Smartphone Xiaomi Mi 9, released in 2019, remains a popular device thanks to its powerful processor Snapdragon 855 and high-quality AMOLED-But over time, the operating system has been MIUI It can accumulate software errors, application conflicts, or simply require complete cleaning before selling a gadget. Formatting a device is a radical, but often the only effective way to return a device to factory speed and stability.
The full reset process, or Hard Reset, deletes all user information, including photos, contacts, installed applications and system settings. It is important to understand that once the procedure is complete, it will be impossible to restore data without prior backup, which is why preparing for formatting is a critical step that should not be ignored under any circumstances.
In this guide, we’ll look at all the formatting techniques available for the Xiaomi Mi 9, from standard reset via settings to using the Recovery engineering menu and specialized Mi PC Suite software. We’ll also break down the typical bugs, fix them, and answer the frequently asked questions so you can safely conduct the procedure.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
Before you start formatting directly, you need to do a series of preparatory steps, and ignoring this step can lead to the loss of important data or locking the device with a Google or Mi Account. The first step should always be to back up all relevant information.
Create a backup of contacts, messages and call histories by syncing them with cloud storage. For Xiaomi users, the most convenient way is to use the built-in Mi Cloud, however, data can also be saved to Google Drive or locally to your computer.
- 📸 Make backup photos and videos by transferring them to your computer or cloud storage (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk).
- 📱 Save passwords from Wi-Fi networks and two-factor authentication if they are not synced through the password manager.
- 🔋 Charge the smartphone battery to at least 60-70%, so that the device does not turn off at a critical moment.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account and Google account. Once reset, the system will require authorization from these services to confirm ownership of the device (protection) FRP).
If a MicroSD card holds important files, remove them before the procedure begins. Although a reset usually offers selective deletion, physical deletion of the media ensures that the data is safe, and it is also recommended to turn off the Internet after creating a backup to avoid accidental synchronization of new data that you do not plan to store.
☑️ Checklist before formatting
Method 1: Resetting through MIUI system settings
The easiest and safest way to format the Xiaomi Mi 9 is to use the built-in factory resetting feature, which is ideal if the operating system is stable, the screen is responsive to touch, and you have access to the settings menu.
To start, go to the main settings menu of the device. Find the About Phone section, which is usually located at the bottom of the list or at the top depending on the version of MIUI. Inside this section, you need to select the Reset option.
The system will offer two options: Reset (returns only system settings) and Erase all data (full formatting). We are interested in the second option, after pressing the corresponding button, you will need to confirm the action by entering the unlock password of the screen or the pattern lock.
| Parameter | Description of action | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Resetting settings | Return of system parameters to the original | Personal files and applications are saved |
| Erase all data | Full formatting of the Userdata section | Deleted everything: photos, apps, accounts |
| Format SD | Cleaning an external memory card | The data on the map will be irretrievably lost. |
Once confirmed, the smartphone will restart and the cleaning process will begin, which can take 5 to 15 minutes, at which time the Mi logo or download animation can be displayed on the screen, and do not interrupt this process and do not try to turn the device off with buttons.
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If the phone requests a password from Mi Account when reset, it means that the Find Device function was active. Enter current data to continue.
Method 2: Formatting with Recovery Mode
If the MIUI operating system doesn't boot, freezes on the logo, or the touch screen doesn't respond, the only way out is to use Recovery Recovery mode, which works at the low-level software level, regardless of the state of the main system.
To enter Recovery mode on the Xiaomi Mi 9, you need to turn the device off completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume up until the Recovery menu appears.
Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item and select it. Next, the system can request confirmation, often requiring you to enter the word yes or select Confirm.
- 🔄 Wipe Data: Complete cleaning of the user partition, analogue of factory reset.
- 🔧 Wipe Cache: Cache cleansing only, does not delete personal data (used for troubleshooting).
- 🔙 Reboot: Reboot the device in normal mode.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working, all actions are performed with strictly mechanical volume and power buttons.
Once you select the Wipe All Data option, you will start the formatting process, and when you complete the screen, you will see the Success message, and then select Reboot -> Reboot to System, and the first run after such a reset can last longer than usual - up to 10 minutes.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Using Mi PC Suite to Reset
The official Mi PC Suite (or its international version) allows you to control your device from a computer. Although the functionality of the program is limited in new versions of MIUI, it can still be useful for resetting settings if other methods are not available or require flashing.
To work you will need a PC with the Windows operating system, the original USB-cable and installed program Mi PC Suite. Connect your smartphone to your computer and wait for the device to be recognized. In the main window of the program, find the Toolbox section (Tools).
In the tool list, select Wipe or Factory Reset, which will warn you of data loss, and this method is good because it allows you to control the process from the large screen and sometimes bypasses software locks that occur when you reset from the phone itself.
However, it is worth considering that Mi PC Suite often requires that the phone be enabled debugging mode via USB or data access is allowed.If the phone is locked or the system does not load, this method may not work without prior preparation.
Problem Solving: Bootloop and Resetting Errors
The Xiaomi Mi 9 formatting process doesn’t always go smoothly. Users may experience a phone that gets into an endless bootloop or freezes during the logo loading phase, often when the process is interrupted or system files are damaged.
If you reset your phone constantly, try resetting it again through Recovery Mode, but this time you also choose Wipe Cache, and sometimes the problem is a conflict of residual cache files that prevent the system from starting properly.
In more complex cases, when the software reset does not help, you may need to completely flash the device through the Fastboot mode. This will require downloading the official firmware for Xiaomi Mi 9 (codename cepheus) and the Mi Flash Tool utility.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| An endless reboot | Damage to system files | Wipe Data + Wipe Cache |
| Account Request (FRP) | Google/Mi security has not been disabled | Entering account data of the owner |
| Hanging on the Mi logo. | Update or software failure error | Fastboot flashing through Fastboot |
⚠️ Note: If the phone requires a Google account after a reset and you don't remember the password, it's impossible to restore access officially without the owner's data.
Also worth mentioning is the data partition problem. In rare cases, the Xiaomi Mi 9 has a formatting error where the system writes "Failed to format data," which is only helpful if you flash it and clear all partitions through the Fastboot.
Primary configuration after formatting
Once formatted successfully, the Xiaomi Mi 9 will be turned on as a new device, and you will be greeted by the language selection screen, at which point it is important to act consistently to properly set up your smartphone and avoid future account issues.
First, select an interface language and connect to a Wi-Fi network. The system will check for updates and prompt you to restore data from a backup of Mi Cloud or Google. If you have created a backup before, this is the perfect time to use it.
Then you log in to your Google and Mi Account, and you enter the same data you used before the reset, which is necessary for the Play Market store to work, sync contacts, and unblock activation.
- 🌐 Select your region and accept the user agreement.
- 🔒 Set up the unlock method: pin code, pattern lock or fingerprint.
- 📲 Install the necessary system updates in the About Phone section.
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After first turning on a new device, it is recommended to check the “Software Update” section immediately to install the latest security patches.
Take your time to install all the applications at once. Give the system 10-15 minutes after the desktop for background optimization and file indexing, which will ensure more stable battery life and performance in the first days of use.