How to reset Xiaomi Redmi 9A to factory settings: all ways with photos

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 9A to factory settings is a necessary measure when the smartphone starts to slow down, emit errors or you are preparing it for sale. But not everyone knows that a complete reset deletes not only apps and accounts, but also all user data, including photos, contacts and messages. If you did not back up, it will be impossible to restore them.

In this article, we will discuss three official ways to reset: through the phone settings, using Recovery Mode and remotely via Mi Account. And also tell you what to do if the Redmi 9A requires an old password or does not turn on after reset. The instructions are relevant for all model modifications: Redmi 9A (2/32 GB), Redmi 9AT (NFC) and versions with MIUI 12/13/14.

⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone before selling, be sure to log out of your Mi Account (Settings) β†’ Xiaomi account β†’ Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to use the device, it will remain tied to your profile.

1. Reset via the settings menu (the easiest way)

This method is suitable if Redmi 9A is turned on and you remember the unlock password.The procedure takes 5-10 minutes and requires no additional tools.

To get started:

  • πŸ“± Open Settings (cog icon on the main screen).
  • πŸ”§ Go to the About Phone section. β†’ Backup and reset.
  • πŸ”„ Select Settings Reset. β†’ Erase all data.
  • πŸ” Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
  • βœ… Confirm the action by pressing Erase everything.

The phone will automatically restart and start the cleaning process, and the MIUI logo and progress bar will appear on the screen, and don't turn the device off at this point, as this can cause software failure.

Make a backup copy of important data|Remember the password from the Mi Account|Connect the charger (the battery must be charged at least 50 times%)|Delete SIM-Memory card and card (if you don’t want to format them)-->

⚠️ Note: If after the Redmi reset 9A Asks you to enter a password from your previous Mi Account, and you do not remember it - restore access through account.xiaomi.com.

2. Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

When the Redmi 9A freezes on the logo, doesn't respond to touches, or is locked with a password, hardware reset via recovery mode will help, which works even if the screen isn't responding.

Instructions:

  1. πŸ”‹ Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
  2. πŸ”„ Hold the power button. + Volume up simultaneously until the Mi logo appears.
  3. πŸ“± Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery Mode menu (black screen with yellow text).
  4. πŸ” Use Volume Down to select Wipe Data, and Volume Up for confirmation.
  5. πŸ”„ Choose Wipe All Data β†’ Confirm.
  6. βœ… After completion, press Reboot. β†’ Reboot to System.

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items:

Menu item (English)TranslationAction.
Wipe DataClearing the dataSelect for discharge
Wipe All DataErase all dataConfirmation of clean-up
RebootReboot.Back in the system
Connect with MIAssistantConnect to the PCFor computer firmware

⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn't turn on after resetting via Recovery or if it gives a "No command" error, try repeating the procedure. If the problem persists, this may indicate firmware damage (you'll need to flash it over Fastboot).

What happens if the Recovery Mode does not open?
If the button combination doesn’t work, try: 1. Connect your phone to charge for 10 minutes – sometimes a dead battery blocks the entrance to Recovery. 2. Use Power + Volume Down (on some versions of Redmi 9A). 3. If the screen is damaged, connect the device to your PC and use the Mi Flash Tool to force reset.

Remote reset via Mi Cloud (if phone is lost)

If Redmi 9A is stolen or lost, you can delete all data remotely via Mi Cloud.

  • 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Xiaomi account.
  • πŸ“ In the Devices section, select your Redmi. 9A (if it's connected to the Internet).
  • πŸ”„ Press Find the device. β†’ Erase the data.
  • βœ… Confirm the action. SMS-code sent to the linked number.

Important: Remote reset will only work if the phone is enabled with Find Device and is connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi. If the attacker has already turned off the Internet or performed a manual reset, remote cleaning will not be possible.

After a remote reset, the phone will automatically unlock from your Mi Account, but will remain linked to your Google account (if it has been added), meaning that the new owner will not be able to use the device without entering your Gmail login and password.

Yes, but I did. | Yes, and I didn't. | No, I'm always careful. | I haven't lost it yet, but I'm afraid-->

4.What to do if Redmi 9A asks for an old password after reset

One of the most common problems after a reset is asking for a password from a previous Mi or Google account, which is a theft protection that Xiaomi calls Mi Account Lock.

Options for a solution:

  • πŸ”‘ If you remember the password: Enter it on the lock screen. Once you have successfully logged in, the phone unlocks.
  • πŸ“§ If you forgot your password: Go to account.xiaomi.com. Click Forgot your password?. Restore access via email or linked phone number.
  • πŸ› οΈ If the phone is purchased from hand and the previous owner has not untied the account: Contact him and ask him to remove the device from your Mi profile (Settings) β†’ Mi Account β†’ Devices).
  • πŸ’Ύ Local copy on PC: Connect Redmi 9A computer-to-computer USB. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP). Copy the folders. DCIM (Photos, Downloads (downloads) and WhatsApp (chats) to your hard drive.

Third-party annexes:

Google Photo

Titanium Backup

Swift Backup

⚠️ Note: Backups through Mi Cloud are only stored 30 days after the last sync. If you do not log in to your account for more than a month, the data may be deleted.

πŸ’‘

Even if you made a backup in Mi Cloud, after reset, it will need to be manually restored in the phone settings (Settings β†’ Xiaomi Account β†’ Mi Cloud β†’ Restore).

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you reset Redmi 9A, you're going to have a problem with the typical ones.

Problem.Reason.Decision
The phone will not turn on after resettingFirmware damaged or cleaning process interruptedRepeat reset via Recovery or run your phone through Fastboot
It is constantly restarted (bootloop)Conflict of system filesInstall stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool
The camera or speaker does not work after resettingDriver failureUpdate the software through Settings β†’ System Update
Not connected to Wi-Fi.Resetting network settingsForget the network and connect again or reset the network settings in Settings β†’ SIM-maps and networks β†’ Resetting network settings

If none of these methods helped, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., damaged eMMC memory).In this case, contact Xiaomi’s service center – self-repair can make things worse.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

πŸ”Ή Can we reset Redmi? 9A passwordless?
Yes, but only through Recovery Mode (method 2 in the article) if the phone is locked with a pattern lock or PIN-However, after the reboot, you may need a password from your Mi or Google account (if they were linked).
πŸ”Ή How long does it take to dump?
Time depends on the method: Settings: 5-15 minutes; Recovery: 10-20 minutes (longer due to file system check); Remote reset: up to 1 hour (depending on the Internet speed on the phone); If the process is delayed for more than 30 minutes, do not interrupt it, wait for the completion or battery discharge.
πŸ”Ή Will photos be removed from the memory card?
No, the reset only affects the phone's internal memory, and the files on the microSD will remain intact unless you select the option to Format the memory card in the reset menu, but for reliability, we recommend removing it before the procedure.
πŸ”Ή Can the reset be cancelled after launch?
No. Once you've confirmed the "Erase All Data" command, the process is irreversible, and the only way to interrupt it is to force the phone to turn off (pressing the power button for 15+ seconds), but this can cause system damage and the need to flash it back.
πŸ”Ή Why after the Redmi reset 9A It slowed down?
This is a temporary phenomenon. Once reset, the system indexes files and optimizes the work in the background. Give the phone 1-2 days to "sweep." If the lags persist: Update the software to the latest version of MIUI. Clear the cache in Settings β†’ Storage β†’ Clear the cache. Turn off animation in Settings β†’ Additional β†’ For Developers (if developer mode is enabled).