How to return factory settings to Xiaomi Redmi 8T: 3 working methods + error solving

Resetting Xiaomi Redmi 8T to factory settings is a procedure that can be necessary in a variety of situations, from preparing the phone for sale to fixing critical crashes. However, not all users know that an incorrect reset can turn a smartphone into a “brick”, especially if the device is tied to a Mi Account or has a locked bootloader.

The Redmi 8T, codenamed willow, was released in 2020 and is still popular today because of its price-performance balance, but as the device ages, the likelihood of software failures increases, from the interface to the inability to boot the system, and 80% of these problems are solved by factory resets, but it is important to understand that the procedure deletes all data, including photos, contacts and installed applications.

If you have purchased Redmi 8T handheld and it requires a password from the previous owner, resetting through the standard menu will not help - you will need to unlock through Mi Account or special tools like Mi Flash Tool.

1.Reset preparation: what to do before the procedure begins

The first rule of successful reset is to take your time. Many users lose important data simply because they missed the preparation stage. Let's start with backup: even if the phone malfunctions, there's still a chance to save photos and contacts.

To back up on Redmi 8T, use the built-in Mi Cloud or third-party services like Google Drive. The alternative is to connect your phone to your computer via USB and manually copy files from DCIM (photos), Downloads (downloads) and Miui (system settings).

• 📱 Battery charge: Make sure the charge level is at least 50%.Reset when the battery is discharged can be interrupted and damage system files.
• 🔑 Account details: Remember (or take a picture) the username and password from Mi Account. After resetting, the phone may require authorization.
• 📡 Wi-Fi network: If you reset through settings, connect to a stable network.Recovery after reset will require downloading updates.
• 🔌 Cable USB: Come in handy for a Fastboot reset or if the phone doesn't turn on.Use the original Xiaomi cable.

If you do not remember the password or the phone was bought from hand, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection may work after resetting, in which case unlocking will require contacting the service center or using special tools (we will talk about them in the section on errors).

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest method)

If the phone is turned on and touch-responsive, it is the best choice, it requires no additional tools and is minimally risky. The instructions are relevant for the Redmi 8T based on MIUI 12/13/14 (including global and Chinese firmware versions).

Steps for discharge:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Backup and reset.
3. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
4. Enter a pattern lock or PIN-code (if installed).
5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

It takes 3-7 minutes. The phone will reboot and suggest that you configure the system as new. If you request Mi Account after the reset, you have activated FRP protection on the device.

⚠️ Attention: If on Redmi 8T installed custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), resetting through settings can lead to hanging on the logo MI. Use the method through Recovery.

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

If the Redmi 8T is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or doesn't respond to touch, resetting through Recovery will also help.This method is also suitable if you have forgotten the pattern lock. However, be careful: wrong actions in Recovery can damage the firmware.

Instructions for entering Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the MI logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).

Next, select the following items:

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm

Use the volume buttons (Up/Down) to navigate, and the Power button to confirm.

Once the reset is complete, go back to the main Recovery menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System. If the phone has been stuck on the logo for longer than 10 minutes, then the firmware is damaged, you will need to flash it through Fastboot.

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This method is used if:

• 🔄 Phone not included in Recovery or menu damaged.
• 🔧 You need to reflash the Recovery or the system core.
• 🔒 Requires to unlock the loader before resetting.

To work, you will need a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and the Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot utility. Important: unlocking the bootloader erases all data and resets the settings to the factory, but requires binding to the Mi Account for at least 72 hours.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off Redmi 8T and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) and execute the command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the drivers.
4. For a full reset, run fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot.

If you need to unlock the bootloader, use the official Mi Unlock Tool. Please note: Xiaomi only allows unlocking for accounts that have been linked to the phone for more than 3 days.

1. Use another. USB-cable (original from Xiaomi).

2 Connect your phone to a USB 2.0 port (usually black).

3. Disable driver signatures in Windows (to do this, type in the command line bcdedit) /set nointegritychecks on and restart the PC).-->

5. Solving errors after reset

Even after a successful reset, the Redmi 8T may not behave properly, so let's look at the most common problems and their solutions.

Error 1: Phone requires you to enter your Mi Account login (FRP Lock)

This is Xiaomi's standard protection, which is activated if you have an account attached to your phone and then reset, and you can bypass it in a number of ways:

• 🔑 Official method: Enter the username and password from Mi Account, which was tied before the reset.
• 📧 Password Recovery: Go to account.xiaomi.com and restore access.
• 🛠️ Bypass FRP: You will need a PC and special utilities like Mi. FRP Tool or SP Flash Tool. For detailed instructions, look for forums 4PDA or XDA Developers.

Mistake 2: phone is stuck on startup MI logo after reset

Reasons:

• The system or boot section is damaged.
• Incompatible firmware installed.
• The resetting process is interrupted (for example, the battery is dead).

Solution: Fastboot or EDL Mode (emergency mode) to do this, download the official firmware for Redmi 8T (codename willow) from Xiaomi Firmware and use the Mi Flash Tool.

Error 3: Impossible to log in to Recovery or Fastboot

If the phone doesn’t respond to button combinations, the reasons may be hardware:

• 🔋 Battery is discharged (even if the indicator shows charge).
• 🔌 Faulty. USB-port.
• 🔧 Damaged motherboard (requires diagnosis in the service).

Try charging your phone for 30 to 60 minutes with the original charger, then try again. If it doesn't work, contact the service center.

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on or makes errors after a reset, never try to "fix" it with a reset. This will make the problem worse. Instead, use Fastboot or EDL Mode to flash it back.

6.How to avoid problems when resetting: tips from experts

To make the reset go smoothly, follow these recommendations:

• 🔋 Battery charge: At least 70% for resetting via settings, 100% for Fastboot.
• 📡 Wi-Fi Network: Connect to a stable network before resetting – after the reboot, the phone will pull the updates.
• 🔒 Delete accounts: If you sell a phone, delete all accounts (Google, Mi Account, Samsung, etc.) before resetting.
• 📱 Verification IMEI: Check after the reset. IMEI In Settings → The phone. → General information: If it's gone (displayed as Null), you'll need to recover through SN Write Tool.

If you are planning to sell the Redmi 8T, follow these steps:

1. Untie the device from Mi Account in your account settings.
2. Remove all fingerprints and graphic keys.
3. Reset your settings via the menu (not Recovery) to avoid blocking FRP.

For Redmi 8T owners with unlocked bootloader: Re-unblocking may be required after reset. note that Xiaomi limits the number of unlocks for a single account (maximum 1 device in 30 days).

7. Alternative methods of discharge (if nothing helps)

If the standard methods didn’t work, try these options:

Method 1: Reset via Mi PC Suite

Xiaomi's official utility lets you reset settings even if the phone doesn't turn on. download Mi PC Suite from the official website, connect Redmi 8T To the PC and follow the instructions of the program. USB-port and original cable.

Method 2: Reset by ADB (for developers)

If the phone is debugging on USB (USB Debugging, you can perform a reset via command:

adb shell recovery --wipe_data

This method only works when connected to a PC and debugging enabled.

Method 3: Flashing through EDL Mode (Emergency Mode)

EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) - the last chance to bring the phone back to life if it does not respond to buttons and is not defined in the Fastboot. EDL:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the Loud up. + Loudness down + Power and plug in. USB-plug-in.
3. Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until the PC identifies the device as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

Next, use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil for firmware. Attention: the wrong firmware in EDL can finally kill the phone. This method is recommended only for advanced users.

1. Disassemble the phone and find contacts on the motherboard that say EDL or TEST POINT.

2. Close them with tweezers or wires, simultaneously connecting USB-cable.

3.If the phone is identified as QDLoader, you can sew.-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 8T reset