Hard Resets on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: 3 Ways to Completely Reset to Factory Settings

Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even it is not immune to system failures, viruses or memory debris. If your device slows down, spontaneously reboots or locks down after a failed update, hard reset (full reset to factory settings) is often the only solution. However, an improperly executed procedure can turn the phone into a โ€œbrickโ€ โ€“ so it is important to know all the nuances.

In this article, you will find three proven ways to make a hard reset on Redmi. 9A (including prefixed models 9AT, 9A Sport and regional versions), as well as answers to frequent questions: what to do if the smartphone does not turn on, how to save data before reset and why after the reset may disappear IMEI. All instructions are relevant to MIUI 12/13/14 Android 10/11.

What is Hard Reset and When You Need It

Hard reset is a complete reset of a smartphone to factory settings, removing all user data, apps and settings. Unlike reset software, it touches system files and returns the device to a โ€œout of the boxโ€ state.

The main reasons why Redmi 9A owners need a hard reset are:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Strong lags and brakes โ€“ the smartphone hangs on 10+ Seconds, apps donโ€™t open or fly out.
  • ๐Ÿ”’ A forgotten pattern lock/PIN-code โ€“ if you donโ€™t remember the screen lock password.
  • ๐Ÿฆ  Viruses or malware โ€“ after installing suspicious applications.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Failed update MIUI โ€” The phone is stuck on the Xiaomi logo or in a reboot cycle.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฆ Preparing for sale โ€“ to remove all personal information.

It is important to understand that the hard reset does not fix hardware problems (such as a faulty battery or a broken screen), nor does it remove the binding to the Mi Account account if it has been activated.

โš ๏ธ Attention: If on your Redmi 9A If you have enabled Find My Device or linked to Mi Account, you will need to enter your login and password from that account after the reset!

๐Ÿ“Š Why you need a hard reset on Redmi 9A?
Remove the lags and brakes
Reset the forgotten password
Prepare for sale
After a failed update
Other

Preparing for hard reset: what to do in advance

Before you reset Redmi 9A, follow a few critical steps to avoid data loss or additional issues:

  1. Keep important information: ๐Ÿ“ธ Photos and videos โ€“ copy to PC via USB-Cable or upload to Google Photos. ๐Ÿ“ฑ Contacts โ€“ sync with Google Account or export to file VCF. ๐Ÿ’ฌ Messages โ€“ Use apps like this SMS Backup & Restore. ๐ŸŽฎ Game Save โ€“ Check if the game supports cloud backup (e.g., through Google Play Games).

Check the battery charge

at least 50%

Find out the MIUI version

Settings โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Version. MIUI

Untie the accounts.

  • ๐Ÿ”— Google Account - Settings โ†’ Accounts. โ†’ Google โ†’ Delete the account.
  • ๐Ÿ”— Mi Account - Settings โ†’ Xiaomi account โ†’ Get out.
  • Confirm the action by entering PIN-code.
  • Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

After the reset, you will need to reconfigure Redmi 9A, as after purchase: select a language, connect to Wi-Fi and log in to accounts (if required).

โš ๏ธ Warning: If after resetting through settings, the phone is stuck on the Xiaomi logo for longer than 15 minutes, do not try to turn it off! let the procedure finish (sometimes it takes up to 30 minutes.

๐Ÿ’ก

If after resetting the phone asks you to enter the password from Mi Account and you do not remember it, try to restore access through account.xiaomi.com. Use the attached email or phone number.

Method 2: Hard Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If the Redmi 9A is locked, stuck on the logo or unresponsive to touch, the only way out is to reset through Recovery Mode, which works even if the screen is not responsive to touch, but requires precise follow-up.

Step-by-step procedure:

  1. Turn off the phone: If it freezes, press the Power button for 10-15 seconds. If it doesn't respond, remove the battery (if removable) or wait for the battery to run out completely.

Press the button combination

Recovery

  • ๐Ÿ”˜ The Volume Up button (Volume Up) + ๐Ÿ”˜ Power button (Power).
  • Hold both buttons for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
  • Move through the menu using Volume Up/Down buttons, confirm the choice with the Power button.
  • Choose a language (usually English or English).
  • Go to Wipe Data (or Clear Data in Chinese firmware).
  • Select Wipe All Data (full reset).
  • Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
  • Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe complete).
  • Select Reboot โ†’ Reboot to System to reboot.

If the phone is stuck on the logo again after reset, the firmware may be damaged, in which case you will need to reflash the device via Fastboot (read about this in the error section).

Problem.Reason.Decision
Not included in Recovery.Wrong button combination or hardware malfunctionTry Volume Down + Power or plug in to charge for 10 minutes
Recovery menu in ChineseGlobal firmware for China installedChoose items by icons: ๐Ÿงน โ€” discharge, ๐Ÿ”„ โ€” restart
After reset, asks for a passwordActively linked to Mi AccountRestore your account or contact Xiaomi for support
The discharge is interrupted.The battery is dead or the power button is pressedCharge your phone and repeat the procedure.
What if there is no Wipe Data in Recovery?
If the Recovery menu does not have a reset option, you have custom firmware installed (for example, TWRP). In this case: 1. Select Advanced Wipe. 2. Check Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Internal Storage. 3. Swipe to Wipe. 4. After cleaning, reboot to the system (Reboot System).

Method 3: Hard Resets via Fastboot (for power users)

This method is used if:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Recovery damaged or missing.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ The phone doesn't respond to the buttons.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ You need to re-flash the device after a failed reset.

Resetting via Fastboot will require a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and a USB cable.Warning: Wrong commands can permanently bring the phone down!

Instructions:

  1. Download and install Googleโ€™s Platform Tools (or Mi Flash Tool for firmware).
  2. Turn off Redmi 9A.
  3. Press Volume Down + Power for 10 seconds to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
  4. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
  5. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the fastboot folder and type: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the drivers.
  6. For a full reset, type fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot.

If the phone does not turn on after these commands, you will need a full flashing through the Mi Flash Tool with the official ROM for Redmi 9A (you can download it on the official website).

โš ๏ธ Note: Using Fastboot for inexperienced users is fraught with permanent loss IMEI (If the network is lost after the firmware, restore IMEI You can only use an engineering menu or service center.

Frequent mistakes after hard reset and how to fix them

Even after a successful reset, the Redmi 9A may not work properly.

1.The phone asks for a password from Mi Account after resetting

This is Xiaomiโ€™s standard Mi Cloud Lock protection, if you forget your account details:

  • ๐Ÿ”‘ Try to recover your password through account.xiaomi.com.
  • ๐Ÿ“ง Check the mail - at registration could come a letter with a backup code.
  • ๐Ÿ“ž If you have a phone number attached, ask for it. SMS coded.

If your account is not yours (the phone is purchased by hand), contact the previous owner or provide a check to support Xiaomi to unlock.

2.Missing mobile network or IMEI

This happens if the files of the modem module were damaged during the reset.

  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Restart your phone and check your settings. APN (Settings โ†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks โ†’ Access points (APN)).
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Restore. IMEI via the engineering menu: Dial ##4636##. Go to the Phone Information tab. Check status IMEI. If it is not available, you will need a firmware.

Mi Flash Tool

Reasons:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Interrupted discharge process (village battery).
  • ๐Ÿ“ Damaged firmware.

4.The sensor is not working after reset

Probable reasons:

  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Incorrectly installed firmware (for example, for another model).
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Hardware malfunction (laid off the track of the touch screen).

Decisions:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Sweat your phone with the original firmware for Redmi 9A.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง If the sensor doesnโ€™t work even in Recovery, contact the service center.

๐Ÿ’ก

If you have problems with hardware after a hard reset (camera, speaker, sensor is not working), most likely they were before the reset.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Redmi 9A Hard Reset

โ“ Can you make a hard reset without losing data?
No. Hard Reset, by definition, deletes all user data (photos, apps, settings). The only way to save information is to backup before reset via Settings โ†’ Backup or manually copy files to a PC.
โ“ Why the phone has become even slower since resetting?
Probable causes: ๐Ÿ“‰ Installed unofficial firmware with bugs. ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery worn out (check battery health via AccuBattery). ๐Ÿงน After the reset, the updates automatically installed, which overload the iron. Solution: Sweat the phone with official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool or roll back to an earlier version. MIUI.
โ“ How to Reset Redmi 9A, if the screen is not working?
If the sensor is not responding, but the phone is turning on: Connect the mouse through OTG-Adapter (if supported) Use Google's voice assistant (say "OK, Google, open settings"). If nothing helps, reset via Recovery (Method 2) or Fastboot (Method 3).
โ“ Can I cancel the hard reset?
No. Once the reset is confirmed, all data is permanently deleted, and the only way to "undo" the consequences is to restore the backup (if it was made before the reset) or contact a service center to retrieve the data from memory (expensive and not always possible).
โ“ Why the camera doesn't work after the reset?
Causes: ๐Ÿ“ธ Camera module damaged (hardware malfunction). ๐Ÿ”ง Incompatible firmware (for example, version installed) MIUI different model). ๐Ÿšซ No driver (after manual firmware). Solution: Sweep your phone with the official firmware for Redmi. 9A or go to the service.