Smartphone Xiaomi Mi 9, released in 2019, still remains a popular device thanks to its Snapdragon 855 processor and high-quality AMOLED-But over time, the operating system becomes awash with temporary files, application cache, and software errors that can significantly slow down the gadget, and in these situations, the most effective solution is a complete return to the original state known as Hard Reset.
The reset procedure completely cleans the device’s internal memory by deleting all your personal data, including photos, contacts, correspondence and installed applications. This is a radical but often necessary measure if the phone is unstable, the pattern lock is forgotten or you plan to sell the device to a new owner. It is important to understand that once the process is complete, it will be impossible to restore information without prior backup.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to perform a reset on the Mi 9, from standard system settings to advanced methods through the Recovery Engineering Menu. We will also look at the typical problems users face when trying to reset, and give recommendations on how to properly prepare your smartphone for this procedure.
Preparation of the device for the discharge procedure
Before you start taking action, you need to follow a series of preparatory steps that will secure your data and ensure the successful completion of the process. The first and most critical step is to create a full backup of all important information. You can use the built-in Mi Cloud, Google Drive service or third-party backup snails.
Pay special attention to the battery level. The process of formatting internal memory and reinstallation of system files is energy intensive. If the battery runs out at the most critical time, it can damage the system partitions and turn the phone into a "brick." Charge Xiaomi Mi 9 at least to 60-70% before work.
It is also worth disabling all active connections to accounts, if possible, and retrieve them. SIM-Memory card (if you use an adapter, although there is no memory card slot in the Mi 9) Make sure you remember your Mi Account and password from Google account, as after the reset, the system will require them to confirm ownership of the device as part of the theft protection.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Reset via the standard MIUI settings menu
The safest and easiest way to get the Xiaomi Mi 9 back to factory status is to use the built-in operating system functionality. This method is suitable for those cases where you have access to the desktop and settings menu, and the touch screen responds to touch correctly. First, go to the main menu and find the Settings icon.
In the options list that opens, you need to scroll down to About Phone, and that's where the basic system management tools are hidden. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see Reset or Delete All Data, and you'll be able to click on this option and you'll be able to trigger the reset wizard to warn you of the consequences.
The system will offer several cleaning options. You can choose to delete only user data or completely reset with the cleaning of all partitions. For guaranteed results, you should choose the option to erase all data. Once confirmed, the system can request the entry of a screen unlock pin or password from the Mi Account for security.
⚠️ Note: If the device has enabled Find Device, the system will require you to enter the Mi Account password before starting the reset.
Once all the warnings are confirmed, the smartphone will restart and start the formatting process. The screen can go out and light up several times, and the progress bar will show the execution percentage. Don't touch the device at this point and wait for the desktop to fully load, which can take 5 to 15 minutes.
What to do if the reset button is inactive?
Use Recovery Mode for Hard Reset
If Android doesn't boot, freezes on the logo or the touch screen doesn't respond, the only way out is to use Recovery Mode, a special diagnostic interface built into the device's memory regardless of the state of the main operating system. To log in on the Xiaomi Mi 9 switched off, you need to pinch the key combination.
Press both the Volume Up and Power button at the same time, hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, while still holding the volume, and in a few seconds the Recovery menu will open, where the volume buttons are controlled and the power button selected.
In the list of available options, you need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. In some versions of MIUI firmware, this menu may be hidden by a subheading. After selecting, you will see a warning that all data will be deleted. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
| Action. | Control button | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Choice of menu item | Volume Up/down | Moving the cursor |
| Confirmation of choice | Power button | Execution of the team |
| Getting out of the regime | Reboot → Reboot to System | Reboot to Android |
Once the cleanup is complete, the message "Data wiped successfully" will appear. Select the Back to Main Menu option, then Reboot and Reboot to System. The phone will restart and begin the initial setup as if you had just bought it from the store.
💡
If the Recovery menu doesn’t open in the standard way, try connecting your phone to your computer via a computer. USB-This can sometimes help the system determine the command to enter recovery mode.
Reset via Mi Unlock and PC Suite
For more advanced users or in situations where standard methods don't work, there is the possibility of being reset via a computer using official utilities.The Mi Unlock Tool is designed primarily to unlock the bootloader, but it also allows you to perform clean flashing of the device, which is tantamount to a deep reset.
Before starting the procedure, you need to download and install drivers for Xiaomi Mi 9 on your computer, as well as the Mi Unlock utility itself. Go to the phone settings, section For developers, and turn on the option OEM-unlocking and debugging USB. You also need to link the device to the Mi Account in the same menu.
Run the program on your PC, log in to your account and plug your phone in when it's off by holding the volume buttons (Fastboot mode). The utility will identify the device and prompt you to unlock it. Remember that once the bootloader is unlocked, it automatically resets data for security purposes.
fastboot flashing unlock
// The command to unlock the bootloader via ADB/Fastboot (requires PC)This method is the most radical, as it not only cleans the data, but also changes the status of the bootloader, which can affect the operation of some banking applications and security features, such as Mi Pay.
⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool will void the warranty (if it is still valid) and make the device more vulnerable to malware.
Solving Google Account Problems (FRP)
One of the most common problems after a reset is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) blocking, which is Google's security mechanism, which requires you to enter account data synchronized with your phone before the reset, and if you forget your password or change the number associated with your account, the device may become useless.
To avoid this situation, make sure to log out of all Google accounts before reset. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync (or Users and Accounts), select your Google account and click Delete Account. Repeat the same for Mi Account.
If the reset is already done and the phone requests a password you don't remember, the official way is to restore access through the Google site to another device.There are also workarounds through special programs or vulnerabilities in specific versions of Android, but these require separate instructions and do not guarantee the result.
Owners of Xiaomi Mi 9 should know that on newer versions of MIUI, FRP protection is implemented quite rigidly, attempts to circumvent it by unofficial methods can lead to a complete lock of the device by IMEI. Therefore, the rule of "delete the account before reset" is the gold standard.
💡
Deleting your Google and Mi Account completely before resetting is the only guaranteed way to avoid FRP blocking and activation issues after a reboot.
Frequent errors and ways to fix them
While returning to factory settings, Xiaomi Mi 9 users may encounter a variety of errors. One common problem is the “bootloop” when the phone is constantly turned off and on before reaching the desktop, often solved by re-entering Recovery and selecting the Wipe All Data item again.
Another problem is the message "Update failed" or a system integrity check error when trying to reset, which may indicate damage to the system partition or the presence of modified firmware, in which cases, often only flashing the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility and official stock firmware helps.
And users sometimes complain that the battery goes down quickly after the reset or the phone warms up. 24-48 It indexes files and optimizes applications in the background, and gives the phone time to calm down without loading it with games.
- 📱 Bootloop – endless reboot, often solved by repeating Wipe Data or flashing.
- 🔒 FRP Lock – blocking a Google account, requires accurate data entry or complex bypassing.
- 🔋 Battery discharge – interrupting the reset process due to low charge can damage the file system.
If none of the software methods works and the phone behaves inadequately even after a clean firmware, there is a high probability of hardware malfunction, it may be a failure of the memory controller or other components of the Mi 9 motherboard.