Forgot graphical password on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways to unlock

Forgetting the pattern lock on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a bad situation, but it is fixable. The main thing is not to panic and not to try to find a combination at random: after 5 unsuccessful attempts, the system will lock the device for 30 seconds, and after 20 - it may even require a reset to factory settings. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several official and informal ways to restore access.

In this article, we will discuss all current methods of unlocking without loss of data (if possible) and with a full reset (as a last resort). Importantly, the effectiveness of the method depends on the version of MIUI, the presence of a tied Mi Account, the state of debugging over USB and the status of the bootloader. For example, on Redmi 9 with MIUI 12.5 and an unlocked bootloader, there are more options available than on the stock firmware with a locked bootloader.

Warning: If the phone has enabled data encryption (Settings → Additional → Encryption), any reset will result in file loss, in which case the only way to save information is to use a backup copy to Mi Cloud (if it was created in advance).

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The easiest and safest method is to use a Xiaomi account, which works if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
• 🔑 Remember the username and password from Mi Account
• 🔄 The device is enabled synchronization with the account

Instructions:

1. After 5 unsuccessful attempts to enter the password, the button Forgot the password will appear.
2. Select the option to Sign in via Mi Account.
3. Enter your email/phone and password from your Xiaomi account.
4. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Create a new pattern lock or PIN-code.

Make sure your phone is connected to the internet.|Check if you remember your Mi Account information.|Make sure your account is linked before the lockdown|Have a second phone on hand to confirm your SMS-->

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It does not work if the phone is not connected to the network (for example, the Wi-Fi module is broken).
• ❌ If the Mi Account was not tied in advance, the method is useless.
• ❌ On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13 Global) Forgot the password button? may not appear - in this case, proceed to the next method.

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If the Forgot Password button doesn't appear, try entering the wrong key exactly 5 times, then wait 30 seconds and try again. Sometimes the system "forgets" the counter of failed attempts after rebooting.

2. Reset password via Find Device (remote unlock)

If the Mi Account is tied, but the recovery button doesn't appear, you can use Find Device, which works even if the phone isn't currently connected to the Internet, and the command to reset the password will go the first time you connect to the network.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in with the same Mi Account as the blocked Redmi 9.
3. In the menu, select Find Device (or Find Device in the Russian version).
4. The map will show your Redmi 9 – click on it.
5. In the right menu, select Unlock Device.
6. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

What's going to happen?

• 🔓 The graphical password will be reset.
• 📱 The phone will reboot (if it is connected to the Internet).
• ⚠️ All data will remain in place, but you may need to re-enter the password from Mi Account after unlocking.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If Mi Account is not tied or previous methods have failed, you can use Fastboot mode, USB-cable and basic knowledge of working with ADB/Fastboot. Attention: Redmi 9 With a locked bootloader, this method may not work without first unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set)
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB and Fastboot (download from Android site)
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if not, read the section about unlocking bootloader)

Instructions:

1. Turn off Redmi 9.
2. Press the Power Button + Volume Down before the Fastboot logo appears (a robot labeled Fastboot).
3. Connect the phone to the computer.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the ADB folder and type: fastboot devices If the device is displayed, continue. If not, install Xiaomi drivers.
5. Enter the command to reset your password: fastboot erase userdata or (for some firmware): fastboot erase locksettings
6. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Warning: The fastboot erase userdata command will delete all data from internal memory, including photos, messages and apps. If encryption is enabled on the phone, file recovery will be impossible.

Mi Account|Find Device|Fastboot/ADB|Recovery|Never blocked |Another way-->

4.Reset via Recovery Mode (full cleaning)

If other methods fail, the last option is hard reset via Recovery, which erases all data but guarantees unlocking the phone. Redmi 9 uses standard or custom recovery (like TWRP), but in most cases stock recovery is enough.

How to get in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up before the Mi Recovery logo appears.
3. If you have a password request, select Cancel and try another method.

Resetting instructions:

1. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (or Clear Data).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. Wait until the process is completed (it will take 1-3 minutes).
4. Reboot your phone with Reboot → Reboot to System.

What happens after the dump:

• 🧹 All data, including apps, photos and settings, will be deleted.
• 🔄 The phone will return to factory settings (version) MIUI remain).
• 🔓 Graphic password and PIN-drop off.

5. Unlock bootloader (if Fastboot doesn't work)

If fastboot commands give a device is locked error, Redmi 9 has locked the bootloader.

1. Apply for unlocking through the official Xiaomi website.
2. Download the Mi Unlock Tool.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and follow the program instructions.

Important:

• ⏳ The process takes 3 to 30 days (depending on Xiaomi policy).
• 📱 The phone must be linked to the Mi Account for at least 7 days.
• 🔌 On some firmware (for example, Chinese) unlocking may not be possible.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will result in a complete data reset and void the warranty (if it is still valid) and once unlocked, the phone will become vulnerable to unofficial firmware installation, which can disrupt the system.

6. Alternative methods (if nothing helps)

If the standard methods do not work, you can try:

Contacting the service center

• 🔧 If the phone is warranty, contact the official Xiaomi service. Provide proof of purchase (check or box).
• 💰 The cost of unlocking without warranty is from 1000 to 3000 rubles (depending on the region).
• ⏱️ Timeframes - 1 to 5 days.

Buying a phone with your hands?

• 🚨 If the seller claims he doesn’t remember the password, it could be a sign of theft.
• 🔍 Check the phone through IMEI-services to be blocked by the operator.
• 📄 Demand a check or a warranty card - without them, unlocking in the service will be impossible.

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of forgotten passwords again, follow these tips:

• 🔐 Use it. PIN-code instead of a pattern lock, it is more difficult to forget.
• 📝 Write your password to a secure location (for example, in Google Keep or a notebook).
• 🔄 Regularly back up your Settings → System system → Backup.
• 🔗 Link Mi Account and enable data synchronization.
• 🛡️ Set up Smart Lock (unlock by Bluetooth device or location) in Settings → Passwords and security.

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Even if you unlock your phone, set up alternative ways of logging in immediately (fingerprint, facial recognition) and attach Mi Account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi 9