How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi 9A: from password to bootloader – the complete guide

Xiaomi Redmi 9A

Mi Account

All the current ways to unlock

Redmi 9A

Many users experience lockdowns after buying a used phone or a failed firmware. The manufacturer deliberately complicates the process of unlocking the bootloader to protect the device from unauthorized access. However, with the right instructions and tools, you can unlock the Redmi 9A even without technical skills. The main thing is to follow step-by-step recommendations and avoid common mistakes that can turn the phone into a brick.

We will look at 5 main scenarios:

- Unlock the screen (PIN, pattern lock, password).

- Bypassing the Mi Account after the reset.

Official unlocking of the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool.

Alternative methods for devices with damaged firmware.

IMEI recovery after unsuccessful manipulations.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the Xiaomi Redmi bootloader 9A It can cancel the warranty and cause data loss. MIUI 12.5+ tether SIM-Cards to account to be unlocked through an official tool.

1. unlock screen: PIN, pattern lock, password

If you forget the unlock code, don't rush to reset your phone to factory settings. On the Redmi 9A, there are 3 ways to restore access without losing data - but they only work when certain conditions are met.

The easiest method is to use a Mi Account if the phone was tied to it. After 5 failed attempts to enter the password, the system will offer the option "Forgot the password?" Click on it and log in via the attached email or phone number. If the Mi Account was not set up, try the following options:

• 🔑 Find Device Reset: Go to i.mi.com, log in and select Delete Data. Phone will be unlocked, but all files will be deleted.
• 📱 Safe Mode: Press the power button, hold the power off until you request safe mode, and you can remove the screen-locking app (if it was installed by third-party software) from it).
• 🔧 ADB-commands: Suitable for devices with enabled debugging USB. Connect your phone to your PC, open the command line and type in: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key After rebooting, the pattern lock will reset.

If none of these methods work, you just have to reset hard through Recovery Mode. Turn off your phone, press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds, then select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data. On models with MIUI 13+, you'll need to enter data from the attached Mi Account after the reset.

2.Mi Account bypass after reset (FRP)

Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is a factory reset protection that is activated on Redmi 9A when linked to Mi Account. Once reset via Recovery, the phone requires you to enter the username and password of the previous owner. If you bought a used device and can not contact the seller, you can bypass FRP in three ways (starting with the most secure).

Method 1: Through the official service Xiaomi

If you have a check or a phone box, contact Xiaomi's service center with proof of purchase. Employees can unlink the account after checking the documents. This method takes up to 7 days, but it is guaranteed to work.

Method 2: Using a vulnerability in MIUI

Some firmware versions (up to MIUI 12.0.8) work bypassing through Wi-Fi settings:

1. On the welcome screen, connect to Wi-Fi.
2. In the field of entering a password from the network, enter arbitrary text, highlight it and click Share.
3. Select Gmail or Messages, then go back and access the settings.
4. Go to Settings → Additional → Special Features → Menu Button and turn on the virtual Menu button.
5. Return to the welcome screen, press the virtual Menu button and select Skip (skip).

Method 3: Firmware through Fastboot

If the first two methods don't work, you just have to flash your phone through Fastboot and delete your Mi Account.

Install Xiaomi USB Drivers | Download Mi Flash Tool and firmware for Redmi 9A (fastboot version) | Disable antivirus on PC | Connect phone in Fastboot mode (clamp Power + Volume down) | Select Clean All option in Mi Flash Tool

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The firmware will delete all data, including Mi Account, but requires an unlocked bootloader. If it is locked, first follow the instructions from the next section.

3. Official unlocking of the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool

Unlocking the bootloader on the Xiaomi Redmi 9A is necessary to install custom firmware, obtain root rights or restore the device after “bricking”. The official way is to use the Mi Unlock Tool utility, but it has strict restrictions:

• 📅 Wait 72–168 hours after linking Mi Account to phone (new accounts).
• 📶 Tethering SIM-Cards to account (required for models with MIUI 12.5+).
• 🔄 No more than 1 unlock per month per account.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool (Windows version)
2. Turn on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Unlock OEM and Debug over USB
3. Connect Redmi 9A to your PC in Fastboot mode (clamp Power + Volume Down).
4. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in and press Unlock.

On Redmi 9A with Global Stable firmware (e.g. V12.0.10.0.QCDMIXM), unlocking can result in a Couldn't unlock error due to region constraints, requiring you to flash the Chinese version of MIUI China before unlocking.

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If Mi Unlock Tool gives an error This device is locked, check that the developer settings have enabled the option OEM Unlocking and phone connected to the Internet SIM-card (not Wi-Fi).

4. Alternative Unlocking Methods (for Power Users)

If the official method is not suitable (for example, due to waiting or errors), you can use informal tools, they are suitable for devices with damaged firmware or when the Mi Unlock Tool refuses to work, but these methods require technical skills and carry risks.

Method 1: Unlocking with EDL (Emergency Download Mode)

EDL allows you to flash your phone directly through the Qualcomm 9008 port. For the Redmi 9A (MediaTek Helio G25 chipset), this method only works using authorized Xiaomi accounts or paid services like DC-Phoenix.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware in.mbn format for Redmi 9A (model dandelion).
2. Connect your phone to a PC with a pinched button combination (EDL requires a short circuit of test points on the board).
3. Use the Mi Flash Pro or SP Flash Tool for firmware.

Method 2: Bypassing TWRP

If the phone has a custom TWRP recap, you can delete the files responsible for blocking:

1. Load to TWRP (Plug Power + Volume Up).


2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.




3. Delete the files:




/data/system/locksettings.db




/data/system/locksettings.db-wal




/data/system/locksettings.db-shm




4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Delete system files through TWRP This can lead to a bootloop. Before manipulation, make a backup partition. /data.

5.IMEI recovery after unlocking

Once the bootloader is firmware or unlocked, the Redmi 9A can lose its IMEI (unique communication module identifier), without which the phone does not catch the network, and the settings display IMEI: Null/Null.

Method 1: Engineering Mode (for MediaTek)

1. Install the MTK Engineering Mode application.
2. Go to MTK Settings → Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information.
3. Choose a Phone. 1 (phone 2 second SIM), command: AT +EGMR=1,7,"Yours_IMEI_1" AT +EGMR=1,10,"Yours_IMEI_2"
4. Reboot the phone.

Method 2: NVRAM firmware

If the Engineering Mode does not help, you need to flash the NVRAM partition through the SP Flash Tool:

• 🔧 Download the backup. NVRAM for Redmi 9A (dandelion).
• 📥 V SP Flash Tool select Download Agent and specify the file MTK_AllInOne_DA.bin.
• 🔄 Mark only the section NVRAM and press Download.

The IMEI must be original (indicated on the box or under the battery) and the use of someone else's IMEI is illegal and may result in the network being blocked by the operator.

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If the phone still does not catch the network after restoring IMEI, check the APN settings or perform a factory reset via Recovery (without deleting data).

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When unlocking Xiaomi Redmi 9A And users often have these typical problems. TOP-5 mistakes and their solutions:

If you encounter an error not described in the table, check:

• 🔌 Compliance with the firmware version of the phone model (Redmi) 9A — codename).
• 🔄 Integrity of downloaded files (check hash amounts) MD5).
• 📱 Battery status (charge must be at least 50%).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions