Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to completely delete user data, whether it is a sale of the device, critical errors in the system or just a desire to start with a clean slate.The Redmi 9 model, equipped with an NFC module for contactless payments, is no exception and requires a careful approach to the procedure of cleaning memory. Wrong actions can lead to the loss of important information or locking an account, so it is important to follow the algorithm clearly.
There are several ways to get back to the original state: through the settings menu if the phone is turned on and running steadily, or through Recovery mode if the system is not booting. In both cases, you need to consider the specifics of the MIUI shell and the binding to the Google or Mi Account account. Ignoring these aspects can turn the smartphone into a brick or block access to it for a new owner.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of preparation, the process of resetting and the actions after it. NFC-Data security module so that you can perform the procedure as efficiently as possible and without risk to the device.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before any manipulation of system files, you need to make sure that the battery is charged at least 50-60%.The process of formatting internal memory is energy intensive, and a sudden power outage at a critical moment can damage system partitions, which will require complex repairs through the computer.
The most important step is to back up your contacts, photos, messaging and apps that you have installed will be permanently deleted, and use Google Drive or the built-in Mi Cloud app to save your data.
⚠️ Warning: If you are planning to sell your phone, be sure to unplug your Mi Account and Google account before resetting, otherwise the new owner will not be able to activate the device due to the security system. FRP.
It is also worth checking the condition. SIM-MicroSD cards and memory cards. It is better to remove them before the procedure so that you do not accidentally format an external drive if you choose the option to clean all memory.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Method 1: Reset via MIUI settings
It's the easiest and safest method available to every user, and it's suitable for situations where the phone interface is working correctly, the screen is responsive to touch, and you can navigate the menu freely. First, open the Settings app on the home screen.
In the list that opens, look for the About Phone section, which is usually at the bottom of the list. Scroll down to Reset. Here, the system will offer two options: reset only settings or delete all data. We need the second option: Erase all data.
The system will warn you that all files will be destroyed, you will need to enter the screen unlock password or pattern lock, after confirmation, the preparation process will begin, which can take several minutes, after which the phone will restart and begin formatting.
What to do if the reset button is inactive?
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If the smartphone is not turned on, stuck on the logo or the touch screen does not respond, the forced reset method is used through the recovery mode. To log into Recovery on Redmi 9, you need to turn off the device completely.
After turning it off, press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power, but keep the volume down until a menu with a black background and colored lines appears.
In this menu, you can navigate with volume buttons (up and down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item and select it, then you need to select Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
| Action. | Navigation button | Confirmation button | The result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moving on the menu | Volume Up/down | - | Selection of the right item |
| Selection of a paragraph | - | Nutrition | Entering the submenus or launching the action |
| Cancellation | - | Meals (in some menus) | Going back |
| Reboot. | - | Food (Reboot) | Starting the system |
Nuances of working with NFC and security
The Redmi 9 features a short-term contactless module, which is often used to pay through Google Pay or similar services. When reset to factory settings, all tokenized card data is removed from the protected memory area.
Once you restore the system, you will have to re-link your bank cards, and it is important to understand that some banks require re-verification or even re-issuing virtual cards in the bank’s application after the device is completely cleaned.
If you used your phone as an access key (for example, to unlock a smart lock or access the office), this data will also be lost. ask the administrator or bank in advance if you need to perform any additional steps to unlock accounts with a new connection.
💡
Tip: Before resetting, take screenshots of your NFC settings or save your card details in a safe place to restore payment features faster.
Primary adjustment after reset
Once the formatting is successfully completed, the phone will restart and greet you with the language selection screen, which can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the speed of the internal memory, and don't try to interrupt the process or press the screen often.
The system will ask you to connect to the Wi-Fi network, which is a mandatory step to check the activation of the device, followed by a request to enter a password from Google account that was synced to the phone before the reset, which is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection.
During the setup process, MIUI will offer to restore data from the backup. You can choose to restore from Google Drive or local backup if it is saved. Be careful when choosing recovery applications so you don't download back junk programs.
⚠️ Note: If you forget your Google account password, it may take several days to restore access through the Google account recovery procedure, and your phone may not be used at this time.
Possible problems and solutions
Sometimes, after a reset, users experience a cyclical reboot, where the phone constantly displays the Mi logo and shuts down again, which may indicate damage to system files or hardware conflict.
In such cases, you may need to flash the device through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility. It is also worth checking if the volume button in the case is accidentally pinched, which can cause you to enter recovery mode instead of a normal boot.
If the phone writes “Device locked” or requires authorization through a Mi Account that you don’t remember, you will need to contact official Xiaomi support with a receipt for the purchase to unlock.
💡
Cyclical reboot after reset is often solved by completely reflashing the official version of the software through the computer.