Reset Xiaomi Mi 5 to factory settings: All ways (2026)

The Xiaomi Mi 5, released in 2016, is still a popular smartphone thanks to its powerful hardware (Snapdragon 820, 3/4 GB of RAM) and support for custom firmware. However, over time, any gadget begins to slow down, glitch or require a complete reinstallation of the system. Reset to factory settings is a universal solution to fix software failures, prepare for sale or eliminate the consequences of a failed upgrade.

In this article, you will find all the current reset methods for the Mi 5 (including Mi 5s and Mi 5s Plus models with similar architecture), adapted for MIUI 14 and earlier.

🔄 Software reset via settings (the safest method)
🛠️ Hard Reset via Recovery (if the phone is not turned on)
💻 Reset via Fastboot (for experienced users)
⚠️ What to do if the reset is frozen or errors occur

Particular attention will be paid to the nuances of working with a locked bootloader (bootloader) - this is critical for Mi 5 owners bought in China or with rooted firmware.

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

Reset to factory settings will remove all data from the internal memory of the smartphone: photos, contacts, messages, installed applications and even files on the device. SD-This is a card, if it's formatted as an internal drive:

Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup|Sync contacts with Google Account or Mi Cloud|Copy photos/videos to PC or cloud|Write it down. IMEI (06# in case of recovery after resetting|Make sure the battery is charged > 50% (to avoid shutdown during the process)-->

Important! If you use Mi Account and have previously activated Find Device, you may need to enter a username/password from your Xiaomi account after resetting, remember or reset your password in advance, otherwise you risk getting a brick!

⚠️ Note: On the Mi 5 with a blocked bootloader, a reset via Recovery may cause This to fail MIUI version cannot be installed on this device. In this case, use only the methods in section 2 or 3.

This method is suitable if the smartphone is turned on and reacts to touch, and you remember the pattern lock or PIN-The instructions are relevant to MIUI 8–14:

Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
Go to the About Phone section. → Updating the system.
Slap the icon. ⋮ (three dots in the upper right corner) and select Reboot in Recovery.
After the reboot, select the language (usually English or ).
Click Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm.
Wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes) and select Reboot.

If there is no Reboot option in Recovery, use an alternative path:

In Settings, select Additional → Recovery and Reset.
Tap Reset settings reset → Reset your phone settings.
Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.

💡

If the Mi 5 is long on the MI logo after reset, wait 15-20 minutes.The first on-set after Hard Reset can take up to 30 minutes due to application optimization.

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

If the Xiaomi Mi 5 is getting stuck on the screensaver, does not respond to buttons or is locked with a pattern lock that you forgot, resetting through Recovery mode will help.This method works even without connecting to a PC.

How to log in to Recovery:

Turn off your smartphone (clip the power for 10 seconds).
Press Volume Up (+) + Power at the same time and hold for 5-7 seconds.
Release the buttons when the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.

In Recovery, use Volume for navigation and Nutrition for confirmation.

Select Wipe Data (in some versions, Wipe & Reset).
Press Wipe All Data (full reset).
Confirm the action (Confirm or Yes).
Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: If E:unknown command or menu in Chinese appears in Recovery without language selection, your device has custom Recovery (TWRP). In this case, select the Wipe. → Format Data → Enter yes and confirm.

What if Recovery asks for a password?

If you select Wipe Data and you have a password request, it means that the device has FRP (Factory Reset Protection) activated. Enter the password from the last Mi Account or Google Account associated with the phone. If you don't remember the data, use the FAQ section at the end of the article.

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This method requires a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and is suitable for cases where:

🔒 The device has a locked bootloader, but you need to bypass the Mi Account.

