How to completely reset Xiaomi Mi 9 to factory settings: a detailed guide

Resetting the Xiaomi Mi 9 to factory settings is a procedure that can be required in a variety of situations, from preparing the phone for sale to fixing critical system failures. However, not all users know that an incorrect reset can lead to loss of important data, blocking the Mi Account account or even “bricking” the device. In this article, we will analyze three official methods of resetting, their features, and provide recommendations for saving information and solving typical problems.

The Mi 9 (codenamed cepheus) was released in 2019 and ran on a MIUI-based shell over Android 9 Pie. Over time, the device received updates to MIUI 12.5 and Android 11, but even today, many users are faced with the need to return the phone to a “clean” state. It is important to understand that reset does not always solve performance problems – sometimes you need to flash or replace hardware components. But if the goal is to remove personal data, eliminate software glitches or prepare the phone for transfer to another owner, then factory settings will be the optimal solution.

When do I need to reset to factory settings?

Before you start the procedure, assess whether it is really necessary.Reset erases all user data, including:

• 📱 Contacts, messages and call logs (unless synced with Google or Mi Cloud)
• 📷 Photos, videos and music in internal memory
• 🎮 Save games and customize applications
• 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi and accounts
• 📋 System settings (wallpaper, sound circuits, gestures)

The main reasons for discharge are:

• 🔄 Preparing the phone for sale or transfer to another person.
• 🐢 Strong slowdown of work, constant lags and overheating.
• 🦠 Virus infection or suspicious system behavior.
• 🔓 Forgotten pattern lock or PIN-code (in some cases).
• 📱 Failures after update MIUI or a failed firmware.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is locked due to a forgotten password, a reset via Recovery or Fastboot may require data input from the associated Mi Account!

If the problem is related to a specific application, try first:

1. Clear the cache and application data in Settings → Apps.
2. Update MIUI to the latest version.
3. Perform a “soft” reset via Settings → About Phone → Resetting (does not erase data).

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest)

This is a good method if the phone is turned on, you remember the unlock password and you can go to the menu, the advantage of which is that you have minimal error risk and you can still cancel the action at the beginning.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section (usually at the bottom of the list).
3. Select Backup and Reset → Resetting.
4. Click Reset settings (may require input) PIN-code).
5. Confirm the action by choosing Delete Everything.

The phone will reboot and start the cleaning 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.

⚠️ Note: If the device protection function is enabled on the phone (in some versions) MIUI), After reset, you may need to enter a password from a previously associated Mi Account. Make sure you remember the username and password!

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Simplicity – does not require additional tools.
• ✅ Minimum risk of error.
• ✅ The possibility of canceling the reset at the confirmation stage remains.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It won’t help if the phone isn’t switched on or locked.
• ❌ Does not delete system updates (if the goal is to roll back to the old version) MIUI).

Method 2: Recovery Mode (for locked phones)

If the Xiaomi Mi 9 does not respond to touch, freezes on the logo or is blocked by a password, you can use Recovery mode, which is more radical and requires care, since improper actions can lead to loss of access to the phone.

Steps to Enter Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Volume Up + Power buttons at the same time and hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when you see the Recovery menu (black screen with yellow text in English or Chinese).

Further action:

1. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
2. Select Wipe Data (or in Chinese version).
3. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data (or similar).
4. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items:

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After resetting through Recovery, you may need to link to your Mi Account, even if you didn't have one before. If you don't remember your account details, the phone becomes a brick"!

Critical information: On models with a locked bootloader (and the Mi 9 sold with a locked default), reset via Recovery will not remove the binding to the Mi Account. If you bought the phone from your hands and the previous owner did not untie the account, it will be impossible to unlock the device after the reset without its data.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

Fastboot is the most radical method, and it requires you to connect your phone to your computer, and it's useful if you:

• 🔧 Recovery is damaged or not opened.
• 📱 The phone does not respond to the buttons.
• 🔓 You need to unlock the bootloader before the firmware.

This method will require:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for firmware) or Platform Tools (for commands).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power and hold until a screen labeled Fastboot and a picture of a hare in a cap appears.
3. Connect the phone to the computer.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools.
5. Enter the command to reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

If you want to reflash your phone completely (for example, after a failed update), use the Mi Flash Tool with the official firmware for the Mi 9 (cepheus) and download it from en.miui.com.

💡

Before using Fastboot, check if the bootloader is unlocked. If not, first perform the official unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool. Otherwise, after firmware, the phone may turn into a brick.

Warnings:

• ⚠️ Continuous power: if it is turned off during the process USB-cable or battery will die, the phone may fail.
• ⚠️ Firmware compatibility: install only official firmware for the cepheus model.
• ⚠️ Warranty Loss: Unofficial firmware or unlocking the bootloader may void the warranty.

How to save data before resetting?

If your phone is still working, make sure to back it up, and even if you plan to bring your device back to life, losing photos, contacts, or messages can be a nasty surprise.

Methods of backup:

For a complete copy of the system, you can use:

• 📱 Mi Mover (App built-in Xiaomi for data transfer).
• 💻 ADB Backup (adb backup team) -apk -shared -all -f backup.ab).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud (cloud storage from Xiaomi, 5 GB free).

⚠️ Note: Backups created through Mi Cloud may not be restored on a phone with another version MIUI Check compatibility before resetting!

If the phone is not turned on but is determined by a computer, try extracting data using:

• Dr.Fone (paid but effective for photo and contact recovery)
• 7-Zip + ADB (for power users, requires an unlocked bootloader).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have problems, and let's look at the typical situations and how to fix them.

1.The phone does not turn on after reset

• 🔋 Check the battery charge (plug in to charge for 30 minutes).
• 🔌 Try another cable or power supply.
• 📱 If the screen is black, but the phone vibrates, it may have crashed.

2 Requires a password from Mi Account after reset

• 🔑 If this is your account, enter your login and password.
• 📧 If the account of the previous owner – contact him to debunk or provide a check about the purchase in the service center.
• ⚠️ Don’t buy “unblocking” online – it’s a scam!

3.Dumping interrupted or got stuck

• 🔄 Turn off the phone forcibly (hold the power button for 20 seconds).
• 🔌 Repeat the reset via Recovery or Fastboot.
• 💻 If nothing helps, swipe your phone with the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

4.After reset, there is no network or sensors are not working

• 📶 Check if the modem firmware has crashed.Click the clean all option phone in the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔧 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system.

💡

If after reset, the phone requires a Mi Account and you do not remember it, do not try to pick up a password - after 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will be locked for 72 hours.

What do I do after the dump?

After a successful reset, the phone will return to the "out of the box" state, depending on your goal.

If the phone is ready for sale:

• 📱 Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-memory-card.
• 🔄 Make sure all accounts (Google, Mi, social media) are untied.
• 📋 Reset again through Settings to delete temporary files.

If you have the phone,

• ☁️ Restore data from backup (via Mi Cloud or Google).
• 🔒 Set up a new password or pattern lock.
• 📱 Update. MIUI last-minute.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus and check the system for threats.

If the reset has not solved the problem:

• 🔧 Perhaps the cause is a hardware malfunction (for example, battery wear or damage to the motherboard).
• 📱 Try flashing your phone with another version. MIUI (for example, EU-rum or Global Stable).
• 🔨 Contact the service center if you suspect iron breakdown.

If you have reset your phone due to slow operation, check after setting up:

• 📊 Memory Occupation in Settings → Memory.
• 🔋 Battery status in Settings → Battery (if the capacity is less than 80%, it is time to replace it).
• 📱 Processor Temperature (use the app) CPU Monitor).

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Mi 9