How to remove the password on Xiaomi Redmi 9: The complete guide

The situation when the owner of Xiaomi Redmi 9 forgets the security code is quite common. Human memory is not always able to hold complex combinations, especially if you rarely use a screen lock or, conversely, often change passwords for security. Trying to remember the code can lead to locking the device for a certain time, but do not panic ahead of time.

There are several proven methods to restore access to the smartphone interface, some of which allow you to save personal data, others require a complete system reset, the choice of the particular method depends on whether the Mi Account was preconfigured, whether debugging is enabled over USB and which version of the MIUI operating system is installed on the device.

In this guide, we will discuss all the current options in detail: you will learn how to act if your phone is connected to the Internet, what to do when completely locked, and what are the nuances of working with a Google account on modern versions of Android.

Using Mi Cloud to Remotely Unlock

The most civilized and secure way to remove a password is to use the manufacturer's cloud service, which is only possible if your Redmi 9 has signed in to a Mi Account and the Find Device function has been activated in advance, and the smartphone must be connected to the mobile Internet or Wi-Fi network.

To start the process, you need to go to the official cloud service site from any other device, whether it's a computer or another phone, and by entering your credentials, you will have access to smartphone management. In the main menu, select your device from the list of available gadgets.

Next, the system will offer several options. We are interested in the function of data cleanup or unlock. Please note that in new versions of MIUI, direct deletion of the password without resetting may not be available for security reasons, so the Wipe Data option is most often used.

• 🔑 Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
• 📱 Select your Xiaomi Redmi 9 from the list of devices.
• 🗑️ Click on the button "Erase data" or "Unblock", confirming the action.
• 🔄 Wait for the command to be executed, after which the phone will restart without a password.

⚠️ Note: This method will completely remove all user data (photos, contacts, apps) from the phone’s internal memory if you choose to erase the device.

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If the phone is not connected to the network, the command from the site will be executed only after the device appears on the Internet.

Resetting settings via Recovery Menu

If the cloud is not available or the phone is offline, the only working option is to reset through the Recovery Engineering Menu, a method that is universal for all Android smartphones, including the Redmi 9. It does not require a computer or special cables, all actions are performed by volume control and power buttons.

To get into the recovery menu, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, while keeping the volume high. A menu with English text and an orange hat will appear on the screen.

In this menu, the touch screen is not working, so the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item and select it. Then the system can request confirmation, suggesting you choose Wipe All Data.

Once confirmed, the formatting process will begin, depending on the amount of memory filled, it can take from 30 seconds to several minutes, and when completed, the phone will prompt you to return to the main menu (Back to Main Menu) and restart the system (Reboot).

⚠️ Warning: After resetting your settings via Recovery on current versions of Android (9.0 and above), the system will require you to enter a password from a Google account that was synced to your phone earlier (FRP).

Comparison of Redmi 9 Unlocking Methods

The right way depends on the situation and the availability of pre-settings. Below is a table that will help you quickly navigate and choose the best option for your case. Each method has its own limitations and requirements.

It's important to understand that data security is high in Xiaomi, so no method can simply "remove" the password and log into the old interface, and most of the time, it's about resetting the device to a factory state.

As you can see from the table, the Google Find My Device option also requires internet access on the locked gadget, and if the phone is off or not catching the network, this method, like the Mi Cloud, will not work until the connection is available.

Google Find My Device with Google Find My Device

The alternative to the Xiaomi cloud is Google's standard service, which is similar to remote control of the device via a web interface, which is effective if the phone is logged in to a Google account, geolocation is enabled and data transfer is enabled.

Go to android.com/find from any browser. Log in to the Gmail account used on Redmi 9. The system will try to locate the device. If it's online, the side menu will show you the actions available.

You'll need to select the "Erase Device" option, which initiates a remote reset, deletes the password along with all files, and some older versions of Android have had a "Device Lock" feature that allows you to set a new password, but on modern MIUIs, it's often replaced with a full reset.

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Remote reset via Google works only when the locked smartphone is actively connected to the Internet.

Once you have completed the command, the phone will restart. When you first set up, you will need to enter your Google account login and password to confirm the owner's rights, which is a mandatory FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection measure.

Unlocking through USB debugging (ADB)

This method is suitable for advanced users and works only in one case: if before blocking the developer menu was activated debugging over USB and the computer was given permission to access.

You will need a computer with ADB drivers installed and the USB cable itself. Connect the phone to a PC. Open the command line or terminal in the folder with ADB tools. Special commands are entered to delete the file with passwords (works on Android before version 5-6, on new versions of Redmi 9 with Android 10/11, the method may not work without root rights).

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key


adb shell rm /data/system/password.key

Once the commands are executed, you need to restart the device. If the method works, the phone will let you on the desktop without asking for a password. However, on Xiaomi Redmi 9 with updated security system, this path is often closed, and the command simply cannot be executed without superuser rights.

⚠️ Attention: use ADB-A syntax error or attempt to delete system files can cause the operating system to malfunction.

If debugging was not enabled in advance, this section can be skipped, as the connected phone will only charge without transmitting data to control.

Frequent questions and problems after resetting

After a successful password deletion procedure, users often face additional questions, such as why the phone requires an account or what to do if it is forgotten. Below are answers to the most popular questions that will help complete the recovery process.

The most common problem is blocking Google accounts, and if you don't remember your Gmail password, it can take time to recover, which requires access to a recovery email or phone number linked to your account.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that regular backup of important data is the best way to protect yourself from such situations: set up automatic synchronization of contacts and photos, so that if blocked, only time is lost, not valuable memories.