Modern smartphones, including the flagship Xiaomi Mi 9, over time can accumulate system debris, which leads to slowdown of the interface, errors in applications and unstable behavior of the operating system. Sometimes the only effective solution is a factory reset, which returns the device to the “out of the box” state, which is also necessary when selling the gadget to a new owner or when trying to unlock access if you forgot the pattern lock or if you have forgotten the pattern lock. PIN-code.
The process of cleaning memory and restoring system files requires care, as the result will be irretrievably deleted all user data: contacts, photos, correspondence in messengers and installed applications. Before starting any manipulations, it is critical to back up information in the cloud storage Mi Cloud or on your computer, so as not to lose important files forever.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available ways to perform Hard Reset on the Mi 9, look at the nuances of working with the Recovery menu and answer frequent user questions. Following the instructions will allow you to safely resuscitate the device and restore its performance without having to go to the service center.
Xiaomi Mi 9 Preparation for Full Reset
Before you initiate the cleaning process, you need to make sure that the battery is charged at least 60-70%. interruption of the procedure of resetting due to battery discharge can damage the system partition and turn the smartphone into a “brick”, which will require complex hardware and software repair.
You should also check for a Google account and Mi Account. After a reset, Android security can request the account details that were previously associated with the device. If you do not remember the password, it is better to untie accounts in advance through the settings menu to avoid blocking.
☑️ Preparation for discharge
Make sure you have a stable internet connection on hand if you plan to restore data from the cloud immediately after reset, which will speed up the initial setup and allow the smartphone to return to working condition faster.
Method 1: Reset via the Settings Menu (Soft Reset)
The safest and easiest method available to every user is to use the standard interface of the MIUI operating system. This option is suitable if the smartphone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you have access to the main menu.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to About Phone, which is where the basic system management tools are hidden. Select Reset option, which is usually at the bottom of the screen or in the optional feature tab.
The system will offer several cleaning options. Select "Erase all data" (or "Reset settings"). At this point, the Xiaomi Mi 9 can request confirmation in the form of a screen unlock password or a pattern lock, a security mechanism that prevents unauthorized persons from accidentally deleting data.
What to do if the reset button is inactive?
Once confirmed, the device will warn you that all files will be deleted. Press the confirmation button and wait for the reboot. The process can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of memory filled.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If the smartphone is stuck, does not respond to touch or can not boot the operating system, the only way out is to use Recovery mode. This method works at the bootloader level and does not require access to the Android interface.
To enter recovery mode, you need to turn the device off completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up and Power buttons. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume key.
When the Recovery menu appears, the volume buttons (up/down for navigation) and the power button (to select) are controlled. Select a language (usually available in English or Chinese), then go to the Wipe Data menu.
In the next menu, select the Wipe All Data option and confirm the action. The system will warn you about the risks again. Once the process is complete, select Reboot to restart. The first system start after this procedure will last longer than usual.
Resetting a forgotten password or pattern lock
The situation when the user forgets how to unlock his own device, is quite common. In the case of Xiaomi Mi 9 and the shell MIUI, deletion of the password is possible only through a complete reset, since it is impossible to bypass the protection without loss of information for security reasons.
If you have Find Device enabled, you can perform a remote reset via i.mi.com, which requires access to the Internet from another device and knowledge of the username/password from Mi Account.
In the event of no Internet access on a locked smartphone, you will have to use a combination of buttons to log in to Recovery, as described in the previous article.--WIDGET:tip:Important: Once you reset your password, your smartphone will require you to enter a Google or Mi Account that was synced to the device before you lock it (FRP).-->
Don’t try to guess the password repeatedly. After several failed attempts, the Xiaomi Mi 9 may block the ability to enter for a certain time or require unlocking through your account, which will complicate the procedure if you do not remember the data.
Comparison of data dumping methods
The choice of method depends on the current state of your device and the goals you are pursuing. For the average user who wants to simply clean the phone before selling, the software method will do.
| Parameter | Through Settings. | Through Recovery. | Remotely (Mi Cloud) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to the menu | Required. | Not required | Internet is required |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Low. |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Medium. | Depends on the network. |
| Deletion of accounts | Automatically. | Manually required | Automatically. |
Note that the Recovery method does not always delete files from internal memory as thoroughly as a reset via settings, unless you choose the option of full clean (Wipe All Data).
The remote method is good because it allows you to erase data even if the phone is lost, but it is useless if the device is turned off or does not have access to the network.
Possible problems and solutions
Unforeseen situations can occur during the reset process, and one of the most common is getting stuck on the Mi or Android logo after a reboot, a phenomenon called bootloop, often solved by repeating the reset procedure through Recovery with the Wipe Data option selected again.
Another problem is a Google account request (FRP lock), where if you reset your phone but you didn't log out in advance, the system will require you to enter the password for the account that was the last one on the device, which is protection against theft, and it's almost impossible to circumvent it in legal ways without a password.
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If the phone requires an account you don’t remember after resetting, you can only restore access through the Google account recovery procedure, not through the phone’s flashing.
It is also possible to have errors when loading the interface, in which case it is recommended to check for system updates in the settings menu or reset the network settings if the problem is only related to the Internet connection.