How to reset the password on Xiaomi Redmi 9: step-by-step instructions

When access to a smartphone is blocked, it always comes at the wrong time. Users often forget the complex combinations they invented to protect personal data. Xiaomi Redmi 9 is equipped with modern security systems, including graphic keys, digital keys, and other security features. PIN-But if the facial recognition system or fingerprint system fails and the code is forgotten, the device becomes an impregnable fortress. In this article, we will analyze proven ways to restore access to the system without the need to carry the gadget to the service center.

There are several ways to solve the problem, depending on whether the phone is tied to the Mi Account and whether the device search option was enabled. Some ways allow you to save photos and contacts, others require complete deletion of data. It is important to understand that modern versions of the MIUI shell have enhanced protection, so simple rounds may not work. Below are the current solutions to help regain control of your Redmi 9.

Before we take action, we need to evaluate the criticality of the information stored, if the device does not have important files, the process will be faster and easier. If you need to save data, your options are narrowed. Next, we will look at algorithms from simple recovery through the cloud to radical but effective hard reset.

Restoring access through your Mi Account

The most civilized way to unlock is to use the company’s cloud service. If your Xiaomi Redmi 9 has logged in to your Mi Account and enabled the Find Device feature, you can remove the lock remotely. This will require any other device with Internet access, whether it is a computer or another smartphone. Go to the official website of the Xiaomi cloud service and log in under the same credentials.

Once you've successfully logged in, the system will suggest you select a device from your list of attached gadgets. Find your Redmi 9 and select the unlock option. This method only works when you're having an active Internet connection on a locked phone. If your Offline device, the command will be executed when you first connect it to the network.

⚠️ Note: Remote unlock may not work on some global firmware versions or if a long time has elapsed since the last sync.

It is worth noting that this method does not delete personal data of the user. After completing the command, a notification about successful unlock may appear on the phone screen, after which a new access code can be installed, this is the most gentle option for those who are afraid of losing important photos or correspondence in messengers.

Resetting with Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If cloud-based methods are not available, you will have to resort to hardware reset. This method is guaranteed to remove any password, but completely clears the internal memory of the device. Before starting the procedure, make sure that the battery charge is at least 50-60%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can damage the system files and turn the phone into a brick.

To enter recovery mode on Xiaomi Redmi 9, you need to complete a sequence of actions with the buttons. Turn off the smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the volume button and the power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume button.

β˜‘οΈ Preparation for Hard Reset

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When the Recovery menu appears on the screen (usually black with yellow or blue arrows), the navigation is done with volume buttons and the power button selects. You need to find the Wipe Data item and confirm the selection, then the system can request confirmation by entering the word yes or selecting Confirm.

Once the cleaning process is complete, select Reboot and then Reboot to System. The phone will reboot as new. At the initial setup stage, the system will require you to enter a password from the Mi Account that was synced to the device earlier, a security measure against theft known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection).

Google Search for My Device Service

An alternative to Xiaomi’s branded service is Google’s standard utility: If a blocked Redmi 9 has a Google account active and geolocation enabled, you can use the Find a Device platform. Go to the relevant Google site from any browser and log in to the account associated with the phone.

In the management interface, select your device, and you'll have three options: "Call," "Block," and "Clear the device." We're interested in cleaning. When you choose this option, all data will be deleted, including the forgotten lock password, which is irreversible.

  • πŸ“± The method requires an active internet connection on a locked phone (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
  • 🌐 Geolocation should be enabled in the settings before blocking.
  • πŸ”’ After reset, you will need to enter a password from a Google account to confirm ownership.

It is important to understand the difference between a local Mi Account and a global Google. Depending on the region of the firmware version (CN, Global, EEA), different security systems may be given priority. If one method fails, it makes sense to try the second.

Unlocking through Fastboot and PC mode

For advanced users who haven’t been helped by standard methods, there’s Fastboot mode, which allows you to interact directly with your device via your computer, and requires a USB cable, a PC with ADB and Fastboot drivers installed, and a Mi Flash Tool or similar utility.

Turn on your phone in Fastboot mode, holding both the power and volume button. The screen will show an image of a hare repairing an android. Connect the device to a computer. You can try to send a command to reset partition userdata through the command line, but on modern versions of MIUI this often requires an unlocked bootloader, which can not be obtained without an unlocked screen.

Nuances unlocking the loader
For official unlocking of the bootloader requires a wait of 7 to 30 days and the presence of SIM-Without an unlocked bootloader, deep reset via Fastboot is impossible because of Secure Boot protection.

However, logging into Fastboot is useful for diagnosis, and if the phone doesn’t respond to buttons when off, this mode will help check the integrity of the buttons, and you can also reflash the device through Fastboot if you have a system error after resetting the password.

Table of comparison of methods of unlocking

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have systematized the main ways in the table, pay attention to the requirements of the Internet and the risks of losing information.

MethodData retentionWe need the Internet.Difficulty
Mi Cloud (Remotely)Yes.Yes (on the phone and PC)Low.
Google Find My DeviceNo (full reset)Yes (on the phone and PC)Low.
Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)No (full reset)No (for FRP only)Medium
Service centreDepends on the master.No.High (cost)

As you can see from the table, the only way to save data is through the Mi cloud service, and only if it was pre-configured. In all other cases, a complete data reset is an inevitable condition for removing the screen lock on modern Xiaomi smartphones.

What to do after resetting: setting up and FRP

Once Hard Reset is successful, the phone will start in its initial setup mode. The interface language, Wi-Fi connection, and date entry are standard steps. However, the most important step is to check security. Android will request owner confirmation.

You'll be asked to enter a password from a Google account or Mi Account that was previously used on this device, which is FRP. If you don't remember the passwords from the mailboxes, it's going to be extremely difficult to restore access, and sometimes only contacting the official service with a check for a purchase helps.

πŸ’‘

Save checks and a box from your smartphone.A document confirming the purchase (IMEI-The code on the box must match the device, is the only legal way to prove possession of the device when locked. FRP.

Once you have successfully logged in, the phone will load the desktop, and you should set up biometric security (fingerprint or face) immediately, as it is inconvenient to type a complex password every time, and it is very easy to forget it again, and set up a backup of contacts and photos to the cloud so that you don’t have to worry about data safety in the future.

πŸ“Š How did you restore access?
Through the Mi Account.
Through a Google account
Hard Reset buttons
He took it to service.
I haven't tried it yet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I reset my password without losing my photos and contacts?
Without data loss, it is possible only if synchronization with Mi Cloud or Google Photos was enabled. The password itself is almost impossible to remove without deleting data on modern versions of Android (7.0 and above) for security reasons.
What is FRP lock and how to get around it?
FRP is a reset protection that only requires a knowledge of account passwords to get around legally, and there are workarounds to exploit vulnerabilities (TalkBack, special applications) that are closed by security updates and require deep technical knowledge.
The phone asks for the code after the reboot, I don't remember it.
This is standard Android behavior. Once you reboot, the biometrics (finger/face) don't work, you need input. PIN-If the code is forgotten, only a complete reset through the Recovery Mode described above will help.
Dropped his phone, but he says, "Device locked by owner."
This means that the phone was locked through a Find Device Mi Account, and you have to enter the username and password of the Mi Account, which was the last one on the device, without it, you can't use the phone.
Will the reflashing help to remove the password?
Yes, full Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool Fastboot will remove the password, but it's a more complex process that requires PCs, drivers, and stable internet, and it will also completely delete all data from the phone.

πŸ’‘

The most reliable way to avoid problems with a forgotten password is to regularly back up data and use biometrics in conjunction with a simple but memorable one. PIN-code.