Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 remains one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but even its owners sometimes face the problem of a locked screen, PIN-A code or password can turn a device into a brick, especially if you don't configure sync with your Mi Account or your fingerprint. In this article, we'll look at all the current ways to unlock, from official to technical, with firmware features in mind. MIUI and hardware limitations of the Redmi Note 9.
Itโs important to understand that the methods vary in complexity and consequences: some allow you to save data (for example, through a Xiaomi account), others lead to a complete reset to factory settings. We will describe each option in detail, specify the risks and give recommendations for data recovery after unlocking. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to contact the service center so as not to damage the data. EMMC-memory.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The safest method is if the Redmi Note 9 has a Xiaomi account attached and the Find Device feature is enabled, which works even without an internet connection on the phone itself, so the account is active and confirmed.
Algorithm of action:
- ๐ Go to account.xiaomi.com from your computer or other device.
- ๐ Sign in with the same login and password used on the locked phone.
- ๐ฑ In the Devices section, select your Redmi Note 9 (by model or by model). IMEI).
- ๐ Click โUnlock the screenโ and confirm the action through SMS email.
โ Pros: does not require data reset, works remotely, supported by Xiaomi officially.
โ Cons: If your account is not tied or your phone is not connected, it wonโt work, and if you unlock it, you may need to re-authorize some applications (e.g. Google Pay).
โ ๏ธ Note: If two-level authentication was enabled on the phone (2FA), Unlocking requires access to a backup code or an authenticator application, without which you cannot restore access through Mi Account.
2.Reset via Recovery Mode (without loss of data)
If the Mi Account is not tied, but the phone is enabled to debug over USB (ADB), you can try to reset the password through Restore mode.This method is suitable for Redmi Note 9 with unlocked bootloader or custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
- Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears (about 10 seconds).
- In the Recovery menu, select Connect with MiAssistant (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB and run the Mi Flash Tool or ADB.
- Enter the command: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key or PIN-code: adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
- Restart the device (reboot).
๐น Important: This method only works on older versions MIUI (before 12.5). On new firmware, password files are stored in an encrypted partition /data, Removal of these rights requires root rights.
โ๏ธ Preparing for resetting through Recovery
3 Hard Reset (Hard Reset) via Fastboot
If previous methods didn't work, it's a factory reset, which will delete all the data, including photos, contacts and apps, but it will return access to the phone. On the Redmi Note 9, resetting via Fastboot is more reliable than recovery, because it bypasses MIUI locks.
Step-by-step:
- ๐ Turn off your phone and connect it to your PC via USB.
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Hold the Loud down. + Meals to enter Fastboot Mode (screen with rabbit and Fastboot inscription).
- ๐ฅ Download the official firmware for Redmi Note 9 (merlin merlin_in depending on the region).
- ๐ ๏ธ Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool. Select Clear All mode (complete cleanup).
- ๐ Click Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).
โ ๏ธ Warning: After a hard reset, the phone will require a re-authorization in the Mi Account if previously tied.If you do not remember your account details, the device can be locked for 72 hours (Xiaomi's anti-theft policy).
| Unlocking method | Data retention | PC required | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Account | โ Yes. | โ No. | โญ |
| Recovery (ADB) | โ Yes* | โ Yes. | โญโญโญ |
| Fastboot (Hard Reset) | โ No. | โ Yes. | โญโญ |
| Service centre | โ Yes** | โ No. | โญโญโญโญ |
*Only on firmware older than MIUI 12.5.
** Data can be stored when physically connected to the equipment.
4. Unlock through EDL Mode (for advanced users)
This method requires special equipment (EDL-cable or boxing) and only suitable for power users.The wrong actions can permanently damage the phone! EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) allows you to stitch your phone at a low level, bypassing all locks. MIUI.
What you need:
- ๐ง EDL-cable (or closing the contacts Test Point on the board).
- ๐ป Mi Flash Pro or QFilm.
- ๐.mbn firmware for Redmi Note 9 (model) M2003J15SC or similar).
๐น Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone, remove the back cover, and find Test Point (usually next to the battery).
- Close the contacts with tweezers and connect USB-cable - the phone will go into EDL Mode (black screen).
- In Mi Flash Pro, select firmware and click โFlashโ.
- After completion (10-15 minutes), the phone will restart in factory condition.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Use EDL Mode can lead to loss IMEI It's not recommended without experience, and service centers use professional boxes (UFi, Octoplus) to do this).
What is Test Point and where to find it?
5. Contacting a service center: when nothing helps
If you don't succeed in your own attempts to unlock, you just have to go to an authorized Xiaomi service center, which is the most reliable, but also the most expensive way, and the cost of the service depends on the reason for the blocking:
- ๐ Password reset without data loss: 1500โ3000 โฝ (If the phone is not tied to the Mi Account).
๐น How to choose a service:
Check if the center has the status of โXiaomi Authorized Service Partnerโ on the official website. Avoid โgarageโ workshops โ unqualified intervention can lead to the loss of warranty or breakage of the motherboard.
๐ What to take with you:
- ๐ Checks or warranty card (if the phone is guaranteed).
- ๐ Passport (to confirm possession).
- ๐ Charged phone (minimum 30%).
๐ก
Before visiting the service, take a photo of IMEI (on the box or in the phone settings, if available), this will help to avoid replacing components.
6. How to recover data after resetting the password
If you had to do a Hard Reset, not all the data is lost forever.
๐ฑ Contacts and notes:
If you have synced with Google Account or Mi Cloud, your contacts will automatically recover after you log in.
- ๐ Settings โ Accounts. โ Google โ Synchronization.
- โ๏ธ Settings โ Mi Account โ Cloud. โ Restore.
๐ท Photos and videos:
If the photos are stored on SD-To recover deleted files from internal memory, use software:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ DiskDigger (for Android).
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Recuva (if you connect the memory as an external disk through a card reader).
โ ๏ธ Warning: Do not write new data to your phone after a reset, which reduces the chances of recovering old files. Use another medium to save the recovered data.
๐ฎ Saving games and applications:
Most modern games (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) link progress to a Google Play or Mi Game Center account. Log in after a reset to return saves. For local games (such as Minecraft), recovery is unlikely.
7.How to avoid blocking in the future
To avoid the issue of the Redmi Note 9 being blocked again, follow these tips:
- ๐ Use biometric unlocking (fingerprint or facial recognition) as a backup method.
- โ๏ธ Enable synchronization with Mi Cloud (Settings) โ Mi Account โ Cloud).
- ๐ Write it down. PIN-Password code or password in the password manager (e.g. Bitwarden or Google Password Manager).
- ๐ง Check regularly if the bootloader is unlocked (Settings) โ The phone. โ Version. MIUI, Tap 7 times, then additionally โ For developers โ Unlocking OEM).
๐น What to do if you forget your password:
If you tend to forget passwords, set up a Smart Lock (Settings โ Screen Lock โ Smart Lock).This feature automatically unlocks the phone in trusted places (such as at home) or when connecting to trusted devices (such as the Mi Band).
๐ก
The most reliable way to avoid data loss is to back up regularly via Mi Cloud or Google Drive, and even if your phone gets locked, you can quickly recover important information.