How to format Xiaomi Redmi 9 phone: the complete guide

Modern smartphones, including the popular Xiaomi Redmi 9, accumulate a lot of system debris, registry errors and conflicting files over time, inevitably leading to lower performance, lags when switching between applications and quick battery discharge. In such situations, the most effective solution is a complete cleanup of internal memory, known as formatting or factory resetting.

The procedure for returning the device to its original state requires careful approach, as it will permanently delete all user data: contacts, photos, messages and installed programs. Before starting active actions, you need to make sure that you understand the consequences and prepare backups of important information. Formatting is a radical method that eliminates software snags that cannot be corrected by a conventional reboot.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of cleaning Redmi 9, including standard system functions and methods for cases when the phone is locked or not turned on. We will look at the nuances of working with your Google account and Mi Account, so that after a reboot you do not encounter a lock on the device.

Redmi 9 Prepared for Full Data Reset

Before you start the process of data destruction, it is critical to perform a number of preparatory operations. Backup is the first and most important step that should not be ignored. After formatting, it will be almost impossible to recover deleted files without a backup, so it is worth transferring important documents, photo gallery and correspondence to the cloud storage or to the computer.

The second mandatory step is to check the battery charge level. The formatting process can take 10 to 30 minutes, and if the device turns off in the middle, it can damage the system partitions. Make sure the charge is at least 60-70%, or better connect the smartphone to the charger during the operation.

⚠️ Note: If your device has Google or Mi Cloud's Find My Device enabled, remember your account login and password. Once reset, the system will require authorization as a security measure, and without this data, you will not be able to use your phone.

It's worth taking out. SIM-microSD card and memory card before the procedure, although modern versions MIUI They usually ask for a cleaning permit. SD-The card, physical extraction of the media completely eliminates the risk of accidental formatting of external files. This is especially true if the memory card stores important working documents.

Method 1: Reset via the system settings menu

The easiest and safest method available to every Redmi 9 user is to use the built-in functionality of the operating system. This is ideal if the phone turns on, the screen responds to touch, and you can get to the main menu. To begin, open the Settings app and find the About Phone section, which is usually located at the bottom of the list.

Inside this menu, you'll need to find "Reset" and the system will offer a few options, but we're interested in "Erase all data." When you click on this button, you'll see a warning that all files, including music, pictures and apps, will be deleted, and you can also select "Erase internal storage" if you plan to sell the device or transfer it to another person.

After confirmation of action, the system will ask you to enter a pattern lock, PIN-The unlock code or password is a protection against accidental resets by children or by unauthorized persons, and once the code is received, the preparation process will begin, and then the phone will restart and begin deleting the data, which may take some time depending on the amount of memory filled.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
• 🗑️ Select the option to erase all data for complete cleanup.
• 🔒 Enter the screen unlock password to confirm.
• ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed and the initial setup.

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If you have Second Space mode enabled, it must be removed separately before a general reset, otherwise the system may issue an error or save hidden profile data.

Method 2: Formatting with Recovery Mode

Sometimes the smartphone stops responding to touch, freezes on the logo, or reboots endlessly, and in such cases, you can't log in through the settings menu, and the recovery mode, or Recovery Mode, comes to the rescue. It's a special diagnostic interface that is sewn into the device's memory regardless of the state of the main operating system.

To get into this mode on the Xiaomi Redmi 9, you need to turn the device off completely. Then you need to press the volume button and the power button at the same time. You need to hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the buttons can be released. If done correctly, you will see a menu with a black background and text, where the navigation is carried out by the volume buttons and the choice by the power button.

You'll find the Wipe Data option in the list of options and select it. Then the system will suggest you select Wipe All Data. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm. Once you've cleaned, select Back to Main Menu and then Reboot to restart the phone. The device will launch as a new one that requires initial setup.

Deleting Google Account and Protecting against Blocking

One of the most common issues after formatting is activation blocking, known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection), a security feature built into Android designed to protect the owner's data in the event of a device being stolen. If you reset your phone without first deleting your Google account, the system will require you to enter a password from the last synchronized mailbox when you first set up.

To avoid this situation, before resetting through the settings, it is recommended to manually delete the account. To do this, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Select your email address and click on the “Delete Account” or “Exit” button. After this procedure, the phone will no longer consider this account to be the primary account, and when reset, it will not ask for a password.

A similar situation applies to the Mi Account. If the phone settings are tied to a Xiaomi account and the device search feature is enabled, you will need to enter a password from it when you reset. Make sure that the Find Device feature is disabled in the Mi Account settings before you start formatting, otherwise the phone can become a “brick” for a person who does not know passwords.

• 🔓 Go to account settings before resetting.
• ❌ Remove Google and Mi Account from the list.
• 🌐 Turn off the “Find Device” function in cloud services.
• ✅ Only then do formatting the data.

Using the Mi Flash Tool for advanced users

For those cases where standard methods do not help or you need a complete flashing of the device with a change in the regional version of the software, the Mi Flash Tool is used. 9 It's a clean image of the system, completely replacing all the memory partitions. ADB/Fastboot.

The process begins with downloading the official firmware for your particular model (it is important not to confuse the global version with the Chinese one). The firmware file is unpacked on the computer, after which the phone is switched to Fastboot mode (pressing the power and volume button down). USB-cable device connects to the PC, and in the program Mi Flash Tool selects the path to the folder with the firmware.

The clean all option formats the phone completely, deleting all data and unlocking the bootloader (if the status of the device allows it), and the clean all and lock option does the same, but also blocks the bootloader, which is important for banking applications and NFC, but requires the use of original firmware for your region.

⚠️ Note: Using incorrect firmware (e.g., Chinese on a global phone) or interrupting the recording process may result in a complete failure of the device, which can only be restored in the service center via a programmer.

Solution: Phone does not turn on after reset

Sometimes, after formatting, users are faced with the fact that Redmi 9 It's normal in most cases: the first download after a reset takes much longer than usual, as the system optimizes applications and checks the integrity of files. 10-15 minute.

If the phone has been stuck on the logo for more than 30 minutes, the formatting process may have been interrupted or the system partition damaged.In this case, force the device to restart by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds.If that doesn't help, you'll need to re-enter Recovery Mode and try to reset again, possibly using another USB cable or a firmware computer.

Also, consider that Redmi 9 with MediaTek processor in rare cases may require flashing through the SP Flash Tool if standard Recovery can not cope with the recovery of the bootloader.

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A long first boot (up to 10 minutes) after formatting is a normal process of system optimization, not a sign of a breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)