Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to get extended access rights to the system. The Redmi Note 9S is no exception and is very popular among enthusiasts who want to install custom firmware or remove system debris. The process of unlocking the bootloader is the first and most important step on this path, requiring care and preparation.
It is important to understand that the procedure is officially authorized by the manufacturer, but has its own technical nuances and time limits: the standard waiting time is 168 hours (7 days) from the moment of attachment of the account, and it is impossible to circumvent it by official methods. Ignoring security rules can lead to locking the device or loss of warranty, so each step must be done consciously.
In this guide, we will discuss in detail the preparation of the account, install drivers, work with the Mi Unlock Tool utility and solve typical errors. You will learn how to properly prepare the Redmi Note 9S for modification to avoid turning the smartphone into a “brick”.
Preparation of Mi Account and device binding
The first and most important condition is to have an active Mi Account. If you plan to unlock the bootloader, you will need to have an active Mi Account. SIM-card with mobile internet, as the link is via the cellular network, not Wi-Fi. Register your account in advance and make sure that the phone number is linked to it.
You need to activate the developer mode on your Redmi Note. 9S. To do this, go to the settings, select About Phone and quickly press 7 times on Version. MIUI". After the inscription “You became a developer” will open a new menu in the system.
- 🔑 Go to Settings. → Advanced settings → For developers.
- 📱 Activate the "Debugging by" switch USB".
- 🔗 Click on Mi Unlock Status and select Add Account and Device".
- 📶 Make sure that mobile internet is turned on at this point (Wi-Fi is better off).
⚠️ Warning: If you get an error “Can’t Add” when trying to link, try changing the region in your phone settings to “India” or “Singapore”, then restart the device and try again.
Once the link is successfully linked, the system will report that the device is linked to the account, from which point the waiting timer begins counting, do not try to log out or reset during this period, otherwise the timer will reset and you will have to wait 7 days again.
Necessary tools and driver installation
You'll need a Windows computer to do the operation. While there are methods for Linux and macOS, the official Mi Unlock Tool is most stable in Windows 10 or 11. You'll need an original or quality USB Type-C cable that can transfer data, not just charge the device.
A critical step is to install the correct ADB and Fastboot drivers. Without them, the computer will not be able to properly interact with the phone in bootloader mode. It is recommended to download the official driver package from the developer's website or use a universal installer that automatically determines the necessary components for the Redmi Note 9S.
☑️ Checking readiness for unlocking
Download the current version of Mi Unlock from the official website. Older versions of the utility may not support new versions of MIUI installed on your device, or contain errors that lead to a process freeze. Unpack the archive in the root folder of the disk so that the path does not contain Cyrillic characters.
Unlocking process with Mi Unlock Tool
When the waiting timer is up and all the drivers are installed, you can go to directly unlock. Put the Redmi Note 9S smartphone into Fastboot mode. To do this, turn off the device completely, and then press the volume buttons "Down" and power at the same time. Hold them until the image of a hare repairing an android, or the inscription FASTBOOT.
Connect your phone to your computer with a cable. Run the Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator and log in to your Mi Account. The utility must automatically identify the connected device. If the status is displayed as "Connected", click the "Unlock" button.
The system will issue a warning that all data will be deleted. This is Xiaomi's standard security procedure. Confirm the action, and the unlock process will begin. The progress bar will show the stages of execution: status verification, unlocking and clearing the data.
If the process is 99% dead or there is a mistake, don’t panic.
Often, it helps to reconnect the cable or restart the program.Once successfully completed, the phone will automatically restart. The first run may take longer than usual, as the system will create new encrypted partitions. The bootloader screen will display an open padlock icon, indicating successful unlocking.
What if the Mi Unlock Tool can't see the phone?
Typical errors and methods of their elimination
Users often encounter error codes that can be confusing. One of the most common problems is the "Couldn't verify device" error, which occurs if you try to unlock your phone using an account that has not been linked to that particular device for the required time.
Another common problem is the error "Current account is different from the account info on the device." This means that in the Mi Unlock Tool program you are logged in under one account and your phone is linked to another.
| Error code | Description of the problem | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| 10004 | Network or server error | Check your internet connection, try changing your DNS or using a VPN |
| 20040 | Wrong account. | Sign in to Mi Unlock with the same account as your phone |
| Unlocked | The bootloader is already unlocked. | No re-unlocking is required, you can stitch |
| Device locked | Timer hasn't expired. | You must wait for the remaining time (indicated in the hours) |
Sometimes the utility can freeze during the security check phase, and in such cases, using a different version helps. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 instead of 3.0) or a cable replacement. It's also worth trying running the program in Windows 7 or 8 compatibility mode.
⚠️ Note: If the program says "Unlock prohibited" or "Too frequent attempts", the lock can last from 24 hours to 30 days.
Resetting the Forgotten Mi Account (FRP Lock)
Special attention should be paid to the situation when the phone is locked by the previous owner or you forgot the password from the Mi Account associated with the device. This is FRP (Factory Reset Protection). Officially unlock such a Redmi Note 9S without a password is impossible - this is a security measure against theft.
If you are the legal owner but don’t remember the data, the only legal way to do this is to restore access through the Mi Account website to your phone number or backup email, and if you bought the device with your handheld account blocked, you will need to contact the seller to unblock it.
- 🔒 Attempts to find a password will repeatedly lead to a temporary lock of input.
- 🛠 Recovery reset does not remove your Google or Mi Account link.
- 📉 Using third-party "wonder boxes" to remove FRP Can permanently block the processor.
There are software-based methods of bypassing that often vary depending on the MIUI version and the patch security level, but they are temporary and do not guarantee stable operation, and should only be relied on in extreme cases and with technical knowledge.
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If you are buying used Xiaomi, always ask the seller to log out of your Mi Account and Google Account, and perform a full reset before handing over the device.
Impact of Unblocking and Security Measures
Unlocking the bootloader is an irreversible action in terms of data security and security. After this procedure, Widevine L1 may drop to L3 level, which will make it impossible to view content from Netflix and some other streaming services in high resolution (HD/4K).
Banking applications may also stop working due to a system integrity breach, and enthusiasts are using Magisk modules like MagiskHide or Zygisk to hide the fact that they are unlocked from high-security applications.
The data on the phone is encrypted, but the protection becomes less reliable compared to the closed state.
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Unlocking the bootloader gives complete freedom of action with the system, but removes part of the factory protections and can affect the operation of banking applications and streaming services.
If you decide to return the device to its original state, you can execute the command fastboot oem lock, but this is only possible on stock (original) firmware. Trying to lock the bootloader on custom firmware will make it impossible to boot the system.