Forgot the pattern lock or PIN-code 9A? Can't unlock your phone after buying it with your hands? The situation is familiar to many - according to statistics, 23% of users have experienced locking their own device at least once. Fortunately, you can reset your password in a number of ways, even if you don’t have access to your Mi Account.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of unlocking, from official (via Xiaomi account) to radical (full reset via Fastboot). Importantly, some methods lead to data loss, so first check whether the phone is connected to the Mi Cloud - this will help restore contacts and photos after a reset. If you bought a Redmi 9A used, make sure that the previous owner untethered the device from his account - otherwise unlocking may require contacting the service center.
Warning for Redmi owners 9A custom firmware: If the phone has unofficial firmware installed (like LineageOS), standard Recovery reset methods may not work. EDL-a regime that is more complex and risky.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The safest method is to use a phone-linked Mi Account, which works if:
- 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
- 🔑 You remember the username and password from Mi Account that was tied to the device.
- 🔄 Find the device activated in the settings.
If all conditions are met, follow the instructions:
- On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password?).
- Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
- Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
- Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
What if the confirmation code doesn't come in? Check the spam folder in the mail or try to request the code again in 5 minutes. SMS It doesn't come, make sure SIM-Card inserted into phone (for numbers linked to account).
💡
If you do not remember the password from Mi Account, restore it on the official website account.xiaomi.com. Use the backup email or phone number specified during registration.
2.Reset via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
If Mi Account is lost, the radical method is hard reset through recovery mode, which removes all data from your phone, including photos, messages and installed apps. Use it only as a last resort!
Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi 9A:
- Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
- Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- Release the buttons – you will be taken to the Recovery Mode menu (manage by the volume and power buttons).
- Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use the power button to confirm).
- Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
- After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.
Attention! Some Redmi 9A firmware after Hard Reset may require input from Mi Account, which was previously linked to the phone. This is Factory Reset Protection (FRP). If you don't know the username/password, the phone will remain locked!
Turn off your Google account (if your phone is unlocked)
Make a backup copy of important data
Charge your phone at least 50%
Make sure you know the data from your Mi Account (if FRP is active)
-->
3. Unlock via Fastboot (for power users)
If Recovery Mode is not available or requires a password, you can use Fastboot Mode. This method is suitable for users familiar with the command prompt, as it requires connecting the phone to the computer.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (You can download it from Xiaomi or Mi Flash Tool).
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 📥 Firmware archive for Redmi 9A (Download from the official Miui Download website).
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: press the Power button + Volume down for 10 seconds.
- Connect Redmi 9A to your computer via USB.
- Open the Command Prompt (CMD) on your PC and type:
fastboot devices(If you have a phone number, you will see the serial number.)
- Enter the command to unlock the bootloader (if it is blocked):
fastboot oem unlock⚠️ Warning: this command erases all data and resets the phone to factory settings. Some devices will require confirmation via Mi Account.
- After unlocking, swipe the phone with the official firmware:
fastboot flash all [name file firmware.zip]If the command is not executed, check if debugging over USB is allowed in the developer settings (if the phone has ever been unlocked).
What if Fastboot can’t see the phone?
4.Use of the "Find Device" function (Mi Cloud)
If Redmi 9A has Find the Device enabled and the phone is connected to the Internet, you can reset the password remotely via the Mi Cloud web interface, which works even if the phone is turned off (the next time you connect to the network, you will execute a command).
Instructions:
- Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
- In the Devices section, select your Redmi 9A.
- Press Find the device. → Erase the data.
- Confirm the action by entering the password from the account.
⚠️ Warning: After remote cleaning, the phone will be unlocked, but all data (including photos and apps) will be deleted.If the phone has been synced to Mi Cloud, contacts and notes will be restored automatically after re-authorization.
Limitation: If your phone has firmware older than MIUI 12, the remote reset function may not work, in which case use Fastboot or Recovery Mode.
5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If all of these methods did not work (for example, because of the previous owner’s blocked Mi Account), you can contact the official Xiaomi service center.
What will be required:
- 📄 Check or warranty card (if the phone is guaranteed).
- 🆔 Passport of the owner (to confirm ownership).
- 📱 The Redmi phone itself 9A chargeable%.
Cost and timing: unlocking through the service will cost 1,500-3,000 rubles (depending on the region) and take from 1 to 3 days. In some cases, you may need to flash the device, which increases the cost to 4000-5,000 rubles.
⚠️ Please note: do not contact unofficial services that offer "Mi Account bypass in 5 minutes:
- 🚫 Installation of unlicensed software (virus risk).
- 🔧 Breakdown of the module IMEI (phone will lose contact).
- 📵 Blocking the device by Xiaomi servers (blacklist).
Yes, through Mi Account.
Yeah, through Hard Reset.
No, I'm afraid of losing my data.
Buying an unlocked phone
Another option-->
6.How to avoid blocking in the future
To avoid the problem of the Redmi 9A being blocked again, follow the following simple rules:
| Problem. | Decision |
|---|---|
| Forgot the pattern lock. | Use it. PIN-Fingerprint or code as a backup method of unlocking. |
| Mi Account Access Lost | Link backup email and phone number, enable two-factor authentication. |
| Phone stolen or lost | Activate Find the device and remote lock in Mi Cloud. |
| Buying a used phone | Check if the previous owner’s Mi Account is untied (request a reset via Settings → Accounts). |
Tip for Redmi 9A owners: back up important data regularly through Settings → System & Device → Backup. This will allow you to quickly recover information after a reset.
💡
If you plan to sell the Redmi 9A, be sure to reset through Settings → Reset, not Recovery.This will remove the binding to your Mi Account and avoid problems for the new owner.