How to reset Xiaomi 9T to factory settings: 3 working ways

Resetting the Xiaomi 9T (also known as the Redmi K20 in some regions) to factory settings is a procedure that can be required in a variety of situations, from preparing the phone for sale to fixing critical system failures. However, not all users know that an incorrect reset can lead to a device lock, loss of important data or even “bricking” of the smartphone. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of reset (through settings, Recovery Mode and Fastboot), explain how to avoid typical errors, and give recommendations for saving data before the procedure.

Xiaomi 9T features Mi Account protection, which can make it harder to reset if you forget your account information, and we’ll show you how to circumvent this protection by legal means, and what to do if your phone requires you to enter your old password after reset, and you’ll find here unique tips for recovering data after a reset that are not found in the standard instructions.

1.When Xiaomi 9T Reset is Needed - and When It's Dangerous

Factory reset is not a universal solution to all problems, but a last resort. Before you start the procedure, assess whether it is really necessary. Here are the valid reasons for resetting:

• 📱 Preparing for sale or transfer – deletion of personal data, photos, accounts.
• 🐌 Strong system brakes that are not eliminated by cache cleaning or software updates.
• 🔄 Cyclical restart (bootloop) after a failed update.
• 🚫 Viruses or malware that is not removed by antiviruses.
• 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock or PIN-code (in this case, reset is the only way out).

However, there are situations where resetting can exacerbate the problem:

• 🔋 Battery problems (blown, quick discharge) - resetting here will not help, you need to replace the battery.
• 📡 Lack of network or problems with SIM-card – often associated with hardware malfunctions of the communication module.
• 💾 Damaged file system (phone can’t see internal memory) – reset can make data irrecoverable.

⚠️ Attention: If your Xiaomi 9T If you have been bought by hand and tied to someone else's Mi Account, a reset using standard methods will result in the device being locked, requiring you to enter the username/password of the previous owner.

2.Reset preparation: how to save data and avoid errors

Before resetting, make sure to back up all the important data, and even if you plan to reset through the settings menu (the softest way), the risk of file loss remains.

• 📸 Photos and videos – copy to PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 📱 Contact and SMS — sync with your Google account or export to a file.
• 🎵 Music and documents – transfer to a memory card or external drive.
• 🔑 Passwords and application data – use password managers (e.g. Bitwarden).
• 🎮 Game saves – if games support cloud backup (e.g. via Google Play Games).

For backup, you can use the built-in tools of Xiaomi:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select data to save (contacts, messages, system settings).
3. Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed.

We also recommend:

• 🔌 Charge the phone to at least 50% – reset can take up to 30 minutes, and discharging in the process will lead to a failure.
• 📶 Connect to stable Wi-Fi (if you reset via the menu) – after reset, the phone will require downloading updates.
• 📋 Write it down. IMEI phone (click *#06#) - useful if the network disappears after reset.

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

This is a method that works if the phone turns on and responds to touch, and it retains the ability to recover data through the backup and is minimally risky.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section (usually at the bottom of the list).
3. Select Backup and Reset → Resetting.
4. Click Reset phone settings (may require input) PIN-code-key).
5. Confirm the action by choosing Delete Everything.

The phone will reboot and start the reset process, which will take 5-15 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

⚠️ Warning: If the bootloader unlocked on the phone, it may lock again after the reset. That's OK, you'll have to repeat the unlock.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Does not require computer or special knowledge.
• ✅ Minimum risk of “bricking".
• ✅ It retains the ability to recover data from the backup.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It won’t help if the phone doesn’t turn on or hangs on the logo.
• ❌ Does not delete Mi Account (link to the account will remain).

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Resetting through the settings menu is the best option for most users. Use it if the phone is stable and you don't need to delete the Mi Account.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If the Xiaomi 9T doesn’t respond to touch, hovers on the MI logo or reboots cyclically, use Recovery Mode.This mode allows you to reset your phone without access to the main system.

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button + Volume Up button at the same time.
3. Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
4. From the menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese) and go to Wipe Data.
5. Select Wipe All Data and confirm the action.
6. Once you have finished, click Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, focus on the icons:

• 🧹 (Wipe Data - reset.
• 🔄 (Reboot) - reboot.

