How to reset settings on Xiaomi 9A: all ways + problem solving

Xiaomi Mi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, but even it is not immune to system failures, slowdowns or the need to transfer the device to a new owner. Reset to factory settings is a universal solution for most software problems, but many users are afraid to perform it themselves. In this article, we will analyze all available reset methods, including hidden features, nuances of data retention and typical errors encountered by owners of the Mi 9A.

It's important to understand that resetting is not just a magic button, it's a process that requires preparation. It depends on how you choose to keep your photos, contacts and apps intact or your device back out of the box. We'll look at three main ways in detail: through the settings menu, through Recovery mode and the Fastboot command, and we'll give you recommendations for recovering data after the reset.

If your Xiaomi 9A is stuck, doesn't respond to touch, or requires you to unlock your pattern lock, don't panic. 90% of the time, reset solves the problem, but there are exceptions. For example, if your smartphone doesn't turn on even after charging, it might be a hardware malfunction, not a software failure, and in such cases, the reset is useless and you'll need a diagnosis at the service center.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do before the start

Before you start resetting, follow a few critical steps, and neglecting them can result in losing access to your Xiaomi account, deleting photos without recovery, or locking your device after a reset.

First, check the associated Mi Account. If you forgot your username / password, restore them in advance - after resetting, the smartphone will require authorization. Without it, it will be impossible to unlock the Mi 9A (Mi Account Lock function). To find out the associated account, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account.

Second, save important data, even if you're planning a soft reset, errors happen.

• 📁 Backup in Mi Cloud: Settings → The phone. → Backup. Free available 5GB.
• 💾 Local copy: connect your smartphone to your PC and copy files from folders DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp.
• ☁️ Google Photos/Disk: sync your contacts, photos and documents through your Google account.

Third, make sure the battery is over 50%, interrupting the discharge process due to discharge can cause the device to "brick" (inoperability). If the Mi 9A is discharged, connect it to charging for 20-30 minutes before starting.

⚠️ Note: If you bought a smartphone with your hands, make sure that the previous owner untie your Mi Account. Otherwise, after the reset, the device will require you to enter its data, and it will be extremely difficult to unlock it (you will need to contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase).

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

This method is suitable if the smartphone is turned on, reacts to touch, and you remember the pattern lock./PIN-It saves files on internal memory (photos, music, documents) but deletes them:

• 📱 Installed applications and their data (for example, saved in games).
• 🔑 Settings Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, APN.
• 📝 Accounts (except the main Mi Account if it is tied).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone → Additional → Resetting settings.
3. Select Settings Reset (not to be confused with Network Settings Reset!).
4. Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN-code.
5. Wait for the reboot (it will take 3-5 minutes).

After the reboot, you will be asked to configure your smartphone as new, and at the welcome stage, you can restore data from the backup (if it was created).

Make sure the charge is >50%|

Save photos/video to PC or cloud |

Remember the username/password from Mi Account|

Disable Google Account (if not required after reset)|

Check that SIM-card is not blocked by PIN code-->

⚠️ Note: If after reset, the smartphone requires data input from the previous Mi Account, and you do not know them, do not try to guess the password. After 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will be locked for 24 hours.

Method 2: Hard Recovery Reset (if the smartphone is not turned on)

This method is used when:

• 🔄 The smartphone is getting stuck on the Mi logo and does not load.
• 🔒 You have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code.
• 📱 The screen does not respond to touch (but the device is switched on).

Unlike a menu reset, a hard reset removes everything, including files on internal memory (photos, videos, documents), so use it only as a last resort.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the smartphone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up simultaneously and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. In the Recovery menu, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selection.
4. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some versions of Factory Reset).
5. Confirm the action by choosing Confirm.
6. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

The process can take up to 10 minutes. If after the reboot, the smartphone is again hanging on the logo, repeat the procedure or try the method through Fastboot (described below).

