Reset Xiaomi Mi 9 to factory settings: a complete guide with photos and videos

Xiaomi Mi 9 is the flagship smartphone of 2019, which still remains relevant thanks to powerful hardware and regular updates to MIUI. However, even such a reliable device can eventually start to slow down, issue errors or require a complete reinstallation of the system. Resetting to factory settings is a universal solution for most software problems, but the wrong actions can turn the phone into a brick.

In this article, you will find 3 proven reset methods (through settings, Recovery and PC), unique nuances for the Mi 9 with a locked bootloader, and instructions for saving data and recovering from a reset. We will analyze why a smartphone can not turn on after a hard reset, how to circumvent the No command error in Recovery and what to do if the system requires a Mi Account after a reset.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the start

Factory reset is the complete removal of all data from the internal memory of the Xiaomi Mi 9, including photos, contacts, messages and installed applications. Even if you plan to reset your phone due to viruses or errors, it will be impossible to recover information without a backup.

Here is what must be done:

• 📱 Sync data with Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud and enable backup for contacts, notes, calls and SMS.
• 🖥️ Copy files on PC: connect Mi 9 to USB file transfer mode (MTP) and move the files. DCIM, Downloads and WhatsApp on your computer.
• 🔐 Make sure you know the username/password from your Mi Account: after resetting, the phone will require authorization, otherwise it will be extremely difficult to unlock it.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%: interruption of the discharge process due to discharge can lead to a knock (inoperability) of the device.

Save IMEI (Dial *#06#)

Untie Google Account (Settings → Accounts → Google)

Remove the SIM and memory card (if any)

Check for ADB drivers on PC (for Fastboot reset)

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Pay special attention to IMEI, the unique identifier of your Mi 9. In rare cases, after reset, it can reset to a standard value (for example, 000000000000000000), which will deprive you of mobile communication. To avoid this, write down the original IMEI by typing in your phone *#06#, or take a screenshot.

⚠️ Note: If you bought Xiaomi Mi 9 handheld and do not know the Mi Account associated with it, the reset can lock the phone permanently.In this case, first try to delete the account through the official Xiaomi website (section "Device Management»).

Method 1: Reset via phone settings (soft reset)

This is the safest and easiest method that is suitable if the phone is turned on and you remember the pattern lock or the key. PIN-It does not require a computer and is suitable for eliminating small lags, cleaning the cache or preparing the device for sale.

Instructions for Xiaomi Mi 9 (relevant to MIUI 12-14):

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Backup and reset.
3. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
4. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock for confirmation.
5. Click Next and wait until the process is complete (usually takes 5-10 minutes).

After the reboot, the phone will suggest you set it up as new. At this point, don't connect to Wi-Fi right away - first check if you need to input data from your previous Mi Account. If the phone requests a username/password and you don't know them, go to method 3 (reset via Fastboot).

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If the Mi 9 is long on the MI logo after reset, don’t panic – wait 15-20 minutes. If nothing has changed during this time, try pressing the power button for 10-15 seconds to force the reset.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery (hard reset)

This method is useful if Xiaomi Mi 9:

• 🔄 Hanging on the logo. MI and.
• 🔒 Blocked with a pattern lock and you don’t remember it.
• 🐢 Strongly inhibits and does not respond to touch.

Recovery doesn't require a computer to reset, but you'll need physical access to the phone's buttons.

1. Turn off the Mi 9 (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm.
6. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If instead of Recovery, you see a black screen that says "No command"**>, it means that the stock Recovery is damaged.

1. Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds to force the phone to turn off.
2. Repeat the Recovery login, but instead of Volume Up, use Volume Down.
3. If it doesn’t work, go to method 3 (reset via Fastboot).

⚠️ Note: Some Mi 9 firmware (such as custom or beta versions) MIUI) Recovery menu items may vary. If you're not sure which item to choose, don't confirm the action - better use Fastboot reset.

Method 3: Fastboot reset (for locked phones)

If the first two methods don’t work (e.g., the phone requires a Mi Account after a reset or Recovery is not available), the most reliable, but also the most difficult method is resetting via Fastboot mode with a PC, which is suitable even for devices with a locked bootloader, but requires installing drivers and special utilities.

You'll need:

• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11 (MacOS does not support official Xiaomi tools).
• 🔌 Cable USB (It is desirable to be original from Mi 9).
• 📥 Mi Flash Tool (official firmware program).
• 🔧 Qualcomm drivers (if Windows doesn't recognize your phone in Fastboot).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the Mi 9 and press the Power button + Volume down to enter Fastboot mode (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and select the folder with the firmware for the Mi 9 (download it in advance from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
4. At the bottom of the program, select Clean all (this is a full reset) and click Flash.
5. Wait for the process to complete (usually 5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.

If the Mi Flash Tool is an anti-rollback error, it means you are trying to install an older version of MIUI than the one on your phone, in which case download the latest stable firmware for the Mi 9 (codenamed cepheus) and repeat the process.

Through phone settings

Through Recovery.

Fastboot/Mi Flash Tool

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What to do after resetting: setup and recovery

After a successful reset, the Xiaomi Mi 9 will turn on as new.

1. Choose the language and region (we recommend Russia for the correct operation of the mobile network).
2. Connect to Wi-Fi (but take your time – check first if you don’t need a Mi Account).
3. Enter your Xiaomi account data if your phone requests it.
4. Restore data from a backup (if it was created through Mi Cloud).

If the IMEI or mobile network is missing after the reset, follow the following steps:

1. Click ##4636## and select Phone Information.
2. Check the current IMEI. If it consists of only zeros, use the Engineer Mode recovery manual (requires root rights).

To speed up the Mi 9 after resetting:

• 🚀 Turn off animation: go to Settings → About the phone, press 7 times on the version MIUI, Then in the Developer Settings, install Windows Animation = 0.5x.
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly: in Settings → Storage click Clean next to the "Cash" section».
• 🔒 Install a reliable antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky) as the phone is vulnerable to malicious applications after a reset.

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If the Xiaomi Mi 9 is slower than before the reset, check the MIUI version. It may have been installed automatically. Update the system to the latest stable version manually through Settings → Software Update.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with the exact following of the instructions, the Mi reset 9 It might not go as planned.-5 problems and ways of eliminating them:

If none of the methods worked, and the Mi 9 still fails to turn on or gives out errors, it is possible that the problem in the hardware (for example, damaged eMMC memory).In this case, contact the Xiaomi service center - self-repair without experience can aggravate the situation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Mi 9