Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to hide personal information from prying eyes. App Lock in the MIUI shell allows you to securely close access to instant messengers, gallery and banking applications. However, when a user forgets the installed pattern lock or digital code, turns a useful feature into a real problem, completely blocking access to important data.
The Redmi 9 is designed in such a way that there is no standard way to simply reset your password with a single button, and it is designed specifically to protect your data from intruders. However, there are proven methods of bypassing lockdowns that require you to perform certain actions with system settings or a complete data reset.
In this article, we will look at all the available ways to solve this problem, from attempts to restore through the Mi Account to radical measures. It is important to understand that each method has its own consequences for the safety of files, so before starting any manipulations, you need to weigh the risks and choose the most suitable option for your situation.
MIUI security features on Redmi 9
The MIUI shell installed on Redmi 9 integrates application protection deep into system processes. Unlike third-party launchers, the system locker does not store the password in plain form, but uses hashing associated with the user's account. The pattern lock or pin code is encrypted and verified locally, making it impossible to easily extract it without special tools.
If you set up a Mi Account binding when you create a password, you have a chance to restore access without losing data. The system allows you to send a reset request if the device has Internet access. However, if this option was not activated in advance, the options narrow down to more aggressive methods of interfering with the system.
⚠️ Note: Pumpkin attempts can temporarily lock the security function for hours or even days.Redmi 9 automatically increases the waiting interval after each failed entry attempt.
It is also worth noting that updating the firmware or cleaning the cache of the Security app will not remove the password.The lock data is stored in a secure part of the system memory that is not affected during normal user operation, which is why a standard smartphone reboot does not help solve the problem.
Recovery Methods: Mi Account
The most gentle way to save all photos and contacts is to use the recovery function through the cloud service, which only works if you have agreed to be linked to the Mi Cloud when installing protection. First, make sure that the smartphone is connected to a Wi-Fi network or mobile Internet.
Enter the wrong password or pattern lock several times in a row, the screen should show a message that access is blocked, and the button "Forgot the password?" or similar option, clicking on it, the system will prompt you to log in to your Mi Account, by entering the correct credentials, you will be able to install a new access code.
- 🔑 Make sure the date and time on the device are set correctly, otherwise the server will not accept the authorization request.
- 🌐 Successful recovery requires a stable internet connection as the check is done online.
- 📱 If two-factor authentication is enabled, prepare the phone to receive the confirmation code.
If successful, the old password will be replaced by a new one that you set during the recovery process, and all previously blocked applications will remain in place and their settings will not be changed, a perfect scenario that unfortunately is not available to all users who ignored the initial recommendations of the system.
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If the recovery button does not appear, try to enter the wrong password 5-10 times.
Data resetting of the Security application
If you don't have an account binding, you can try to clear the system component that's responsible for blocking. On Redmi 9, this component is called Security. This method doesn't always work on newer versions of MIUI, but it's worth trying, since it doesn't require deleting personal files.
To do this, you'll need to go to the smartphone settings menu. Find the Apps section, then select All Apps and find the Security system app in the list. From the menu that opens, select the Clean option and click on Settings Reset or Delete Data.
Settings → Applications → All applications → Security → Memory → Delete dataOnce you do this, the system can request confirmation of the operation. If the reset is successful, you won't ask for a password when you try to reopen the protected application, or the system will suggest you reconfigure the protection. However, on modern versions of Xiaomi firmware, this path is often closed, and the system requires a password to even clean the data of the security application itself.
☑️ Pre-resetting checks
The Radical Method: Full Reset (Hard Reset)
When other methods fail, the only guaranteed option is to completely reset the device to factory settings.This process will completely destroy all user data on the internal drive, including photos, contacts, messages and installed applications. Hard Reset will return the Redmi 9 to the state it was in when it was purchased.
Before starting the procedure, it is critical to remove the SD card if it is installed so as not to accidentally format its contents, and make sure you remember the data from your Google account and Mi Account, as after the reset, the system will require them to confirm ownership of the device (FRP protection from theft).
| Action. | Description of the process | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| Through the Recovery menu | Use of volume and power buttons | Total loss of all data |
| Through the settings menu | If the phone is unlocked but the apps are closed | Total loss of all data |
| Through the Mi Flash Tool | Flashing through a computer | Total loss of all data |
Recovery menu resets are the most versatile. Turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release power, but keep the volume down until the main Recovery menu appears.
Step-by-step instructions for entering Recovery Mode
Being in recovery mode requires care, as it is controlled by the volume buttons (up-down) and the power button (select). the interface language can be English or Chinese, so it is important to navigate by the location of menu items.
Use volume buttons to move your cursor to Wipe Data. Press the power button to confirm your selection. In the next menu, select Wipe All Data and confirm the action again. The system will alert you to the irreversibility of the process.
⚠️ Note: The formatting process can take a few minutes. Do not remove the battery (it is not removable) and do not interrupt the power of the device while writing new system files, otherwise the phone may turn into a brick».
Once you've completed the procedure, select Reboot and then Reboot to System. The first run of Redmi 9 after the reset will last longer than usual, as the system recreates the necessary files and configurations, and you will re-run the original language and Wi-Fi configuration.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
Prevention and backup
To avoid such situations in the future, it is recommended to regularly back up important data. Xiaomi smartphones have a convenient backup tool that allows you to save settings, messages and call logs to a memory card or the cloud.
Alternative security options that are less dependent on remembering complex combinations are also worth considering, such as using fingerprint or face unlocks in conjunction with app protection, and you can enable the “Fingerprint Unlock” option in App Lock settings, allowing you to open apps quickly without entering a password every time.
- ☁️ Set up automatic synchronization of contacts and photos with Google Photos and Google Contacts.
- 🔐 Write down your password in a secure location or use a password manager.
- 👤 Be sure to link your smartphone to Mi Account and remember the data from it.
Regular maintenance of the device and checking security features will help keep things under control. Don’t ignore system updates, as they often contain patches for vulnerabilities and improvements to data protection mechanisms.
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The only way to guarantee to remove the forgotten password of application protection without binding to the account is a complete reset of the device (Hard Reset), which deletes all user data.