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This method requires a computer and is used in the most difficult cases:

• 🖥️ The smartphone does not respond to buttons or download Recovery.
• 🔧 You need to reflash the device after a failed update.
• 🔒 You need to unlock the bootloader (bootloader).

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool or ADB/Fastboot.

Instructions:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the official Xiaomi website).
2. Turn off your smartphone and put it in Fastboot mode: press the Power button + Volume down for 10 seconds.
3. Connect the Mi 9A to a PC. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
4. Open the command line (Windows: Win + R → cmd) and type: fastboot devices If the smartphone is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, check the drivers.
5. Run the full reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Once you reboot, the smartphone will be in a state of "out of the box." If you want to unlock the bootloader, use the official Mi Unlock Tool utility, but note that this will lead to the deletion of all data and resetting the settings to the factory.

1. reconnect the cable to another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

2. disable the antivirus (it can block drivers).

3. Install drivers manually via Android SDK Platform-Tools.-->

5. Typical errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users face problems. Consider the most common ones:

Error 1: "Cannot mount /data" in Recovery

Reason: A data section is damaged (often after a failed update).

Solution: Select Recovery Wipe Data → Format Data (this will delete ALL files, including files on internal memory). If it does not help, reflash your smartphone via Fastboot.

Mistake 2: Smartphone hangs on logo after reset

Reason: The firmware or module conflict is damaged.

Decision:

1. Repeat the reset via Recovery.
2. If it doesn’t help, run your smartphone with the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (select the Clean All option).

Error 3: Requires a previous owner account

Reason: The smartphone has Mi Account Lock enabled and it is tied to someone else’s account.

Decision:

• 📄 Contact the seller for account details.
• 📧 If you cannot contact us, collect proof of purchase (check, contract) and contact Xiaomi via the official website.

⚠️ Warning: Don't buy Mi Account unlock services on third-party sites. Fraudsters often ask for prepayment and disappear. The only legal way is to ask Xiaomi for purchase documents.

💡

If the smartphone is slower after reset than before, it is likely a hardware problem (worn memory, weak processor) and the reset does not correct physical malfunctions, only software errors.

6. Data recovery after reset

If you have not made a backup, the chances of returning deleted data depend on the reset method:

After resetting through the settings menu:

• 📁 Files on internal memory (photos, videos) remain intact.
• 📱 Applications and their data (save games, settings messengers) are deleted irrevocably.

After the hard reset (Recovery/Fastboot):

• 🗑️ All the data in the internal memory is erased, and can only be restored using specialized programs (for example, DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver), but success is not guaranteed.
• ☁️ If you have synced with Mi Cloud or Google Account enabled, contacts, photos and some settings will be restored automatically when you first turn on.

To recover photos from internal memory:

1. Do not write new files to your smartphone (this reduces the chances of recovery).
2. Connect the Mi 9A to your PC and use Recuva or PhotoRec (free).
3. Select deep scanning – it will take longer, but it will increase the chances of finding deleted files.

Important: the more time has passed since the reset, the lower the probability of recovery. If the data is critical, contact the data recovery laboratory (for example, Hetzner or ACE Lab).

7. Alternatives to dumping: when it is not needed

Sometimes problems with Xiaomi 9A can be solved without a complete reset.

Problem: Smartphone slows down

• 🧹 Clear the cache: Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🚫 Turn off autoloading of unnecessary apps: Settings → Annexes → Autoboot.
• 🔄 Update the firmware: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Problem: Lack of memory

• 📁 Move the files to SD-card (if supported).
• ☁️ Enable automatic upload of photos to Google Photos and then delete local copies.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary apps: Settings → Annexes → Delete.

Problem: Wi-Fi/Bluetooth is not working

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 📶 Forget Wi-Fi and connect again: Settings → Wi-Fi → Press the net. → Forget it.
• 🛠️ Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and networks → Resetting network settings.

If none of these methods work, then you should resort to resetting, and 70 percent of the time, the problem is solved without it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi 9A