Forgot the lock on Xiaomi Mi 9: 7 working ways to unlock in 2026

A forgotten password on Xiaomi Mi 9 is a situation that even experienced users face. The smartphone is blocked after several failed attempts to enter, and standard recovery methods (for example, via email) often do not work due to disabled features or lack of access to the associated account. In this article, we will analyze all current ways of unlocking, including official and alternative, taking into account the features of the Mi 9 (codename cepheus).

Important: the methods vary in complexity and risk: some allow you to save data (for example, through Mi Account), others require a complete reset (for example, Fastboot or Fastboot). EDL-We'll show you which ones work for Mi. 9 latest-edition MIUI 14/HyperOS, a which may cause problems with activation of the device after unlocking.

If you are not sure about your technical skills, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center - wrong actions can lead to a "hard brick" (complete download failure), especially when working with the company. EDL-by the regime or by informal firmware.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The safest method is if the Mi 9 was tied to a Xiaomi account (Mi Account) and enabled the function Find the device, PIN-code or pattern lock without loss of data.

How it works: Xiaomi’s system allows you to reset the lock via the web interface, sending a command to the device over the network, the main condition is that the smartphone must be connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).

• 🌐 Go to the Mi Account website and log in.
• 🔍 In the Devices section, find your Mi 9 (if it is linked to your account).
• 🔓 Select the option to Unlock the device and confirm the action through SMS email.
• ⏳ Wait 5-10 minutes – the smartphone should unlock automatically (sometimes you need to restart).

⚠️ Note: If the Mi 9 has disabled Find Device or is not connected to the network, this method will not work, and the method may not work on custom firmware or after manual removal of system applications.

If you fail to unlock Mi Account, move on to the next one, but first check if the device is enabled with Developer Mode, which will expand the unlocking options.

2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

Recovery Mode is a service mode built into the Mi 9 that allows you to reset to factory settings. Importantly, this method does not work if the settings include Data Protection when reset (requires you to enter a password even after reset).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the Mi 9 with a long press on the power button.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu (English or Chinese), select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (it will take 2-5 minutes).
5. Reboot your smartphone with Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: After resetting via Recovery, the Mi 9 may request data input from the previous Xiaomi account (if the device was linked). If you do not remember the username / password, you will have to use other methods.

Turn it off. SIM-card and memory card (if any)

Charge your smartphone at least 50%

Prepare a backup of important data (if available)

Make sure you know the data from Mi Account (if the device is tied)

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3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

Fastboot is a protocol for interacting with an Android bootloader that allows you to execute commands from a PC. The method is suitable if Recovery Mode is not available or does not work. Requires a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and a fastboot tool.

Important: on the Mi 9 with a bootloader, this method will not work without first unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool. If the bootloader is unlocked, you can erase the userdata partition, which will lead to a password reset.

• 💻 Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on PC.
• 🔌 Connect Mi 9 to your computer in Fastboot mode (clip the power) + Loudness down when the device is off).
• 📋 In the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) Fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the device).
• 🗑️ For password reset, type fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp fastboot reboot

After the reboot, the Mi 9 will be unlocked, but all data will be deleted. If the bootloader is locked, first unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires account binding and waiting 7-168 hours).

4. Unlock through EDL-regime (extreme case)

EDL-Emergency Download Mode is a firmware emergency mode that allows you to reflash the Mi 9 even with a locked bootloader. It's a risky method: if you make a mistake, the device can turn into a brick. Use only if other methods do not help.

The work will require:

• 🖥️ Windows PC and Mi Flash Tool.
• 📄 Official firmware for Mi 9 (download from Xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or high-quality).
• 🔧 Knowing the device model (cepheus for the global version of the Mi 9).

How to enter EDL-regime:

1. Turn off Mi 9.
2. Press Volume up + Volume down at the same time and connect the cable to the PC.
3. Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out (the device will not display the logo).
4. In Windows Device Manager should appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

Then, through the Mi Flash Tool, run the official firmware by selecting the Clean All option. After the reboot, the device will be unlocked, but all data will be deleted. This method can lead to the blocking of the Mi Account if the device was tied to another user.

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Before the firmware through EDL Check the Mi 9 version (global or Chinese) and installing the wrong firmware will cause an anti-rollback error.> and inoperability of the device.

5. Unlock via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If USB Debugging was previously enabled on the Mi 9, you can reset your password via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) without losing data.

Instructions:

1. Connect the Mi 9 to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools.
3. Enter the commands: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot

After the reboot, the lock will be reset. If the commands do not work, try an alternative method:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric

This will open a password change menu where you can set a new one.

⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI 14/HyperOS This method may not work because of the increased protection, but also requires root rights, which are available on the Mi. 9 It is difficult to get without unlocking the loader.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If self-unlocking attempts fail, the most reliable way is to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center, which has access to official tools and databases, allowing you to unlock the device even with data storage (in some cases).

What will be required for the application:

• 📄 Document confirming the purchase (check, warranty card).
• 🆔 Passport or other identification document.
• 📱 The device itself (preferably with a charge of at least 30%).
• 🔑 Data from Mi Account if the device is tied.

The cost of unlocking the service varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles (depending on the complexity of the procedure). In some cases, the procedure can be free if the device is warranted. However, please note that if hardware breakdowns (for example, a damaged screen plume), unlocking may not be possible without repair.

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The official service is the only legal way to unlock if you do not remember the data from Mi Account and are not ready to risk the data.

7. Alternative methods (with risk to the device)

If standard methods don't work, alternative solutions can be found on the Internet, but they do come with risks.

• 🔧 Use of exploits: Some vulnerabilities in older versions MIUI allow you to bypass the lock through special scripts (for example, Mi9UnlockTool). However, the Mi 9S MIUI 12+ HyperOS or these methods don’t usually work.
• 📱 Motherboard replacement: Extreme case if the device is locked at the hardware level (for example, after a failed firmware).The cost of replacing the board often exceeds the cost of the Mi 9 itself.
• 🔄 Reverse to Old Firmware: On Some Versions MIUI You could reset your password through a downgrade firmware, but on the Mi 9 it is fraught with blocking the bootloader (anti-rollback).

Warning: Using informal tools (such as Miracle Box or UFi Box) can lead to:

• Lose IMEI (smartphone will stop catching the network).
• Blocking your Mi Account for suspicious activity.
• Breakdown of the device (for example, due to firmware errors through EDL).

If you decide to use alternative methods, you must:

1. Create a backup of the data (if you have access).
2. Use only proven tools (e.g., from the XDA Developers community).
3. Be prepared for the fact that the device may require repair.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)