How to Reset Xiaomi Redmi 9A to Factory Settings: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even it is not immune to crashes, viruses or the need to transfer the device to a new owner.Reset to factory settings (hard reset) solves most software problems, but requires caution: without preparation, you risk losing photos, contacts and applications.

This article features three proven ways to reset the Redmi 9A (including lock options), unique nuances of the 2020 model (e.g., working with MIUI 12+), and instructions for backing up and recovering data. If the phone is slowing down, not turning on, or requires clean firmware, you’ll find a solution here.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before cleaning

Resetting to factory settings deletes all user data, including:

• 📸 Photos and video (internal memory, but not microSD card)
• 📞 Contacts (unless synced with Google or Mi Account)
• 🎮 Save games and customize applications
• 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi and accounts

Before you start, follow the mandatory steps:

Make a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup

Write down the username/password from Mi Account (required to unlock after reset)

Ensure that the battery charge is > 50% (to avoid shutting down during the process)

Remove the memory card (if the data on it is important)-->

The Redmi 9A feature is that once reset, the device may require you to enter data from the Mi Account previously tied. If you forget your password, restore it in advance on account.xiaomi.com. Otherwise, the phone will turn into a “brick” (FRP lock).

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If you are selling a phone, remember to log out of Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out. This will save the new owner from activation problems.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is working)

The easiest method is to use the built-in reset function, which is suitable if:

• 📱 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• 🔓 You remember the pattern lock or PIN-code
• 🔄 You need to return the "clean" firmware without removing it. MIUI

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
3. Choose to Erase all data (not Reset – it will only remove some settings!).
4. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock for confirmation.
5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset the phone.

It takes 5-10 minutes. The phone will reboot and suggest that you configure it as new. Importantly, if you reset with a "This device is locked" error, you didn't log out of Mi Account before cleaning. Solution -- see the unlock section.

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

If Redmi 9A doesn’t respond to the screen, is stuck on the MI logo or you forgot your password, Recovery Mode will help.This method works even without entering the pattern lock, but requires care: wrong actions can lead to loss of IMEI or other errors.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
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. In a few seconds, the Recovery menu will open.
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (complete cleanup).
6. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
7. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

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If you don't have Wipe All Data in the Recovery menu, you have custom firmware installed. → Wipe Dalvik/ART Cache, then go back and do the Wipe. Data/Factory Reset

Possible problems and solutions:

• 🔄 The phone is stuck on the logo. MI post-discharge → Wait 15-20 minutes. If it doesn't work, repeat the procedure or run the device through the Fastboot (see Method 3).
• 🔒 After the reboot requires a password from the Mi Account → Restor access to Xiaomi’s website or use the official unlock tool (en.miui.com/unlock).

Yeah, I figured it out)|Yes, but with the help of instructions.|No, I'm afraid to break something.|No, you didn't.-->

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

Fastboot is the most radical method, and it requires a computer connection, and it's used if:

• 💻 Recovery Mode is unavailable or damaged
• 🔧 You need to reflash your phone (for example, after a failed update)
• 🔒 The device is locked Mi Account, and other methods do not help

The work will require:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (or Mac/Linux driverless ADB)
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged)
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website)
• 📥 Firmware for Redmi 9A (Fastboot version, not Recovery! – download from the same site by selecting the dandelion model (codenamed Redmi). 9A).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down for 10 seconds to enter the Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect the phone to the computer.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All (full clean) and click Flash.
6. Wait for the end (5-10 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.

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If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a “Couldn’t find device” error, install ADB drivers manually through the Android SDK Platform Tools or use the Xiaomi Driver Installer utility.

Warnings:

⚠️ Warning! Continuous use of the Fastboot for reset can lead to bootloader locking.If you see the message "This device is locked" even after firmware is installed, you will need official unlocking via the Mi Unlock Tool (can take up to 720 hours of waiting!).

⚠️ Attention! Fastboot firmware drops IMEI on some versions of Redmi 9A. To avoid network loss, write down your own before the procedure. IMEI (dial #06# in the dialer and restore it after firmware through the engineering menu (#4636##*).

Table: Comparison of Reset Methods for Redmi 9A

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery of data

After a successful reset, Redmi 9A will offer to go through the initial setup. Follow these tips to avoid problems:

1. Mi Account Activation: If you're selling a phone, don't link your account! The new owner must create their own. If your phone is, log in to your existing account to unlock Mi Cloud features.
2. Data recovery: Use a backup from Mi Cloud or Google Drive. To do this, select Restore from a backup in the settings menu.

If your phone is running slower than before, follow these steps:

• 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🚫 Turn off autoloading of unnecessary applications in Settings → Annexes → Auto-start.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even if the reset is done correctly, there can be problems.-5 erroneous 9A and ways of correcting them:

If none of the methods worked, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., damaged eMMC memory).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 9A reset