Xiaomi’s Redmi series has proven to be reliable devices with great autonomy, but even the most stable MIUI operating system sometimes requires radical intervention. If your Redmi 9 is slower, apps are constantly crashing or your device is locked because of a forgotten password, the only surefire solution is a complete data reset, which returns the gadget to the original state in which it left the assembly plant.
The system-reset process, often referred to as Hard Reset, deletes all user information, including contacts, photos, installed apps and account settings. It is important to understand that data recovery after that will only be possible if you have a pre-created backup in the Mi Cloud or on an external drive. We will look at all available methods of returning to factory settings, including situations where the phone menu is not available.
Before you start active, you need to charge the device at least 50-60%. interruption of the reset process due to battery discharge can lead to critical firmware errors, after which the phone will turn into a “brick” and require flashing through the computer using special tools like the Mi Flash Tool.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
The first and most critical step is to save important data, because resetting destroys all the contents of internal memory, you need to manually copy photos and videos to your computer or to the cloud, and for contacts and calendars, the best way to sync with your Google account is to automatically restore them once you log in.
Special attention should be paid to accounts. If a phone has a Google account or Mi Account installed, the security system can lock the device after a reset, requiring you to enter a password from these accounts (FRP protection).
☑️ Checklist before reset
Why delete accounts?
It is also worth removing the microSD card and SIM-A map before the operation begins, although modern versions of Android are usually asked if they can format it. SD-The card, physical extraction ensures that your personal files on the flash card will not be accidentally deleted along with the system files.
Reset via the MIUI settings menu
The safest and easiest way to get Redmi 9 back to factory status is to use the built-in operating system settings menu, which is suitable for cases where the phone turns on, the screen responds to touch, and you have access to the desktop. The MIUI shell action algorithm may vary slightly depending on the version, but the overall logic remains the same.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom. You're interested in the About Phone item, which is usually located at the end of the list or at the top menu, depending on the version of the interface. Inside this section, you'll need to find the Reset option.
The system will give you a warning that all data will be deleted, and it will offer two options: Reset (without deleting files) and Clear Everything. We need the second option, and after pressing the button, the system will ask you to enter a graphical key or a screen unlock password to confirm the operation.
- 📱 Open Settings and go to About Phone section.
- 🗑️ Select Resetting at the bottom of the screen.
- 🔒 Click the Clear Everything button and confirm the action with a password.
- ⏳ Wait for the reboot and initial system setup.
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If the phone hangs on the Mi logo for a long time after reset, don't panic.The first download after formatting can take up to 10-15 minutes, as the system optimizes applications.
Once confirmed, the smartphone will restart and the cleaning process will begin, which can take 5 to 15 minutes, at which time the Redmi logo or progress indicator can be displayed on the screen, and this process cannot be interrupted.
Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)
If the device is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch, or you forget the lock password, the standard path through the settings becomes unavailable, in which case comes the rescue mode, or Recovery Mode. This is a special diagnostic interface, sewn into the memory of the phone regardless of the main operation.
To get into the Recovery menu on Xiaomi Redmi 9, you need to turn the device off completely. Then you need to press the key combination: Volume Up and Power button. Hold both buttons at the same time until the vibration response and the Mi logo appear, after which the power button can be released, while keeping the volume.
⚠️ Attention: In the Recovery menu, the touch screen does not work. Navigation by point is carried out with volume buttons (up/down), and the desired item is selected with a short press of the power button.
In the menu that opens, the default interface language may be Chinese or English. If you see characters, select the second item on top (usually the language selection), search for English or Russian (if any in firmware), and confirm the choice. Next, find Wipe Data.
- 🔌 Turn off the phone completely and press the volume up. + Nutrition.
- 🇬🇧 Select the interface language (English) with volume buttons.
- 🧹 Go to Wipe Data and select Wipe All Data.
- ✅ Confirm the action by selecting Confirm and wait until it is completed.
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Using Recovery Mode is the only way to unlock your device if you forget your pattern lock or lock screen password.
Once the cleanup is completed, the system will prompt you to return to the main menu (Back to Main Menu) or immediately restart (Reboot → Reboot to System).
Deleting Google Account and Protecting FRP
One of the most important security features in Android is FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which prevents the use of a stolen phone after a reset. If a Google account was added to Redmi 9, then after Hard Reset is activated, the device will require you to enter a username and password from this account.
If you are resetting your phone to sell or transfer to another person, be sure to delete your account in advance through the Settings menu → Accounts and Sync → Google → Delete your account. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to use the device without your data.
In case you forgot your password from Google account, the situation is complicated. Access recovery is possible only through the procedure of restoring a Google account on another device (computer or tablet) at the link accounts.google.com. Without entering the correct data, you will not be able to unlock the phone by legal means.
| Situation | Action required | The risk of blocking |
|---|---|---|
| Reset via settings | Entering a screen password | Low (if you remember the Google password) |
| Reset via Recovery | Button combination | High (Google login required) |
| Google password is forgotten | Recovery via PC | Critical (without access to the mail) |
| Selling the device | Deletion of accounts | Not present (if properly executed) |
Possible problems and solutions
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, Xiaomi users may face a number of difficulties: a common problem is that the phone is endlessly restarted after a reset (bootloop), which may indicate damage to system files or a failed firmware update, in which case you may need to flash through the computer.
Another common situation is the lack of response to buttons when logging into Recovery. On some Redmi models, you need to connect the device to the charger or computer via a charger or computer. USB-You can also try using the original cable, as cheap analogues may not provide the correct signal to enter recovery mode.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone says “Device is corrupted” after the reset, or requires the bootloader to be unlocked, system files may have been changed or custom firmware installed.
If the touch screen doesn't work after reset, try calibrating through the engineering menu (code ##6484##) if the phone is at least partially responsive. In case of complete failure of the touchscreen after Hard Reset, there is a high probability of hardware malfunction, not related to the software.
Initial adjustment after reset
Once you have successfully completed Hard Reset, your Redmi 9 will appear as it was when you purchased it, you will be greeted by a language-selected welcome screen, follow the instructions on the screen, connect to the Wi-Fi network to activate the device.
The system will offer to restore data from the backup, and if you have used Google or Mi Cloud services, you can return contacts, call history and installed app list, which will significantly speed up the process of “housing” the smartphone.
Don’t forget to check for system updates. Go to Settings → About Phone and click on the MIUI version. Installing the latest security patches will improve stability and close vulnerabilities that may have led to the need to reset.