Redmi smartphones have long proven to be affordable devices with good functionality, but owners often face the need to obtain advanced access rights. the Redmi 9C model is no exception, and the question of how to unlock the bootloader or bypass the locking of an account remains relevant for many users in 2026.
Unlocking the bootloader opens the door to custom firmware installation, root rights and deep modification of the MIUI or HyperOS system. However, it is worth understanding that this process is officially authorized by the manufacturer only if certain conditions are met, such as waiting for a few days and having a tied account. Ignoring the rules can lead to the device becoming a brick or lose the warranty.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages: from tool preparation to direct unlocking through official utilities and bypassing protection. FRP (Factory Reset Protection.We will look at the nuances of working with drivers ADB And we'll also focus on the common mistakes that beginners have. Follow each step carefully to keep your gadget safe.
Preparation of the device and account Mi
The first and most critical step is to link your Mi Account to your device. Without this step, the official unlock tools will simply prevent you from moving beyond the start screen. Go to your phone settings, find the "Mi Account" section, and log in using a valid phone number or email. Once logged in, the system must confirm a successful link.
Then you need to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to the Settings menu. → About the phone and find the line "Version" MIUI". Click on it seven times in a row until the "You've become a developer" notification appears, and then a new option will appear in the additional settings menu for developers to enable options. OEM-unlocking and debugging USB.
⚠️ Note: After the debugging is enabled USB And the account binding system will require a Wi-Fi connection or a mobile network to verify it.
It is also important to note that there is a certain amount of time between the time you link your account and the time you unlock, which usually takes 7 to 168 hours (up to 7 days), depending on your region and account status, and during this time you should not log out or reset your phone, otherwise the timer may become reset.
Required tools and drivers
To successfully unlock, you will need a personal computer or laptop running Windows. Mobile unlocking applications often run unstable or contain malicious code, so using a PC is a must. You must install the official Mi Unlock Tool utility on your computer, which can be downloaded from the manufacturer's website.
The critical thing is to install the right drivers. The computer must recognize the phone in two modes: normal ADB and Fastboot mode. To do this, install the Android SDK Platform Tools package and Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers (depending on the processor of your version of Redmi 9C). Without properly installed drivers, the unlock utility will not see the connected device.
☑️ Test of preparedness for procedure
Use only quality USB-The cheap cables often only support charging and do not transmit data, which will lead to a connection error. USB 2.0 on the back of the system unit, as they provide a more stable connection for low-level operations.
The process of unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)
When all preparations are complete and the waiting period has expired, you can proceed to directly unlock. Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode. To do this, turn off the device completely, and then press the volume and power buttons simultaneously. On the screen should appear a hare in a hat-earshank, repairing the android, and the inscription FASTBOOT.
Connect your phone to your computer and start Mi Unlock. Sign in to the same Mi Account that was attached to your phone. Press Unlock. The program will automatically check the status of the device, the firmware version and the binding. If all conditions are met, the unlocking process will begin, which can take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes.
fastboot oem unlockIn some cases, especially when using third-party methods or regional firmware, it may be necessary to manually input commands through the console, although the official tool does this automatically. Once the process is successfully completed, the phone will restart. The first boot can last longer than usual - this is normal, as partitions are cleaned and the system is rebuilt.
| Status at Mi Unlock | Meaning | User actions |
|---|---|---|
| Unlock successfully | Unlocking was successful | You can download to the system or recover |
| Waiting for 168 hours | It's been a while. | Waiting for the end of the term without untiing the account |
| Account mismatch | Wrong account. | Sign in to Mi Unlock under the same account as your phone |
| Connection error | Connection error | Check the cable, drivers and USB port |
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Successful unlocking of the bootloader automatically performs a full data reset (Wipe Data), so backup is a mandatory step before the procedure begins.
Reset FRP (Google Account) on Redmi 9C
A separate and often more challenging task is to bypass FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection if you forget your Google account password after resetting your settings. On modern versions of Android and MIUI/HyperOS shells, browser bypassing methods are constantly patched, so there is no one-button method.
One of the most effective methods in 2026 involves exploiting vulnerabilities in the special features menu or TalkBack, but this requires high accuracy. ADB-commands to activate certain system applications that allow you to access Wi-Fi settings and accounts.
⚠️ Attention: Bypassing techniques FRP Google regularly closes vulnerabilities in security updates.What worked last month may already be patched in the current security patch.
If standard methods fail, sometimes the only legal way is to provide documents to purchase a device to an authorized service center to remove the lock. Using dubious paid IMEI unlock services carries fraud risks and does not guarantee the result.
Alternative methods of entry
Installation of custom Recovery (TWRP)
Once the bootloader is unlocked, many users tend to install customized backups, such as the TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), which allows you to make full system backups, install modified firmware and patches. Redmi 9C (codename merlin) has stable TWRP builds, but you need to match them strictly to your version of Android.
Download the twrp.img image for your model and place it in the folder with ADB tools. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode and execute the command in the console:
fastboot flash recovery twrp.imgOne important thing is that you can't boot into the normal system right after you've run the firmware, or the regular recap will overwrite the customized system, you need to immediately press the power and volume buttons to enter Recovery mode, and you can restart the system once you make sure that the TWRP has booted.
- 🔹 Backup: Fully save system partitions before experiments.
- 🔹 Wipe: Deep Cleaning of Data, Cache and Dalvik Partitions.
- 🔹 Install: Installation ZIP-Archives with firmware and modifications.
- 🔹 Advanced: Working with the file system and ADB Recovery.
Possible errors and their solution
When unlocking, users often encounter a "Couldn't verify device" error, which means that the server cannot confirm the right to unlock. Most often, the problem is to desynchronize PC time or use proxy servers. Try to disable the VPN and set automatic time.
Another common problem is that you can freeze on the MI logo after unlocking, which can happen if you have incompatible firmware installed or damaged the system partition, in which case you need to reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool program in Clean All mode.
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If the phone goes into an endless reboot, try pressing the power and volume button for 15-20 seconds for a forced reboot, and then re-enter Fastboot mode.
Device Manager driver errors (yellow exclamation points) are solved by manually installing drivers. Find a device with an unknown ID, select Update Driver → Select from the list of available drivers, and specify the path to the ADB/Fastboot driver folder.