Xiaomi Redmi 9 Resets to Factory Settings: 3 Proven Ways

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 9 to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary solution. 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 deleting all personal data. In any case, the full format erases everything: photos, contacts, messages, installed programs and even lock screen settings.

But before you start, it is important to understand: resetting ≠ This is not a system upgrade, but a return to the box-like state, where the problem is in hardware (such as a broken display or a faulty battery), resetting will not help. Also note that on Redmi 9 with bootloader unlocked, the process may be different – we will talk about this separately.

In this article, you'll find three official ways to reset: through your phone settings, Recovery mode, and Fastboot. We'll take each method down by step, with photos and warnings of possible errors. And if you're afraid of losing data, at the end there's an FAQ on how to recover it after a reset.

1.Reset preparation: what to do before formatting

The first rule is never to drop your phone spontaneously. Even if it slows down a lot, take 10 minutes to prepare, which will save you hours of data recovery later.

Redmi 9 (model M2003J15SC for the global market) has two types of memory: internal (eMMC) and removable microSD card. When reset via settings or Recovery, the data on the memory card usually remains intact, but there are no guarantees. It is better to remove it in advance.

Here’s what to do before resetting:

• 📱 Sync your contacts and calendar with your Google Account or Mi Account. Check: Settings → Accounts. → Synchronization.
• 📸 Copy photos and videos to your PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud). 9 The media folder is usually in /DCIM/Camera.
• 🔑 Write down the usernames and passwords from the applications. Once reset, you have to log in again, and two-factor authentication can block access.
• 📡 Disable the Mi Account link if you sell your phone, otherwise the new owner will not be able to activate the device.

⚠️ Note: If the Redmi 9 has Find Device enabled, you may need to enter a password from Mi Account after resetting. Make sure you remember it or turn off the feature in advance in Settings → Mi Account → Find Device.

If the phone is very glitchy and does not allow you to copy files, try connecting it to the PC through USB-cable in file transfer mode (MTP). Windows may need to install Mi drivers PC Suite.

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

This method works if Redmi 9 is turned on and you remember the pattern lock or PIN-Suitable for most users and does not require additional tools.

Instructions:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone.
3. Click Reset (may be called Reset and Reset in older versions of MIUI).
4. Choose to erase all data.
5. Enter the password from the lock screen (if requested).
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

The phone will reboot and start cleaning, and it'll take 5 to 15 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like you did after you bought it.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 9s MIUI 12+ When you reset, you may have a "This device is locked" error, which means that the phone is tied to Mi Account, and you need a login and password from the account that was tied to the reset to unlock it.

Synchronized contacts and calendar

Photos and videos copied

Memorized password from Mi Account (if tied)

Find Device is disabled (if you are selling a phone)

Battery charged at least 50 times%-->

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

If Redmi 9 is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch or forgotten the pattern lock, Recovery Mode — emergency recovery mode — will help, it is sewn into the firmware and works even in case of serious system failures.

To enter Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the power button and the volume button (+) at the same time.
3. Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and menu appear in English.

In the Recovery menu, you can control volume buttons (Up/Down for navigation, Power for selection). Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in newer versions), then Confirm. After cleaning, select Reboot to reboot.

On Redmi 9 with a blocked bootloader, a reset via Recovery may not work if you have not previously logged in to Mi Account. In this case, you will need to unlock through Fastboot (mode 3).

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

Fastboot is the most powerful, but also the riskiest, and it's good if you:

• The phone does not turn on or respond to Recovery.
• You need to reflash the device (for example, after a failed update).
• You need to unlock the bootloader.

The work will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot from Android SDK.
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (unless previously unlocked).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off Redmi 9.
2. Press the power button + volume down button (-) until the screen with the hare in the header (Fastboot Mode) appears.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/Mac) and type: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the Mi USB Driver drivers.
5. For a full reset, type fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot.

⚠️ Note: The fastboot erase userdata command deletes all user data, including files in internal memory. If you want to save photos, pre-extract the microSD card (if any) - its contents will not be affected.

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If the phone is stuck on the logo after the fastboot reboot command, try entering the fastboot format userdata, then reboot it again.

Table: Comparison of discharge methods

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For 90% of users, the first two methods (through settings or Recovery) are enough. Fastboot is only needed in extreme cases or to unlock the bootloader.

6.What to do after resetting: initial setup

After a successful reset, Redmi 9 will launch with a welcome screen.

• 🌍 Choose a language and region. For Russia, specify Russia to avoid problems with Google services.
• 🔌 Connect to Wi-Fi. Without the Internet, you can not log into Mi Account or Google Account.
• 🔐 Restore the data from the backup (if any) and the system will prompt you to do so at one of the steps.
• 🛡️ Set up the lock screen. We recommend using it. PIN-code instead of a pattern lock, it is more difficult to forget.

If you sell a phone, don't log in and set it up. Just turn it off after you reset, and the new owner will set it up himself.

If the phone is running slower than before, check:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🧹 Clear the app cache: Settings → Annexes → Clear the cache.
• 🔋 Check the battery health: ##4636## → Battery information.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have problems, and here are the most common ways to correct them:

• 🚫 "This device is locked after resetting → You need to enter the username and password from Mi Account, which was linked to the phone. If you forget the data, restore it to account.xiaomi.com.
• 🔄 The phone is stuck on the Redmi logo → Try going to Recovery and making Wipe Cache. If it doesn't work, reflash the device via Fastboot.
• 📱 After reset, the camera or speaker does not work. → It's probably a firmware breach. MIUI via Mi Flash Tool.

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If after resetting the phone requires the old password from Mi Account, and you do not remember it, do not try to guess - after 5 wrong attempts, the device will lock for 24 hours.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions