Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 9 series has proven to be reliable and has a great value for money, but over time, even the most optimized system can experience software failures. Users often notice that the gadget starts to run slower, apps fly out, and battery power is consumed faster than usual, which can be caused by the accumulation of system debris or conflicts after numerous updates.
In such situations, the most effective solution is a complete factory reset, which returns the device to its original state, deleting all user data and restoring factory firmware settings. This procedure is also necessary before selling the phone or transferring it to another person to ensure the complete confidentiality of your personal information, including photos, contacts and correspondence history.
This operation requires some preparation and care, as the process is irreversible and will result in the loss of all data if you do not back it up in advance. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of returning to factory state, including the standard method through the settings menu, the use of the Recovery engineering menu, and how to solve problems if the phone is locked or not turned on.
Preparation of the device for the discharge procedure
Before embarking on radical memory cleanup measures, a number of critical steps must be taken to secure your data and prevent possible problems in the process. The first step is to create a full backup of all important information, since once the procedure is complete, it will be impossible to recover deleted files without a backup.
Mi Account and Google Account holders should make sure that the synchronization of contacts, calendar and notes is successful beforehand, and go to your phone’s settings, search the account section, and check the status of the latest data update in the cloud.
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Use the Mi Mover app to quickly transfer all data to a new smartphone or create a local backup to the SD card if the slot is provided for it by your model.
Particular attention should be paid to the battery charge, which should be at least 50-60%, to prevent the device from turning off at the most inopportune moment, which can damage system files. SIM-microSD card and memory card to avoid accidental formatting of external media or loss of access to the mobile network during a reboot.
- 📱 Back up photos and videos to the cloud or to your computer.
- 🔋 Charge the battery of the smartphone to at least 60% for stable operation.
- 📝 Write down or remember the passwords from your Google and Mi accounts that you will need after resetting.
- 💾 Remove the memory card and SIM-pre-registration.
⚠️ Note: If the phone has a lock screen, be sure to remember the password or pattern lock, as after the reset, the system will require them to confirm the rights of the owner (protection) FRP).
Reset via Xiaomi system settings
The safest and easiest way to bring the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 back to factory status is to use the built-in functionality of the MIUI operating system. This method is suitable for cases when the phone turns on, the screen responds to touch, and you have access to the settings menu.
To start, open the main app menu and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear, and in the settings list that opens, scroll down to the About Phone section, which contains basic information about the device and the software version.
☑️ Reset algorithm through menu
Inside the About Phone section, you need to find Reset (or Advanced Settings in some firmware versions), after which the system will offer two options: reset only settings or completely delete all data.
The system will alert you that all files will be deleted, and ask you to enter the screen unlock password or the Mi Account password to confirm the operation, and after confirmation, the preparation process will begin, which can take several minutes, after which the phone will restart and begin formatting.
- 🔄 The process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of memory.
- 📲 The screen can go out and turn on several times – this is normal behavior.
- 🔒 Without entering the unlock password, the reset will not be possible.
Once the procedure is complete, the smartphone will turn on as a new one, offering to select a language and connect to the Wi-Fi network for initial setup. All user applications will be removed, and only standard system utilities will remain on the desktop.
Hard Reset via Recovery Menu
If the device does not load normally, freezes on the logo or the touch screen does not respond, the only way out is to use Recovery Mode.This method allows you to perform a hard reset at the hardware level, bypassing the operating system.
To enter recovery mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press and hold the volume button and the power button. When the Mi or Redmi logo appears on the screen, the power button can be released, but the volume button should be held until the main Recovery menu appears.
What to do if the menu does not appear?
In the Recovery menu, you can control the volume buttons (up/down), and the power button selects the item. Find the Wipe Data item and select it. Then the system can offer a choice between Wipe All Data and Reset Password - choose complete deletion of data.
Confirm the action by selecting Confirm, and the formatting process will begin. Upon completion, the screen will display the words "Data wiped successfully", and you will need to select the option Reboot -> Reboot to System to restart the phone.
- 🔘 Power button confirms choice, volume - moves the cursor.
- ⏳ Do not interrupt the process until a success message appears.
- 🚫 The menu can be in English, be careful when choosing.
⚠️ Note: In Recovery mode, the touch screen does not work, so navigation is only possible with physical volume and power buttons.
Resetting a forgotten password and protecting FRP
One of the common reasons users search for reset information is a forgotten graphical key or unlock password.However, modern Android security, including the MIUI shell, has a built-in anti-theft mechanism known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection).
If you reset through the buttons (Recovery), the first boot system will require you to enter a password from a Google account that was previously synced with this device. Without this data, you will not be able to activate the phone, which is a serious obstacle for attackers, but can create problems for the legitimate owner.
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Recovery does not remove the protection of your Google account, but only deletes data, so knowing your email passwords is critical.
In cases where the password from the Google account is forgotten, the situation becomes more complicated, and standard methods to unlock the device will not work. Xiaomi official support can only help if there is a check about the purchase and a box from the device confirming ownership.
There are methods of bypassing FRP through special utilities on the PC or system exploits, however, they require technical skills, often change with security updates and do not guarantee the result.
| Resetting method | Access to the menu is required | Saves the data. | Requires account password |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Settings. | Yes. | No (removes everything) | Yes (for confirmation) |
| Recovery Mode | No. | No (removes everything) | Yes (when FRP is enabled) |
| Service centre | No. | No. | Purchase check required |
Removal and errors in resetting
When returning to factory settings, users may encounter various difficulties, such as a logo hover, a cyclical reboot, or a formatting error. If the phone hangs on the Mi logo for more than 10-15 minutes after reset, try to perform a forced reboot by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds.
Sometimes the cause of problems is damage to the system partition or failure in the process of writing data, in such cases, you may need to flash the device using the computer and the Mi Flash Tool utility, which is a more complex procedure that requires an unlocked bootloader.
If the phone discharges quickly or warms up after reset, it may be due to the system’s background optimization, which takes up to several hours: Let the device lie on charge when it’s off or on (no active action) for about an hour to stabilize the processes.
In case of reports of data damage or inability to complete the reset, it is recommended to contact an authorized service center, as the problem may be of a hardware nature, for example, the wear of flash memory.
- 🔥 Heating in the first hours after reset is normal due to file indexing.
- 🔁 Cyclical reboot is often solved by re-entry into Recovery.
- 💾 Memory errors require flashing or replacing the drive.
Initial adjustment after recovery
After the successful completion of the procedure and the first download, you will see a welcome screen with a choice of language, which is similar to setting up a new smartphone purchased in a store, and requires careful attention to the options offered.
The system will suggest connecting to the Wi-Fi network, accepting the user agreement and, most importantly, logging into your Google account, and this is where FRP protection is checked, so enter the account that was the main one on the device before the reset.
Next, MIUI will offer to restore data from the cloud backup if you have created it before, and you can choose which data (contacts, messages, Wi-Fi settings) you want to return to the device, and which applications to install automatically.
⚠️ Warning: Do not skip system component and security updates immediately after setup to close vulnerabilities that may have caused pre-reset instability.
The final step will be to set up biometric protection (fingerprint or facial recognition) and set the lock screen password, and it is recommended to immediately configure the Find Device function, so that in case of loss, the phone can be tracked or remotely blocked.