How to unlock Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro: the full guide 2026

Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro is the flagship smartphone of 2019, which is still relevant thanks to powerful hardware and support for updates. But even such reliable devices are not immune to locks: a forgotten pattern lock, a failure after firmware or binding to a Mi Account can turn a phone into a brick. In this article, 5 working ways to unlock, including official and alternative methods, taking into account the features of the Mi 9 Pro (codename crux).

It's important to understand that the methods vary in complexity and consequences. For example, a Recovery reset will delete all data, and unlocking the bootloader can take away the warranty. We'll analyze each option with detailed instructions, warnings and nuances for a particular model. If you're not sure about your actions, contact the Xiaomi service center or the trusted wizards.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The safest method is if your phone is linked to your Mi Account and you have access to your email/phone for recovery.

• 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock or PIN-code
• 📱 Phone locked after failed password attempts
• 🔄 The owner’s rights must be confirmed before the reset.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password).
2. Select Sign in via Mi Account and enter the linked email/phone.
3. Confirm the entry via SMS or code from the mail.
4. Create a new unlock password.

If you forgot your password? is not active:

• 📌 Try connecting to Wi-Fi or inserting SIM-mobile-internet.
• 📌 Restart your phone – sometimes the button appears after the reboot.
• 📌 On some versions MIUI You must first enter the password incorrectly 5 times.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased from hand and tied to someone else's Mi Account, this method will not work, in which case you will need to unlock the bootloader (see section 4) or contact the previous owner.

2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

The method is suitable if:

• 🔄 We need to reset all the settings to the factory.
• 📱 Phone is not tied to Mi Account (or you know the username/password)
• 🔧 No access to the system, but access to Recovery

Step-by-step instructions for Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. With the help of volume buttons, select a language (for example, English), confirm with the power button.
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Clear All Data on Chinese firmware).
5. Confirm the action by choosing Confirm.
6. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If after resetting the phone requires you to enter the data of the Mi Account, which was previously tied, proceed to unlock the bootloader.

⚠️ Note: Mi 9 Pro with firmware MIUI 12 and later, after a reset via Recovery, you can activate anti-theft protection (Anti-Theft), in which case you need to enter the Mi Account data that was tied before the reset!

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

This method is suitable if:

• 🔧 The phone is not loaded into the system
• 📱 You need to re-cover the custom (for example, TWRP)
• 🔓 The bootloader is already unlocked (or you are ready to unlock it)

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB and Fastboot (download from Android site)
• 📄 Firmware for Mi 9 Pro (e.g. with Xiaomi Firmware Updater)

Instructions:

1. Install ADB/Fastboot on your computer and connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down when the phone is off).
2. Open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools and check the connection: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
3. Unlock the bootloader (if it is locked): fastboot oem unlock Attention! This will delete all data and can lock the phone for 72 hours (Xiaomi protection).
4. Try custom Recovery (e.g. TWRP): fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
5. In TWRP, reset via Wipe → Format Data (this will remove encryption).

After this, the phone will boot without a password, but all data will be erased. If you need to save files, first do a backup through TWRP (Backup section).

4. Unlock the bootloader (Mi Unlock)

Xiaomi’s official way of unlocking a bootloader to run custom software or reset Mi Account protection is to note: this method requires linking your phone to your Mi Account and waiting (usually 7-14 days).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Start the program and log in to your Mi Account (should match your phone account!).
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (see Section 3).
4. Press Unlock in the program. If you receive a message to wait, wait for the specified time (usually 168 hours).
5. Once unlocked, run TWRP or standard firmware through Fastboot.

Limitations of the method:

• ⏳ It can take up to 7 days to wait (if your account is new or your phone is recently attached).
• 🔒 After unlocking, the Mi Account protection is reset, but the warranty is canceled.
• 📱 Some firmware may require re-activation after unlocking.

💡

If you unlocked the bootloader, but the phone still requires a password – try flashing global firmware (for example, miui_CRUXGlobal) This often removes the Mi Account lock on Chinese versions of phones.

5. Alternative methods (for experienced users)

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

Mi Account bypassing EDL (9008 Mode)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) allows you to flash your phone at a low level, bypassing locks. Risk: if you do the wrong thing, the phone can turn into a brick.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware for Mi 9 Pro in.tgz format and the Mi Flash Tool utility.
2. Turn the phone into EDL mode: Turn the phone off. Press Volume up + Volume down and connect the USB cable to your computer. Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 port appears in Device Manager.

Mi Flash Tool

Flash

⚠️ Attention: Regime EDL It requires an authorized Xiaomi account (for new phones) without which the firmware will not start. IMEI, If you run the wrong version of the software.

5.2. Use of custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

If the phone is unlocked, you can install custom firmware without being tied to the Mi Account. Popular options for the Mi 9 Pro:

• 📱 LineageOS (Pure Android)
• 📱 Pixel Experience (like the Google Pixel interface)
• 📱 Xiaomi.EU (MIUI China-bound)

Installation instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see section 4).
2. Install TWRP (see Section 3).
3. Download firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).
4. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
5. Install firmware and GApps via Install.

💡

Castom firmware removes all Xiaomi restrictions, but can deprive functions like IR-Check the stability reviews of a specific build for the Mi 9 Pro before installing.

6. When to contact the service center

Not all locks can be removed by yourself.

• 🔧 The phone does not respond to any combination of buttons (does not go into the phone). Fastboot/Recovery).
• 📱 After the firmware appeared error Invalid IMEI Baseband Unknown.
• 🔒 The phone is blocked by the operator (for example, under a specific SIM-map).
• 💻 You are not sure of your actions and are afraid to finally “brick” the device.

The cost of unlocking in services:

Where to look for proven services:

• 📍 Official Xiaomi Centers (list on Mi Service website).
• 📍 Services with good reviews on 2GIS or Yandex.Maps.
• 📍 Masters on Yula or Avito (check rating and reviews!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro