The Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even it can eventually start to slow down, issue errors or require a complete system reinstallation. Formatting solves most software problems, from viruses to littered memory. However, an improper reset can turn a phone into a brick — especially if it is a firmware through Fastboot.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to format the Redmi 9A (dandelion model), including soft reset through settings, hard reset via Recovery, and full flash flashing through the Mi Flash Tool. Separately, we will focus on how to save IMEI and Mi Account data after a reset – this is critical for models with a link to a Xiaomi account. If you are looking for a way to return the phone to a “clean” state without losing warranty, read further.
Preparing for Formatting: What to Do Before Resetting
Factory reset removes all user data: photos, contacts, messages, installed apps, and even some system settings.
- 📱 Create a backup through Settings → Google → Backup or manually copy files to your PC. Cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) will save media files, but not system settings.
- 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 60%. interruption of the process due to battery discharge can cause firmware damage.
- 📋 Write down your Mi Account details (logins, passwords) and after resetting, the phone may require authorization to unlock.
- 🛠️ Make sure you have drivers (if you plan to run your firmware through a PC). 9A You need a Xiaomi package. USB Drivers and Mi Flash Tool.
If the phone was bought from hand and tied to someone else's account, after resetting, you will need to enter the username / password of the previous owner, in which case, first unlock the account through the official Xiaomi website.
⚠️ Attention: If on Redmi 9A You have bootloader locked, and you can get the Fastboot without unlocking it, and you can get the Anti Rollback error. Check the lock status with fastboot oem device-info, and Device unlocked: false means you have to unlock it.
Method 1: Soft reset via the settings menu (without data loss)
The safest method for fixing minor lags or preparing a phone for sale is one that doesn’t require a PC and can be recoiled if something goes wrong, but it won’t help in case of serious system failures (e.g., if the phone doesn’t turn on or is stuck on the logo).
Instructions:
- Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Select Reset all settings (not to be confused with Network Reset!).
- Enter the pattern lock or PIN-code, if requested.
- Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.
It takes 5-10 minutes, and when you restart, it's back to the boxy state, but the files on the internal memory (photos, videos) are still intact, and you'll have to reconfigure the apps and accounts.
☑️ Preparation for soft discharge
Method 2: Hard reset via Recovery Mode (if you freeze or make errors)
If Redmi 9A doesn’t respond to touch, reboots constantly, or doesn’t load beyond the Mi logo, resetting through Recovery will help.This method deletes all data, including files in internal memory, but does not require a connection to a PC.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
- Press Volume Up + Power Button at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).
- Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
- Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or similar option with Factory Reset).
- Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
- Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.
If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, look for icons: the bin icon is a data dump, the arrow in a circle is a reboot. It can take up to 20 minutes - don't interrupt it!
⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi firmware 9A When you reset through Recovery, this device is locked, which means that the phone is tied to your Mi Account. Unlocking requires you to enter the account information to which it was linked before the reset.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Method 3: Complete flashing through the Mi Flash Tool (for power users)
This method is used in extreme cases: if the phone is "bricked" (does not turn on, does not respond to buttons), infected with a virus that is not removed by reset, or you need to downgrade / increase the version of MIUI. The firmware through the Mi Flash Tool erases all information, including system partitions, and installs a "clean" version of the software.
You'll need:
- 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11 (on macOS/Linux Mi Flash Tool is not working).
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
- 📦 Firmware for Redmi 9A (dandelion model) in.tgz or.zip format.
- 🛠️ Utilities: Mi Flash Tool, Xiaomi drivers USB, ADB & Fastboot.
Instructions:
- Download the official firmware for Redmi 9A from Xiaomi Firmware. Choose the Stable version, not the Developer.
- Unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI\dandelion).
- Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers. Connect the phone turned off to the PC by clamping Volume Down + Power is Fastboot mode.
- In Mi Flash Tool, click Select, specify the path to the firmware folder, then Refresh. COM-port.
- Select firmware method: Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended when crashes); Clean all and lock – cleaning + lock the bootloader (only if the phone has been unlocked).
Flash
If the phone has been stuck on the Mi logo for more than 10 minutes after firmware, reset via Recovery (see Method 2).
| Type of firmware | Download link | File size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stable (Global) | Download | ~2.5 GB | Suitable for all regions, supported by Google Services |
| Stable (Chinese) | Download | ~2.3 GB | Google Services is not for experienced users. |
| Developer (Developer) | Download | ~2.6 GB | Unstable version, possible bugs |
💡
Before you run through Fastboot, check the Anti Rollback (ARB) version. Installing the old firmware on Redmi 9A from ARB 4 to ARB 3 will cause the communication module to fail. You can learn the current version of ARB by fastboot getvar anti.
How to Unblock Mi Account After Resetting
After a hard reset or firmware, Redmi 9A may require you to enter the Mi Account you were previously associated with, and if you don’t know your username/password (like buying a phone with your hands), there are two ways to do this:
- Official unlock: Go to Xiaomi Account. Select Forgot password and follow the instructions (you will need access to an email or phone number associated with your account). If your account is not yours, ask the previous owner for details or a purchase check to contact Xiaomi in support.
Bypassing the binding (informal)
- Bypassing methods (via EDL or Test Point) require soldering work and risk damaging the phone.
- Forums (like 4PDA) have guides, but they are only suitable for power users.
⚠️ Attention: Recovery IMEI through third-party utilities (for example, Maui) META) The official way is to contact the Xiaomi service center with a check for purchase.