How to remove the password from Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: all ways to unlock

Introduction

The forgotten password on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is a situation that many users face, especially when the smartphone contains important data: photos, contacts or work documents. Fortunately, there are official and informal methods of unlocking, but each of them has its own nuances.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to undo a Redmi Note 9 password, including using a Mi Account, resetting via Recovery Mode, ADB commands, and alternative options for devices with an unlocked bootloader. It’s important to understand that some methods will lead to complete data loss, so try the safe options first.

If you are not sure of your actions, you should contact the Xiaomi service center, but if you are ready to act on your own, let's go!

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The safest method is to use a linked Mi Account, which works if you have Find a device on your smartphone and you have Internet access. Here's how to do this:

• 🌐 Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in under your login.
• 🔍 In the Devices section, find your Redmi Note 9 and select Find the Device option.
• 🔓 Click Unlock the screen and confirm the action through SMS email.
• 📱 Through 5-10 The password will be reset and a notification will arrive on the phone.

⚠️ Note: If the device is disconnected or the Mi Account is not tied, this method will not work, and Xiaomi can request proof of identity (passport data) to protect against fraudsters.

💡

If you don't remember the password from Mi Account, try to restore it via email or phone number. To do this, click Forgot the password? on the login page.

This method doesn't delete data from your phone, so it's worth trying first, and if your account isn't tied or your device is offline, go to the next one.

2.Reset via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

Hard reset is a radical method that deletes all data, including passwords, suitable if other methods are not available.

1. Turn off the smartphone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when the Recovery Mode menu opens (English or Chinese).
4. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action by choosing Confirm and wait for the process to be completed.
6. Restart your phone via Reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Once reset, Redmi Note 9 will return to factory settings, all apps, photos and settings will be permanently deleted, and if the phone has been enabled to sync with Google or Mi Cloud, some of the data can be restored after authorization.

Turn off the phone.

Charge the battery by at least 50%

Prepare a backup of important data (if available)

Make sure you know the username/password from Mi Account (may be required after resetting)-->

If the phone requires you to enter the old password after reset, then the Reset Protection (FRP) function was activated, in which case you will need authorization through the Mi Account, which was associated with the device.

3. Unlock through ADB (for power users)

The method is suitable if the Redmi Note 9 is debugging on USB and has access to the computer. This is one of the few ways to get around the password without losing data, but it requires preparation.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB (If not activated in advance, the method will not work).

Instructions:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 9 to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute the commands:

adb devices


adb shell




su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/password.key




rm /data/system/pattern.key




rm /data/system/locksettings.db




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm




reboot

⚠️ Attention: If debugging is on USB It wasn't turned on before the lock, it won't work. MIUI Root access may be required, which voids the warranty.

After the reset, the password will be reset, but there may be problems with Google FRP (Request Account after Reset).

4.Using Fastboot to unlock the bootloader

If previous methods didn’t help, and the Redmi Note 9 has unlocked the bootloader, you can try flashing custom recovery (TWRP) and delete password files through it, which requires technical skills and is only suitable for advanced users.

Step-by-step:

1. Download TWRP for Redmi Note 9 (model merlin) from the official website twrp.me.
2. Install Fastboot Tools on your computer (part of the Android SDK).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
4. Connect the device to the PC and execute the command:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot boot twrp.img

After uploading to TWRP:

1. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
2. Delete files: /data/system/gesture.key, /data/system/password.key, /data/system/locksettings.db.
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot's wrong actions can make your phone malfunction. If you're not sure, don't take risks! TWRP Anti-Rollback protection may work, which will lead to the inability to update the firmware by official means.

Reset via Recovery

Mi Account

ADB

Fastboot/TWRP

Never blocked your phone.-->

5. Alternative methods (for specific cases)

If the standard methods didn't work, you can try the less common ones, and they're suitable for rare situations, like when you:

• 🔄 Phone locked after firmware.
• 🔧 Protection on. FRP, But there's no access to the Mi Account.
• 📦 You need to save data before resetting.

One of these methods is to use service codes or specialized programs like the Mi Flash Tool, but they require:

• 🖥️ Windows computer.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.
• 📄 Firmware file for Redmi Note 9 (version must match!).

Examples of Mi Flash Tool:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for your model from Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
4. Select the firmware folder and press Flash.

⚠️ Note: Firmware via the Mi Flash Tool deletes all data and may result in the blocking of your Mi Account if the device was linked to another region (for example, purchased in China).

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If the Redmi Note 9 is purchased in China (CN version), unlocking through Mi Account may not be possible without a Chinese phone number, in which case only a reset via Recovery or contacting the service will help.

Comparison of Unlocking Methods

To choose the best way, compare them by key parameters:

As you can see from the table, the safest method is to unlock through Mi Account, but it doesn't always work. If the data isn't important, Hard Reset is the fastest option. For advanced users, ADB or TWRP will work, but they require preparation.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to unlock the Redmi Note 9, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔌 "The phone is not defined by the computer" → Check drivers, cable and port USB. Try another computer.
• 🔒 "After reset, requires an old password" → It's FRP-I need to log in through Mi Account.
• ⚡ "The phone does not turn on after the firmware" → Maybe the wrong firmware version or the process is interrupted.
• 📱 "The sensor does not work after unlocking" → It could be because of corrupted system files, so a complete flashing of the system will help.

⚠️ Note: If after several attempts to unlock the Redmi Note 9 stopped turning on or got stuck on the Mi logo, do not try to sew it yourself.In this case, it is better to contact the service center, as self-acting can aggravate the problem.

Another common mistake is using unofficial unlocking software (such as Miracle Box or UFi Box) that may contain malicious code or damage firmware. Xiaomi does not recommend using such tools, as they violate the warranty terms.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions