How to reset Xiaomi Redmi 9 to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Why would you want to reset Redmi 9?

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 9 to factory settings is a radical but effective way to solve a lot of problems. Maybe your smartphone started to brake after the MIUI update, or you plan to sell the device and want to delete all personal data. Or maybe the phone fell into the hands of a child, and now the screen is full of unnecessary apps, and the battery goes down in half a day. In either case, the hard reset will return the Redmi 9 to its original state, the same as it was when it was first unpacked.

But it's important to understand that a reset is not a magic button, it won't fix physical breakdowns (like a broken screen or a broken battery), it won't return deleted photos if you haven't backed up, and it won't help if your phone is locked through Mi Account without access to the linked number. Before you start, assess whether you really need a reset, or whether you can solve the problem in a different way, like cleaning up your cache or rolling back an update.

In this article, we will discuss the three official ways to reset the Redmi 9 (including the Redmi 9A, 9C, 9T models), their pros and cons, and give a checklist for preparing the device. If you have never performed such manipulations before, don’t worry: step-by-step instructions with pictures and videos will help you avoid errors.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the dawn

The factory reset removes all data from Redmi 9’s internal memory: photos, videos, contacts, messages, installed apps, and even Wi-Fi settings. If you don’t want to lose important information, follow a few simple steps:

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup or manually copy files to PC/cloud. Mi Cloud, Google Drive or Yandex Disk cloud services will do, but make sure you have enough space.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%. If the reset is interrupted due to discharge, the phone may stop turning on.
• 🔑 Make sure to remember the data from the Mi Account. After the reset, you may need to re-authorize.
• 📶 Disable two-factor authentication (if enabled) or save backup codes, otherwise you risk losing access to your account.

Pay special attention to tied services: if you used Redmi 9 to confirm logins to banking applications, social networks or instant messengers (such as WhatsApp), after a reset, access to them may be blocked.

Backup important data|Charge the phone to 50%+|Remember the username/password from Mi Account|Disable two-factor authorization|Get out. SIM and a memory card (optional)-->

⚠️ Note: If the Redmi 9 has a bootloader locked, a reset via Fastboot without unlocking will result in a device "brick." Check the bootloader status in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times on the line).

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the easiest one)

This method is suitable if the phone turns on and you remember the pattern lock or password. It requires no additional tools and takes only 5-10 minutes.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Resetting settings.
3. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
4. Enter a password/pattern lock if the system requests it.
5. Confirm the action by pressing Erase Everything, the phone will reboot and begin the cleaning process.

After the reboot, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, like after you buy it. If the phone requests Mi Account data, type it in -- that's okay with Xiaomi devices with an attached account.

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If Redmi 9 doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi after resetting, try resetting your network settings to Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional → Network Reset.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If Redmi 9 is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touches or is locked with a pattern lock that you forgot, Recovery Mode, a special recovery mode, is built into the firmware and does not require a connection to a PC.

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power Button + Volume Up button at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons. You'll be taken to the Recovery menu (English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm and wait until it's done. The phone will reboot automatically.

In some versions of MIUI, menu items may be called differently, such as Clear Data or Factory Reset. If you see a menu in Chinese, focus on the characters (clear the data) and (confirm).

⚠️ Note: If after reset via Recovery, the phone requires you to enter Mi Account data, but you do not remember them, do not try to guess the password repeatedly - the device can lock for 72 hours.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method will come in handy if the first two didn’t work, or you want to completely reflash the device with all partitions cleaned (for example, after a failed update). ADB/Fastboot cable USB Type-C.

Warning: Fastboot is a powerful tool, and the wrong commands can turn your phone into a brick. If you've never worked with it before, you better go to a service center.

1. Install Google’s Platform Tools (or Mi Flash Tool for firmware) on your PC.
2. Turn off Redmi 9 and press the Power button + Volume down to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB. In the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux), run: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install drivers.
4. Run the command to reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

If you want to completely reflash the device (for example, after a crash), download the official firmware for Redmi 9 from the Xiaomi website and use the Mi Flash Tool.

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Fastboot resets data deeper than Recovery, but requires command line skills. If you're not sure, use the first two.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users often face problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔄 "The phone is stuck on the logo. MI post-discharge" → Wait 10-15 minutes. If it doesn't work, reset via Recovery or Fastboot.
• 🔒 "I need my account information, but I don’t remember it" → Restore your password on the Mi Account website. If an old number is tied, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.
• 📱 "After the reset, the camera doesn't work./Wi-Fi" → It's probably the module's firmware. MIUI.
• ⚡ "The battery was discharged during the discharge" → Connect the charger and repeat the process. If the phone doesn't turn on, try clamping the power. + Loudness up for 30 seconds.

If the Redmi 9 gets worse after it was reset (like overheated or spontaneously shut down), there may be a problem with the hardware, such as a worn-out battery or a damaged motherboard, in which case the reset won’t help, you need to be diagnosed at the service center.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)