The Complete Guide: How to Delete All Data with Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro

A modern smartphone like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro holds a huge amount of personal information, from photos and correspondence to banking apps and passwords. In situations where you plan to sell a device, transfer it to another family member or just want to start with a clean slate, it becomes necessary to completely erase all accumulated information. Simply deleting files through the file manager is not enough, since it does not guarantee their complete disappearance and leaves traces in the system.

A complete reset procedure known as Hard Reset or Factory Reset returns MIUI software to the original state in which the phone was when it left the store.This action irreversibly deletes all user data, installed applications, account settings and system logs, which is why it is critical to understand every step before any manipulations begin, so that you do not lose access to important information forever.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the available cleaning methods for the Redmi Note 9 Pro: through the settings menu, through the control buttons and remotely through Google services. We will also focus on the security issues associated with the Mi Account and Google Account, locking which can turn the phone into a “brick” for a new owner.

Redmi Note 9 Pro Preparation for Full Reset

Before you start the data destruction mechanism, you need to do a number of preparatory steps, and ignoring this step can lead to the fact that you lose access to your accounts or important files that were not copied to the cloud.

Make sure your Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro has a battery charge of at least 60-70%.The process of formatting the data partition is energy intensive, and suddenly turning off the smartphone in the middle of the procedure can damage system files, which will require complex recovery through the computer. Also check if you know the passwords from your accounts, as after a reset, the system will be sure to request them to confirm ownership.

⚠️ Warning: Unless you unplug your Google and Mi Account before resetting, the new owner won't be able to activate the phone without your passwords (FRP).

Back up your contacts, photos and documents. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, it’s convenient to do this through the built-in cloud or sync with Google Photos. For apps and their data, use local backup or third-party solutions.

Method 1: Reset via MIUI settings (Standard Method)

The safest and easiest way to delete all data is to use the built-in MIUI menu, which is preferable if the phone is turned on, the screen is touch-sensitive, and you have full access to the interface, and it allows the system to correctly complete all background processes before cleaning.

To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom. You're interested in the About Phone item. That's where the basic device information and the button to start cleaning is located. Click on it to go to the device information menu.

At the top of the screen, you'll see an eraser button or a "Reset" button, and the system will offer two options: "Reset" (without deleting files) and "Erase all content." We need the second option, after selecting, the system will warn you several times about the consequences and request a graphical key or a pin to unlock the screen.

Once confirmed, the phone will restart and the cleaning process will begin, and the screen may display the Redmi logo or robot animation. Don't interrupt this process. Once completed, the smartphone will turn on as new, greeting you with the language selection screen.

Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode (If the phone is not turned on)

If your Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is stuck, unresponsive to touch, or unable to boot the operating system, the standard method through settings becomes unavailable. In this case, a recovery mode known as Recovery Mode comes to the rescue. This low-level interface allows you to control the device even when the OS is not working.

To enter this mode, you need to perform a sequence of actions with physical buttons. First, turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up and Power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume.

You'll see the Main Menu menu with black background and yellow/blue text, and you'll see the volume buttons (up-down) and the power buttons, and you'll find the Wipe Data and select it, and then you'll have to choose Wipe All Data for a full cleanup.

⚠️ Warning: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working. All actions are performed only with mechanical volume and power buttons.

Once the selection is confirmed (Confirm), formatting will begin. When the process is complete, the screen will show "Data wiped successfully." Select Back to Main Menu, then Reboot and Reboot to System. The phone will restart, and the initial setup will begin.

Deleting accounts and protecting against FRP blocking

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 a password from an account that was synced to the device before the reset, and if you sell the phone without deleting the account correctly, the new owner will not be able to use it.

To avoid problems, before resetting through the settings, it is recommended 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, Mi Account, WhatsApp, Telegram and others.

For each account, especially Google, you have to click on it and select the option “Delete account” or “Sign out” only after that do a full reset. If the phone is already reset and locked, you can only restore access by entering the password of the previous owner or through the procedure of restoration of access on the Google site.

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Expert advice: When selling a phone, it is better not just to reset the settings, but first delete the Google account manually, and only then do Wipe Data. FRP.

Also remember to untie the device from Find My Device, which can be done via Google's web interface or in the phone's security settings, double-checking to ensure that the phone is completely "clean" in terms of being tied to the owner.

Comparison of data cleanup methods

The reset method you choose depends on the current state of your Redmi Note 9 Pro and your goals. Below is a table to help you determine which one is right for your situation.

Standard menu reset is safer for file system integrity because it's done by the operating system itself. Recovery is more aggressive and used in critical situations. Remote reset is useful if the phone is lost but the Internet has been turned on.

As you can see from the table, for the average user, the best option is to reset through settings. However, knowledge of the existence of Recovery Mode is necessary for every Xiaomi owner in case of software failures. ADB Recommended only for experienced users.

Data recovery after cleaning

Once you have successfully deleted all the data from the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro and reconfigured it (or transferred it to a new owner), it may be a question of returning information. If you did the reset for yourself, the recovery process is quite simple thanks to cloud technologies.

When you first set up your phone, the system will prompt you to restore data from a Google backup or Mi Cloud. Select the desired restore point (dated before the reset), contacts, photos, call history, and even the location of icons on your desktop will return to their places.

To restore photos, make sure that the Gallery or Google Photos app has synced. Apps that were installed earlier can also be returned via the Google Play store under Library or Application Management, noting the ones you need to install.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The main conclusion: Full reset is an effective way to clean up the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro, but a prerequisite is to pre-backup and unbundle Google/Mi accounts to avoid locking the device.