Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 often face the need to perform a complete reset or formatting of the device.This action may be required when transferring the gadget to a new owner, to eliminate system errors, remove viruses or before flashing. It is important to understand that the formatting process completely destroys all user data, so it should be approached with the utmost care and preliminary preparation.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to clean up memory, from the standard settings menu to Recovery mode. We will also touch on the critical points related to the binding of a Google account and Mi Account, which can turn your phone into a brick or block access to the system.
The MIUI shell formatting procedure has its own features that differ from pure Android. For example, there are additional security checks and specific paths in the menu. Deleting the All Data section in Recovery mode is the only way to clean up when the screen is locked or the pattern lock is forgotten if standard login is not possible. Let's see how to proceed in different situations.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
Before you start radical measures, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. Formatting is an irreversible process, and if you do not back up, it will be impossible to restore photos, contacts and correspondence. Make sure that the battery charge is at least 50-60%, as a sudden power outage during the recording of memory sectors can damage the file system.
First, check which accounts are authorized on the device. For the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, it is critical to know the password from the Mi Account and Google Account. After the reset, the system will require you to enter the last synchronized account for security purposes (FRP function). If you forget the password, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the phone.
⚠️ Warning: If you sell a phone, be sure to log out of all accounts before resetting.Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate the device, as it will be locked by a link to your cloud storage.
Back up your important data. You can use the built-in Mi Cloud, Google services, or third-party PC programs. It is also recommended to remove the microSD card and SIM-card before the procedure, so as not to accidentally format an external drive or damage contacts.
☑️ Checklist before formatting
Method 1: Resetting through system settings
The simplest and most secure method of formatting Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is available directly from the operating system, which is suitable for routine cleaning or preparing the device for sale when you have full access to the menu of the smartphone.
To start, go to the main menu and find the Settings icon. Scroll down the list and select About. That's where the basic system management tools are hidden. In the menu that opens, find the Settings Reset bar, which is usually located at the bottom of the screen.
The system will offer two options: Reset (save files) and Erase all data. We need the second option. After clicking on the "Erase all data" button, a warning will appear that all the contents of internal memory will be deleted. Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or a pin unlock the screen.
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Before pressing the final OK button, check that all important photos and documents have been copied to your computer or the cloud, and you can’t recover them with standard means after this step.
Once confirmed, the phone will restart and the cleaning process will begin. The Mi or Android logo may be displayed on the screen with a progress indicator. Don't interrupt the process or try to turn off the device. Upon completion, the smartphone will turn on as new, requiring initial language tuning and Wi-Fi connection.
Method 2: Formatting with Recovery Mode
If the system is not booting, it's stuck on the logo, or you forgot your unlock password, Recovery is used. This is a deep level of file system access that allows you to format even when the interface is broken. On the Redmi Note 9, this mode is entered by a combination of physical buttons.
Turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Up Volume and Power buttons. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume down until the Recovery menu appears. This menu is controlled by volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button.
From the Main Menu, select Wipe Data, and then the system will request confirmation, because it's a dangerous operation, and then select Wipe All Data and confirm the action, and it will go faster than through the settings, because it will bypass the MIUI graphical shell.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working. All actions are performed only with mechanical buttons. Do not press unnecessary buttons so as not to select the wrong menu item.
After successfully completing the cleanup, the bottom of the screen will show the message "Data wiped successfully." Press Back to Main Menu, then select Reboot and Reboot to System.The phone will start a long first boot, which can last up to 10 minutes.
What if Recovery does not start?
Solving Google Account Problems (FRP)
Xiaomi’s current smartphones come with a powerful security system called FRP (Factory Reset Protection).If you’ve formatted but didn’t log out of your Google account in advance, the first time you activate your phone, you’ll need to enter a password from your email that was synced earlier.
This is anti-theft protection: even if an attacker steals a phone and dumps it, they can't use it without the owner's data. Enter only those accounts that were deleted from the system before the reset. If you enter the wrong password several times, the account can be temporarily blocked.
The table below shows the main locking states and the necessary actions:
| Situation | Action required | The risk of blocking |
|---|---|---|
| Account deleted before reset | Entering any new Google email | No. |
| The account remained in the system | Entering a password from old mail | High (no password required) |
| Mi Account password is forgotten | Recovery through mi.com | Critical (locking device) |
If you forget your account details, try to restore access via a computer on the official Google or Xiaomi website. Without this step, you will not be able to fully use the Redmi Note 9, since many system applications require authorization.
Cleaning cache and temporary files
Sometimes a full reset is not required and the problem can be solved by clearing the cache. This is especially true if the phone has started to work slowly or apps are crashing. Recovery mode also has an option called Wipe Cache, which does not affect personal files, but deletes temporary system data.
But on modern versions of Android and MIUI, the cache partition is often merged with user data or cleared automatically. If you see the Wipe Cache Partition, it can be used for prevention. It's a secure operation that doesn't require passwords.
Also worth mentioning is the "Second Space" or "App Cloning" feature, if you used these features, they'll be removed in a normal menu reset, but if you use third-party formatting tools, make sure they don't leave hidden partitions.
Frequent errors in formatting
Users often make mistakes that lead to additional problems, and one of the most common is interrupting the upgrade or reset process. Even if it seems that the phone is 99 percent frozen, don't pull out the battery (which is, by the way, non-removable) and don't turn off the cable.
Another mistake is ignoring security updates before resetting: sometimes older versions of MIUI have bugs that prevent proper formatting, and it is recommended to upgrade to the latest available version before starting the procedure, if possible.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to format a phone connected to a PC in debugging mode USB, If you're not an experienced user, it can cause driver conflict and interrupt the recording process.
Also, keep an eye on the interface language when you restore. If you select the wrong region or language when you first set up after reset, some Google services may not work properly.
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The rule of thumb is never to interrupt the formatting process. If the phone is stuck for more than 30 minutes, try a forced reboot, but only as a last resort.
Data recovery after resetting
Once the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is formatted and enabled, the recovery process begins, and when you connect to Wi-Fi and enter Google account data, the system will prompt you to restore applications and settings from the backup, which will significantly speed up the process of “housing” the smartphone.
Photos and videos, if you've enabled Google Photos or Mi Cloud sync, will appear automatically in the gallery. Contacts will be pulled from the Google phone book. It's important to give the phone time to load the data in the background, at which point the device may get slightly warmer.
If you have used a local backup on your computer, connect your phone with a cable and copy the files to the appropriate folders. To restore application settings from the local MIUI backup, select Restore from a local file when you first set up and specify the path to the archive.