Modern Xiaomi smartphones, and in particular the popular Redmi Note 9 Pro model, initially come with a locked bootloader, which limits the user’s ability to configure the system. Many enthusiasts are looking for extended access rights to install custom recavators such as TWRP, or to completely replace the operating system with custom Android build. The Bootloader unlocking process is official, but requires careful preparation and execution of all steps in strict sequence.
It is worth noting that the procedure irreversibly deletes all user data from the internal storage device, so creating a backup is a must. owners of Redmi Note 9 Pro often face the need to wait for 168 hours (7 days) after submitting an application on the Mi Unlock service. Without successfully passing the check of the Mi Account and linking the device to it, unlocking is impossible by any software methods. In this guide, we will discuss each step in detail to minimize risks and avoid errors.
Before you start taking action, you need to make sure your smartphone is fully charged and the USB cable is working and capable of transmitting data, not just power. An unstable connection can interrupt the critical process of key exchange between the phone and the authorization server, which will lead to an error. We will look at the Mi Unlock Tool utility, which is the only legal tool for removing restrictions on devices of this brand.
Preparation of the device and account Mi
The first and most important step is to configure the developer settings on the Redmi Note 9 Pro itself. You need to activate the hidden menu to access the necessary switches. Go to Settings → About Phone and click 7 times in a row on the MIUI version until you notice that you have become a developer.
After activation of the developer mode, a new menu will open in the Additional section → For developers, you can find Mi Unlock Status and click on it, and it will suggest linking your current device to your Mi Account. SIM-A card with active mobile internet, as Wi-Fi may not be enough to properly authenticate.
⚠️ Attention: Device-based account binding is mandatory. If you miss this step or do it incorrectly, the server will not issue permission to unlock, and the utility on the PC will show an error.
Once successfully anchored, a countdown timer showing how long it is still waiting will appear on the screen, with a standard waiting period of 168 hours, although in rare cases the system can reduce it to 36 hours or, conversely, increase it to 360 hours, during which time you cannot log out of your Mi Account on your phone and reset your settings.
Installation of drivers and software
To interact with the computer with the smartphone in deep diagnostic mode, special drivers are needed. Without installed ADB and Fastboot drivers, Windows operating system will not be able to recognize the connected Redmi Note 9 Pro in the desired mode. It is recommended to download the official driver package from the developer's website or use universal drivers Xiaomi USB Driver.
You will also need the Mi Unlock Tool itself, download it exclusively from the official en.miui.com/unlock website to avoid malicious code. Once you download the archive, unpack it into the root folder of the disk, for example, in C:\MiUnlock, so that the path does not contain Cyrillic characters that can cause errors in the program.
- 📂 Download and install Xiaomi drivers USB Driver on the computer.
- 💻 Download the latest version of the Mi Unlock Tool from the official resource.
- 🔌 Use the original. USB-cable or quality analogue with data transmission support.
- 🔋 Charge your Redmi Note 9 Pro to at least 60% before the procedure.
Once you have installed all the components, restart your computer, which is necessary to register new drivers correctly, and check that antivirus software or firewall does not block the Mi Unlock utility, as it accesses remote servers to check your account status.
💡
Use it. USB-port located on the back of the system unit (direct to the motherboard) to eliminate power and data transmission problems that often occur when using the front panel ports or USB-hub.
Activation of Fastboot mode and connection to PC
When the waiting timer is up, you can move on to the practical part. Turn off the Redmi Note 9 Pro completely. Then press the Volume Down and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the image of a hare in a hat-eared android repairing, labeled FASTBOOT, appears on the screen.
Connect your phone to your computer through USB-In the Windows Device Manager section "Controllers" USB" or "Portative devices" must appear a new device called the Android Bootloader Interface if "Unknown device" is displayed instead, or"QHSUSB_BULK", Try replacing the cable or reinstall the drivers.
fastboot devicesThis command, which is entered in the command line, will help you check the connection, and if you see the serial number of your device, then the connection is established correctly. Now you can run the Mi Unlock Tool. Log in to the same Mi Account that was tied to the phone earlier. The program will automatically check the anchor status and the remaining latency.
⚠️ Warning: Do not remove the cable or turn off the phone during the status check process.Stop connecting to the server may require re-signing in and re-checking.
The process of unlocking the loader
If all the previous steps are done correctly, the Unlock button in the Mi Unlock Tool utility will become active. Click on it. The system will issue a warning that all data on the device will be destroyed. Confirm the action by pressing Unlock anyway.
The unlocking process will begin, which takes between seconds and minutes, and a percentage progress scale will appear on your smartphone screen, while the Bootloader is reprogrammed, and the memory sections are marked as unlocked, and in no case do not turn off the cable at this point.
Once the procedure is complete, the phone will automatically restart, and you'll see a warning on the boot screen that the device is unlocked, as well as the Mi Unlock logo with an open lock, which is a standard behavior that will appear every time you turn on the smartphone.
The first run after unlocking can take longer than usual as the system performs file integrity checks and partition cleansing.Be prepared for the phone to return to factory settings and you'll have to re-set your original Android setup.
💡
Successful unlocking of the bootloader is confirmed by the appearance of the Mi Unlock logo when downloading and the ability to install a custom recavator through Fastboot.
Solving common mistakes
When unlocking the Redmi Note 9 Pro, users often encounter various error codes, one of the most common being the Error 10009 or Error 10013, which indicate problems with the network connection or authorization server. In such cases, it is recommended to use a wired Internet connection on a PC or distribute the Internet from a phone through a computer. USB-modem.
Another common problem is the “Couldn’t verify device” error, or the message that the account is not tied, which occurs if too little time has elapsed between linking the account in the phone menu and trying to unlock it, or if you have logged in to another account in the utility on your PC.
| Error code | Description of the problem | Decision-making |
|---|---|---|
| 10009 / 10013 | Network or server error | Change the network, use a VPN, repeat later |
| 20002 | Account untied | Re-attached to the menu status Mi Unlock |
| 20027 | Wrong account. | Sign in to the same Mi Account as on your phone |
| 20032 | Too many attempts. | Wait 24 hours before trying again |
If the utility freezes at 99%, don't panic. Often the process is already done on the server side, and the phone just hasn't received confirmation. Try restarting the program, reconnecting the cable, or even restarting the phone to Fastboot mode again and trying again.
What if the timer shows 360 hours?
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
Once you successfully unlock the bootloader, you have a lot of options to modify the system, and the first step is usually to install a customized Recovery, such as the TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), which allows you to make full backups, install unsigned firmware, and obtain Root rights.
For the Redmi Note 9 Pro (codename curtana) must be downloaded twrp.img. Place the file in the tool folder ADB/Fastboot. Put your phone in Fastboot mode and connect to your PC. Open the command line in this folder and type a command to check the connection.
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
fastboot boot twrp.imgThe first command records the image of the recovery in the appropriate partition of memory, and the second one runs it. Importantly, after the first reboot, the Xiaomi staff bootloader can try to rewrite the standard recapture back. To avoid this, immediately after the firmware is installed, you need to boot into Recovery mode, pressing the volume button up and power, and select Wipe Data or simply reboot to the system through the TWRP menu.
⚠️ Note: Installing custom recavator and modifying the system partition can lead to loss of warranty and disruption of banking applications (Google Pay, Mir Pay.
Now your Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is fully unlocked and ready to experiment.You can install custom firmware such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or optimized versions of MIUI. Remember that all changes you make at your own risk, so always have the original firmware at hand to return the device to its original state.