How to reset Xiaomi Redmi 9A to factory settings: a full guide with photos

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 9A to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary solution when hanging, viruses or before selling a device.This procedure deletes all user data, apps and settings, returning the smartphone to a β€œclean” state, as after buying. However, an improper reset can lead to the blocking of the Mi Account or the loss of important files.

In this article you will find 3 The proven reset method is through the settings menu, Recovery mode and Fastboot. We will analyze each method in detail, point out the hidden nuances for Redmi. 9A (For example, the features of working with MIUI 12/13) And we'll warn you against the typical mistakes β€” FAQ Answering frequent user questions.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do necessarily

Before you start resetting, follow 4 critical steps, which can result in the loss of photos, locking the device, or even a β€œbrick” (inoperable state of the smartphone).

  • πŸ“± Back up. Use the settings. β†’ The phone. β†’ Backup or third-party applications like Swift Backup. Pay special attention to: Contacts (export to the VCF) Photo/video (copy to PC or cloud) Messages (use) SMS Backup & Restore)
  • πŸ”‹ Charge the battery to at least 50%. Reset at low charge can be interrupted, which will cause a failure of the firmware.
  • πŸ” Make sure to remember the data from your Mi Account. After the reset, you will need to re-authorize!
  • πŸ“Ά Turn off the lock. FRP (If you plan to sell your phone, delete all Google accounts in Settings. β†’ Accounts.

On the Redmi 9A with MIUI 12+, there's a hidden feature called Local Backup, which stores data on the device itself (MIUI/Backup folder), but it needs to be activated beforehand.

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Backup and Reset
  2. Select Local Backups
  3. Click Create a backup and mark the necessary data

⚠️ Note: If you are using Redmi 9A With the bootloader unlocked, resetting via Recovery can result in the Bootloader automatically locked.In this case, you will need to re-unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

πŸ“Š Why do you want to lose Redmi? 9A?
The phone's slowing down a lot.
I'm getting ready to sell.
Remove viruses/malware
Forgot the pattern lock
Other

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

This is a method that works if the phone turns on and you remember the password/pattern lock, and it's the simplest and least risky method, because it's controlled by MIUI.

Instructions for Redmi 9A (relevant to MIUI 12/13/14):

  1. Open Settings (cog icon on the main screen)
  2. Go to the About Phone section.
  3. Choose Backup and Reset
  4. Tap Reset settings reset
  5. Choose to Erase All Data (not to be confused with Network Settings Reset!)
  6. Enter your password/pattern lock to confirm
  7. Confirm the action by pressing Ready or Reset

It takes 3-7 minutes, the phone will reboot, and you will see the screen of the initial setup, as after the purchase, at which point you can restore data from the backup (if it was created).

Checked availability of backup copy|Battery charged. >50%|I remember the password from the Mi Account.|All Google accounts have been deleted (if necessary)|Encryption disabled (if used)-->

⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi firmware 9A After the reset, you may see an error "This device is linked to another Mi Account." This means that the phone was linked to another Xiaomi profile.

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

If the Redmi 9A is stuck on the logo, rebooting cyclically or not responding to touch, resetting through Recovery mode will help.This method works even when the screen is locked, but requires care - improper actions can lead to loss of IMEI or lock the bootloader.

Step-by-step:

  1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds)
  2. Press the Power + Volume combination up and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
  3. Release the buttons – you will be taken to the Recovery menu (English or Chinese)
  4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power to select
  5. Select Wipe Data (or Chinese firmware)
  6. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data
  7. After completion, select Reboot to restart.

On Redmi 9A with MIUI 13+, the Recovery menu might look different. If you see Fastboot instead of Wipe Data, you're in Fastboot Mode, you're going to try again to log in to Recovery.

Problem.Reason.Decision
I can't get into Recovery.Wrong combination of buttons or "brick"Try Power + Volume Down, then go to Recovery via Fastboot
There's a "No command" error.Recovery's failurePress Power + Volume Up for 10 Seconds, Then Release
After resetting, the phone requires an old password.FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is activated.Enter the last Google account or bypass FRP
What to do if you recover in Chinese?
If the Recovery menu is displayed in Chinese, focus on the location of items: 1. The first item is (Reboot) 2. The second is (Wipe Data) 3. The third is MiAssistant (Connect with MiAssistant) Select the second item, then confirm the action (usually the last item in the list).

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This is a technique that's used if the first two don't work, or you need to completely reflash the device, USB-cable and team knowledge ADB/Fastboot. On the Redmi. 9A Fastboot resets all partitions, including internal memory, so this method is recommended only in extreme cases.

What you need:

  • πŸ’» Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
  • πŸ”Œ Original. USB-cable (do not use cheap Chinese cables!)
  • πŸ›  Tools: Platform Tools (ADB & Fastboot) Stock firmware for Redmi 9A (Choose your version MIUI)

Instructions:

  1. Install Platform Tools and unpack the firmware archive into the platform-tools folder
  2. Turn off the phone and pinch Power + Volume Down to log into Fastboot
  3. Connect Redmi 9A to your computer
  4. Open the command line in the platform-tools folder and execute: fastboot devices (the serial number of your device should be displayed)
  5. For a full reset, type fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot.

If you need to reflash the device, use the command:

fastboot flash all [name file firmware].zip

Attention.

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot reboot

This method often helps with a brick after a failed update.-->

5.What to do after resetting: initial setup

After a successful reset, Redmi 9A will launch with a welcome screen, where it is important to properly perform the initial setup to avoid problems in the future:

  1. Choose a language (English or Russian is recommended to avoid bugs)
  2. Connect to Wi-Fi (required! without the Internet, you can't activate the device)
  3. Sign in to your Mi Account (use the same account you used before the reset if your phone was tied)
  4. Set up a screen lock (recommended) PIN-code instead of a pattern lock for reliability)
  5. Restore data from backup (if it was created)

During the data recovery phase, MIUI will suggest selecting a source:

  • πŸ“± Local backup (if created through Settings) β†’ Backup)
  • ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud (if the data is synchronized with Mi Cloud)
  • πŸ’» Backup from PC (via Mi) PC Suite)

⚠️ Warning: If you see a message after reset saying β€œThis device is unlocked” on the lock screen, it means that the bootloader has been unlocked, in which case some features (such as Mi Pay or Game Turbo) may not work properly. To return the status of "blocked", you need to re-block Bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if the instructions are followed correctly, Redmi 9A users face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

Mistake.Reason.Decision
Phone asks for old password after resetFRP (Google) Protection is activatedEnter the last Google account or bypass FRP
The message says "Mi Account Locked."The phone was linked to another Mi Account.Enter the original account details or contact Xiaomi with a check
After reset, there is no network (no IMEI)The modem or nvram partition is damagedRestore IMEI with Engineer Mode or reflash modem in Fastboot
phone is stuck on startup Mi logo after resetIncorrect firmware or failure when writing partitionSwipe stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode

If after the Redmi reset 9A stopped SIM-The cards probably came off. IMEI. To restore it:

  1. Enter the dialer: ##4636###
  2. Go to Phone Information
  3. If you don't have an IMEI status, use Engineer Mode (code ##36446337##) to recover.

πŸ’‘

If you reset your phone and you need a Mi Account that you don’t remember, DO NOT try to guess the password repeatedly – the device can lock for 72 hours. Instead, use the official password recovery tool at account.xiaomi.com.

7.Alternative methods: when standard discharge does not help

If none of these methods worked, consider alternatives that are more complex and require technical skills, but sometimes only they can bring the Redmi 9A back to life.

  • πŸ”§ Firmware through EDL Mode.This mode allows you to flash your phone even in the β€œbrick” state, but requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable (EDL Suitable for recovery from unsuccessful experiments with custom firmware.
  • πŸ”„ Bypass FRP. If your phone requires an old Google account, you can exploit vulnerabilities in your phone. MIUI For example, some versions of the firmware use TalkBack: Bypass method. FRP via TalkBack 1. On the Google account input screen, turn on TalkBack (hold two fingers on the screen). 2. Return to the welcome screen by clicking on the Google logo. 3. Go to Settings β†’ Reset your settings and do another reset. 4. After rebooting FRP Attention: This method doesn't work on all versions. MIUI!
  • πŸ›  Replacement of software through TestPoint, an extreme method used in service centers, requires disassembling the phone and closing the contacts on the board to force entry into the service center. EDL.

To run through EDL, you will need:

  • Mi Flash Pro – official tool from Xiaomi
  • Firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version)
  • EDL cable or adapter for closing TestPoint contacts

πŸ’‘

Firmware via EDL is the only way to restore the Redmi 9A unless it is detected by a computer in Fastboot mode. However, this method requires authorization in the Xiaomi system, so it is not recommended to perform it yourself without experience.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

❓ Can we reset Redmi? 9A data-free?
No, a full reset always deletes user data. However, you can: Create a backup through Settings β†’ Backup Copy important files to your PC or cloud Manual Use applications like Titanium Backup (requires root) If the phone doesn't turn on, remove the memory card (if the data was on it) - it is not affected when the reset.
❓ Why after the Redmi reset 9A Asks for a password from an old Mi Account?
This means that the phone was linked to the Mi Account through the β€œFind Device” function. To unlock: Enter the original Mi Account details If you do not remember the password, restore it on the official website If the phone was bought from your hands and the previous owner did not untie the account, contact Xiaomi with a check about the purchase Important: Without proof of purchase, it is impossible to unlock the device!
❓ How to Reset Redmi 9A, If you forget the pattern lock?
There are 3 options: Reset via Recovery (described in section 3). Password-free. Mi Cloud reset: Go to i.mi.com from your PC Select device and click Delete Data Confirm Action - Phone resets remotely Bypassing ADB (requires USB debugging enabled): adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key After rebooting, the pattern lock will reset.
❓ Can the reset be cancelled after it is launched?
No, the reset process is irreversible. Once you have confirmed the action, all data begins to be deleted. Interrupting the process (for example, removing the battery) can lead to: IMEI loss Damage to the Brick system files (phone malfunction) If the reset is frozen, wait 10-15 minutes. If nothing happens, perform a forced reboot (Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
❓ How to check if the reset has been successful?
Signs of successful reset: Phone starts with a welcome screen (language selection) In Settings β†’ Phone displays "clean" information (no your accounts) Memory is empty (except for pre-installed applications) If your files or settings are left after the reset, then the reset has not completely passed. Repeat the procedure through Recovery.