How to completely clean Xiaomi Redmi 9A: 5 ways to reset to factory settings

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 9A to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step.Maybe your smartphone started to brake after the MIUI update, got infected with a virus through a third-party app, or you just want to sell the device by removing all personal information. Unlike the new Redmi models with Snapdragon 6xx processors, the Redmi 9A based on the MediaTek Helio G25 has features when reset via Fastboot - this is something many users only find out when faced with an invalid sparse format error.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to clean up completely, including methods for cases when the phone is not turned on or locked. We will also discuss what data is deleted irrevocably and what can be restored after a reset. Importantly, on the Redmi 9A with MIUI 12.5 firmware and later, the standard reset via settings does not delete files from the memory card - they will have to be formatted separately.

If you clean your phone before selling, remember that even after a reset, some data (like login tokens in Google Accounts) may remain in the system. To prevent a leak, use a combination of two methods – first reset via menus, then format via Recovery.

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1.Dumping Preparation: What to Do Before Cleaning

Before you start resetting, follow the mandatory steps, otherwise you risk losing important data or facing a lock on your Mi Account. On Redmi 9A (codename dandelion), it is especially critical to save IMEI backups - if you reset them through Fastboot incorrectly, they can be erased.

What will be removed irretrievably:

• 📱 Contacts, SMS, Call log – if not synced to Google or Mi Cloud
• 📷 Photos and videos in internal memory (including folder) DCIM/Thumbnail)
• 🎮 Save games (e.g. in Genshin Impact or in the game) PUBG Mobile)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords and application data (e.g., Telegram cache)
• 📊 System settings (language, wallpaper, sound profiles)

How to save data before resetting:

1. Transfer photos and videos to PC via USB-cable (enable File Transfer mode in notification curtain).
2. Export contacts: open the Contacts app → Settings → Import/Export → Export to file.vcf.
3. Sync accounts: Settings → Accounts → Google/Mi Account → Sync.
4. Backup via Mi Cloud: Settings → About Phone → Backup (Xiaomi account required).

⚠️ Note: If the phone has Find Device enabled, you will need to enter the Mi Account password after reset. → Mi Account → Find Device.

Save IMEI (team *#06#)

Disable Find Device in your Mi Account

Record the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)

Remove the memory card (if you do not need to format)

Charge your phone to at least 50%

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

This method is suitable if the phone is turned on and you remember the pattern lock or PIN-The code. 9A reset via menu takes ~5 minutes and no PC connection, benefit: minimal error risk, as the process is controlled by the system MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode (optional, but useful for debugging).
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Recovery and Reset.
4. Click Reset Settings → Erase all data.
5. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock for confirmation.
6. Wait for the reboot (the Redmi logo with a progress bar will appear on the screen).

What to do if the reset is frozen:

• 🔄 Wait 20 to 30 minutes – sometimes the process slows down due to fragmented memory.
• 🔋 If the battery is discharged, connect the charger and try again.
• 🛠️ If the phone doesn't respond for more than an hour, go to method 3 (reset via Recovery).

⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi firmware 9A (for example, MIUI 13) after reset, the error "This device is locked" may appear, which means that the phone is linked to Mi Account.

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If the phone is resetting, it asks for an old one. PIN-If you have forgotten a code, try entering 0000 or 1234 – sometimes it works on stock firmware.

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

If the Redmi 9A is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch or is locked, use Recovery Mode. This method works even with damaged firmware, but requires care - incorrect actions can lead to a blink (complete failure) of the device.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
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 – you will see the Recovery menu with a touch panel or control through the volume buttons.

Resetting instructions:

• 📱 Select the language (if the menu is in Chinese, look for the item with characters - this is "Wipe Data").
• 🔧 Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some versions of Factory Reset).
• 🔄 Confirm the action by swipe or press Yes.
• 🕒 Wait until the process is completed (the process will take 3-7 minutes).
• 🔙 Go back to the main menu and select Reboot. → Reboot to System.

Common mistakes and decisions:

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Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

Fastboot is the most radical and effective method, but it requires a computer and knowledge of commands.

• 🔧 The phone doesn’t even load in Recovery.
• 📱 You need to delete all partitions, including system and vendor (useful when changing firmware).
• 🔒 The device is locked Mi Account and you know the username / password.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer 10/11 Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 🛠️ Utilities: Platform Tools (from Google) and MediaTek drivers.
• 📄 Firmware file for Redmi 9A (Download from the official Xiaomi website).

Step-by-step:

1. Install Platform Tools and connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode: adb reboot bootloader If ADB doesn't work, turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power.
2. Check the connection command: fastboot devices should appear serial number of the device.
3. Complete cleanup (Warning: This will remove all firmware): fastboot erase boot fastboot erase system fastboot erase data fastboot erase cache
4. If you need to reflash your phone, use the command: fastboot flash all [name file firmware].zip
5. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9A with a MediaTek Helio processor G25 The fastboot flash all command can cause an invalid sparse format error. In this case, use an alternative firmware method through the SP Flash Tool.

Through the settings menu

Through Recovery Mode

Through Fastboot.

Never dropped it.

Another way.-->

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5. Method 4: Reset via Mi Flash Tool (for flashing)

Mi Flash Tool is Xiaomi’s official firmware and reset utility for Qualcomm and MediaTek-based devices, a method that’s suitable if you want to not only clean your phone, but also install clean firmware (e.g., switch from Global to EU ROM).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 The ability to choose a firmware version (stable, developer, customized).
• 📱 Complete cleaning of all partitions, including persist and modem.
• 🔒 Bypassing the Mi Account lock (if you know your account details).

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware for Redmi 9A (select the Fastboot version, not Recovery).
2. Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI\).
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool and MediaTek drivers.
4. Put your phone in Fastboot mode (see Method 3).
5. In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. Select Clean mode: Clean All - deletes all data, but saves the userdata partition. Clean All and Lock - complete clean + lock the bootloader (risky!), Save User Data - firmware without deleting personal files (not suitable for resetting).

Flash

Possible errors and solutions:

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Use the Mi Flash Tool only if you are confident in your actions. The wrong firmware can turn your phone into a brick that won't turn on without the service hardware.

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Method 5: Hard reset via test menu (hidden method)

A little-known reset method is through the test menu (Engineer Mode), which works even if Recovery is blocked, but requires code knowledge. On Redmi 9A, this method sometimes helps to bypass Mi Account lock after a failed reset.

How to open the test menu:

1. Enter the combination in the Phone app: ##4636##.
2. Select Testing → Factory Reset (some firmware may call it Clear eMMC).
3. Confirm the reset (the phone will reboot automatically).

Post-reset problems and their solutions:

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If the phone is slower after reset, turn off the animation system. To do this, activate Developer Mode and in Settings → Additional → For developers, set all animation scales to 0.5x or Off.

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8. Frequent Questions (FAQ)