Reset Xiaomi Redmi 8 to factory settings: a complete guide with photos

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a popular budget smartphone that, even years after its release, remains in demand due to its reliability and the ability to “second breath” after reset. However, returning the device to a factory state is not as easy as it seems: wrong actions can lead to locking the bootloader, loss of data or even “bricking” the phone. In this article, three proven ways of resetting, including hidden nuances for the Redmi 8 with an unlocked and locked bootloader, and solving typical problems.

Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) features the use of Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 chip and MIUI-based firmware, which imposes restrictions on standard reset methods. For example, Recovery Mode cannot completely clean the data partition if the bootloader is locked, and we will discuss how to circumvent these restrictions, what tools will be needed (Mi Flash Tool, ADB), and what to do if the smartphone does not turn on after the reset.

Important: if you're planning to sell or transfer your phone, it's not enough to just reset the settings through the menu, you also need to unplug your Mi Account, otherwise the new owner won't be able to activate the device, and the unplug instructions are in the appropriate section.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do before the start

Before returning Redmi 8 to factory settings, follow the steps to avoid losing important data or locking your device:

📱 Back up. Use the settings. → The phone. → Backup or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup (root rights required). Especially important to save: Contacts (export to.vcf) Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud) SMS and call logs (applications like.vcf) SMS Backup & Restore)
🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%. Recovery or Mi Flash reset can take up to 30 minutes, and discharging during the process will cause a failure.
🔑 Find out the status of the bootloader. On Redmi 8, it is blocked by default. You can check the status by command: fastboot oem device-info If in the answer Device unlocked: false, the bootloader is blocked, and some reset methods will not be available.
📋 Record your Mi Account information. After the reset, you may need to reauthorize. If you forget your password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

On Redmi 8 with a locked bootloader, resetting via Recovery will not delete data from the /sdcard partition.

⚠️ Note: If you bought your phone with your hands and don’t know the Mi Account attached to it, a reset without detachment will result in a device lock (Mi Cloud Lock.

📊 How often do you reset your smartphone to factory settings?

Once a year to clean the system

Just before the sale.

Never dropped it.

After the failed experiments with firmware

This method is suitable if:

📱 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
🔓 You remember the pattern lock or PIN-code.
🔄 You need to return factory settings without deleting files in internal memory (if the bootloader is blocked).

Instructions:

Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
Enter the password from Mi Account (if requested).
Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

It takes 5-10 minutes, and after the restart, you'll be asked to set your phone as new, and if you see a "failed to reset" error on the screen, try the alternatives in the following sections.

Make sure the battery is over 50 times charged%|

Disable protection with a pattern lock (if any)|

Delete SIM-card and memory card (optional)|

Connect to Wi-Fi to download updates after reset-->

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

If Redmi 8 is stuck on the logo, does not respond to buttons or is locked with a password, use Recovery Mode. This method works even without access to the system, but has limitations:

✅ Remove user data (applications, settings).
❌ Does not clear internal memory if the bootloader is blocked.
❌ It does not remove the link to the Mi Account.

Step-by-step:

Turn off the phone (press the power + Volume increase for 10 seconds).
Press Power + Volume Up and hold until the Mi logo appears.
In the Recovery menu, select the language (volume buttons) and press Wipe Data.
Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
After completion, select Reboot.

If the Recovery menu does not have Wipe Data, or if the error "This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device" appears, then the bootloader is locked. In this case, proceed to Method 3 using the Mi Flash Tool.

What happens if the Recovery Mode does not open?

If after holding Power + Volume, the phone vibrates but the screen remains black, try: 1. Connect the charger and try again. 2. Use Power + Volume Reduction (on some versions of the firmware). 3. If nothing helps, the bootloader is damaged and you will need firmware through EDL Mode (only for power users).

Method 3: Complete reset via Mi Flash Tool (for experienced)

This is the only method that is guaranteed to delete all data, including files in internal memory, and reset the settings to a "out of the box" state.

💻 Windows computer (7/10/11).
🔌 Cable USB (original or high-quality).
📥 Fastboot for Redmi 8 (download from official website).
🛠 Mi Flash Tool (last version).

Instructions:

Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\redmi8_fastboot).
Install the Mi Flash Tool and Qualcomm drivers (company).
Turn off the phone and transfer it to Fastboot Mode: Clip Power + Volume Down.
Connect Redmi 8 to a PC. The device manager should appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
In Mi Flash Tool, click Select, specify the folder with the firmware, then Refresh (should be determined). COM-port).
Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

It takes 10-15 minutes. Upon completion, the phone automatically reboots to the "as after purchase" state. CAUTION: if the error "critical partition flashing is not allowed" appears during the firmware, then the bootloader is locked. It must be unlocked through the official Xiaomi tool (it requires a tied Mi Account and a wait of 72 hours).

1. Reinstall drivers manually through Device Manager.

2. Use another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

3. disable antivirus – it can block access to Fastboot.-->

5.How to untie Mi Account after resetting

If you reset Redmi 8 for sale or transfer, be sure to untie the Mi Account. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate the device - when you first turn on, a request will appear to enter your account login and password.

This can be done in two ways:

Before reset: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Exit. Enter your password and confirm the exit. Perform reset by any of the methods described above.

If you do not remember your account details, restore access to account.xiaomi.com. At the very least, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box with IMEI).

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 8 with firmware MIUI 12+ Factory Reset Protection can be used after resetting (FRP). To get around it, when you first turn on, connect to the same Wi-Fi network to which the phone connected before the reset.

Table 6: Comparison of reset methods for Xiaomi Redmi 8

Method	PC required	Deletes data in internal memory	Works with a blocked loader	Remove the Mi Account binding	Difficulty
Through the settings menu	❌ No.	❌ No (if the bootloader is blocked)	✅ Yes.	❌ No.	⭐ Very simple.
Through Recovery Mode	❌ No.	❌ No (if the bootloader is blocked)	✅ Yes.	❌ No.	⭐⭐ Just
Through the Mi Flash Tool	✅ Yes.	✅ Yes (full clean-up)	❌ No (needs an unlocked bootloader)	✅ Yes.	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hardly.
Through EDL Mode	✅ Yes.	✅ Yes.	✅ Yeah (bypasses lockdown)	✅ Yes.	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very difficult.

For most users, the first two methods are enough. Mi Flash Tool should only be used if you plan to sell your phone and want to completely erase all data, including files in memory. EDL Mode is the last option for recovering "brick" devices and requires special cable or soldering work.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you reset Redmi 8, you're going to have a problem, and here's the most common way to fix it:

🔄 "phone is stuck on startup Mi logo after reset": Wait 15-20 minutes - the first turn on after reset can take a long time. If the screen does not change for more than 30 minutes, reset via Recovery again. If it does not help - run the phone through Mi Flash Tool (see Method 3).
🔒 "After reset, the old password is required: This is the protection FRP. Connect to the Wi-Fi you used before the reset and enter your old Mi Account details. If you don’t remember the password, restore it through the Xiaomi website.
⚡ "Battery expired during reset": Connect your phone to charge and wait 10-15 minutes. Try to log back into Recovery. If the phone doesn't respond, charge it off for 1-2 hours, then reset again.
📱 "Sensor fails after reset: This may be due to incorrect firmware. MIUI If the problem persists, check the touchscreen plume (possibly physical damage).

If none of the methods worked and the phone doesn't turn on or gives an error "Invalid" IMEI", It is likely that the firmware is damaged or EMMC-In this case, please contact the service center.

💡

Before selling Redmi 8, be sure to untie Mi Account and reset via Mi Flash Tool – this is the only way to guarantee that all data is deleted and avoid being blocked for the new owner.

8. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions

Can I reset Redmi 8 without losing data?

No. Any factory reset deletes user data (applications, settings, accounts). However, if the bootloader is locked, files in /sdcard can be saved. To avoid losses, back up in advance.

What if after reset, the phone asks for a password from the old Mi Account?

This is Mi Cloud Lock protection. You need to: Enter the account that was linked to the phone before the reset. If you forget the password, restore it to account.xiaomi.com. If the phone is bought from hand and the previous owner has not untied the account, contact him or Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

How to reset Redmi 8 if you forget your pattern lock?

Use Method 2 (Recovery Mode Reset): Turn off your phone. Power + Volume Up. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data. If Recovery requests a password, the bootloader is locked. In this case, you will need firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (see Method 3).

Will the factory settings reset the MIUI update?

No, the firmware update doesn’t affect user data, but if you install custom firmware (like LineageOS), you may need to reset completely via Recovery.

Can I roll back the firmware on Redmi 8 after resetting?

Yes, but with reservations: You can flash the older version of MIUI, but only if the bootloader is unlocked. rollback to a version lower than the one originally installed can lead to the blocking of Anti-Rollback (the phone will stop turning on).