Reset Xiaomi Mi 9 to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi Mi 9 is the flagship smartphone of 2019, which is still popular thanks to the powerful hardware and regular updates to MIUI. However, even such a reliable device can eventually start to slow down, emit errors or require complete cleaning before selling, in which case reset to factory settings becomes the only effective solution.

But how to do this properly so that you don't lose important data and turn your phone into a brick? In this article, we'll look at all the working ways of resetting, from the standard menu to Recovery mode, and also tell you what to do if you Mi Mi. 9 It doesn't respond to commands. We'll focus on the hidden nuances. MIUI 12/14, which are not mentioned in the official instructions.

When do I need to reset to factory settings?

Resetting is an extreme measure that is resorted to in several cases:

• 🔄 The smartphone is severely slowing down, applications spontaneously close or the system issues errors such as com.android.phone stopped.
• 📱 You plan to sell or transfer the Mi 9 to another person and want to delete all personal data.
• 🔒 Forgot the pattern lock or password to unlock the screen (in this case, only a hard reset via Recovery will help).
• 🛠️ After a failed update MIUI The phone stopped working normally (for example, got stuck on the Xiaomi logo).
• 📡 Network problems: does not catch mobile Internet, does not connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices.

It is important to understand that the reset will not fix the hardware breakdowns – if the Mi 9 does not turn on due to a broken screen or a failed motherboard, it will need repairs, but it will return the “clean” system, eliminating software failures.

⚠️ Warning: If you reset your phone before selling, remember to log out of your Mi Account (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate the device!

Preparation for resetting: what to save and how?

The factory reset completely removes all data from the Mi 9’s internal memory, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (including from folders) DCIM and Pictures).
• 📱 Contacts, SMS, Call log (if not synchronized with the Google/Mi Cloud).
• 🎵 Music, downloads and documents.
• 🎮 Save games and customize applications.

To avoid losing important information, follow the following steps:

1. Sync your data with the cloud: Contacts, calendar and email through Settings → Google Accounts. Photos and videos through Gallery → Mi Cloud or Google Photos.

Copy the files to the PC:

Mi 9

File transfer

DCIM

Downloads

Documents

Save the passwords:

Mi Browser

Chrome

Settings → Passwords

Write down the IMEI:

*#06#

Sync contacts with Google | Copy photos and videos on PC |Save passwords from the browser |Write down the phone's IMEI |Extract the memory card (if any)

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If you have custom firmware installed (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), check before reset whether it supports official fastboot mode, otherwise the phone may not boot after reset.

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

This method is suitable if the Xiaomi Mi 9 is turned on and responsive to touch. It is the easiest and safest, since it does not require switching to Recovery or using a PC.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section.
3. Slip on Backup and Reset (in some versions of MIUI it is called Resetting).
4. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
5. If requested PIN-code or pattern lock, enter it.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.

The phone will reboot and start the cleaning process, which will take 3-5 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

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If the menu does not contain the item "Reset and Backup", try to enter the "Reset" request in the search box of settings - the system will show a direct link to the desired section.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 12+ After reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. If you forget your login / password, restore them in advance on account.xiaomi.com.

Method 2: Hard Recovery Reset (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If the Mi 9 is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touches or is locked with a password, resetting through Recovery mode will help, which works even in severe system failures, but requires accuracy.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up simultaneously and hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (black screen with English inscriptions).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
5. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
6. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
7. After cleaning, go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Instructions:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Unpack the archive with firmware (for example, cepheus_global_images_V12.0.1.0.QFACNXM_20201020.0000.00_10.0_global.zip) folder.
3. Turn off the Mi 9 and put it into Fastboot mode: pinch Power + Volume down for 10 seconds.
4. Connect your phone to your PC. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. Press Refresh – the program must detect Mi 9.
7. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

It takes 5-10 minutes, and when it's done, it automatically reboots to the clean system.

⚠️ Note: Using the Mi Flash Tool erases all data without recovery, including the contents of internal memory. If your phone had important files, try extracting them first through the device. ADB (Adb pull /sdcard/).

Yes, via the settings menu | Yes, via Recovery | Yes, via Fastboot | No, never | I don't know what that is.

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What do I do after the dump?

After a successful reset, the Xiaomi Mi 9 will launch with the initial setup screen.

1. Connect to Wi-Fi: This will be needed to download updates and recover data from the cloud.
2. Sign in to Google Account: To recover contacts, emails and apps.
3. Update MIUI: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and install the latest version.
4. Set up your fingerprint/face: In Settings → Password and security.
5. Recover: If you have backed up your data via Mi Cloud or Google Drive, run the recovery.

If the phone does not catch the network after reset, check:

• 📶 Correct installation SIM-Cards (sometimes after resetting requires reloading).
• 🔄 Settings APN: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).
• 📡 IMEI: dial *#06# and compare it to the number you recorded earlier. IMEI Reset to 000000000000000000000, it will need to be restored through Engineer Mode.

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After resetting the Mi 9, you may need to re-activate the Google Services Framework. If apps from the Play Market don't update, delete Google Services data in Settings → Apps → App Management → Google Play Services.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even if the reset is done correctly, there can be problems.

If the Mi 9 is not visible after the reset SIM-map, try it:

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Extract and insert SIM-map.
3. Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
4. Update the firmware to the latest version.

If nothing helps, there may be a problem with the IMEI, and you can restore it through the engineering menu:

1. Dial ##4636###.
2. Go to the phone information.
3. Check the IMEI status. If it is missing, use utilities like the SN Writer Tool (requires an unlocked bootloader).

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Mi 9