How to fully format Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: 5 working ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but even it eventually begins to “brake” due to clogged memory, software conflicts or viruses. Formatting (reset to factory settings) solves 90% of software problems, but many users are afraid of losing data or even “bricking” the device. In this guide – all the current ways to reset for the Redmi Note 9 (including the Pro and Pro Max models), tested on the firmware MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-13.

We're going to take a look at not only standard resets, but also alternatives for cases where the phone is not turning on, locked with a password or "hang" on the Xiaomi logo, and we're going to focus on saving important data before formatting -- photos, contacts and messages -- if you're looking for a way to bring the phone back to life without losing warranty, this guide is for you.

Preparation for formatting: what to do before the dump

Resetting removes all user information from Redmi Note 9’s internal memory, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos in the gallery (except for those in the gallery) SD-map)
• 📞 Contacts (unless synced with Google or Mi Account)
• 💬 Communications in SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram and other messengers
• 🎮 Game saving and application data
• 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi, accounts and banking applications

Before you start formatting, follow the mandatory steps:

Backup via Mi Cloud or Google Drive|

Record your phone's IMEI (dial *#06##|)

Make sure the battery is >50%|

Download Xiaomi drivers on PC (if you plan to reset via Fastboot)|

Unplug your Mi Account (if you sell your phone)-->

If the phone doesn’t respond to touch or is locked, skip backup and go straight to Recovery or Fastboot reset methods, in which case it will be almost impossible to recover data after formatting.

⚠️ Note: On models Redmi Note 9 with firmware MIUI 13+ After reset, you may need to enter the username and password from Mi Account, which was previously tied. If you forgot the account information, unlocking the phone will be extremely difficult - you will need to contact the Xiaomi service center with a confirmation of purchase.

2. Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the easiest)

This method is suitable if the Redmi Note 9 is turned on and reacts to touch, and you remember the pattern lock or the key. PIN-The instructions are valid for all versions. MIUI:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the About Phone section → Additional → Resetting settings.
3. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
4. Enter the unlock password (if requested).
5. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.

The phone will restart and start the formatting process, which will take 5-10 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

💡

If the reset menu does not include the item “Erase all data”, try the alternative path: Settings → Memory → Cleanup → Reset to factory.

This method does not delete data from the memory card (if installed), but resets all system settings, including:

• 📶 Network settings (Wi-Fi, mobile Internet)
• 🔊 Sound profiles and notifications
• 🖥️ Wallpaper, themes and personalization MIUI

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

If the Redmi Note 9 is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or doesn’t respond to the screen, use Recovery Mode, a built-in recovery mode that works even without an unlock password, but requires physical access to the phone’s buttons.

Step instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it doesn’t respond).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (black screen with English text).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (full reset).
6. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
7. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

The process can take up to 15 minutes.If the phone freezes again after the restart, repeat the procedure or try the method through Fastboot (described below).

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware may call the Wipe Data item a different name (e.g. Factory Reset). If the Recovery menu doesn't have Russian, focus on the first item on the list - usually this is a reset.

Method 3: Formatting via Fastboot (for power users)

The Fastboot method is the most reliable, but requires a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool program.

• 🔄 The phone doesn’t even load in Recovery.
• 🔒 Password is lost and Find My Device is disabled.
• 🛠️ We need to reflash the device to clean. MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers.
2. Download the official firmware for Redmi Note 9 (select the Fastboot version) from Xiaomi’s website.

It takes 5 to 20 minutes, and when it's done, it reboots to the clean system, and it removes everything, including viruses, root rights, and custom recovery.

Through phone settings |

Recovery Mode|

Fastboot (via PC) |

Never dropped |

Another way.-->

5. Method 4: Remote reset via Find My Device (if phone is lost)

If the Redmi Note 9 is lost or stolen and Google's Find My Device service is enabled on it, you can remotely erase all data.

1. Go to Find My Device from your PC or other phone.
2. Sign in with the same Google account that was linked to the Redmi Note 9.
3. Select the lost device in the list (if there are several).
4. Click Erase Data and Confirm Action.

Please note that:

• 📶 The phone must be connected to the Internet (mobile network or Wi-Fi).
• 🔋 The battery should be sufficiently charged to execute the command.
• 🔒 Find My Device will be disabled after reset and the phone will not be tracked.

This method does not work if:

• 🚫 Phone's off or discharged.
• 🚫 Sync with Google is disabled.
• 🚫 The device was dropped through Recovery/Fastboot before your team.

💡

Remote reset via Find My Device is the only way to erase data from a lost phone, but it requires pre-setting sync with Google.

6. Method 5: Reset via Mi Cloud (if your Xiaomi account is linked)

If the Redmi Note 9 had a Mi Account attached, you can reset it remotely via the Mi Cloud web interface.

• 🔐 You forgot the unlock password, but remember the Mi Account.
• 📱 Phone locked after failed entry attempts PIN-code.
• 🌍 The device is in another country and you can’t physically approach it.

Instructions:

1. Go to the Mi Cloud website and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find your Redmi Note 9.
3. Click on three dots next to the device and select Find the device.
4. In the window that opens, select Delete Data.
5. Confirm the action by entering the password from Mi Account.

After sending the command, the phone will reset the next time you connect to the Internet.

• ⏳ The process can take up to 24 hours if the device is turned off.
• 🔄 Once reset, the phone will require data entry from the Mi Account, which was tied before formatting.

⚠️ Note: If you are selling a Redmi Note 9, be sure to untie it from the Mi Account before transferring it to the new owner. → Xiaomi account → Otherwise, the buyer will not be able to use the phone without your login details.

7.What to do after resetting: initial setup

Once formatted, the Redmi Note 9 will launch with a greeting screen, like after purchase, to return the phone to working condition:

1. Sign in to your Google account (if you were linked before the reset) – this will automatically restore contacts, email and some applications.
2. Restore data from the backup (if you did backup via Mi Cloud or Google Drive).

If the phone is still slowing down after reset, check:

• 🦠 Viruses – scan your phone using Google Play Protect or Dr.Web.

- The scale of window animation → No animation

- Scale of transition animation → No animation.-->

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

When formatting Redmi Note 9 users often face problems, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, it may be a hardware problem (damaged memory, power controller, etc.) in which case, contact the Xiaomi service center - self-repair can aggravate the situation.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions