How to completely reset Xiaomi Mi 9 to factory settings: 4 working methods + problem solving

Xiaomi Mi 9 is the flagship of 2019, which is still in demand thanks to powerful hardware and support for MIUI. But even such a reliable device eventually begins to slow down, give out errors or require complete cleaning before selling. Formatting (or hard reset) is a radical way to return the smartphone to “clean” state, removing all user data, settings and applications.

In this article, you will find 4 proven reset methods, from the standard menu to forced formatting via Fastboot, if the phone does not turn on. We will also discuss how to bypass Mi-account lock after reset (relevant for devices with a linked Xiaomi account), what data can be saved before cleaning, and what to do if the smartphone is stuck on the logo after the reset. Instructions adapted to the latest version of MIUI 14 (Android 12/13) and work on all versions of the Mi 9, including Mi 9 SE and Mi 9 Pro 5G.

Preparation for formatting: what to do before the dump

Factory reset is an irreversible process, and if you don't save important data in advance, you'll lose:

• 📸 Photos and videos (including screenshots and downloads from messengers)
• 📱 Contacts (unless synced with Google or Mi Cloud)
• 💬 Communications (SMS, chat WhatsApp/Telegram backup)
• 🎮 Save games and customize applications
• 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi and accounts

To avoid losses, follow 3 mandatory steps:

1. Sync your data with the cloud. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Cloud and back up your contacts, notes, calendar. For a Google account, use Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Create a local copy. Connect the Mi 9 to your PC via USB (in file transfer mode) and copy the DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp folders to your hard drive. Use the Xiaomi PC Suite or Mi Mover to speed up.
3. Export SMS and calls. Install SMS Backup & Restore from Google Play and save your message history to.xml.

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If you have device encryption enabled (Settings → Security → Encryption), it can take up to 1 hour to reset your phone, charging at least 70% to avoid errors.

Pay special attention to the attached Mi-account. If you forget the password or email from your Xiaomi account, after resetting, the phone may lock with a data entry requirement (called Mi Cloud Lock).

• 🔓 Make sure you remember the username/password from Mi-account (check in Settings). → Xiaomi account).
• 📧 If your account is not yours (for example, the phone was bought by hand), ask the previous owner to untie the device through the Xiaomi website.

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is working)

This is the easiest and safest way to do this if the Mi 9 is turned on and reacts to touch, and is suitable for eliminating small lags, preparing for the sale or transfer of the phone.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section (bottom of the list).
3. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (you will receive a notification “You became a developer”).
4. Return to the main settings and select Additional → Recovery and Reset.
5. Click Reset Settings, then Delete all data.
6. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
7. Confirm the action by clicking Reset the phone.

It takes 5-15 minutes. After you reboot, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, like after you bought it. If the phone has been stuck on the MI logo for longer than 20 minutes, go to Method 3.

Sync with Mi Cloud/Google | confirmed

Backup photo and video |

Battery charge > 50%|

Screen password disabled (optional)-->

Method 2: Hard reset via Recovery (if the phone doesn't respond)

If the Mi 9 doesn’t turn on, freezes on the screensaver or doesn’t respond to touch, use Recovery mode, which works even when the firmware is damaged, but requires physical access to the phone’s buttons.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power + Volume increase for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power + Volume combination and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power to select. Choose a language (usually English or ).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Clear All Data in older versions).
5. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
6. After cleaning, go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI Wipe Data can be called Factory Reset or Erase Everything. Don't confuse it with Wipe Cache - it's just cleaning the cache, not a complete reset.

4. Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

If the first two methods fail (e.g., due to a damaged Recovery or a bootloader lock), then Fastboot, a mode that allows you to control your phone through a computer, requires the installation of drivers and the Mi Flash Tool.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11 (on Mac/Linux Possible problems with drivers).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or high-quality).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool.
• 📥 Fastboot firmware ROM For Mi 9 (download from official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool and unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g, C:\Mi9_Fastboot).
2. Turn off the Mi 9 and press Power + Volume Down to enter the Fastboot (the image of a hare in a hat-outfit will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All mode and press Flash.
6. Wait for the end (10-20 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

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If the Mi Flash Tool gives you an "anti-rollback" error, download the firmware with the same Anti-Rollback number as the current one on your phone. You can find it in Fastboot mode: the anti line will have a number (for example, anti: 3).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot reset will delete all data without recovery, including the contents of internal memory (/data and /sdcard). If you need to save files, remove the memory card (if any) before the procedure.

5. Method 4: Bypassing Mi-account lock after reset

If the Mi 9 formatting requires input from a Mi-account you don't remember, you'll have to unlock the device. Xiaomi links phones to accounts to protect against theft, so bypassing the lock is officially impossible. However, there are 3 legal ways to solve the problem:

Method 1: Restore access to Mi-account

• Go to the recovery page.
• Enter the email or phone attached to your account.
• Confirm your identity via SMS or backup email.
• After access is restored, untie the device in the Device Management section.

Method 2: Appealing for Xiaomi

If your account is not yours (for example, a handheld phone), contact the previous owner and ask them to:

1. Get into Mi Cloud.
2. Go to Find Device → Mi 9.
3. Select Unbind Device (untie the device).

Method 3: Officially Unblocking through Service Center

If you cannot contact the previous owner, contact the Xiaomi service center with:

• 📄 Check or contract of sale (proof of possession).
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).

The cost of unlocking is from 1000 to 3000 rubles, the period is 3-7 days.

Yeah, I was able to unlock it myself.|

Yeah, I had to go to the service.|

I always untie my account before I reset.|

I don't know what that is.-->

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If you buy Xiaomi Mi 9 handheld, be sure to check if it is untied from Mi-account through Settings → Xiaomi Account → Devices. Otherwise, after reset, the phone will become a “brick”.

6. Frequent errors after reset and how to fix them

Even after successful formatting, the Mi 9 may not work properly, and consider the typical problems and solutions:

Problem 1: phone is stuck on MI logo after reset

• 🔄 Reason: Section damaged /system orthose.
• 🛠️ Solution: Repeat the reset via Fastboot (Method 3) with full flashing.

Problem 2: The sensor or display is not working after the reset

• 🔧 Reason: Screen drivers fail (often after updates).
• 📱 Solution: Connect your phone to the PC and through ADB The command is: adb shell am start. -n com.android.settings/.Settings If the sensor is not responding at all, run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool.

Problem 3: Constant reboots (bootloop)

• 🔄 Reason: Firmware version conflict or damaged boot section.
• ⚡ Solution: Download stable firmware for your model (for example, MIUI 12.5 Enhanced) and run through Fastboot.

Problem 4: Mobile network or Wi-Fi is not working

• 📶 Reason: Resetting settings IMEI baseband.
• 🔧 Solution: Check it out IMEI In Settings → The phone. → General information: If it is missing, restore it via Engineer Mode (code ##4636##) or QCN-file (requires root).

7. How to recover data after formatting

If you haven't backed up before resetting, the chances of getting your data back are minimal, but there are. Consider 3 recovery tools:

Instructions for recovery through Dr.Fone:

1. Install Dr.Fone on your PC and connect Mi 9 via USB (enable USB debugging in Settings → For Developers).
2. Select the Android Data Recovery mode.
3. Specify the types of files to scan (e.g. Gallery and Messages).
4. Wait for the scan to be completed (may take up to 1 hour).
5. View the files found and save them to the PC.

⚠️ Warning: The more you use your phone after reset (installing apps, taking photos), the lower your chances of recovery.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions