try to restore access via email or phone. note that after several unsuccessful attempts, the account may be blocked from the Internet. 24-72 hour.
• 📧 Confirmation via backup email: If you provided a backup address when registering, check the instruction letter.
• 🛠️ Appeal for Xiaomi: Provide proof of purchase (check, box with) IMEI), It can take up to 5 business days to confirm ownership of the device.

2.The smartphone does not turn on after reset

If the device does not turn on after hard reset or reset via Fastboot (black screen, vibration without image), try:

• 🔋 Charge the battery: Connect the charger to 30-60 It's possible that the battery completely ran out during the procedure.
• 🔄 Repeat reset: Press the volume up + Meals for food 20-30 seconds to force the device to restart in Recovery and repeat the reset.
• 💻 Swipe through Fastboot: If the screen is black, the firmware may have been damaged, in which case you will need to reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool using the official ROM.

3.IMEI loss after discharge

On some versions of MIUI for Redmi Note 5A, the IMEI (Unique Device Identifier) may disappear after reset, resulting in a network absence.

1. Make sure you have a backup of the /data/nvram folder (if you did backup via TWRP).
2. If you don’t have a backup, try restoring IMEI using the engineering menu: ##3646633##Go to Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information and enter commands to restore IMEI (root rights required).
3. If nothing helps, contact the service center to flash the NVRAM module.

4.The loader has locked after the reset

As mentioned earlier, on the Redmi Note 5A with the unlocked bootloader, an automatic lock can occur after the reset.

• 🔓 Use the Mi Unlock Tool to re-unlock (waiting required) 72-168 hours).
• 📥 Install the official firmware via Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool (select Clean All option).
• ⚠️ Don’t try to re-cover custom (TWRP) over the blocked loader - this will lead to a blink.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting settings on Redmi Note 5A