How to fully format Xiaomi Redmi 9: 3 working methods + data recovery

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but over time even it starts to "brake," glitch or just requires a complete clean before selling.Formatting (a factory reset) solves most software problems, but it's important to do it right so as not to lose important data or turn the phone into a "brick."

In this article, you will find three proven ways to reset Redmi. 9 — We'll also learn how to prepare for formatting, what to do when the phone doesn't turn on, and how to recover data after a reset. MIUI 12/13/14 — In new versions, the procedure is different from the old instructions!

If you’ve never reset your settings to Xiaomi before, don’t worry: each step is accompanied by screenshots (for current firmware versions) and explanations, and at the end of the article, answers to frequent questions that will help avoid errors.

Preparation for formatting: what must be done before the dump

Factory reset removes all the data from the phone's internal memory: photos, contacts, messages, installed apps, and even some system settings. Here's what you need to do in advance to avoid losing important things:

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup. MIUI 14 This item may be called Google → Backup (if you use a Google account).
• 📧 Sync contacts with your Mi Account or Google account. You can check this in Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports.
• 🔐 Remember the passwords from Wi-Fi, social media, and banking apps, and you'll have to reset them.
• 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 50%. If the reset is interrupted due to battery discharge, it can cause the firmware to break.

If you format your phone before selling, additionally:

• 📲 Log out of all accounts (Mi Account, Google, social media).
• 💳 Remove Bank Cards from Google Pay, Mi Pay or other Payment Systems.
• 🔄 Untie the device from Find My Device (set up in Google) → Security).

⚠️ Note: If the phone is enabled with the function Protection of the device (in MIUI 12+), After reset, you may need to enter a password from a previously associated Mi Account. Make sure to remember it or turn off protection in advance in Settings → Xiaomi account → Security.

If you are not sure if all data is saved, use third-party backup tools, such as:

• Titanium Backup (requires root rights)
• Swift Backup (works without root on some firmware).
• Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools (for advanced users)

2. Method 1: Formatting through the settings menu (the easiest one)

This method is suitable if the phone turns on, you remember the pattern lock/PIN-code, you can go to the settings. 9 on MIUI 12, 13 and 14 (including global and Chinese versions).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone.
3. Slip on Backup and Reset (in some versions – Additional → Reset settings).
4. Select Reset (or Erase All Data).
5. The system will prompt you to enter a password/pattern lock (if installed).
6. Confirm the action by clicking Remove All or Reset.

The phone will reboot and start the cleaning process, which will take 3-10 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware may have a "This device is locked" error after a reset, which means that the phone is tied to a Mi Account and you will need to enter a username/password from it to unlock it. If you don't remember your account details, restore them here.

If the settings menu on your Redmi 9 looks different, check out the MIUI version:

• MIUI 12: Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings.
• MIUI 13/14: Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Erase all data.

Backup important data|Charge the phone. >50%|Remember the password from Mi Account|Sign out of your Google account (if you sell your phone)|Delete SIM-card and memory card (optional)-->

Method 2: Formatting via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If Redmi 9 doesn’t load, freezes on the logo, or is locked, you’ll need to use Recovery Mode, which will also help if you forget your pattern lock.

Instructions for Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T models):

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the power button + volume button at the same time.
3. Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
4. In the Recovery menu, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data in Chinese firmware).
6. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
7. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items:

• 1st item is Reboot (Reboot).
• 2nd or 3rd point – Wipe Data (cleanup).
• The last item is Connect with MIAssistant (for firmware via PC).

If the phone does not turn on or freezes on the screensaver after reset via Recovery, this can mean damage to system files, in which case only flashing through the PC (method 3) will help.

Method 3: Formatting via PC (for power users)

This method is needed if:

• 🔧 The phone does not turn on or enter Recovery.
• 🔒 Mi Account password is forgotten and reset is blocked.
• 📱 Requires a complete flashing (for example, after a failed update).

The work will require:

• Computer with Windows 7/10/11.
• USB-cable (preferably original).
• Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website)
• Firmware for Redmi 9 (select Fastboot, not Recovery)

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\redmi9_fastboot).
3. Turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
4. Connect the phone to the PC.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. Press Refresh – the program must detect the device.
7. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
8. Wait for the end (5-10 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disconnect your phone from your PC while you are firmware! This can cause the bootloader to break and repair needs to be done at the service center. Also make sure you download the firmware for your model (Redmi 9, not Redmi Note 9 or Redmi Note 9 or RMS). POCO M2 — They have different firmware!).

If the Mi Flash Tool is making an error, check:

• 🔌 Cable and port USB (Try another port or cable).
• 🖥️ Are Xiaomi drivers installed (you can download here).
• 📁 The path to firmware does not contain Cyrillic or gaps.
• 🔒 Antivirus does not block Mi Flash Tool (add the program to exceptions).

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on after you've run the firmware, try pressing Power + Volume up for 20 to 30 seconds to force you to restart. If that doesn't work, run the phone again, select Clean All and Lock mode (it will lock the bootloader, but bring the phone back to life).

5.What to do after formatting: initial setup

After the reset, Redmi 9 will launch with a greeting screen, like after the purchase.

1. Choose a language and region (important for Google and Xiaomi services to work properly).
2. Connect to Wi-Fi (or use mobile internet).
3. Sign in to your Mi or Google account (if your phone was tied to them before the reset).

If you sell a phone, don't set it up, just turn it off after the reset. The buyer has to do the setup himself.

After data recovery, check:

• 📞 Are the calls working and SMS (Sometimes network settings are reset).
• 📶 Is the mobile internet configured (APN may throw off).
• 🔊 Volume and vibration levels (sometimes dropped to standard values).
• 🔋 Battery optimization (in Settings) → Battery).

1. Are unnecessary applications automatically installed (in Settings → Applications → Application Management).

2. Is UI animation enabled (disables in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → tap multiple times to open Developer Mode, then turn off animation in Settings → Additional → For Developers).

3. Does not need to update the firmware (old versions) MIUI can slow down).-->

6. How to recover data after formatting

If you haven't backed up, the chances of recovering the data are slim, but there are. Here's what you can try:

• 📱 Recovery via Mi Cloud: If sync was enabled before reset, go to Mi Cloud from your computer and check if photos, contacts or notes are saved there.

Important: Don't write new data to your phone after a reset if you want to restore old files! New data can overwrite deleted data, making it impossible to restore it.

If you used Google Photos for automatic backup, check:

1. Go to Google Photos from the same account you had on your phone.
2. Check the Archive or Recycle Bin folder (files are stored there for 60 days).
3. If the photos don’t show, try the filter by date (they may have been uploaded under a different label).

⚠️ Note: Data recovery software often requires root rights, which can compromise the warranty and security of the phone. If Redmi 9 has important data (such as work documents), it is better to contact a specialized service - they use professional recovery equipment.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when formatting Xiaomi, and here are the most common ones and how to prevent them:

If you are facing a problem, here are the quick fixes:

• 🔄 The phone will not turn on after resetting → Try to clamping the power. + Volume up for 20 seconds. If it doesn't work, run through the Fastboot.
• 🔒 Requires a password from Mi Account after reset → Restoring access to your account on Xiaomi’s website.
• 📱 Touchscreen doesn’t work for Recovery → Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
• 🔋 The phone went out during the reset. → Charge it for 10-15 minutes, then repeat the procedure.

If none of these methods worked and the phone still doesn’t work, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., damaged memory or motherboard) in which case, contact Xiaomi’s service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions