Redmi 9 is one of Xiaomi’s most popular smartphones, but even its owners sometimes face the need to unlock. A forgotten pattern lock, a blocked Mi Account, a firmware failure or buying a used phone with a link to the previous owner – the reasons may be different. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of unlocking, including official and alternative methods, taking into account the features of the 2020 model.
It's important to understand that Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot) has hardware-level protection, so there are no universal magic buttons, but with the right approach, you can bypass locking without going to the service center. We'll look at the simplest (recovery reset) to the most complex (fastboot firmware), and we'll give you some recommendations for saving data.
If you have purchased a phone with your hands and it requires you to enter the data of the previous Mi Account, or after a failed update, the system requests a password, do not panic. In 80% of cases, the problem can be solved by yourself, following our instructions. The main thing is not to try to "picture" the password repeatedly: after 5 failed attempts, Xiaomi activates additional protection, and unlocking will become more difficult.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The most legal and safe method is to use a Xiaomi account, which is suitable if:
- 🔹 Remember the username/password from the Mi Account tied to the phone
- 🔹 The device was not reset to factory settings (otherwise, you will need confirmation of the former owner)
- 🔹 On the lock screen there is a button "Forgot the password?"
To unlock Redmi 9 through your account:
- On the lock screen, tap the button Forgot your password? (or a similar inscription in English).
- Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
- Confirm the login via SMS or email (depending on your account settings).
- Follow the instructions on the screen to reset your password or pattern lock.
If you don't have a "Forgot Password?" button, try entering any password 5 times in a row, after which the system can offer a recovery option through the account. Importantly, after 10 unsuccessful attempts, the device will be locked for 24 hours, and the data can be deleted automatically.
⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought from hand and tied to someone else's Mi Account, official unlocking is only possible if the data of the previous owner is available. Xiaomi does not provide a tether reset service without confirmation from the original user.
2.Reset via Recovery Mode (without loss of data)
If you don’t have access to Mi Account but need to save data, try resetting via Recovery Mode.
- 📱 The phone was not locked through Find Device (remote lock)
- 🔧 You have access to the recovery menu (Power buttons) + Volume Up)
- 📁 You need to bypass only the pattern lock or PIN-code (not Mi Account)
Resetting instructions:
- Turn off Redmi 9 (press the Power for 10 seconds).
- Hold the Power + Volume Up at the same time and hold it for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- From the Recovery menu, select the language (if available), then go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
This will delete all user data, but unlock the phone, and if the system requires Mi Account input again after the reset, then the device was tied to the previous owner's account, and other methods will be needed.
☑️ Preparing for resetting through Recovery
3. bypass Mi Account via Fastboot (for advanced)
If Redmi 9 locked at Mi Account level after reset, you can try to bypass the binding via Fastboot mode, USB-cable and basic knowledge of working with ADB/Fastboot. Suitable for models with unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
Step-by-step:
- Download and install Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
- Turn off your phone and turn it into Fastboot mode: press Power + Volume Down.
- Connect Redmi 9 to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices If the device is determined, continue.
- Download a special script to bypass Mi Account (for example, MiAccountBypass.zip) and unpack it.
- Run the script through the command line: fastboot boot bypass_miaccount.img
- After downloading the temporary firmware, go to the settings and delete the Mi Account.
This method does not work on all versions of MIUI firmware. If the lock is back after the reboot, try repeating the process with another version of the script. On models with a blocked bootloader, this method will not work - you will need official unlock through Xiaomi.
⚠️ Note: Using unofficial scripts can lead to a ban of Mi Account or unstable phone operation.
What if the fastboot can’t see the device?
4. Unlock through EDL Mode (for power users)
EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) is a flashing firmware mode that allows you to reflash your phone even with a locked bootloader. The method is suitable for Redmi 9 with a "brick" (does not turn on, hung on the logo) or deep lock.
- 🖥️ Windows PC 7/10/11
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original)
- 📄 Firmware for Redmi 9 (lancelot version) in.tgz or.zip format
- 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download on the official website)
Algorithm of action:
- Install Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers (can be found on the XDA or 4PDA forums).
- Turn off the phone and transfer it to EDL Mode: Open the back cover and disconnect the battery (if possible). Close the Test Point pins (usually two metal pins next to the charging connector). USB-cable to PC – the phone must be determined as QHUSB_BULK.
Mi Flash Tool
Flash
Wait for the process to complete (10-15 minutes) and restart the device.
Once you've run it through EDL, the phone will be completely reset, including the Mi Account, but this method requires disassembling the device and risks cancelling the warranty, and if you're not sure about your skills, you'd better go to the service.
💡
Before you run through EDL Mode, check the firmware version on Xiaomi's official website. Redmi 9 (lancelot) only works with Global or EEA (Europe) firmware. Installing the Chinese version (China) can lead to network and language problems.
5 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Center
If all the independent methods fail, the official way is to contact Xiaomi Service Center, which is the only legal way to unlock a Redmi 9 tied to someone else's Mi Account without risking damage to the device.
| Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Guaranteed result (if the phone is not blacklisted) | ❌ Cost of the service (from 1500 to 5000 rubles depending on the region) |
| ✅ Preservation of the guarantee (if it is valid) | ❌ Proof of purchase (check or box) required) |
| ✅ Without the risk of “bricking” the phone | ❌ Long term (from 3 days to 2 weeks) |
| ✅ The ability to unlock even with a blocked bootloader | ❌ Not all services work with used phones without documents |
To speed up the process, prepare:
- 📄 Check or warranty card (if the phone is guaranteed)
- 📱 Phone box (to confirm the model and IMEI)
- 🔑 Data of the former owner (if the phone is purchased from hands and tied to his account)
If the Redmi 9 is blacklisted by Xiaomi (lost or stolen), the service center will not be able to unlock it, in which case the phone can only be used as a brick or for spare parts.
💡
Officially unlocking through the service center is the only way to legally remove the binding to someone else's Mi Account without risking the device, but it won't help if the phone is blacklisted or has unofficial firmware.
6. Alternative methods (with risk to the device)
If none of the above methods help, some users resort to informal methods such as:
- 🔓 Using Deep Flash Cable (special cable to bypass protection)
- 📱 Installation of custom firmware (Custom) ROM) through TWRP
- 🔧 Exploitation of vulnerabilities in older versions MIUI (for example, through ADB)
These methods have serious disadvantages:
- ❌ High risk of turning a phone into a brick"
- ❌ Loss of guarantee
- ❌ Possible Ban Mi Account
- ❌ Unstable operation of the device after firmware
For example, installing Custom ROM via TWRP requires unlocking the bootloader, which is officially supported by Xiaomi, but takes up to 360 hours of latency (according to the company’s rules), while once unlocked, all data will be erased, and the protection of Mi Account can remain.
If you do decide to use alternative methods, use only proven sources (e.g. XDA Developers or 4PDA) and back up your data in advance.
⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial firmware on Redmi 9 with the bootloader locked can lead to hard-brick (completely inoperable device). EDL Using an authorized Xiaomi account.