How to Reset Xiaomi Redmi 8T to Factory Settings: The Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi Redmi 8T is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, but even it eventually begins to “brake”, glitch or require a complete reboot before selling. Reset to factory settings is a universal solution for 90% of software problems, but many users are afraid of this procedure because of the risk of losing data or locking the device. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to reset for the Redmi 8T (including models with MIUI 12/13/14) firmware, tell you how to prepare for the procedure, and what to do if after resetting the phone requires an old Mi Account.

It’s important to understand that resetting is not just a system cleanup, but a complete deletion of all user data, apps and settings. On Redmi 8T, this procedure has its nuances due to the features of MIUI firmware and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon hardware platform. We’ll look at 3 official methods (via settings, Recovery Mode and Mi Cloud), as well as recommendations for recovering data after the reset and solving typical errors such as “This device is locked” or “Couldn’t verify the update”.

If you've never done a Xiaomi reset before, don't worry: there are step-by-step screenshots, checklists and warnings for critical moments, and for those who have tried to reset their phone and have run into problems, we've prepared a section on solutions to the most common bugs.

1.Reset preparation: what must be done before the procedure

Before you start resetting, make sure you follow all the key steps. On Redmi 8T, a reset without backup will lead to irretrievable loss of photos, contacts and messages - even specialized programs like Dr.Fone or Tenorshare do not guarantee 100% recovery after a complete reset.

Here is what must be done without fail:

• 📱 Create a backup copy through Settings → The phone. → Backup or manually copy files to your PC. Pay special attention to folders DCIM (Photo/video, Downloads and WhatsApp/Databases (if you use a messenger).
• 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 50% Interrupted reset due to battery discharge can lead to a "brick" (complete inoperability) of the device.
• 🔑 Make sure you remember your Mi Account information after you reset Redmi. 8T You will need to enter a login / password if you have previously activated Find Device or Mi Cloud.

Redmi 8T

Create a backup copy

Charge your phone >50%

Remember the Mi Account data

Disable accounts

Remove the SIM and memory card (optional)

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If you are planning to sell or transfer your phone, we recommend:

• 📇 Delete everything SIM-Memory cards and cards – they may contain personal information.
• 🔄 Leave all accounts in the applications (for example, VKontakte, Instagram, banking applications).
• 🛡️ Disable Find Device in Settings → Mi Account → Find Device if you don’t want your new owner to track your location.

⚠️ Attention: If on Redmi 8T previously installed custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), resetting through a standard menu can lead to a hang on the logo MI. In this case, you will need firmware through Fastboot.

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

This method is suitable if the phone turns on, reacts to touch, and you have access to the MIUI menu. The main advantage is the minimum risk of errors, since the reset occurs under the control of the system.

Instructions for Redmi 8T (relevant to MIUI 12-14):

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. If requested PIN-code or pattern lock – enter it.
5. Confirm the action by clicking Remove Everything (on some versions of MIUI, the button may be called Reset Phone).
6. Wait until the process is complete (usually takes 3-7 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

After the reboot, you will see the screen of the initial setup, as after the purchase. If the phone requires Mi Account data, use the account that was tied before the reset.

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If the Redmi 8T hangs on the MI logo for a long time after reset (more than 10 minutes), try forcibly rebooting it by holding the power button for 15-20 seconds.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 13+ After the reset, you may experience an error “This device is associated with a Mi Account” even if you untie your account, which requires you to enter the last associated account or contact Xiaomi in support.

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

If the Redmi 8T is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touches or is locked with a pattern lock, the only way out is to reset via Recovery Mode.This method works even on dead phones, but requires care: wrong actions can lead to loss of IMEI or damage to the EFS partition.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up simultaneously and hold for 10-15 seconds until the MI logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. In the Recovery menu, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selection.
4. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some versions of Factory Reset).
5. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm or Yes.
6. After the reset is complete, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

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

• 📱 The first item is reboot (Reboot).
• 🗑️ The second item is reset (Wipe Data).
• 🔧 The third point is the connection with the PC (Connect with MiAssistant).

After resetting via Recovery, the phone can:

• 🔄 Reboot as normal (success).
• ❌ Hang on the logo. MI (need to be reflashed).
• 🔒 Request Mi Account (if Find Device was enabled).

Method 3: Remote reset via Mi Cloud (if phone is lost)

If you lose the Redmi 8T or it is stolen, you can reset remotely via the Mi Cloud service, which only works if:

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (mobile network or Wi-Fi).
• 🔑 Find Device has been activated in the settings.
• 🌐 You have access to the Mi Account linked to the device.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Find Device section, select your Redmi 8T (if it's online, its location will be displayed).
3. Press Erase Device (Erase Data).
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from Mi Account.
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Remote reset via Mi Cloud does not guarantee complete deletion of data from internal memory. If the phone had critical data, we recommend to change the passwords from all accounts (mail, social networks, banks).

After the remote reset, the phone:

• 📵 It will stop showing up in Mi Cloud (if you were online).
• 🔄 Return to factory settings at the next turn on.
• 🔒 Requires Mi Account data entry at first setup.

5.Typical post-reset errors and their solutions

Even if the reset was successful, Redmi 8T users often face problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If the IMEI is missing after the reset:

1. Check the current IMEI command *#06#.
2. If Null/Unknown is displayed, try restoring it via the engineering menu: Dial ##4636## Go to Information → Phone Information In the “Set preferred network type” field, select LTE/WCDMA auto If IMEI is not restored, you will need EFS firmware.

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If after the Redmi reset 8T does not SIM-Maps, never try to recover IMEI through third-party applications without backup EFS — This can lead to total loss of the network!

6.How to flash Redmi 8T after a failed reset

If the phone does not turn on after the reset, hangs on the logo or gives out errors like Fastboot mode, you will need to flash through Fastboot or EDL. For Redmi 8T (codename willow), official firmware is available on the MIUI Downloads website.

Step-by-step instructions for firmware through the Mi Flash Tool:

1. Download the official Fastboot ROM for Redmi 8T (select Global or EEA).
2. Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\ROM\willow).
3. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the latest version).
4. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: pinch Power + Volume down.
5. Get Redmi on board. 8T PC-only USB-cable (preferably original).
6. In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and specify the path to the unpacked firmware.
7. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
8. Wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

If the firmware through Fastboot does not help (the phone is not determined by the PC), you will need an EDL mode:

• 🔌 Use testpoint (closing contacts on the board) or a special Deep Flash Cable cable.
• 💻 Install the Qualcomm 9008 driver and run through the Mi Flash Tool in mode EDL.
• ⚠️ This method is risky – if you make a mistake, the phone can turn into a brick».

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If the Redmi 8T does not turn on after firmware, try charging it in the off state for 1-2 hours - sometimes the battery discharges to a level at which the phone cannot start.

7.Recovery of data after reset: what can be returned

If you didn’t back up before resetting, the chances of recovering data depend on which files were deleted:

To recover photos and videos:

1. Connect Redmi 8T to your PC in MTP mode (like a flash drive).
2. Install DiskDigger or Recuva.
3. Select a scan of the phone’s internal memory (not a scan). SD-map!).
4. Save the files found on the PC.

⚠️ Warning: Do not save recovered files back to your phone - this can overwrite the remaining data and reduce the chances of recovering other files.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)