How to remove the application lock on Xiaomi Redmi 9

Xiaomi smartphone users often face a situation where access to certain programs or features of the device is limited.The owner of Redmi 9 may find that he can not run the installed application due to a forgotten password, parental control restrictions or system errors of the MIUI shell. This is a common problem that is solved by several proven methods that do not require deep programming knowledge.

In this article, we will go into all possible locking scenarios and how to fix them, learn how to use built-in access recovery, reset settings through an engineering menu, or use a computer to remove restrictions. It is important to understand that some methods can lead to data loss, so the process should be approached with caution and attention to detail.

Before you start taking action, you need to determine the type of lock, which can be the password from the "Application Lock", the system restriction of the launch of unlicensed software or the blocking of the Mi Account account.

Determination of the type of blocking and diagnosis

The first step in restoring access is accurate diagnosis. The MIUI security system offers multiple layers of protection, and the methods of circumventing them are radically different. If you just forgot the pattern lock to the gallery, that's one thing, and if the device is remotely locked through the phone search service, it's another.

Notice the message that appears on the screen when you try to run. Often the system itself tells you the reason: "Permission is required," "Incorrect password" or "Device is locked." In the case of App Lock, the system will request a pattern or fingerprint input. If it is a system restriction, the message can be more technical.

⚠️ Note: If the screen displays a message about the blocking of Mi Account and the requirement to enter a password from it, and you do not know this data, standard reset methods will not help.

It is also useful to check the mode in which the phone is running for diagnosis. Sometimes the lock is due to activated "Mode lost" or corporate profiles. Try to start the device in Safe Mode to exclude the influence of third-party antivirus or launchers that can simulate system locks.

• 🔒 App Lock: Blocking the launch of specific applications through the built-in security feature.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Controls: Restrictions set through Google Family Link or similar services.
• 📱 System lock: Uploader problems or damage to system files.
• 🌐 Network lock: Restrictions imposed by a communications operator or region.

Unlocking the lock through MIUI security settings

The most common case is that the user sets a password to launch apps (such as WhatsApp or Gallery) and then forgets it. Xiaomi Redmi 9 provides a function to restore access if it was configured in advance.

If you previously linked your Mi Account or specified a check question, the system will offer you to go through a verification procedure, enter the answer to a secret question or password from the account, after successful verification, the Application Locks will be reset, and you will get access to the data, this is a regular and most secure method.

In the event that the security question has not been set and the account is not tied, the standard interface will not reset the password, which will require a more radical approach: you will need to clear the data of the Security application, which will reset all lock settings, but will not affect your personal files.

To do this, go to the phone's settings menu. Find the Apps section, then select All Apps. Search the Security app in the list. Click on Clear and select Clear All or Reset. Thereafter, when you try to open a secure application, you won't ask for a password.

Using ADB to Force Unblock

If standard methods don't work, USB debugging comes to the rescue, and this requires a computer and an ADB driver installed. It allows you to interact with the system at a deeper level and remove or modify the components that are responsible for locking, a powerful tool for advanced users.

First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to About Phone and quickly click on MIUI seven times. In the Developer menu that appears, turn on USB Debugging. Connect your phone to your computer with a cable.

Open the command line on your computer in the ADB folder. Enter a command to remove application blocker components. Be careful to type commands exactly as below. A syntax error can cause the system to malfunction.

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.securitycenter

This command will remove the current Security app for the current user, which will effectively unplug all the installed locks. Once the device is rebooted, the system may try to restore the component, but the passwords will be reset. If a simple uninstall command does not work, you can try to clear the data via ADB:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.securitycenter

⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB Incorrect instructions, especially those related to the removal of system packets (e.g. com.android.systemui), can lead to a device building or endless reboot.

Resetting settings via Recovery Mode

When software methods are powerless, there is a complete reset option through recovery mode. Recovery Mode in Redmi 9 allows you to clean up user data (Wipe Data), which will return the phone to factory condition. This is guaranteed to remove any software locks, but destroy all data on the internal drive.

To enter recovery mode, turn off the phone completely. Then press the power button and the volume button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power, continuing to keep the volume. You will be taken to the main Recovery menu.

Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. Select a language (usually English or Chinese), then go to the Wipe Data menu. You will be prompted to select "Wipe All Data." Confirm the action.

Once the cleaning process is complete, the phone will reboot, and it will take a few minutes to set up the initial setup, which is a theft protection that is virtually impossible to get around without passwords.

Bypassing the lock through Safe Mode

Sometimes the lock is not created by system components, but by third-party applications that have received administrator privileges of the device, blocking viruses or aggressive launchers can interfere with normal operation, in which case downloading in safe mode will help.

Safe Mode only runs system applications. If you go into this mode, the lock disappears, then there is a problem in third-party software. To enter Safe Mode on Redmi 9, press and hold the turn off button on the screen. When the "Stop" icon appears, press and hold it with your finger until you see a message about the transition to Safe Mode.

When in Safe Mode, go to your app settings and remove recently installed or suspicious programs. Pay special attention to applications with Device Administrator rights. Once you remove the malware, restart your phone in the normal way.

This method is especially effective against ad viruses and miners, which are often disguised as system processes. If the problem disappears after removing a suspicious application, it is recommended to scan the device with an antivirus, such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky, to ensure that the complete cleanup is completed.

Prevention and backup

To ensure that the lock situation doesn’t catch you off guard in the future, it’s important to back up regularly. Xiaomi offers a built-in tool to create backups locally or in the cloud, which will allow you to restore access to data even after a complete reset.

You should set up sync contacts, photos and notes with your Mi Cloud or Google account, and if you lose access to your device or need to flash it back, you can quickly return important information to your new phone or after a reset.

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Regularly take screenshots of important settings or write passwords in a paper notebook. Digital notes may become unavailable at the most inopportune time if they are blocked themselves.

Also, be careful about the rights you grant to applications: Don't give device administrator permissions to unverified programs; check the list of active administrators in security settings regularly, which will help prevent hidden blockers from being installed.

Another important aspect is system updates: MIUI developers are constantly improving security and fixing vulnerabilities that viruses can penetrate, and installing up-to-date versions of software reduces the risk of encountering malicious code that causes blocking.

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Regular data backup is the only guaranteed way to protect against loss of information in case of any type of locks and system failures.