Recovery reset time is 10 to 20 minutes, and if it takes longer, don't interrupt it or turn off your phone!

⚠️ Note: If you see Mount Mount in Recovery /system or ADB Sideload, don't choose them unnecessarily. These are modes for power users, and doing the wrong thing can lead to data loss.

5. Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method requires a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and is suitable if:

• 🔧 Recovery Mode is unavailable or damaged.
• 📦 You need to put a clean firmware on top of the current one.
• 🔒 Requires to delete Mi Account (only for unlocked bootloader).

Instructions:

1. Install Platform Tools (ADB/Fastboot) on PC.
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
4. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools and execute the commands: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the phone) fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

If you want to completely reflash your phone (for example, after a failed update), download the official firmware for Xiaomi 9T (codename davinci) from the Mi Community website and use the command:

fastboot flash all firmware.zip

Warnings:

• 🚨 Don’t interrupt the process – it can lead to loss. IMEI or a breakdown of the communication module.
• 🔌 Use the original cable – cheap cables can interrupt data transmission.
• 🔋 The battery should be charged. >30%, otherwise the phone may be switched off during the process.

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If the phone doesn’t turn on after reset via Fastboot, try flashing only the boot section with the command fastboot flash boot.img. Often this solves the problem with hanging on the logo.

6. How to delete Mi Account after reset (if you forgot the password)

If you dropped the Xiaomi 9T, but the phone requires data entry from the previous owner’s Mi Account, you have a few options:

1. Contact the previous owner – if the phone is purchased by hand, contact the seller and ask to untie the device from his account through the Mi Account website.
2. Restore account access: Go to the recovery page. Specify the attached email or phone number. Follow the instructions for resetting the password.
3. Unlock the bootloader and flash the firmware without Mi Account (power users only): Apply for unlocking the bootloader through the official website (may take up to 720 hours). After unlocking, sew custom recoveries (TWRP) and firmware without binding to the account.

⚠️ Note: Use of informal methods to bypass Mi Account (e.g., through EDL Mode) may result in blocking IMEI Xiaomi is actively fighting against these methods and the risk is high.

If the phone is locked on the previous owner’s account and you can’t contact him, the only legal way out is to contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, purchase agreement).

7. Data recovery after reset

If you don't back up before resetting, some of the data can be recovered using specialized software, and remember that success depends on:

• 🕒 Time – the earlier you start your recovery, the better the chances.
• 📱 Reset type – after Fastboot recovery is more difficult than after reset via menu.
• 💾 Data overwriting – if you’ve been using your phone since the reset, old files could have been overwritten.

Recovery programmes:

Instructions for Dr.Fone (the easiest option):

1. Install the program on your PC and connect your phone via USB.
2. Select the Android Data Recovery mode.
3. Specify the type of files to scan (e.g. Photos and Videos).
4. Follow the instructions of the program (you may need to enable debugging over USB).
5. After scanning, select files to recover and save them to your PC.

⚠️ Warning: Do not save recovered files back to your phone - this may cause them to be rewritten.Use cloud storage or external drive.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if the instructions are followed correctly, the Xiaomi 9T reset may not go according to plan, and we will discuss the typical problems and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 phone is stuck on the logo after reset Reason: Damaged boot partition or incompatible firmware Solution: Write your phone through Fastboot with official firmware (see section 5).
• 📵 After the reset, there is no net (no catch). SIM-Cause: Settings reset IMEI Solution: Check it out. IMEI (If it is Null, restore it via Engineer Mode or contact the service.
• 🔒 Mi Account requires password, but phone my Reason: You forgot you linked an account, or the phone was bought with a link.Solution: Restore access to the account (see section 6) or contact Xiaomi support.
• 🔋 Phone ran out during reset Reason: Insufficient battery power. Solution: Connect to charge for 30 minutes, then reset. If it doesn't turn on, use Fastboot.

If none of these methods helped, there may be a problem with the hardware (e.g. damaged eMMC memory).In this case, contact the service center. The cost of diagnostics Xiaomi 9T — from 500 to 1500 rubles depending on the region.

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90% of the problems after a reset are solved by the official firmware via Fastboot. If the phone doesn't turn on, don't panic, but follow the instructions on the firmware.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions