When you pick up your Xiaomi Redmi 9 and realize you can't unlock the screen, it happens more often than you think, and it can be a simple forgetfulness, a child accidentally changing the combination, or even a failure in the touch layer that doesn't recognize touch correctly, and at that point, the main thing is not to panic, because the Android operating system and the MIUI shell have several mechanisms for restoring access.
It is important to realize right away that most effective screen-disabled techniques will result in the complete deletion of user data.Photos, contacts and apps will be erased unless you back up in the Mi Cloud or Google Drive cloud in advance.However, if the goal is simply to get the phone back on track, these sacrifices are inevitable. Below we look at proven methods, from the simplest to more sophisticated technical manipulations.
Using Mi Accounts to Remotely Unblock
The most civilized and safe way to restore access to the device is to use the Find Device feature built into the Xiaomi ecosystem, which only works if the locked smartphone has logged in to the Mi Account, enabled data transfer (Wi-Fi or mobile Internet) and activated the appropriate option in the security settings. If these conditions are met, you do not need to connect the phone to the computer.
To start, you have to go to the official website of the cloud service from any other device that has Internet access. The interface of the site selects your device from the list, then the management menu becomes available. It is important not to confuse the lock function with the reset function, because they perform different actions. We need to clear the data to remove the password.
- 📱 Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi. ID.
- 🔍 From the menu, select your Redmi 9 icon (or click Find the Device»).
- 🗑️ Click the “Wipe Data” button and confirm the action.
Once the command is sent, the phone should receive a signal to reset. The screen will go out, and the formatting process will begin, which can take several minutes. Upon completion, the device will restart in its original state, as soon as it is purchased. Attention: if the phone is offline, the command will be executed automatically as soon as it appears on the network.
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If you have two-factor authorization enabled, make sure you have access to a phone number or backup email to receive a confirmation code when you sign in to your Mi Account.
Reset via Recovery (Hard Reset)
If cloud services are not available, the most reliable method is forced reset via the recovery menu, a mode known as Recovery Mode built into the firmware at a low level and allows you to control the system bypassing the locked interface. To log in on Xiaomi smartphones, a combination of physical buttons is used, making the method available even with a completely broken sensor.
Before starting the procedure, make sure the battery is at least 30-40% so that the phone does not turn off at a critical moment.It is also recommended to remove the SD card if it is installed so as not to accidentally format external data, although modern versions of MIUI usually ask for confirmation.The login process may require several attempts, as button pressing timing plays an important role.
☑️ Preparation for Hard Reset
The algorithm is simple enough, but it requires care. You have to turn off your smartphone completely, and then you have to press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then you can release the power button by continuing to hold the volume button. When a menu with several points appears on a black or white background, the buttons can be released.
⚠️ Attention: In the Recovery menu, volume buttons (up/down) control the item, and the power button selects the item. Don't confuse these actions, otherwise you may accidentally start an unnecessary process.
Using the volume buttons, go down to Wipe Data and press the power button for confirmation. Next, the system will ask you to confirm the selection by suggesting the Wipe All Data item. After approval, the cleaning process will begin, the progress of which will be displayed as a percentage. After completion, select Reboot -> Reboot to System to run the normal operating system.
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Hard Reset is a versatile method that works even if the touch screen doesn’t respond fully, as the controls are done by physical buttons.
Unlocking through Fastboot and PC mode
A more complex, but sometimes necessary, method involves using Fastboot mode and a computer, which is often used if the Recovery menu is damaged or blocked, or if you need a deeper cleaning of the system partitions. USB-cable, PC with installed drivers ADB/Fastboot and the Mi Flash Tool or similar.
To put Redmi 9 into Fastboot mode, you need to turn off your phone and press the power and volume buttons at the same time, and the image of a rabbit repairing an android will appear on the screen, and the inscription FASTBOOT will appear. Connect the device to your computer. If the drivers are installed correctly, the Android Bootloader Interface will appear in Windows Device Manager.
Using the command line requires caution. Opening the terminal in the tool folder, you can enter a command to clean the data partition. However, it is easier and safer to use the graphical interface of the firmware. Select the Clean option, which guarantees the removal of all user data and password reset.
fastboot erase userdata
fastboot erase cacheExecuting these commands via ADB or using the Clean feature in Mi Flash will result in a full formatting of the user partition. Once the operation is complete, the phone will automatically restart. This method is especially useful if the standard volume buttons do not work or stuck, preventing you from entering Recovery.
Comparison of password resetting methods
The choice of the method depends on your situation, the presence of a computer and the state of the device itself, and to make it easier for you to navigate, we have prepared a comparative table of the main characteristics of each method, which will help you quickly assess the risks and the resources required.
| Method | I need a PC. | Data retention | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Account (Cloud) | No. | No (removes everything) | Low. |
| Recovery Mode | No. | No (removes everything) | Medium |
| Fastboot + PC | Yes. | No (removes everything) | Tall. |
| Google Find My Device | No. | No (removes everything) | Low. |
As you can see from the table, none of the standard methods allow you to save data with a forgotten password unless you have pre-synced, this is done for security reasons so that an attacker can not access your personal information, so regular backups are the only insurance against data loss.
Why can't we save the data?
The problem of activating the Mi Account after resetting
Once you successfully reset, you will encounter the initial setup screen, where the MIUI security system will request confirmation of the owner, and if the phone has a Mi Account on it before the reset, the system will require you to enter the password from it, which is the Anti-theft protection feature.
You may also need to enter a password from your Google account if your phone was linked to a search engine, which is not an option to ignore, as the device will remain locked during the welcome phase, and if you don’t remember the Mi Account password, you need to restore it through id.mi.com before setting up your phone.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t try to guess the Mi Account password many times in a row.After several failed attempts, the account may be temporarily blocked by security and access to the recovery will be lost for 24 hours.
In case the phone was bought from hand and the previous owner did not untie the device from his account, you will have to contact him to access or provide a check for a purchase to the Xiaomi service center for official unlock.
Common Errors and How to Resolve Them
Unlocking is often a difficult process, and one of the most common mistakes is to log in to Recovery mode incorrectly. Some versions of Redmi 9 firmware instead of the recovery menu, the Mi logo appears and the phone is simply booted into the system, so you should try pressing the buttons a little earlier or, conversely, delaying them longer.
Another problem is hanging on the Mi logo (Bootloop) after reset, which can be due to damage to system files or a lack of battery power during formatting. If the phone is stuck on the logo for more than 10-15 minutes, try repeating the Recovery login procedure and reset again, making sure the device is connected to the charger.
- 🔋 Phone does not turn on after reset: Leave it on charging on 1-2 for an hour, then try to turn on.
- 🔄 Infinite Reboot: Try logging into Fastboot and flashing the official firmware again.
- 📡 Network Error During Activation: Make sure SIM-The card is active and has Internet or connect to Wi-Fi.
If none of these methods works and the phone is not behaving properly, it may be a hardware problem, such as a failure of the volume button or memory, in which case the only correct solution is to go to an authorized service center, where specialists will diagnose and, if necessary, re-silver components or restore software through the programmer.
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Successful password reset is only half the battle, and make sure to set up a backup and write down your credentials to avoid a repeat of the situation.