How to properly start the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 9: from the first charging to setting up MIUI

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a popular 2020 model that still holds true today due to its balanced specs and affordable price, but even with such a device, users often have questions about how to turn the phone on after buying, what to do if it does not respond to the power button, or how to avoid errors in the first setup.

The Redmi 9 features a proprietary MIUI shell that requires a binding to Xiaomi account (unless Find Device is disabled), and a non-removable 5020mAh battery, which limits how you can be forced to turn on, and we'll look at all scenarios: standard launch, activation after reset, and diagnostics if the phone doesn't turn on.

Preparation for the first launch: what to do before turning on

Before you press the power button, make sure that the basic conditions are met. Xiaomi Redmi 9 is sensitive to battery level – if it is below 5%, the system can block the start before the charger is connected. It is also important to check the configuration: the box must have a USB Type-C cable and a 10W power supply (or 18W in some regions).

If you bought your phone with your hands, you should:

• 🔋 Make sure the battery doesn't blow (look at the warping of the back cover).
• 🔌 Check the health of the Type-C port – connect the charging and see if the indicator appears.
• 📱 Examine the screen for the presence of "broken" pixels (turn on the flashlight and illuminate the display turned off).
• 🔐 Ask the previous owner to unplug the Mi Account if the phone was in use.

If the phone was stored in cold or high humidity, give it 1-2 hours to acclimatize at room temperature. Condensation inside the case can cause a short circuit when connected to a charge.

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If you buy a Redmi 9 b/d, ask the seller to make a factory reset (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset) with you.

Standard start: step-by-step instructions

If the phone is new or has already been switched off correctly, turn it on simply:

1. Connect the charger (even if the battery is not discharged) to help avoid a sudden shutdown during setup.
2. Press the power button (located on the right end) for 3-5 seconds until the Redmi logo appears.
3. Wait for MIUI to load. The first launch can take up to 2-3 minutes, which is normal.
4. Select the language (Russian is available by default) and region (Russia or Ukraine, depending on the firmware).

After that, the initial setup process will begin, where you will be offered:

• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi (required to download updates).
• 🔑 Sign in to your Mi Account or create a new one (you can skip it, but this will limit the functionality).
• 📱 Transfer data from your old phone (via cable or cloud).
• 🔒 Set up unlocking (PIN, graphical key).

If the phone requires a password from the previous Mi Account when it is first turned on, it means that the device was not reset correctly, in which case you will need to contact the seller or use the official Xiaomi service to unlock.

What to do if Xiaomi Redmi 9 does not turn on

If nothing happens after pressing the power button, the causes can range from a dead battery to hardware malfunctions.

If the phone does not respond to charging:

1. Try another cable and power supply (preferably original).
2. Connect to the power source for 10-15 minutes, then press the power button for 10-15 seconds.
3. If the charging indicator flashes red, it's a critical discharge signal. Leave the phone on charge for 1-2 hours.

Hard Reset (Reset to factory settings) on Redmi 9

If the phone turns on but hangs on the logo, requires a password from an old account or is unstable, a hard reset will help.

Method 1: Through the Recovery menu (if the phone is turned on before the logo):

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the power button + volume button for 10-15 seconds until the Mi Recovery menu appears.
3. Use volume buttons to navigate, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (the phone will restart automatically).

Method 2: Fastboot (if the phone doesn't boot):

• 🖥️ Connect your phone to a PC with Xiaomi drivers installed.
• 🔧 Press the power button. + Volume down button to enter Fastboot.
• 📥 Use the Mi Flash Tool for flashing (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).

Turn off the phone from charging.

Remove the SIM card and memory card (if any)

Make sure the battery is at least 30% charged.

Download the official firmware for your model (in case of problems)

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⚠️ Attention! After reset via Fastboot, the phone may require authorization to the Mi Account, which was previously linked.If you do not know the details of the old account, you can only unlock the device through the official Xiaomi service (you need a check or confirmation of purchase).

Activation and configuration of MIUI after activation

After a successful launch, Redmi 9 will offer to go through the initial setup.

1. Selection of region and language

• 🌍 Indicate Russia or Ukraine – this will affect the available services (for example, Mi Pay or Mi Video).
• 🗣️ The interface language can be changed later in Settings → Additionally. → Language and input.

2. Wi-Fi connection

• 📶 Without the internet, you won’t be able to download updates and activate some features.
• 🔒 If Wi-Fi is not connected, check the correct password or restart the router.

3.Mi Account account

• 🔑 You can create an account through email or phone number, and that will give you access to cloud storage, device search, and other functions.
• ⚠️ If you skip this step, some applications (such as Mi Fit) may not work properly.

4. Data portability

• 📱 You can transfer contacts, photos and apps from your old phone through a cable. OTG or the Mi Cloud cloud.
• ⚠️ When transferring via Mi Mover, make sure both phones have enough charge (at least 50%).

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If you don’t plan to use Xiaomi services, you can not create a Mi Account, but without it, the Find Device feature will not be available.

Updating firmware and optimizing work

After the first run, it is recommended to update MIUI to the latest version, which will fix possible bugs and improve performance.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If you have a new version, download it (preferably via Wi-Fi).
4. After downloading, click Reboot and Update.

Tips for optimizing Redmi 9:

• 🔋 Enable Adaptive Charging in Settings → Battery – This will extend the battery life.
• 🚀 Activate Performance Mode in Settings → Special facilities → Performance mode to speed up games.
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.

⚠️ If after the update the phone started to brake or quickly discharge, try resetting to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting. Sometimes new versions MIUI Conflict with user data.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after a successful launch of Redmi 9, there may be problems.

1.The phone spontaneously shuts down

• 🔋 Check the battery wear in Settings → Battery → Battery status: If the capacity is below 80%, a replacement is required.
• 🔌 Try another charge - it is possible that the power supply does not give enough current.

2.The sensor or buttons are not working.

• 🧹 Clean the screen and buttons from dirt (use a wiltless napkin).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the sensor freezes due to a software failure.
• 🛠️ If the problem persists, check the display plume in the service.

3. does not connect to the mobile network

• 📶 Make sure the SIM card is properly installed (the Redmi 9 tray supports nano-SIM) + microSD or 2 nano-SIM).
• 🔄 Restart your phone or reset your network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions