Xiaomi Mi 8: how to reset to factory settings – the full guide

Owners of the popular Xiaomi Mi 8 flagship sooner or later face the need to completely clean the device’s memory, which can be caused by selling the gadget, transferring it to another user or wanting to start using the system from scratch after many experiments with firmware. The MIUI operating system installed on board provides several built-in tools for this task, but access to them can vary depending on the current version of the software.

Back to baseline is a critically important operation that requires careful attention. Mistakes can lead to loss of personal information that can not be recovered by standard methods. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to perform Hard Reset, focusing on device preparation and possible risks associated with blocking an account.

Before we take action, we need to understand the difference between simply removing applications and deep formatting memory partitions, and we will look at both the software method through interface settings and hardware reset via Recovery mode, which is relevant for problems with system boot or forgotten pattern lock.

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Before starting any reset operations, be sure to back up important contacts and photos to a cloud service or computer, as the process will irreversibly delete all user data.

Preparation of the smartphone for the procedure of resetting

The initial stage is the foundation of successful completion of the operation. Ignoring the preparatory steps often leads to the fact that after a reboot the user gets a locked phone or loses access to important files. The first thing to make sure that the battery level is at least 50-60%. interruption of the formatting process due to discharge can damage the system files and turn the device into a brick.

The second critical point is the Mi Account, which is a modern version of the MIUI shell that offers enhanced protection against theft, and if you reset without untidying your account, the first time you activate it, you'll need to enter a password from a previously synchronized account, and without that, it's going to be extremely difficult to unlock the Xiaomi Mi 8, and you'll need to contact the service center with checks for a purchase.

It is also recommended to remove microSD cards and SIM-Although modern versions of Android try not to affect external drives when reset, the risk of accidental formatting or damage to the file system of the card. Removing SIMs is also useful to avoid accidental calls or sending data during the system reboot process.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to sell a device, be sure to log out of all Google and Mi Account accounts manually through the settings menu before reset to avoid blocking activation.

The final step of preparation will be to check for backup. The built-in MIUI tool allows you to save data to your PC or the cloud. Make sure your contacts, messages and call history are saved. Once you press the reset button, you can't return deleted files without professional software, so this step should not be missed.

Reset via the system settings menu

The safest and easiest way to get the Xiaomi Mi 8 back to factory status is to use the standard operating system interface. This method is suitable for situations where the phone turns on, the screen responds to touch, and you have full access to the menu. The algorithm for actions may vary slightly depending on the Android version and the MIUI shell, but the overall logic remains the same.

First, you need to go to the main menu and find the Settings icon. In the list that opens, you should scroll down to About Phone. This is where the basic device management functions are concentrated. Inside this section, you need to find the option Reset or Factory Reset. In some versions of firmware, this item can be hidden in the Advanced Settings submenuum.

The system will alert the user that all data will be deleted, display a list of what to destroy: photos, music, installed applications and their data. If you want to save some files but clear the settings, some versions of MIUI have the option of "Clear all data" (full reset) or selective cleaning, however, to ensure the purity of the system, it is recommended to choose a full formatting.

After confirmation of action, the device will request the input of the pattern lock, PIN-A code or password, if installed on a lock screen, is a security measure to prevent accidental or unauthorized reset by unauthorized persons. After entering the code, the cleaning process will begin, which will take from a few minutes to ten to fifteen minutes depending on the amount of memory filled.

Hard Reset via Recovery Mode

Hard Reset Recovery Mode is a versatile solution that is used when the Xiaomi Mi 8 smartphone does not load to the desktop, freezes on the logo or you forget the password to log in, which works independently of the main operating system, starting from a separate memory partition.

To enter recovery mode, you need to turn the device off completely, then you need to press the key combination: Volume Up and Power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears on the screen, then the power button can be released, continuing to keep the volume. In a few seconds, the main Recovery menu opens.

Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up and down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button. However, some versions of Recovery (especially global ones) have a touch screen. You need to find the Wipe Data item. Within this section, you will be asked to select Wipe All Data.

Once the selection is confirmed, the clean-up process will begin. The screen may display the progress bar. Upon completion, the system will notify you of success (Success) and prompt you to return to the main menu (Back to Main Menu) or reboot (Reboot -> Reboot to System). The first run after such a reset will last longer than usual, since the system takes time to initially configure the file tables.

⚠️ Note: When reset via Recovery, bypass Google protection (FRP) If you have a Google account attached to your phone, you'll need to log in and log in after you turn it on.

Use of Fastboot Mode and PC

For advanced users who encounter software bugs that prevent them from logging in or recovering, there is a Fastboot mode. This low-level protocol allows you to interact with smartphone memory directly via your computer. For the Xiaomi Mi 8, this is relevant if you need to flash or deep clean partitions.

To get into this mode, you need to turn off the phone and press the Volume Down and the power button at the same time. The screen will show an image of a rabbit repairing an android and the inscription Fastboot. USB-It's going to require drivers installed to work. ADB/Fastboot and related software, such as Mi Flash Tool or console commands.

Command Prompt allows you to format specific partitions. For example, the fastboot erase userdata team cleans the partition with user data, actually performing a reset. However, using this method requires high skill. An error in choosing a partition (for example, formatting a boot or system without further firmware) will make the phone inoperable.

fastboot devices


fastboot erase userdata




fastboot erase cache




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This is often used to “cure” smartphones after failed attempts to obtain superuser rights (Root) or install custom recavators. If your goal is simply to sell your phone or delete data, it is better to limit yourself to the methods described in the previous sections, since working with Fastboot carries increased risks.

Account Deletion and Data Protection

Special attention should be paid to safety issues when preparing the Xiaomi Mi 8 for reset. The Xiaomi ecosystem and Google tightly are integrated into the device. Find My Device function and the Mi similar one create a protective perimeter. If you just remove the battery (which is impossible indiscriminately) or reset the settings without turning off the tether, the phone becomes useless for the new owner.

The unbundling process is simple: go to Settings -> Accounts and Sync (or Mi Account). Select your account and click Delete or Sign Out. The system will require password confirmation. Only after the account has disappeared from the list can you start resetting, which ensures that when activated, the phone does not ask for old data.

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Unbinding accounts before resetting is the only way to ensure that the new owner can fully use the device without contacting the service with purchase documents.

If you used your phone as your primary payment system, make sure that your linked bank cards are removed from Google Pay or bank apps. Although access tokens are removed when you reset, additional verification through the bank’s web interface is not an unnecessary precaution.

After performing the reset and initial setup, it is recommended not to connect immediately to open Wi-Fi networks, but to conduct the initial setup in a secure environment. If the phone is sold, the new owner should set it up himself to make sure there are no hidden problems or residual files.

Possible problems and solutions

Users may encounter various difficulties in resetting the Xiaomi Mi 8, and one common problem is the “bootloop” cycle, where the phone is constantly turned off and on, showing the logo, which can happen if the system files were damaged before the reset or the formatting process was interrupted.

In this situation, it is usually helpful to re-enter Recovery mode and try to run Wipe Data again. If this does not help, you will need to flash the device through Fastboot using the official firmware image. You can also hang on the Mi logo after reset - in this case you just need to wait, the first run can last up to 10-15 minutes.

Another problem is that the sensor doesn't respond to the reset, which is a rare calibration software failure, whether it's by logging into an engineering menu (code ##6484## or similar for your version) and testing the sensor, or resetting it again, and if the phone doesn't respond to the power buttons at all, it's possible that the battery has run out or that the power controller has failed hardware.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone requires an unlock code after the reset that you didn't set, it may have been stolen or previously belonged to another person with active protection.

It is important to understand that resetting is not a panacea for all hardware diseases. If the phone warmed, quickly discharged or bugged the sensor before the procedure, after reset, these problems are likely to remain anywhere, since they are associated with the physical wear and tear of the Xiaomi Mi 8 components.