How to Get Xiaomi Redmi 5 Back to Factory Settings: The Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and ability to upgrade to MIUI 12 (based on Android 9 Pie), but over time, any gadget begins to slow down: temporary files accumulate, updates conflict, and viruses or failed firmware can make the phone almost unusable, in which cases, resetting to factory settings is the most effective way to return the device to a “second life”.

But before you do, it's important to understand that resetting will delete all the data -- photos, contacts, messages, installed apps, even account settings -- if you don't back up, it's almost impossible to recover information without specialized software and skills. In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery and Fastboot), and also tell you how to bypass the lock. MI-Account after reset and avoidable errors.

Preparation for resetting: what to do necessarily

Even if your Redmi 5 is crashing, take time to prepare, which will save you nerves and data. Start with backup. Use built-in MIUI tools or third-party services:

• 📱 Local Copy: Go to Settings → The phone. → Backup and save data to a memory card or to the Mi Cloud (unless your account is blocked).
• ☁️ Cloud services: Google Photos (for media files), Google Contacts (for address book), or Titanium Backup (requires root rights).
• 💾 Manual transfer: connect your phone to your PC via USB and copy the folders. DCIM (Photos, Downloads (downloads) and WhatsApp (chats) to your hard drive.

If the phone does not turn on or hovers on the logo, backup will not work – in this case, after reset, you will have to restore data using programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver (success is not guaranteed).

⚠️ Note: If the Redmi 5 feature was enabled "Find Device" (Find Device), after reset, you will need to enter a password from the device. MI-Without this data, it will be impossible to unlock the device without contacting the Xiaomi service center.

Also check:

• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 50%. Recovery or Fastboot resets can take up to 10-15 minutes, and if the phone turns off in the process, it will lead to a "brick" (breaking the firmware).
• 📶 SIM card: Remove it if you plan to sell or transfer your phone. SIM It may be blocked due to the shift. IMEI (rare but it happens).
• 🔑 Passwords: write down the login and password from MI-account and Google account – they will be required for re-authorization.

Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the easiest one)

If Redmi 5 is turned on and reacts to touch, use this method - it is the safest and does not require additional tools. MIUI 9–12 (Android 7–9).

Steps:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Additional → Recovery and Reset (in some versions of MIUI, the path may be different: Settings → System → Additional → Resetting).
3. Select Resetting (not to be confused with Network Resetting!).
4. The system will tell you what to delete: 📱 Annexes and their data 📁 Media files (photos, videos, music) 📞 Contacts and communications

Delete everything.

graphical key

PIN-code

The phone will restart and start the reset process (it will take ~5-10 minutes).

When you reboot, you'll see a welcome screen, like when you first turn on. MI-Enter your account or the device will remain locked.

Battery charge > 50%|Backup created|SIM-map extracted|Password from MI-logged|pattern lock remembered-->

⚠️ Warning: If the phone hangs on the Redmi logo for longer than 15 minutes after reset, do not try to turn it off with the power button. wait for the battery to discharge or connect to charging for 1-2 hours - sometimes the system "wakes up" after recharging.

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

If Redmi 5 doesn’t load, freezes on the logo, or reboots cyclically, use Recovery Mode, a built-in recovery mode that’s also suitable if you’ve forgotten your pattern lock or if you’ve lost your image. PIN-code.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the buttons at the same time: Volume up (+) + Power for standard Recovery. Volume down (-) + Power for Fastboot (if the first option didn't work).

Mi

Recovery

English

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Wipe & Reset

Confirm

Reboot → Reboot to System

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

• The 3rd item on top is Wipe Data.
• The 1st item in the submenu is Wipe All Data.
• The last item is Reboot.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

If the first two methods fail, then Fastboot, a mode that allows you to control your phone through a computer, requires a PC with drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool or ADB/Fastboot program.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 7/10/11 (for Mac/Linux Additional drivers are needed).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or high-quality).
• 📦 Stock firmware archive for Redmi 5 (you can download it on the official Xiaomi website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for firmware) or ADB/Fastboot (command-line).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off Redmi 5.
2. Press Volume Down (-) + Power before the screen with the hare in the hat-eared (Fastboot mode) appears.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the Qualcomm or Xiaomi drivers. USB Drivers.
5. For a full reset, type fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot.
6. If you want to reflash your phone, use the Mi Flash Tool: Unpack the archive with the firmware. In the program, select the firmware folder. Press Refresh, then Flash. Wait for completion (10-15 minutes).

💡

If the Mi Flash Tool is “This device is locked” error, the bootloader is locked, and you need permission from Xiaomi to unlock it through the official website (unlock.miui.com), which takes up to 72 hours and requires a phone number to be linked to the phone. MI-account.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot removes all data without recovery, including files in internal memory. If you accidentally chose the wrong firmware (for example, for Redmi 5 Plus instead of Redmi 5), the phone can turn into a brick. → The phone. → Model of the device.

How to unlock MI-post-reset account

If Redmi 5 is resetting, it requires data MI-You don’t remember them, there are a few options:

1. Password Recovery: Go to account.xiaomi.com. Click Forgot Password?. Enter the linked email or phone number. Follow the instructions in the letter or SMS.
2. Support for Xiaomi: Write to the support chat on Xiaomi's website, providing: IMEI phone (written on the box or under the battery); check of purchase (if saved); Passport details (to confirm ownership).
3. Bypass blocking (unofficial): Use programs like Mi Account Unlock Tool (risky, can lead to account locking). Contact the service center - some workshops have access to official unlock keys.

If the phone is bought by hand and the previous owner has not untied the account, contact him - this is the only legal way to unlock. Xiaomi does not remove the lock on the requests of new owners without proof of purchase.

💡

S 2021 Xiaomi tightens security policy: now to unlock MI-account after reset requires not only a password, but also confirmation through SMS/email, If you don't have access to them, it's going to be extremely difficult to restore access.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the exact following of the instructions, there can be problems.

If none of the methods helped, there may be a problem in the hardware (damaged memory, controller, etc.), in which case, contact the service center. The average cost of a Redmi 5 diagnosis is 500-1000 rubles.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions