How to make a hard reset on Xiaomi Redmi 9: the complete guide

Redmi smartphones are notorious for their reliability, but even they sometimes encounter software failures that cannot be fixed by standard methods. Hard Reset is a radical but often the only effective measure to bring the device back to life. Xiaomi Redmi 9 owners may face the need for a complete reset if the phone has stopped responding to commands, endlessly restarts, or if you forget the graphical lock key.

The complete reset procedure removes all user data, returning the gadget to the β€œout of the box” state, which means losing photos, contacts, installed applications and system settings. Before starting the procedure, make sure that the battery is at least 50% battery power to avoid critical errors in the process. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to perform this operation, as well as answering frequently asked questions.

There are several ways to do this: through the settings menu if you have access to the system, and through Recovery mode if your phone is locked or not booting, each of which has its own characteristics and risks that you need to know about in advance, and we will look at them sequentially so that you can choose the most suitable option for your situation.

Preparation of the device for complete reset

Before you start taking action, you have to do a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring these steps can lead to permanent loss of important information or account problems after a reboot. Backup is the first thing you need to do. You can use Google's cloud services or the built-in Mi Cloud utility to save data.

It's also important to make sure you remember your Mi Account and your Google account. Once reset, Android security will require you to enter the username and password that were previously associated with the device, which is a theft protection known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection). If you forget this data, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the phone without contacting the service.

  • πŸ”‹ Charge your smartphone to a minimum 60-70%, as the process may take 10 before 30 minute.
  • πŸ’Ύ Copy important photos and documents to your computer or cloud storage.
  • πŸ”‘ Write down passwords from your Google account and Mi Account to avoid losing access.
  • πŸ“± Extract. SIM-microSD card and memory card so as not to accidentally damage them.

Don't neglect battery charge checks. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can damage system memory partitions, which will turn the phone into a brick, and it can only be restored by flashing through the computer using special software.

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Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is unlocked)

If your Xiaomi Redmi 9 is functioning normally, the screen is touch responsive and you can log in, this is the safest and easiest way to go.It doesn't require physical buttons at a critical moment and minimizes the risk of errors. First, go to Settings on the home screen or in the notification curtain.

In the menu that opens, scroll down to the bottom and find About Phone. Inside this section, select Reset (or Factory Reset) and the system will alert you that all data will be deleted. At this point, you will need to enter a screen unlock password or a pattern lock to confirm your actions.

Once confirmed, the system will begin preparing for cleaning, which can take several minutes, during which the phone can reboot several times. Don't be afraid if the screen goes out or the Redmi logo appears, this is normal behavior. The main thing is not to press any buttons until the desktop is fully loaded.

What happens when you reset through settings?
When choosing this method, the system first checks the integrity of files, then erases the partition with user data (data), and then clears the cache. This is a softer option, which sometimes leaves system logs of errors, but ensures that system partitions are safe from accidental damage.

Method 2: Hard Recovery Mode (if the phone is locked)

When you forget your password or your phone is stuck on the logo, you need to use Recovery Mode, which allows you to reset at the bootloader level, ignoring the locked operating system. To enter this mode on Redmi 9, you need to perform a certain sequence of actions with the buttons.

Turn off the smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Up Volume and Power buttons. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume button. In a few seconds, the Main Menu menu will open, where the control is carried out by the volume buttons (up/down), and the selection is carried out by the power button.

From the menu, select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data. The system will ask for confirmation β€” select Confirm. After completing the cleaning process, which will take a few seconds, select Back to Main Menu and then Reboot β€”> Reboot to System. The first run after such a procedure will be long, sometimes up to 5-7 minutes.

⚠️ Note: When resetting via Recovery on new firmware versions MIUI You may need to enter the password from the Mi Account directly into the recovery menu, which is anti-theft protection. If you don't remember the password, you can't reset by this method.

πŸ“Š What problem are you facing?
Forgot the screen password.
The phone is stuck on the logo.
I just want to clear my memory.
The system is slow.

Method 3: Remote reset via Google Find My Device

If your phone is lost or stolen but you have the Internet and geolocation enabled, you can perform a hard reset remotely, which will help protect your data from unauthorized persons, using Google Find My Device, which is available from any other device (computer or smartphone) via a browser.

You need to log in to your Google account that was linked to the lost Redmi 9. In the service interface, select the desired device from the list and click Clean the device. The command will be sent to the phone, and once it connects to the network, a complete data reset will occur.

This method is only effective when there is an active Internet connection on the target device, and if the phone is off or in an area without network coverage, the command will be executed automatically once the connection is restored, a powerful tool to protect personal information in critical situations.

Solving problems after reset: blocking accounts

After the successful completion of the hard reset and reboot, Xiaomi Redmi 9 will start in the initial setting mode. Here you can find the FRP lock screen (Google Lock) or lock Mi-account. This is a normal situation if the relevant services were authorized on the phone before the reset.

The system will require you to enter a password from the last Google account used, a security measure designed to prevent the use of stolen devices, and if you enter the wrong password several times, the account may be temporarily blocked by Google for your own security.

Type of lockdownCause of the occurrenceDecision-makingRisk of data loss
Google FRPReset without logging out of Google accountEntering a password from GmailNo (with the right password)
Mi AccountThe "Find the Device" function is activatedEntering a password from the Mi AccountNo (with the right password)
Screen keyForgot the unlock passwordHard Reset (data deleted)Total loss of data
LoaderTrying to flash the flashUnlocking through Mi UnlockWait 168 hours

It’s important to understand the difference between these locks. If you forget your account password, try to restore it through the β€œForgot Password” procedure on a Google or Xiaomi site from another device. Bypassing these locks by third-party methods is complex and often requires paid services or deep knowledge of microcode programming.

πŸ’‘

If you plan to sell your phone, be sure to log out of all accounts (Google and Mi) before resetting your settings.

Frequent errors and ways to fix them

In the process of execution, the hard resets Redmi users 9 One of the most common is that the phone is in Fastboot mode instead of Recovery. If you see a hare fixing an android on the screen, you accidentally hit the volume button instead of zooming in. 10-15 Just a few seconds before the phone goes off and try again.

Another problem is a cyclic bootloop after a reset, which could mean that system files were damaged before the procedure started or interrupted during the procedure, in which case a simple reset is not enough, you will need to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility and official firmware.

Also worth mentioning is the problem with the Recovery touchscreen, which is that on some versions of MIUI, the touchscreen in the recovery menu doesn't work. It's OK. It's just mechanical buttons that control this menu: volume, navigation, power, choice. Don't try to poke at the screen, it won't work.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is warmed in the processor area after reset and does not boot for more than 15 minutes, the boot partition may be damaged.

πŸ’‘

Cyclical reboot after reset is more likely to indicate system file damage than hardware failure, and firmware fixes the problem 90 percent of the time.

Data recovery and initial setup

Once the Xiaomi Redmi 9 has successfully booted, you will be greeted by a welcome screen. Choose a language and connect to the Wi-Fi network. During the data recovery phase, the system will prompt you to copy applications and settings from another device or from the cloud. If you have backed up to Google One or Mi Cloud, select this option.

Take your time to install all the apps at once. Let the system update and calibrate completely. In the first 30-60 minutes after reset, the phone can run slower than usual, warm up and use up a lot of charge. This is the process of optimizing applications and indexing files. The battery calibration also happens in the background.

Check the main features: camera, speaker, microphone and sensor. Make sure all drivers are up correctly. If you notice a feature is not working properly, try updating all system components through the Security app or in the Advanced Settings section.

How long does the first launch take?
The first run after a hard reset on Redmi 9 can last from 5 to 10 minutes.Do not try to speed up the process or restart the phone at this time.The system performs partition integrity checks and Android environment preparation.

Preventing Software Problems

To avoid having to do hard resets in the future, follow simple rules for Android. Do not install applications from unknown sources, especially those that promise to β€œaccelerate” or β€œclean up” memory. Often, this software contains viruses or ad modules that disrupt the stability of the OS.

Clean your app cache regularly and delete unused programs. Overflowing memory is one of the main causes of slowdowns and crashes. Try to keep at least 15-20% of your internal memory free. For Redmi 9, with its storage capacity, it is a critical performance parameter.

Update your operating system on time. Xiaomi releases security patches and bug fixes that improve stability. However, before major updates to the MIUI version, it is always recommended to back up important data, as large updates can sometimes cause conflicts.

Can the resetting process be interrupted if it takes too long?
If the progress indicator is frozen in one place for more than an hour, there is likely to be a failure, in which case you can try to restart the device with the pressing of the power button, but there is a high risk of getting a non-working bootloader.
Will Hard Remove the Android Operating System?
No, the hard reset only deletes user data, settings and installed applications. The operating system and factory applications remain in place. Deleting the OS requires a flashing procedure, which is more complex and risky.
What if, after a reset, the phone asks for a password from an old account I don't remember?
This is FRP protection. You need to restore access to your account through Google's website (from a computer or other phone) by phone number or backup email. Without entering the correct password from the last synchronized account, you will not be able to unlock the phone legally.
Will the MIUI version reset to an earlier one after the hard reset?
No, the firmware version will remain the same as it was installed at the time of the reset. Hard Reset doesn't roll back the Android version or the MIUI shell, it just clears the data sections. It requires a complex downgrade procedure through Fastboot to roll back the version.