How to unlock Xiaomi Mi 9 if you forget your password or pattern lock

Forgetting your smartphone password is a frustrating situation, but it’s not a hopeless one, especially if you’re talking about the Xiaomi Mi 9, a 2019 model that’s still popular thanks to its powerful hardware and up-to-date firmware, and the key is not to panic or try to find a combination at random: after 5-10 failed attempts, the system will lock the device for 30 minutes, and then it can erase all the data altogether.

In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to unlock the Mi 9, from the simplest (via the Mi Account tied) to the radical (Hard Reset via Recovery). Importantly, some methods require prior preparation (for example, enabled debugging over USB), so first check what conditions are met on your device. If the phone is discharged, first charge it to at least 20% to avoid crashes during the procedure.

Spoiler: If you've never set up Find My Device or connected the Mi 9 to a Xiaomi account, the chances of saving data are minimal, but even then you can unlock the device -- you just have to sacrifice personal files.

1 Unlocking with Mi Account (if the phone is connected to the Internet)

The safest and fastest way is to use Xiaomi’s official “Forgot Password?” feature, which works if:

• 📶 The phone is connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi (even if the screen is locked).
• 🔑 The device has a Mi Account (you have previously logged in).
• 📧 You have access to an email or phone number linked to your account.

After 5 unsuccessful attempts to enter the password on the lock screen will appear button Forgot the password?. Click on it and follow the instructions:

1. Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
2. Confirm your identity via SMS or code letter.
3. Reset the password and set a new one.

If you have forgotten your password? No, try to type in any password 5 times in a row, it should appear. Importantly, this method only works when the Internet connection is active. SIM-No map, go to other ways.

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If you don’t remember whether Mi Account is linked to your phone, try entering any password 5 times – the system can show your account’s email on the lock screen.

2.Reset via Find My Device (remote unlock)

If the Mi 9 is linked to a Xiaomi account but the buttons Forgot the password? no, you can try remote unlocking via Find My Device. This method is suitable even if the phone is not currently connected to the Internet - the reset command will be executed the first time you connect to the network.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
2. In the list of devices, select Xiaomi Mi 9.
3. Press Find the device. → Delete the data.
4. Confirm action. The phone will be reset to factory settings the next time it connects to the Internet.

⚠️ Warning: After remotely unlocking, all data on the phone will be erased, including photos, messages and installed apps, and can only be restored from a backup (if it was created earlier).

If the Mi 9 is not displayed in the list of devices on the site, then:

• 🔌 The phone is not tied to the account.
• 📵 The device has not been connected to the Internet for a long time (more than 30 days).
• 🔄 You logged in to another Mi Account after the last sync.

3. Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (full reset)

If previous methods didn’t work, the radical way is to use Hard Reset, which erases all data on the phone but is guaranteed to unlock it, and is suitable for the Xiaomi Mi 9 on any firmware (including MIUI 12/13/14).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery Mode menu.
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm.
6. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

The phone will reboot and suggest that you set it up as new, and at this point, you can set a new password.

Turn off the phone.|Clutch power. + Loudness up|Wait for the Mi logo|Select Wipe Data|Confirm discharge-->

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi Mi 9 firmwares may require data entry from the previously tied Mi Account after Hard Reset (protection) FRP). If you don't remember your username/password, your phone will remain locked. ADB or Fastboot.

4. Unlock via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If Xiaomi Mi 9 was previously included debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → You can reset your password 7 times to activate the developer mode without losing data. ADB and Fastboot.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the commands in order: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
4. After resetting, the password will be reset.

If the su command doesn’t work (no root rights), try an alternative method:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric

This command will open a password change menu where you can set a new one.

5. Firmware via Fastboot (for power users)

If none of the previous methods worked, you can still play the Mi 9 through Fastboot mode, which is suitable for cases where:

• 🔒 Phone locked after Hard Reset (requires Mi Account).
• 📱 Debugging by USB switched off.
• 🔧 We need to install custom firmware.

You'll need firmware.

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📁 Official firmware for Xiaomi Mi 9 (download on the Xiaomi website).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
2. Connect the Mi 9 to your PC and open the command line.
3. Check the connection command: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the device).
4. Unpack the downloaded firmware and launch the file flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for macOS/Linux).
5. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot removes all data and can lead to loss of warranty if unofficial software is used. There is also a risk of "bricking" the phone when the process is interrupted. If you are not sure about your actions, contact the service center.

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Fastboot firmware is the most reliable way to unlock, but it requires technical skills. If you've never worked with ADB, you'd better trust a specialist to do it.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all independent attempts to unlock the Xiaomi Mi 9 were unsuccessful, you can contact the official service center.

• 🔐 Phone locked after Hard Reset (requires Mi Account that doesn't exist).
• 📉 The device does not turn on or hung on the Mi logo.
• 🛠️ You need a flashing warranty (for example, after an unsuccessful attempt to install custom software).

The service centre may:

• 🔓 Reset the lock through special software (if you confirm the ownership of the property).
• 📥 Recover data (in some cases).
• 🔧 Refuse the phone with a guarantee.

The cost of the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the complexity. Xiaomi official centers are in all major cities - addresses can be found on the support site Xiaomi.

Before your visit, do not forget to bring:

• 📄 Check or box from the phone (to confirm the purchase).
• 🆔 Passport (may be required to identify the owner).
• 🔋 Charged device (if it reacts to charging in any way).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to unlock the Xiaomi Mi 9, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

Problem 1: After Hard Reset, the phone asks you to enter data from a Mi Account that is not available.

Solution: If you don't remember your username/password, try re-establishing access through Xiaomi's website. If your account isn't yours (e.g., a handheld phone), contact the previous owner or contact the service - they can unlink the serial number.

Problem 2: The computer doesn’t see the phone in Fastboot or ADB mode.

Solution: Install Xiaomi drivers manually via Android SDK Or use the Mi Flash Tool. Try another one. USB-cable or port (better) USB 2.0).

Problem 3: The phone doesn’t go into Recovery Mode (hangs on the logo).

Solution: Try to pin Power + Volume up for 20 to 30 seconds. If it doesn't work, plug your phone into charging for 10 minutes, then try again. At last, use emergency EDL (requires special cable).

Problem 4: After the firmware, the phone does not turn on (black screen).

Solution: You probably didn't install the firmware correctly. Try repeating the process with a different version of the software or contacting the service. Don't try to stitch your phone several times in a row, it can damage your memory.

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If the Mi 9 starts to slow down after unlocking, reset to factory settings again via Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset. This will help to clear the residual files from the old firmware.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions