How to return factory settings to Xiaomi Redmi 9: a complete guide with photos and videos

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 9 to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve system problems. Perhaps your smartphone started to brake after the MIUI update, got infected with a virus, or you just want to sell the device by deleting all personal data. In this article, we will discuss three official ways of resetting: through the phone settings, Recovery mode and the Fastboot tool.

It's important to understand that a full reset deletes everything: photos, messages, installed apps, even accounts. So before you start the procedure, check if your contacts are synced with Google or Mi Account, and files are synced with cloud storage. If the phone does not respond to touch or is getting stuck on the Redmi logo, do not panic: there are alternative recovery methods for such cases.

We will also tell you how to avoid typical reset errors (such as looping on the boot screen after incorrectly using the Fastboot) and what to do if after the procedure the phone requires you to enter the old password from Mi Account. 9A, 9C, 9T) base MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-13.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do before the start

Before you drop Redmi 9, make sure you don’t lose important data.Even if the phone is not running smoothly, try following these steps:

• 📱 Sync Contacts: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and enable contact sync. Alternatively export to.vcf via Contacts app.
• 📁 Save files: connect your phone to your PC USB (in file transfer mode) and copy folders DCIM (Photo/video, Download and Documents on your computer.
• 🔐 Remember passwords: If you use Mi Account, check your email and phone number – you’ll need them to unlock after you reset.
• 🔋 Charge the battery: the charge level should be at least 50%.When discharged via Recovery or Fastboot, the discharge during the process can lead to a "brick" (inoperability) of the device.

If the phone doesn't turn on or freezes, skip this section and go to Recovery or Fastboot reset methods. However, keep in mind that without a backup, the data will be lost irretrievably.

⚠️ Note: If Redmi 9 has Find Device enabled in Mi Account, you may need to enter a password from your Xiaomi account after reset. Make sure you remember it or disable the feature in advance in Settings → Mi Account → Find Device.

2. Method 1: Reset via phone settings (if Redmi 9 is turned on)

This is the easiest and safest method if your smartphone responds to touch and you can go to the settings menu, suitable for eliminating software glitches, removing viruses or preparing the device for sale.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone.
3. Click Backup and Reset (or Reset in newer versions of MIUI).
4. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
5. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.

The phone will reboot and start the reset process, which will take 5-10 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

Backup of important files

Charge your phone to at least 50%

Disable Find Device in Mi Account (if necessary)

Remember the password from Mi Account and Google

Make sure that SIM-map removed (optional)-->

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires you to enter a password from Mi Account, and you do not remember it, restore access through the site account.xiaomi.com!

3. 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 buttons or reboots cyclically, use Recovery mode. This method does not require a connection to a PC, but all data will be deleted.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the power button and the volume button at the same time.
3. Hold them for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
4. In the menu, select the language (for example, English or Russian) using volume buttons, confirm the choice with the power button.
5. Go to the Wipe Data point → Wipe All Data.
6. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
7. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, look for the location of the items: (Wipe Data) → (Wipe All Data).

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This method is suitable if the first two methods did not work or you want to reflash the phone.

Warning: Mistakes in Fastboot can lead to a device being “bricked” and use this method only if you are confident in your actions.

Instructions:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers for PC.
2. Turn off Redmi 9 and press the power + volume button to enter the Fastboot (a picture of a hare with the inscription Fastboot will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and select the firmware folder for your model (download it in advance from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website).
5. At the bottom of the program, select Clean All (full reset) and press Flash.
6. Wait for the process to be completed (5-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

If the phone is stuck on the logo after firmware, try repeating the process with another version of the firmware or reset through Recovery.

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Before using the Fastboot, check your Redmi 9 model in settings (Settings → Phone → Device Model). The firmware should match the model exactly (e.g. Redmi 9 (garden) or Redmi 9A (dandelion)!)

5.What to do after resetting: first setup and data recovery

After a successful reset, Redmi 9 will turn on in initial setup mode. Follow the instructions on the screen, but pay attention to a few key points:

• 🔄 Restore from backup: If you were backuping through Mi Cloud or Google Drive, the system will offer to restore data.
• 🔒 Unlocking Mi Account: If your phone requires you to enter a password from your Xiaomi account, use the data from your linked email or phone number.

If you have problems connecting to a mobile network or Wi-Fi after the reset, check your settings. APN (for mobile internet) or reset network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

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After a Redmi 9 reset, some features, such as Google Pay or Face Unlock, may need to be re-activated.This involves removing safety certificates when reset.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If none of the methods worked, the problem may be the hardware (for example, a faulty memory or motherboard), in which case we recommend contacting an authorized Xiaomi service center.

⚠️ Note: Do not use informal firmware or reset tools (for example, SP Flash Tool, if not sure of its security, may result in loss of warranty or permanent damage to the device.

7. Alternative methods: resetting without loss of data

If your goal is not a complete reset, but a solution to a specific problem (such as removing a virus or cleaning a cache), try more gentle methods:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Cache (not Wipe Data!) This will delete temporary files without losing personal data.
• 🔄 Reset individual applications: In settings go to the Applications → Application Management, select the problem application and click Clear Data.
• 🛡️ Virus Removal: Install an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Malwarebytes) and scan the system.
• 📱 Recovery via Mi Cloud: If your phone is synced to the cloud, you can restore contacts and photos without a complete reset.

These methods are less radical and will help to avoid data loss, but if the problem is serious (for example, the phone constantly overheats or crashes into Bootloop), a complete reset is still preferable.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the reset of Xiaomi Redmi 9