How to format Xiaomi Redmi 9A: a full guide to reset to factory settings

The Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even it eventually starts to slow down, glitch or require a complete system reinstallation. Formatting solves 90% of software problems, from viruses to bugs after updates. However, an incorrect reset can turn a phone into a brick — especially if it is a model with a locked bootloader or a tied Mi Account.

This guide provides three proven ways to format Redmi 9A (including 9AT and 9A Sport versions), detailed instructions for preparing, recovering data after a reset, and solving typical errors, and will discuss when soft reset through settings is enough, and when hard formatting through Recovery Mode is required, taking into account the nuances of MIUI firmware and the features of the MediaTek Helio G25 hardware platform.

Preparation for formatting: what to do before the dump

Factory reset removes all user data: contacts, messages, photos, apps, and even some system settings. Without preparation, you risk losing important information or locking your device after you reboot.

Here is what you need to check in advance:

  • 🔋 Battery charge: at least 50%. When reset via Recovery, the phone must not turn off during the process, otherwise file system errors may occur.
  • 📱 Removing the locking of the screen, if you use a pattern lock or PIN, Remember it – after the reset, you may need to enter to unlock the Mi Account.
  • 🔑 Xiaomi account details. Make sure you remember the username and password from the Mi Account attached to the phone. After a hard reset, the device may require authorization to activate.
  • 📡 Wi-Fi network. If you plan to reset through settings, connect to a stable network - the system can request the latest updates to download before formatting.

The most critical thing is backup. Even if the phone is unstable, try to save the data:

  • 📁 Photos and videos: copy to PC via cable or upload to Google Photos/Mi Cloud.
  • 📞 Contacts: export to.vcf via Contacts app or sync with Google Account.
  • 📱 Applications and their data: use the built-in Backup function in Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset.

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on or is stuck on the logo, skip backup and go straight to reset via Recovery Mode, in which case the data is already lost, but the device can still be restored.

⚠️ Attention: If Redmi 9A If you have purchased from hand and are tied to someone else's Mi Account data, a reset without detachment of the account will lead to blocking (you need to enter previous data.

This method is suitable if:

  • 📱 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
  • 🔓 Remember your password/pattern lock.
  • 📶 No critical system errors (e.g., endless reboot).

Step-by-step:

  1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
  2. Go to the About Phone section → Backup and reset.
  3. Select Settings Reset.
  4. The system will ask you to choose what to drop: 📱 All data - full formatting (recommended). 🔄 Settings – reset only user settings (rarely helps with serious crashes).

Confirm the action by entering a password / pattern lock.

Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

Keeping important data|Charge the phone. ≥50%|Remember the screen password|Disable Google Account (if necessary)|Connect to Wi-Fi-->

Once you reboot, you will be asked to set your phone up as new. If you previously had your Mi Account tied, log in with the same data, or the device may be locked.

💡

Soft reset doesn't remove system updates. If the problem was firmware, this method may not help, but you'll need to format it hard through Recovery.

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (for hung phones)

If Redmi 9A doesn’t turn on, hovers on the MI logo or doesn’t respond to touch, use Recovery Mode, a method that completely reinstalls the firmware, removing all data, including viruses and corrupted system files.

Instructions for Redmi 9A (works on all versions, including 9AT):

  1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
  2. Hold it together: 🔘 Power button (Power) 🔼 The Volume Up button (Volume Up)

Hold on for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.

Recovery

Volume Up/Down

Power

English

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm

Reboot

Reboot to System

It takes 5-15 minutes. If your phone needs to enter Mi Account data after you reboot, use the previously associated account. If you forget your password, restore it to account.xiaomi.com.

What happens if the Recovery Mode does not open?
If the phone vibrates after holding the Power + Volume Up, but the menu does not appear, try: 1. Connect the charger and try again. 2. Hold the buttons for 20–30 seconds (sometimes it takes longer). 3. Use the Power + Volume Down combination (rarely, but it works on some firmware). If nothing helps, the bootloader may be damaged, you will need to flash through the Fastboot (see method 3).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI for Redmi 9A The Recovery menu may not have Wipe All Data. In this case, select Wipe Data. → Format Data, then enter a confirmation code (usually yes).

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This method is required in extreme cases:

  • 🔧 The phone doesn’t even boot in Recovery Mode.
  • 📦 You need to reflash the device to a clean version. MIUI.
  • 🔒 Unbind Mi Account (only for unlocked bootloader).

The work will require:

  • 💻 Windows computer (or Linux/macOS driverless ADB).
  • 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or qualitative analogue).
  • 📦 Mi Flash Tool and firmware for Redmi 9A (download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

  1. Install ADB and Fastboot drivers (for example, via Mi PC Suite).
  2. Turn off the phone and turn it into Fastboot mode: Hold Power + Volume Down for 10 seconds. Connect the phone to your PC.

Mi Flash Tool

.tgz

Refresh

COM-port

  • Clean All - Full formatting (deletes everything, including Mi Account)
  • Clean All and Lock – the same + bootloader lock (only for experienced!).
  • Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-20 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If after reset via Fastboot, the phone gives an error Invalid IMEI (No network, don’t panic – it’s cured by recovery IMEI via the engineering menu (#4636##) or programs like SN Writer Tool. But it's gonna require root rights.

6. Data recovery after formatting

If you made a backup before the reset, you can restore the data in several ways:

Method 1: Recovery from the Cloud

  • 📱 Mi Cloud: Sign in to your Xiaomi account after setting up your phone. Data (contacts, notes, photos) will be downloaded automatically if sync was previously enabled.
  • 📱 Google Account: When you first turn on, select Restore from Google Drive. Contacts, calendars, and some app settings will return.

Method 2: Local Recovery

  • 💻 If the copy is saved on the PC, connect the phone to USB file transfer (MTP) And copy the data back.
  • 📱 For recovery. SMS/Use programs like Dr.Fone or Tenorshare UltData (root required for full access).

Method 3: Recover deleted files

If there is no backup, try the programs to recover data from internal memory:

  • 🛠️ DiskDigger (for photos and documents).
  • 🛠️ EaseUS MobiSaver (supported by Xiaomi).

Note that the less you use your phone after a reset, the better the chances of recovering data. When you write new files, old ones are overwritten.

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If you only need to recover photos, try connecting your phone to your PC and scan the internal memory with Recuva or PhotoRec. These utilities work even without root rights, but the effectiveness depends on the degree of fragmentation of the data.

7.How to avoid problems in the future: Tips for caring for Redmi 9A

To avoid having to format your phone often, follow the simple rules:

Optimizing productivity

  • 🧹 Cache Clearing: Once a month, clean the app cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
  • 🗑️ Disposal of garbage: Use the built-in cleaning utility (Security) → Cleaner).
  • 🔄 Updates: Install the latest versions MIUI, Avoid beta firmware – they often contain bugs.

Security

  • 🔒 Screen lock: Use PIN or pattern lock – this will protect data in case of theft.
  • 🛡️ Antivirus: Install Google Play Protect or Avast to protect against malware.
  • 🔑 Mi Account: Link your phone to your Xiaomi account to help you find your device when you lose it.

Hardware care

  • 🔋 Battery: Avoid full discharge and overheating (do not play heavy games when charging).
  • 💧 Moisture: Redmi 9A It has no water protection – keep it from rain and humidity.
  • 📱 Screen: Use film and cover – the repair of the display costs 30-50% of the cost of the phone.