Step-by-step:

Download and install Platform Tools (includes fastboot).
Turn off Mi 5 and press Volume Down (-) + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared image will appear).
Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute the commands:

fastboot devices

(Serial number of the device must be displayed)

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

If you need to completely reflash your smartphone (for example, after a failed update), download the official firmware for Mi 5 (codename gemini) from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website and do:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash recovery recovery.img




fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot reboot

Fastboot Team	What's he doing?	When to use
fastboot erase userdata	Deletes user data	For resetting without flashing
fastboot flash recovery	Installing custom recovery	If you need to install a TWRP
fastboot oem unlock	Unlocking bootloader	Only for unlocked devices!
fastboot --disable-verity flash vbmeta	Disable integrity check	If there is a DM Verity error after the firmware

⚠️ Note: The fastboot oem unlock and fastboot flashing unlock commands erase all data and require binding to Mi Account (if bootloader is locked). On the Mi 5 with the bootloader blocked, these commands can lead to loss of data. IMEI!

Possible errors and their solutions

Resetting the Xiaomi Mi 5 doesn’t always go smoothly. Here are the typical problems and ways to fix them:

🔴 This mistake MIUI version cannot be installed Reason: Mismatch between the firmware version and the device region.Solution: Sweep the official firmware for your region through Fastboot (see section 4).
🔴 The phone hangs on the logo. MI After reset Cause: Damaged system files or incompatible Recovery Solution: Repeat reset via Fastboot or run through the full firmware package.
🔴 Request Mi Account after Hard Reset Reason: Find Device protection activated Solution: Enter the last account you linked. If you don't remember, contact Xiaomi support.
🔴 E:footer is wrong in Recovery Reason: Damaged firmware file or unofficial Recovery Solution: Install official Recovery via Fastboot.

Through the settings menu|Through Recovery (Hard Reset)|Through Fastboot.|I haven't tried it yet.|Another way.-->

6.How to recover data after reset

If you didn't back up before reset, the chances of getting it back are minimal, but there are. Here's what you can try:

📁 Photos/Video: Use programs like DiskDigger or Recuva (root access required).
📞 Contacts: Check sync with Google Account or Mi Cloud (sign in at i.mi.com).
💬 Messages: If you used Google Messages, check the archive at messages.google.com.
🔑 Passwords: Restore via Google Smart Lock (if enabled).

Don't write new data to your phone after a reset, which reduces your chances of recovering old files.

Connect the Mi 5 to your PC in Fastboot mode.
Use ADB to create a memory image:

adb pull /data/media/0/

Or use utilities like 7-Data Recovery (paid but supported by Xiaomi).

💡

The only reliable way to save data is to back up before reset. Recovery after Hard Reset does not guarantee 100% results, especially for files stored in internal memory (not on the back end). SD-map).

7. Frequent Questions (FAQ)

❓ How to Reset Xiaomi Mi 5 if You Forgot Your pattern lock?

If you remember the data from the Mi Account associated with the phone: 5 times enter the wrong key until the button Forgot the password appears?. Log in to Xiaomi account and reset the lock. If you do not remember the account data, use Hard Reset via Recovery (section 3), but after reset you will need to enter the username / password from Mi Account (if you were tied).

❓ Can you reset the Mi 5 without losing data?

No, a full reset always deletes user data. However, you can: Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup (saves apps, settings, but not photos). Copy files manually to a PC or cloud. For a partial reset (for example, only network settings), use Settings → System → Reset Network settings → Reset.

❓ After reset, Mi 5 asks for old Wi-Fi password?

This is due to the Wi-Fi Sense function in MIUI, Solution: Connect to another Wi-Fi network and reset. Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and networks → Reset network settings. If the problem persists, reset via Recovery.

❓ How to unlock bootloader on Mi 5 to reset via Fastboot?

Official unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool is no longer supported for Mi 5 (device > 36 months). Alternative ways: Use informal tools like XiaomiTool V2 (risk of account locking); Contact Xiaomi Service Center with proof of ownership (check, box); Buy unlocked device on the secondary market. Attention! Unlocking bootloader erases all data and can lead to loss of warranty.

❓ Reset doesn't work, the phone still slows down?

If the Mi 5 continues to laggit after reset, the problem may be in the: 🔋 Worn-out battery (replace battery). 🛠️ Damaged firmware (see official request) MIUI via Fastboot). 🔥 Overheating of the processor (clean from dust, replace the heat paste). 📉 Lack of memory (remove unnecessary applications, turn off animations in Developer Settings). CPU Monitor AIDA64.