How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: from password reset to bypass Mi Account

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but even it is not immune to lock problems. Forgot the pattern lock? blocked after unsuccessful attempts to enter a password? Or the phone requires a Mi Account account that you have not used in a long time? In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of unlocking - from official to alternative, taking into account the features of the firmware and hardware platform Redmi Note 9 (codename merlin).

It's important to understand that unlocking methods depend on the type of lock, for example, resetting through Recovery will help with a forgotten password, but will not solve the problem with the associated Mi Account. And using Fastboot requires an unlocked bootloader, which is not always possible without data loss. We will describe each scenario in detail so that you can choose the best option.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (minimum 50% – discharge during the procedure can lead to a “brick").
• 📶 Availability of data backup (unlocking often erases user files).
• 🖥️ Access to PCs with Xiaomi drivers installed and tools like Mi Unlock Tool or ADB.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If the phone is locked due to multiple misentering of a password or pattern lock, the system can request data from the Mi Account.

• 📧 You have access to email/phone-linked.
• 🔑 You remember the password from Mi Account (or you can restore it via account.xiaomi.com).
• 🌍 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap the button "Forgot your password?" (or a similar inscription in English - Forgot password?).
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with your Mi Account.
3. Confirm your identity via SMS or code letter.
4. Reset the screen lock password and install a new one.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously disabled sync with Mi Account or reset your phone via Recovery, this method will not work.

2. Recovery Mode reset (without data loss – myth or reality?)

Many users believe that resetting via Recovery is a universal solution, but for the Redmi Note 9, there are nuances:

• 🔄 A standard Wipe Data reset will delete all data, including photos, messages and apps.
• 🔐 If the “Mi Data Protection” function is enabled (in the security settings), after resetting, the phone will require you to enter a password from Mi Account.
• 🛠️ On some firmware (for example, MIUI 12.5+) Resetting via Recovery can lead to a bootloader lock.

How to Sign In to Recovery Mode on Redmi Note 9:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button and select Turn off).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English), then go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

On the firmware MIUI 13+ After resetting via Recovery, the phone may require proof of ownership via SMS to a number linked to the Mi Account. SIM-The card is lost, unlocking will be impossible without appealing to support Xiaomi.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔓 You have unlocked the bootloader (bootloader).
• 💻 There is access to a PC with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📥 You can download the official firmware for Redmi Note 9 (codename merlin).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware archive for your model from MIUI Download (select the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your PC (e.g., C:\MIUI\merlin).
3. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume down when the device is off).
4. Open the command line in the firmware folder and execute: fastboot flash all (this will snoop through all partitions, including userdata, which will reset the lock).

⚠️ Note: If the bootloader is blocked, you must unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool before the firmware.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download the Mi Flash Tool|Unpacking Fastboot firmware|Connect your phone to Fastboot mode|Disable the antivirus (can block it) flash_all.bat)-->

4. bypassing the Mi Account after a reset (alternative methods)

If the phone requires a Mi Account after a reset, which you don't remember, there are no official ways to bypass, but there are several working methods (at your own risk):

The most reliable way is EDL Mode.

1. Download the firmware for merlin in.tgz format.
2. Connect your phone to your PC by holding the Volume buttons up + Loud down, then plug in. USB-cable (the phone must be designated as Qualcomm) HS-USB QDLoader 9008).
3. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.

💡

If the Mi Flash Tool gives you an SLA Auth error, try using a version that is not newer than 2020 or disable signature verification in the program settings.

5. Unlock without data loss (is it possible?)

You can save data when unlocking Redmi Note 9 only in two cases:

1. You've been on before. USB-debugging and you can use it ADB To remove lock files: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key adb shell rm /data/system/password.key (It only works on some versions. MIUI before 12.0).
2. You have a backup in Mi Cloud and you can recover the data after the reset.

In practice, most users lose data. If there are critical files on the phone, it is better to contact a service center where specialists can extract information through Chip-Off (direct memory reading).

💡

The only reliable way to save data is to back up regularly through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When unlocking the Redmi Note 9, users often face typical problems:

• 🔌 Mi Unlock Tool: The “Couldn’t unlock” error means that Mi’s account is not tied to your phone or has not passed 720 hours of waiting.
• 🔄 Loading after firmware is a consequence of version incompatibility MIUI hardware-platform.
• 📵 Phone is not defined in Fastboot – check the driver or try another one USB-cable (preferably original).

Decisions:

• Officially, no. But you can create a new Mi Account, tie it to your phone and wait 30 days (720 hours) Some users claim that using a VPN in India reduces latency, but this is not confirmed.