How to erase data from Xiaomi Redmi 9A: a complete reset to factory settings

Resetting Xiaomi Redmi 9A to factory settings is a necessary procedure before selling, transferring the phone or fixing critical failures. But simply deleting files through the Gallery or Settings → Memory does not guarantee complete cleanup: photos, messages and even passwords can remain in the device’s memory and be restored by special programs. In this article, we will discuss three official methods to erase data irrevocably, including hidden nuances for Redmi 9A based on MIUI 12/13 and later versions.

The Redmi 9A features the lack of a memory card slot in some versions (e.g. the 32GB M2006C3LG), which means that all data is stored in an internal eMMC 5.1 drive that requires a specific cleaning approach. It is also important to consider the binding to the Mi Account: after a reset, the phone can request old credentials, if not turn off the protection in advance.

Preparing for resetting: what to do before cleaning

Before erasing data, follow the critical steps to avoid locking your device or losing your application licenses:

• 🔄 Sync contacts and notes with your Google Account or Mi Cloud. Go to Settings → Accounts. → Synchronize and enable the option for the desired data.
• 📁 Save a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup. The file will be created in a folder. MIUI/backup/AllBackup.
• 🔑 Unplug your Mi Account if you plan to sell your phone. → Xiaomi account → Leave and confirm the action with a password.
• 📱 Check it out. IMEI. Dial *#06# and write down both numbers – they will be useful for network recovery after reset if you have problems.

On the Redmi. 9A firmware-old MIUI 12.5 When reset via Recovery, Factory Reset Protection is automatically activated (FRP). This means that after cleaning the phone will require you to enter the login and password from the last Google account associated.To avoid blocking, delete all Google accounts in Settings → Accounts. → Google before reset.

⚠️ Note: If you forgot the Mi Account password and the phone is tied to your account, it will be impossible to unlock it after reset without official confirmation from Xiaomi (the procedure takes up to 72 hours).

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest way)

This method is suitable if the phone is turned on and you remember the pattern lock or PIN-It preserves the integrity of system files and minimizes the risk of "bricking" the device.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Resetting (on some firmware - Erase all data).
4. The system will prompt you to enter the password from the lock screen. After confirmation, press Erase everything.
5. Wait for the reboot (it takes 3-5 minutes), the Redmi logo will appear on the screen, then the initial setup wizard.

The advantage of this method is to retain the right to warranty service, since the discharge is carried out through MIUI regular funds.

• 🔐 Your phone is locked with a pattern lock and you don’t remember it.
• 🤖 The device is getting stuck on the Xiaomi logo or cyclically rebooted.
• 📵 The screen does not respond to touch (connection to the PC is required).

Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode (for locked phones)

If Redmi 9A does not respond to commands or is blocked, use Recovery mode.This method deletes all data without recovery, including files in DCIM folders, Downloads and application cache.

Instructions for Redmi 9A (models M2006C3LG/M2006C3MI):

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button (10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons. In a few seconds, the Recovery menu will open.
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The cleaning process will begin (it will take 2-3 minutes).
6. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

The Recovery menu on Redmi 9A has additional options:

⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi firmware 9A When you select Wipe All Data, you get a request to enter a password from Mi Account, even if you unplugged your account earlier. MIUI, If the password is unknown, use method 3 (via Fastboot).

Method 3: Complete Fastboot Cleanup (for power users)

This method requires a connection to a PC and is used if:

• 🔧 The phone doesn’t even load in Recovery.
• 🔒 Mi Account password is forgotten and menu reset is not possible.
• 📦 You need to delete data from a damaged partition (for example, after a failed update).

The work will require:

• 💻 Windows computer 10/11 Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website of Xiaomi).
• 📄 Firmware for Redmi 9A (Choose the Fastboot version instead of Recovery).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone. Press the Power button + Volume down for 10 seconds to enter Fastboot mode (there will be a hare in a hat-eared hat on the screen).
2. Connect Redmi 9A to your PC. Install Qualcomm HS-USB drivers (if Windows doesn’t find them automatically, download from Xiaomi’s website).
3. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\redmi9a_fastboot).
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
5. At the bottom of the program, select Clean All mode (full clean) and press Flash.
6. Wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

Important: Clean All erases all partitions, including userdata, cache, and system. This is equivalent to a clean MIUI installation, like on a new phone. If you choose Clean All and Lock, the bootloader locks, and you need to unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool to re-run the firmware.

1. reconnect the cable to another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

2. to run the program on behalf of the administrator.

3. In Device Manager, manually update the driver for Android Bootloader Interface.-->

How to Check if Data Is Really Erased

After resetting, it is recommended to make sure that the information is deleted without the possibility of recovery.

1. Connect your phone to your PC and check the contents of internal memory through a conductor. DCIM, Downloads and WhatsApp folders should be empty.
2. Install a memory scanning app like DiskDigger (available on Google Play) and run a deep scan, so if you find files, the reset is incorrect.
3. Check your account settings: Go to Settings → Accounts. There should be no Mi Account or Google linked accounts.

For maximum confidence, you can use the ADB command (requires USB debugging enabled):

adb shell ls /data/data/

If the folder is empty or contains only system directories (e.g. com.android.providers.settings), the data is deleted successfully.

💡

Even after resetting via Recovery or Fastboot, some data may remain in /sdcard. To delete it, after reset, format the memory manually: Settings → Memory → Format.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When resetting Redmi 9A, users face typical preventable problems:

• 🔄 "The phone is stuck on the logo after the "reset" - often caused by interrupted cleaning process. Solution: repeat the reset via Recovery or Fastboot.
• 🔒 "Requires an old Mi Account password, meaning the account was not untied before being reset. Solution: Restore account access on account.xiaomi.com or contact Xiaomi for support.
• 📵 "It doesn't turn on after Hard Reset, maybe the bootloader is damaged. Solution: run your phone through Fastboot with Clean All and Lock mode.
• 📱 "Screen does not respond to touches in Recovery – use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

If the sound is gone or the sensor is not working, it's likely that incompatible firmware has been installed.

1. Download the original firmware for your model (M2006C3LG or M2006C3MI) from MIUI Downloads.
2. Repeat the firmware via Fastboot by selecting Save User Data (if you want to save files) or Clean All (complete cleanup).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions