How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi 9: A complete guide to 2026

The blocked Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a problem that thousands of users face every day, and the reasons can be different: a forgotten pattern lock, too many failed password attempts, activating security after flashing, or even buying a used phone with a tied Mi Account. Unlike other brands, unlocking Xiaomi has its own nuances due to integrated security and cloud service binding.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of unlocking – from official (through retrieval of access to Mi Account) to technical (use of Fastboot and EDL modes). It is important to understand that some methods will lead to complete loss of data on the device, so if the phone stores critical files, try the options without reset first. Also note: Redmi 9 models (including modifications of Redmi 9A, 9C, 9T) may have different unlock procedures due to different versions of firmware and hardware revisions.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (minimum 30% to avoid shutdown during process).
• 📶 A stable Internet connection (for methods with authorization via Mi Cloud).
• 💻 Access to a computer (for methods with Fastboot or ADB).

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If Redmi 9 had a Mi Account attached and you remember the login and password, it's the easiest and most secure way to unlock, and it works even after a hard reset, because the account's binding is stored in the device's hardware-level memory.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap the Forgot Password button (or similar label depending on the version of MIUI).
2. Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
4. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Follow the system instructions to create a new password or pattern lock.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased from hand and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, this method will not work, in which case you will need to contact the seller to remove the tether or use alternative methods (see sections below).

2. reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If Mi Account is lost and there are no other options, it is a hard reset, which will delete all data on the device, including apps, photos and settings, but unlock the phone. On Redmi 9, you can reset in two ways: via Recovery Mode or a combination of buttons.

Method 1: Recovery Mode

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
5. After the process is complete, select Reboot.

Method 2: Through a button combination (for some versions of MIUI)

1. On the lock screen, enter any password/key 5 times in a row until a lock message appears.
2. Slip the button Forgot the password? → Reset the phone.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Make sure there is enough charge on the phone.|Save it. IMEI (written on a box or under a battery)|Prepare a backup of important data (if the phone has previously synced with the phone) Google/Mi Cloud)|Have your hand on it. SIM-post-reset activation card

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⚠️ Note: After a reset, Redmi 9 may require you to enter data from the Mi Account that was previously linked.If you do not know this data, the phone will remain locked (so-called "activation lock"). EDL.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If the reset didn't work because of the Mi Account tied, you can try removing the lock through Fastboot mode, USB-Xiaomi cables and installed drivers. Suitable only for devices with an unlocked bootloader. If the bootloader is locked, you will first need to unlock it (see next section).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi).
2. Turn your phone into Fastboot mode: Turn off the device → Press <Power button> + <Loudness down> → Connect to the PC
3. Open the command line in the platform-tools folder and execute the command: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of your Redmi 9).
4. Enter the command to remove the lock: fastboot erase frp or (for some versions of MIUI): fastboot erase userdata
5. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

💡

If the fastboot erase frp command is giving you an error, try unlocking the bootloader first through the official Xiaomi tool, which can take up to 72 hours due to the account verification.

4 Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool

If previous methods didn’t work, it’s likely that your Redmi 9 has a bootloader locked. Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all default devices to protect against unauthorized access. To unlock it, you’ll need the official Mi Unlock Tool tool and Mi Account tied to your phone at least 72 hours ago.

Instructions:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Install Xiaomi drivers on PC (you can download via Mi Flash Tool).
3. Put your phone in Fastboot mode (as described in the previous section).
4. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to the same Mi Account that is attached to your phone.
5. Connect Redmi 9 to a PC. The tool must identify the device.
6. Press Unlock and wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 3 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the phone will be erased and the warranty (if it is still valid) canceled.In addition, Xiaomi can limit the number of unlocks for a single account (usually no more than 1 device per month).

💡

Unlocking the bootloader is a must for firmware custom recovery (for example, TWRP) or alternative firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).

5. Unlocking through EDL (Emergency Mode)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is the deepest level of device access that allows you to flash a phone even with a locked bootloader. However, the method requires special equipment (EDL cable or circuit board contacts) and knowledge of firmware. It is not recommended for beginners, because the wrong actions can turn the phone into a “brick”.

Short instructions (for experienced users):

1. Download the firmware for Redmi 9 in.tgz format from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Install Mi Flash Pro.
3. Put the phone in mode. EDL: 🔌 Use it. EDL cable (bar on contacts) TEST POINT motherboard). 📱 Or use the command (if the phone turns on): adb reboot edl

Mi Flash Pro

Flash

Wait for the firmware to be completed (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Without official permission, Xiaomi may be blocked. IMEI. Use only official firmware for your model (Redmi 9 has the lancelot encoding for the global version and dandelion for the Chinese version).

6.Alternative methods: bypassing the lock through ADB

If Redmi 9 is included in the debugging USB (USB Debugging, you can try unlocking your phone through ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method only works if the debugging has been activated before blocking.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools.
3. Check the connection: Adb devices
4. Delete the file with the password: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key or PIN-code: adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

If the lock is still locked after the restart, try to delete the locksettings.db file:

adb shell


su




cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases




rm locksettings.db




reboot

7 What should I do if nothing helps?

If all of the above methods do not work, the following options remain:

• 📞 Contact the official service center Xiaomi. you will need a confirmation of purchase (check or warranty card).In some cases, unlocking is possible even without the data from Mi Account, but this is a paid service (cost from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles).
• 🛒 Buy Redmi 9 with root access in the secondary market (for example, on Avito or Yula, search for "Redmi 9 unlocked"). Price can be below the market by 20-30%.
• 🔧 Contact private masters specializing in unlocking Xiaomi.The average cost of the service is 1000-2 500 rubles. Risk: possible loss of warranty or damage to the device.

Before contacting the service, check:

• 📄 A receipt or document confirming the purchase.
• 🔢 IMEI phone (you can find it on the box or under the battery).
• 📱 Model and firmware version (written on a sticker under the lid or in settings if the phone turns on).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi 9