How to reset Xiaomi Redmi 9 to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Why you need a reset to factory settings and when to apply it

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 9 to factory settings is a radical, but sometimes the only solution to restore the smartphone to health, which removes all user data, applications and settings, returning the device to the “out of the box” state.

First, if the phone started to slow down or spontaneously reboot after the MIUI update. This is a typical problem for devices with limited memory (Redmi 9 only 3/4 GB of RAM), where the accumulated cache and application backgrounds overload the system. Second, the reset is necessary before selling or transferring the gadget to another user - to delete personal information without the possibility of recovery. Third, the procedure helps to eliminate critical errors, for example, when the smartphone does not load beyond the Mi logo or constantly issues a notification "MIUI system is stopped."

It is important to understand that reset is not a panacea; it will not fix hardware breakdowns (such as a faulty battery or a broken display), it will not remove viruses if they penetrate system files, and it will not return data deleted before the procedure. If the problem is related to a bootloop (a looped reboot) or damage to the EFS partition (where IMEI is stored), more complex manipulations will be required - flashing through Fastboot or contacting the service center.

Ready to Reset: What to Do to Avoid Losing Important Data

Before you reset Redmi 9, you need to save all critical files, and even if you're planning a reset because of a phone sale, you'll need a backup to transfer data to your new device.

• 📱 Sync your contacts and notes with your Google or Mi Account account. → Accounts. → Google and enable the “Contact Synchronization” option".
• 📷 Copy photos and videos to a computer or cloud. Use a wired connection (mode) MTP) Apps like Google Photos with automatic backup.
• 📝 Export. SMS And the call log, and it's going to be an app like this. SMS Backup & Restore (Available on Play Market).
• 🎮 Save progress in games.Most modern games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) linked to Google Play accounts, Facebook or developers’ own servers.

Pay special attention to Wi-Fi passwords, which can be exported through the WiFi Password Viewer app (root permissions required) or simply take a picture of the network list in the settings, and check if banking applications (such as Sberbank Online or Tinkoff) are linked to the phone, and after resetting, they will have to be reinstalled and activated again.

⚠️ Note: If the Redmi 9 has Find My Device enabled, you may need to enter data from the last Mi Account linked to your phone after the reset. Make sure you remember your login and password, or you risk getting a brick".

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the easiest method)

This method is suitable if the phone turns on, reacts to touch and you have access to the menu. The instructions are relevant for all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 12/13/14) installed on the Redmi 9.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Scroll down and select the About Phone section.
3. Slip on Backup and Reset (in some versions of MIUI it may be called Additional → Reset).
4. Select Resetting (not to be confused with Network Reset or Password Reset).
5. The system will tell you which data to delete: 🔄 Annexes and their data 📱 Phone settings 📂 Media files (photos, videos, music)

graphical key PIN-code

Drop it.

Once you reboot, you'll see the screen of the initial settings, like when you first turn on. If your phone requires input from Mi Account, use the previously associated account. If you forget your password, restore it through account.xiaomi.com.

Checked availability of backup copy|The phone is charged at least 50 times%|All off. SIM-memory-card|Password from Mi Account is stored-->

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

If Redmi 9 is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or does not respond to touch, use Recovery mode. This method works even when system files are damaged, but requires care - improper actions can lead to loss of IMEI or complete inoperability of the device.

Instructions for entering Recovery on Redmi 9:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the power button and the volume button at the same time.
3. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then let them go.
4. In a few seconds, the Recovery menu will open with a touch panel (on Redmi 9 it supports touch, unlike older Xiaomi models).

From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese) then:

1. Use Wipe Data (or the Chinese version).
2. Select Wipe All Data (remove all data).
3. Confirm the action by entering the yes code (or clicking Confirm).
4. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe successful).
5. Click Reboot → Reboot to System to reboot.

Fastboot resets require a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and Mi Flash Tool.Warning: This method deletes all data without recovery, including files in internal memory, and can reset the phone to Chinese if you use global firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot) from Xiaomi Firmware. Choose the Fastboot version (file with the.tgz extension).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your computer.
3. Turn off your phone and press the power + volume button to enter the Fastboot Mode (a rabbit-clad screen).
4. Connect Redmi 9 to your computer via USB-cable.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
6. At the bottom of the program, select Clean All (Full Cleaning) mode.
7. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

After flashing, the phone will automatically restart. The first turn on can take up to 10 minutes - do not interrupt the process. If after the procedure, the word This device is locked appears, then the factory bootloader has been activated.

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If the phone doesn’t turn on after reset via Fastboot, try repeating the procedure with another firmware version (for example, instead of a global one, install a Chinese one). USB-cable during firmware is a common reason for "bricking".

Frequent Resetting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even following the instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

Another common problem is memory card data loss, and many users mistakenly believe that the reset only affects internal memory, but in fact Redmi 9 can format and store memory. SD-If it's connected as an internal storage device, to avoid that, before resetting:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Put your hands on yours. SD-map.
3. From the menu (three dots in the upper right corner) select Settings → Format as a portable device.

⚠️ Note: If you use Redmi 9 with an unlocked bootloader and custom firmware (like Pixel Experience), resetting through standard Recovery may result in a loss of the system boot capability.

What to do after resetting: initial setup and optimization

After the successful reset of Redmi 9, you will have to go through the initial setup procedure.

1. Language and region choice: Enter Russia or Global to avoid problems with Google services.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi. Use the same network as before the reset – this will speed up the recovery of backups.
3. Log in. First log in to Mi Account (if required), then Google.
4. Data recovery. The system will offer to restore backups from Google Drive or Mi Cloud. Choose the latest one.
5. Disable unnecessary services. In Settings → Applications → Autostart, disable background work for unnecessary programs (this will save battery power).

To avoid repeated brakes, follow a few steps to optimize:

• 🚀 Turn off animation. Go to Settings. → About the phone, tap 5 times on the version MIUI, Then in the Developer Settings, install Windows Animation = 0.5x.
• 🔋 Activate battery mode. In settings → Battery select Charge Saving mode and enable Background Limitation option.
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly. Use the built-in Security app → Cleaning (do it once a week).

If the reset was made because of the sale of the phone, remember:

1. Sign out of all accounts (Mi Account, Google, Samsung Account, if any).
2. Delete everything SIM-memory-card.
3. Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

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Don’t install all applications at once after resetting – let the phone run for 1-2 days in a “clean” state to assess performance. If the lags remain, the problem may be in the hardware (for example, worn-out flash memory).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Redmi 9 Reset