How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC: all working ways of 2026

Forgot your password or pattern lock on Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC? Phone locked after failed input attempts? Take your time to carry it to the service center - 80% of the time unlocking can be done yourself without losing data. This model, released in 2020 with the Helio G35 and MIUI 12 chipset out of the box, supports several official and unofficial methods of bypassing the lock screen.

Unlike Xiaomi’s flagship devices, which often require authorization through a Mi Account with a tied number, the Redmi 9C NFC has loopholes to unlock even without an attached account. The main thing is to correctly determine the reason for the lock and choose the appropriate method. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven methods, including a little-known trick with EDL mode for devices on Qualcomm Snapdragon (although there are MediaTek in the Redmi 9C NFC, there are still workarounds).

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If a Mi Account was attached to a phone (even without a confirmed phone number), this method will work in 95% of cases. Xiaomi provides an official tool for resetting passwords through the web interface, but there are nuances:

  • πŸ”— Condition: the phone must be connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
  • πŸ“± Limitation: If the device is not connected to the network, the method will not work.
  • ⏳ Waiting time: after 5 failed attempts to enter the password, the button "Forgot the password" will appear?".

Instructions:

  1. On the lock screen, tap "Forgot your password?" (appears after several unsuccessful attempts).
  2. Enter the username and password from the Mi Account tied to the phone.
  3. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
  4. Set a new password or pattern lock.

⚠️ Note: If your Mi Account was created less than 24 hours ago, Xiaomi may block the unlock for 72 hours for security reasons.

πŸ“Š What Unlocking Method Have You Tried Before?
Through the Mi Account.
Reset to factory settings
Fastboot/EDL
I've been to the service.
Never blocked.

2. reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

The most radical but reliable method is a full reset via Recovery Mode.

  • πŸ”„ No tied Mi Account.
  • πŸ“΅ The phone is not connected to the Internet.
  • πŸ”§ Data on the device is not important (all files will be deleted).

How to perform the reset:

  1. Turn off the phone with a long hold on the power button.
  2. Press Volume Up + Power button for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
  3. From the Recovery menu (volume button management, power button option) select: Wipe Data β†’ Wipe All Data β†’ Confirm
  4. After resetting, restart the phone (Reboot).
AdvantagesDeficiencies
It works on 100% of devices.All data (photos, messages, applications) are deleted
No need for PC or special programsIt will not help if you have FRP (Google account) protection enabled.
Takes less than 5 minutes.After resetting, you will need to reset the phone

πŸ’‘

If after resetting the phone requires you to enter the data of the previous Google account (FRP), use the FRP bypass method from section 5.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method is suitable if the phone was enabled debugging by USB Otherwise, Xiaomi will block access to the Fastboot to protect data. ADB/Fastboot and USB Type C cable.

Step-by-step:

β˜‘οΈ Preparing for Unlocking via Fastboot

Done: 0 / 4
  1. Turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power button to log into Fastboot.
  2. Connect your phone to your PC. In the command line (cmd), run: fastboot devices If the device is determined, continue.
  3. For password reset, type fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp fastboot reboot.

⚠️ Note: The fastboot erase userdata and fastboot erase frp commands will delete all data from internal memory, including photos and apps. If the phone has been enabled sync with Mi Cloud, contacts and notes can be restored after unlocking.

4. Bypassing locking through EDL mode (for power users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is an emergency firmware mode that allows you to reflash your phone even without an unlocked bootloader. For the Redmi 9C NFC, this method works, but requires:

  • πŸ–₯️ Windows computer 7/10/11.
  • πŸ”Œ USB-Type C Cable (preferably original).
  • πŸ“¦ Firmware MIUI Fastboot ROM for Redmi 9C NFC (The version must be the same as the current version).
  • πŸ› οΈ Mi Flash Tool Programming.

How to put your phone in EDL mode:

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Press Volume Up + Volume Down + Connect the USB cable to the PC at the same time.
  3. Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out (the phone won’t turn on – that’s fine).
  4. In Windows Device Manager should appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

Next:

  1. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware.
  2. Press Refresh – the program must determine the phone in EDL mode.
  3. Select Clean All (full reset) and press Flash.
  4. After the firmware is completed (5-10 minutes), the phone will restart.
What if the Mi Flash Tool can't see the phone?
1. Check if Qualcomm drivers are installed (download here). 2. Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0). 3. Disable the signature of drivers in Windows: in the command line, execute bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on and restart the PC.

5. bypassing FRP protection (Google account) after resetting

If, after a reset via Recovery or Fastboot, the phone requires you to enter data from your previous Google account (FRP protection), use this method.It runs MIUI 12-14 for the Redmi 9C NFC:

Instructions:

  1. On the Google account entry screen, connect to Wi-Fi.
  2. Go back and tap the emergency call.
  3. Dial ##4636## and the test menu will open.
  4. Go to Settings β†’ Data Reset β†’ Delete all data.
  5. The phone will reboot and the Google account request will disappear.

πŸ’‘

The method with code ##4636## only works on MIUI firmware before version 13.0.6. If you are newer, use ADB bypass (PC required).

6. Alternative ways and what to do if nothing helps

If none of these methods worked, consider these options:

  • πŸ”§ Contact the service: official service centers Xiaomi can unlock the phone on the documents (passport) + The cost is from 1000 to 3000 rubles.
  • πŸ“± Firmware through SP Flash Tool: for MediaTek chips (like Redmi) 9C NFC) fitting SP Flash Tool. You will need a scatter.txt file from the firmware.
  • πŸ”„ Warranty exchange: if the phone is warranty and locked due to the fault of the manufacturer (for example, after the update), you can require a replacement.

For the firmware via SP Flash Tool:

  1. Download firmware for Redmi 9C NFC (for example, from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website).
  2. Unpack the archive and find the scatter.txt file.
  3. Launch the SP Flash Tool, download scatter.txt.
  4. Connect the phone to the PC (no buttons!).
  5. Press Download and wait until you finish (3-7 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through SP Flash Tool can cause brick (phone breakage) if the wrong firmware version is selected. 9C NFC Only firmware codenamed angelican (e.g., angelican) is suitable, V12.0.1.0.QCFMIXM).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking the Redmi 9C NFC

Can I unlock my phone without losing data?
Yes, but only if you have a Mi Account tied and your phone is connected to the Internet, and then use the official "Forgot Password?" unlock method on the lock screen, and all other methods (Fastboot, EDL, Recovery) result in deletion of data.
The phone is locked after the MIUI update.
This is a known problem on the Redmi 9C NFC when upgrading to MIUI 13/14. Try: Wait 24 hours - sometimes the lock is removed automatically. perform a reset via Recovery (see section 2). If after the reset there is an error "This device is locked", run the phone through Fastboot (see section 3).
How do I know if USB debugging is enabled if my phone is locked?
If debugging was enabled before locking, when you connect to your PC in Fastboot mode, the fastboot device command will show the phone serial number. If debugging is turned off, the command will return the blank list, and the methods through ADB/Fastboot will not work.
How much does it cost to unlock in the service center?
The cost depends on the reason for blocking: Simple reset (without FRP): 500-1500 rubles. FRP bypass: 1500-2500 rubles. Firmware through EDL (if the phone is in the "brick"): 2000-3500 rubles. Official Xiaomi services take a fixed fee (about 2000 rubles) and require a passport of the owner.
Can I unlock the Redmi 9C NFC without a computer?
Yes, but only in two ways: Mi Account (if the phone is connected to the Internet); Recovery Mode (full reset, data will be deleted); all other methods require a PC with drivers and programs installed (Mi Flash Tool, SP Flash Tool, ADB).