How to fully format Xiaomi 9T: 4 proven ways to reset to factory settings

Why do you need to format Xiaomi Redmi 9T?

Smartphone formatting is a radical way to return the device to its original state by removing all user data, settings and apps. - Xiaomi Redmi 9T (codename lime, this procedure may be required in several cases: before selling your phone, to fix critical system failures, after infection with viruses, or if you forgot the pattern lock./PIN-code.

It's important to understand that a complete reset is not just about deleting files, but returning the firmware to a "clean" state, as after buying. On Redmi 9T, this is especially true because of the features of MIUI, which can over time become clogged with cache and residual files from remote applications. However, not all formatting methods are equally effective: some retain system updates, while others even erase them.

In this article, we will discuss the 4 official ways to format Xiaomi 9T – from the simplest (via the settings menu) to advanced (using the Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool), and learn how to prepare the phone for reset to avoid losing important data, and what to do if the device does not respond to standard methods.

Preparing for Formatting: What to Do Before Resetting

Before you start resetting the Redmi 9T, follow a few critical steps: ignoring the preparation can lead to permanent data loss or even bricking (turning into a brick) and here is a checklist of mandatory actions:

Make a backup copy of important data|Check the battery level (minimum) 50%)|Find out the version. MIUI phone model|Download the official firmware (if you plan to re-flash)|Prepare. USB-cable and computer (for methods) Fastboot/Mi Flash)-->

Pay special attention to the backup. Even if the phone is locked, some data (photos, contacts) can be retrieved through the Mi Cloud or by connecting the device to the PC in MTP mode.

• 📱 Local backup: Settings → The phone. → Backup (saves applications, settings, but not media files).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: syncs contacts, notes, photos (requires a Xiaomi account).
• 💻 Third-party utilities: Titanium Backup (need root) or Dr.Fone to extract data from a locked phone.

If you plan to sell the Redmi 9T, you should log out of your Mi Account after the reset (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out). Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate the device due to the link to your profile (Mi Account Lock feature).

⚠️ Note: If the phone is enabled with the option Find the device (Settings) → Google → Security, after reset, you may need to enter data from the last Google account (FRP-Enter your login and password in advance!

Method 1: Formatting through the settings menu (soft reset)

This is the easiest and most secure method that works, and if the phone turns on, you remember the unlock password, and the system is stable, it doesn't affect system updates, but it deletes all user data.

Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi 9T:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Backup and reset.
3. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
4. Enter your password/pattern lock (if requested).
5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

It takes 5-10 minutes, and the phone will reboot and suggest that you configure it as new, and this method doesn't remove MIUI updates, but it resets all personal data, including:

• 📸 Photos, videos and music in internal memory.
• 📱 Installed applications and their data.
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth settings.
• 📝 Accounts (except Mi Accounts, unless manually logged out).

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires you to enter a password from the previous Xiaomi account, and you do not remember it - restore access through the site account.xiaomi.com!

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If the phone takes longer to load after reset (over 15 minutes), don’t panic.The first download after formatting can take up to 30 minutes due to app optimization.

Method 2: Hard Recovery Mode (Power and Volume buttons)

This method comes in handy if the Redmi 9T doesn't turn on, hovers on the Xiaomi logo, or you forget the unlock password.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (black screen with yellow text in English).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm.
6. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Note: Recovery Mode Xiaomi 9T has two reset options:

• Wipe Data deletes user data but saves system files.
• Wipe All Data (Factory Reset) – Full reset to factory settings (recommended).

If the phone still doesn't turn on or gets stuck on the boot after reset via Recovery, it may indicate firmware damage, in which case you'll need to flash it through Fastboot (mode 3).

Method 3: Full formatting via Fastboot (for power users)

This method is suitable if the first two methods did not help, or you want to completely reinstall the firmware (for example, after a failed update).

Important: This method deletes all data without recovery, including system files, and it also requires an unlocked bootloader, otherwise the fastboot erase userdata command will not work.

Instructions:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers for your OS.
2. Turn off Redmi 9T and put it into Fastboot mode: Press the Power + Volume button down for 10 seconds. Release when the image of the hare in the eardress cap appears (Fastboot logo).
3. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and execute the commands: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of your device). fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

If you want to completely reflash your phone (for example, due to a system failure), instead of erase-command, use the Mi Flash Tool:

• 📥 Download the official firmware for Redmi 9T (Lime code from Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
• 🖥️ Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
• 🔧 In Mi Flash Tool, select a firmware folder, connect your phone in Fastboot mode and press Refresh. → Flash.

⚠️ Attention: Continuous power is critical! If your phone goes off during Fastboot USB If you run out of power, it could cause the motherboard to break, use the original cable and charge the device to at least 80%.

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Fastboot is the only way to bring a phone back to life if it has been built after a failed update or rooting, but it requires an unlocked bootloader and official firmware.

Method 4: Formatting with Mi Flash Tool (flashing)

This is the most radical method used when other methods have failed, which involves completely overwriting the firmware, which is guaranteed to delete all data and return the phone to a factory state, and is relevant for the Redmi 9T with serious software failures, viruses or if the device does not respond to standard reset methods.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer (7/10/11).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (don’t use cheap Chinese cables – they can interrupt the connection!).
• 📦 Official firmware for Redmi 9T (version of the Global EEA, depending on the region).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware (a file with the.tgz or.zip extension) into a short path folder (for example, a file with the.tgz or.zip extension, C:\MIUI\lime_global).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers (if not installed).
3. Turn off the phone and turn it into Fastboot mode (power button + volume down).
4. Connect Redmi 9T to your PC. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh, and the device should appear.
5. In the Select field, specify the path to the folder with unpacked firmware.
6. At the bottom, select firmware mode: Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended). Clean all and lock – cleaning + lock bootloader (only for experienced!), Save user data – firmware without deleting data (no use for resetting).

Flash

Once you flash it back, the phone will automatically restart and prompt you to configure it as new, and this method is guaranteed to delete all data, including:

• 📲 Viruses and malware.
• 🔒 Passwords, graphic keys, fingerprints.
• 📥 Updates MIUI (A “clean” version of the firmware is installed).
• 📁 System trash and cache.

If the phone doesn’t turn on or hangs on the logo after firmware, repeat the process by choosing a different firmware version (for example, an older or newer one).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, users often encounter problems when formatting the Xiaomi 9T. Here are the most common errors and ways to solve them:

If you see an Anti Rollback error when running your firmware, it means you are trying to install an older version of MIUI. In that case, download a newer firmware (for example, if you had MIUI 12, don't install MIUI 11).

Another common problem is the endless loading after the reset, which may be related to:

• 🔋 Discharged battery (charge the phone and reset again).
• 📱 Damaged firmware (flash through Fastboot).
• 🔌 Faulty motherboard (requires diagnosis in the service center).

⚠️ Note: If after all the manipulations of Redmi 9T Does not turn on or gives an error This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device, which may mean that the phone has an unofficial firmware (custom), in which case you will need to unlock the bootloader and install official software.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions