How to completely reset Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: all ways with a photo

Reset Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 to factory settings – a forced measure when the smartphone begins to brake, gives errors or you need to transfer it to a new owner. But not all users know that a full reset removes not only apps and settings, but also hidden system files that can affect the operation of the device after a reboot. For example, after an incorrect reset via Fastboot, some owners face an Invalid error. IMEI or loss of communication with SIM-card.

In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery Mode and Mi Flash Tool), and how to avoid common errors. We will focus on restoring IMEI after a Fastboot reset, a problem that affects up to 15% of Redmi Note 9 users when a hard reset occurs. If your phone is locked with a graphical key or does not respond to touch, here you will find workable solutions without losing warranty.

Preparing for the dump: what to do

Before you start resetting, be sure to follow 4 steps, otherwise you risk losing important data or encountering problems when resetting:

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → Google → Backup. That'll save the contacts, SMS For media files, use Mi Cloud or physical copying on your PC.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%. When reset via Recovery, discharges below 30% may interrupt the process and "brick" the device.
• 📋 Write down your Mi Account details. After the reset, you will need to reauthorize. If you forget your password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.
• 🔑 Make sure you know the password from the Google account tied to the phone.After reset, Redmi Note 9 will request it to unlock (FRP-defence).

If you plan to sell or transfer your phone, log out of all accounts (Settings) → Accounts) and delete SIM-This will prevent the new owner from accessing your data.

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 9 with firmware MIUI 12.5+ After the reset, confirmation may be required through SMS to a tied number. SIM-Card lost, restore access to Mi Account in advance.

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

This method is suitable if the phone turns on and reacts to touch, the advantage is the minimum risk of errors, since the reset occurs through the regular MIUI menu.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Resetting (on some firmware - Erase all data).
3. The system will be asked to PIN-code or pattern lock (if installed).
4. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.

It takes 3-7 minutes. After you reboot, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, like after you bought it, and it's important that if the phone was linked to your Mi Account, you'll need to re-authorize after you reset.

Make sure the phone is charged (>50%)|Disable Find My Device from your Google account|Record the username/password from the Mi-account|Delete SD-card (if any)-->

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI 13+ If you forget the data, you may get an error: "This device is reset. Log in to the Mi Account that was used earlier." If you forget the data, restore access through the official website.

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If the Redmi Note 9 is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch, or is locked with a pattern lock, use Recovery Mode, which works even when the firmware is damaged, but requires care.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power + Volume increase for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power for selection. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (5-10 minutes).
6. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the phone doesn’t turn on after reset or gives an error, try repeating the procedure or using the Fastboot method (described below).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This is a method that is used if the first two fails. It completely reinstalls the firmware, but requires a computer and a program called the Mi Flash Tool. After being reset via Fastboot, 80% of the devices are knocked down by IMEI, so the method is recommended only in extreme cases.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original).
• 📥 Firmware for Redmi Note 9 (download from the official website).
• 🛠 Mi Flash Tool (Version 2020 or later).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware (file with.tgz extension) in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
2. Install Xiaomi drivers (download here).
3. Turn off the phone and turn to Fastboot mode: press Power + Volume down for 10 seconds.
4. Connect your phone to your PC. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Refresh.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All (full reset) and click Flash.

It takes 5-15 minutes. When you're done, the phone will restart. If you don't have a network after you've run the firmware, restore the IMEI (instructions in the next section).

1. Reinstall drivers manually through Device Manager.

2. Use another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

3. disable the antivirus (it can block the program).-->

How to Recover an IMEI After a Fastboot Reset

If a mobile network is lost after a hard reset or if IMEI: Null/Unknown is displayed in the settings, then the modem partition is damaged. This is a typical Redmi Note 9 problem when running through Fastboot.

Recovery will require:

• 📱 Root-Rights (or Engineer Mode).
• 🔢 Original. IMEI (written on a box or under a battery).
• 🛠 Programme MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek processors) or QPST (for Snapdragon).

Instructions for Redmi Note 9 (MediaTek Helio G85 processor):

1. Install MTK Engineering Mode from the Play Market.
2. Open the app, go to MTK Settings → Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information.
3. Enter the command: AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1" AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2" (substitute IMEI_1 and IMEI_2 on your numbers).
4. Reboot your phone. Check IMEI in Settings → About phone → General information.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect input IMEI This can lead to a network lock by the operator, only use the original numbers from the box!

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, Redmi Note 9 users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

• 🔄 "phone is stuck on logo after reset" → Repeat reset via Recovery or swipe through Fastboot with Clean All and Lock selection.
• 🔒 "Demands old. PIN-post-reset" → It's FRP-Google protection: Enter the account that was linked before the reset.
• 📶 "No network after recovery IMEI" → Check if the numbers match. IMEI If you don't, repeat the procedure.
• 🔋 "The battery was discharged during the discharge" → Charge your phone to at least 30% and try again. If it doesn't turn on, use a power charger. ≥2A.

If the phone does not recognize after reset SIM-map, try it:

1. Reset the device.
2. Insert the SIM into another slot (if any).
3. Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings.

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on after a Fastboot reset, don't panic. 90% of the time, the firmware re-run with the Clean All and Lock option in the Mi Flash Tool helps.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions