Owners of popular Xiaomi smartphones often face the need to return the device to a factory state. the Redmi Note 9 is no exception, as over time, the system accumulates software errors, application conflicts or residual files that slow down the interface.
The procedure for complete data cleansing, known as Hard Reset, is a powerful tool, but requires careful attention. Wrong actions can lead to the loss of important information or locking the device through the security services of Google and Mi Account. That is why it is important to follow the algorithm clearly and understand the differences between a regular reset and deep cleaning through the engineering menu.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to return the Redmi Note 9 to its original state. You will learn about device preparation, step-by-step actions through the settings menu and Recovery Mode, as well as how to avoid common errors when flashing the software part of the smartphone.
Before you start taking action, you need to realize the irreversibility of the process. Once the procedure is completed, all your personal data, including contacts, photos and correspondence, will be deleted without the possibility of simple recovery by standard means of the system.
Preparing the device before data cleaning
The initial phase is critical, as it is the key to keeping your personal information safe. Be sure to back up all your important data before starting the reset procedure. You can use Mi Cloud cloud storage, Google services or third-party backup apps. Move photos and videos to your computer or external drive to make sure they are safe.
Pay special attention to the accounts. If you don't know the password from the Mi Account or the Google account associated with the phone, be sure to untie them or remember the login details. Otherwise, after the reset, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection will work, and the phone will turn into a "brick", requiring authorization from the previous owner.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the battery is at least 50-60%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can damage the system partition and require complex computer recovery.
It is also recommended to remove the microSD card and SIM-The card before the operation, although the current versions MIUI Usually asked about the format of external memory, physical extraction of the card ensures that your files on it will not be affected by an accidental error or a scrubbing script failure.
☑️ Redmi Note 9 Prepared for Reset
Method 1: Reset via the system settings menu
The easiest and safest method for users who have access to the desktop and smartphone menu is ideal if the device is functioning normally, but you want to clean it up or prepare it for sale. First, go to the main menu and find the Settings icon.
In the options list that opens, scroll down to About Phone. This is where the basic system management tools are hidden. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see the Reset button. When you click on it, the system will offer two options: Reset (only system settings will return) and Erase all data (full Hard Reset).
Choose the second option for complete cleanup. The system may request a screen unlock PIN or password from your Xiaomi account to verify your identity. Once confirmed, the preparation process will begin, which can take several minutes, after which the phone will restart and begin deleting files.
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Before resetting via settings, disable USB debugging from the Developer Menu if it was enabled, which will prevent potential conflicts when rebooting.
Do not interrupt the process or try to use the phone until it has fully restarted and the screen of the initial setting appears, during which time the device can turn the screen on and off several times - this is normal behavior of the system when cleaning partitions.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If your smartphone is stuck, doesn't turn on to your desktop, or you've forgotten your pattern lock, Recovery mode will help, which allows you to reset even when the interface is broken, and you need to turn off the device completely and hold the key combination to enter this mode.
Press both the Volume Up and Power button at the same time, hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume up until the Main Menu menu appears, and the volume buttons navigate and the power button selects.
⚠️ Attention: In the Recovery menu, the touchscreen does not work. All actions are performed only with mechanical buttons on the body of the smartphone.
Using the volume buttons, select Wipe Data and confirm the choice with the power button. Then the system can request confirmation by suggesting that you select Wipe All Data. After cleaning, select Reboot, then Reboot to System. The first run after such a reset will last longer than usual.
What to do if the Recovery menu does not open?
Deleting your Mi and Google account before resetting
One of the most common problems after a reset is locking the device with security mechanisms. Android security system and the MIUI shell link the device to the owner's account. If you just perform a reset without logging out, the phone will require you to enter a password from them when you first download.
To avoid blocking FRP, you need to manually log out of all accounts. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync. Here you will see a list of all the associated services: Google, Xiaomi, Facebook and others. Click on each of them, select the option “Login” or “Delete account”.
Pay special attention to Mi Account. Search the login button in the account menu. The system will warn you of the risks, but for reset purposes this must be done. Only after only system or empty records remain in the list of accounts can the cleanup process be safely performed.
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Signing out of accounts before reset is the only guaranteed way to avoid FRP blocking on the new owner or after flashing.
If you are planning to sell a phone, it is also recommended to disable the “Device Search” feature in Google Play’s security settings.This is an additional measure that can sometimes cause difficulties when a new user activates a gadget on another network.
Comparison of discharge methods and their features
Different methods of returning to factory settings have their own technical features and applications, and understanding the differences between them will help you choose the right way to solve the problem in a particular situation.
| Parameter | Through Settings. | Through Recovery. | Through the Mi PC Suite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to the menu | Required. | Not required | PC required |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Medium. | High-pitched |
| Deletion of data | Complete. | Complete. | Complete. |
The method through settings is preferred by most users, as it is the softest and most controlled system. Recovery Mode is used to reanimate "dead" or locked devices. Using a computer via Mi PC Suite or Mi Flash is required in the most difficult cases when the partition structure itself is damaged.
It's worth noting that all methods result in the same final state of memory -- it becomes clean, and the only difference is how the cleanup process is initiated and the level of access to the system that is required to start.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Even with strict adherence to the instructions, there can be unforeseen situations, one common problem is that the phone will get stuck on the Mi or Android logo after being reset, which can mean that the cleaning process has been interrupted or the system file has been damaged.
If the device is hanging on the logo for more than 15-20 minutes, try to force the reboot by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds. If this does not help, you will need to re-enter the Recovery Mode and try to reset. In some cases, cleaning the cache (Wipe Cache) without deleting user data, if such a item is available in your version of the recovery helps.
Another problem is endless restart (bootloop), often due to a conflict of system files or a failed update, which may require a complete flashing of the device using the computer and the official Mi Flash Tool utility.
⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires a password from an account that you do not remember, you can officially restore access only through the form of restoring a password on the Google or Xiaomi site from another device.
In rare cases, communication modules may not work properly after reset, and if the IMEI is lost or the network is not captured, this indicates a deeper problem, possibly related to damage to the persist partition, which can only be solved in the service center.