How to unlock Xiaomi Mi 9 if you forget your password: all the ways from official to radical

Why Mi 9 is blocked and what to do

The forgotten password on Xiaomi Mi 9 is a bad situation, but it is solvable. The smartphone is blocked not only because of input errors: sometimes it happens after a system failure, a failed update or even because of children's pranks. The main thing is not to panic and not try to find a combination at random: after 5 wrong attempts, the device can lock for 30 minutes, and after 20 - completely erase all data.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways of unlocking, from the official (via Mi Account) to radical (full reset via Fastboot). Each method has its pros and cons: somewhere you will need access to the computer, somewhere you will lose data. It is important to understand that without knowing the username / password from the Xiaomi account, some methods will not be available. If you have never tied the device to the account, you will have to use alternative options.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (minimum 50%, otherwise the risk of "bricking" during the procedure)
• 📱 Backup (if backup is done via Mi Cloud or locally)
• 💻 Access to PCs with installed drivers ADB/Fastboot (advanced)

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

The safest and most recommended way for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
• 🔑 Remember the login and password from the account
• 🔄 The "Find the device" function was activated in the settings

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap Forgot your password? (bottom of the screen).
2. Choose Unblock with Mi Account.
3. Enter your email/phone and password from your account.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

If the screen does not have a button "Forgot your password?", it means:

• 🚫 The device is not tied to the account
• 🌐 No Internet connection.
• 🔧 In the settings disabled function "Find the device"

💡

If you don’t remember the password from Mi Account, restore it through the official account.xiaomi.com. Use the linked email or phone number.

⚠️ Note: Once unlocked via Mi Account, all data on your phone will be saved, but if you have previously encrypted your device (in the security settings), you may need to enter an old password to access files.

Method 2: Recovery Mode Reset (without data loss?)

Many users mistakenly believe that a reset via Recovery always results in data loss. 9 There is a caveat: if you have never encrypted the device memory (in the security settings did not activate "Phone Encryption"), then after resetting some files (photos, videos) can remain in the folder. MIUI/backup. There are no guarantees, depending on the version of the firmware.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power + Volume increase for 10 seconds).
2. Hold Power + Volume Up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (English or Chinese).

Next:

• 🔧 Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume buttons for navigation, power for selection).
• 🔄 Confirm the action (Confirmation).
• 📱 After the reboot, the phone will be like new – you will need an initial setup.

⚠️ Note: Some Mi 9 firmware (especially global ones) may require you to enter an old password to activate the device after resetting via Recovery. This is anti-theft protection — if you don't remember the password, you'll have to use other methods.

Turn off the phone.|Check the battery charge (>50%)|Prepare the charger (in case of discharge)|Download the firmware for recovery (if you plan to re-flash)|-->

Method 3: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔧 You have access to a PC with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot
• 📥 You can download the official firmware for Mi 9 (version must match the current one!)
• 🔓 You are ready to lose data (if you don’t backup)

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for Mi 9 (select the Fastboot version, not Recovery).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on a PC (for example, C:\Mi9_Fastboot).
3. Put your phone to Fastboot: Hardware: Turn off your phone → Press <Power + Volume Down> Software: Connect to PC → Command adb reboot bootloader
4. Connect your phone to your PC and launch the file flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).

It takes 5-10 minutes, and when it's done, it'll reboot in a factory state.

⚠️ Warning: Continuous interruption of the firmware process via Fastboot can cause a device to "brick" (completely inoperable) if the battery runs out during the procedure, the phone may stop turning on even after charging.

Method 4: Use of service codes (hidden functions)

The Xiaomi Mi 9 has hidden engineering codes that sometimes help bypass the lock. They don’t work on all firmware, but it’s worth a try:

• 🔢 ##7378423## - Reset security settings (on some versions) MIUI)
• 🔢 ##3646633## - Engineering menu (not recommended without experience!)
• 🔢 ##4636## - Phone information (sometimes allows you to reset your password)

How to enter codes:

1. On the lock screen, tap the emergency call.
2. Enter the code as a phone number and press the call button.
3. If the code works, you will be taken to the service menu – look for Factory Reset or Security Reset.

Please note that:

• ❌ On the new versions MIUI (12+) These codes are usually disabled.
• ⚠️ Incorrect use of the engineering menu can be harmful IMEI communications module.
• 🔧 If the code doesn’t work, the screen will just return to dialing.

💡

Service codes are the most unreliable method, they only work on old firmware (MIUI 10 and below) and can be disabled by the manufacturer at any time.

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If all previous methods did not work, the official service remains. Xiaomi provides a document unlock service, but there are nuances:

• 📄 You will need a check document (check, warranty card) or a box with IMEI.
• 💳 The cost of the service is from 1000 to 3000 rubles (depending on the region).
• ⏳ Time limit for implementation — 1-5 workday.
• 🔒 The data will not be saved – the phone will be completely reset.

How to find the official service:

1. Go to the Xiaomi Service website.
2. Choose a country and a city.
3. Check the reviews about the service center (some unofficial SCs may offer "unlock" with a loss of warranty).

The alternative is informal workshops, but here are the risks:

• 🚨 Possible installation of pirated software or viruses.
• 🔧 Loss of warranty (if the phone is still guaranteed).
• 💰 The price may be higher than in the official SC.

⚠️ If you bought the Mi 9 with your hands, check its status by IMEI The device may be blacklisted (stolen/lost) and the service center will refuse to unlock.

What to do after unlocking: data recovery and security

After successful unlocking:

1. Recover the data: 📱 If you have done a backup through Mi Cloud, log in to your account and sync contacts, notes, photos. 💾 For local backups, connect your phone to your PC and copy files from your folder MIUI/backup. 🔧 Use programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver to recover deleted data (efficiency) ~30-60%).
2. Set up security: 🔐 Install. PIN-code instead of a pattern lock (more difficult to find). 📱 Activate Find the device in the settings of the Xiaomi account. 🔑 Set up two-factor authentication for Mi Account.

To avoid problems in the future:

• 📅 Backup once a month through Settings → System system → Backup.
• 📝 Write it down. PIN-password to a secure location (for example, in the password manager Bitwarden or KeePass).
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI Improved access recovery system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Mi 9