The message “This device is locked. Please unlock it to continue” on the Redmi Note 9 Pro screen can appear for various reasons, from simple password forgetfulness to failures after firmware. Unlike iPhones, where unlocking often requires contacting a service center, Xiaomi devices provide the user with several ways to solve the problem on their own. However, not all methods are equally safe — some lead to data loss, others require binding to a Mi Account.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock (including hidden features of Fastboot and the Internet). EDL-We will tell you how to get around the lock without losing data, and warn against common errors that can turn the phone into a “brick”. Particular attention will be paid to the Redmi Note 9 Pro model (codename joyeuse), since its unlocking has nuances due to the features of the Snapdragon processor. 720G and Xiaomi’s data protection policies.
Why Redmi Note 9 Pro is “This Device Is Locked”
The message of locking the device appears in three main cases:
- 🔒 A forgotten pattern lock, PIN or password is the most common scenario. MIUI Blocks access after 5 failed entry attempts.
- 📱 Resetting via Recovery without detachment Mi Account – if the phone was tied to the Xiaomi account, after reset, you will need to enter a login / password.
- 🔧 Failed firmware or interrupted updates – can cause a software failure when the system considers the device “unlocked” for use.
It is important to distinguish between software lock (which can be removed via Mi Account or reset) and hardware lock (for example, after a failed unlock of the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock). EDL-regime.
⚠️ Note: If you bought Redmi Note 9 Pro from hand, make sure that the previous owner untie the device from his Mi Account. Otherwise, unlocking without his data will be impossible without contacting the Xiaomi service center.
Method 1: Unlock with Mi Account (if the phone is tied)
If you remember the data from the Xiaomi account that the phone is attached to, this method is the fastest and most secure, and it works even after you reset your settings.
Instructions:
- On the lock screen, enter the wrong password 5 times until the message “Forgot your password?” (or similar) appears.
- Click on this caption and select “Unblock via Mi Account”.
- Enter the username and password from the Xiaomi account to which the phone is linked.
- Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
If the “Forgot your password” button doesn’t appear, try:
- 📞 Restart the phone and try again.
- 🌐 Connect to another Wi-Fi network or mobile internet (sometimes blocked due to lack of connection).
- 🔄 Enter the password through Recovery Mode (squeeze Power) + Volume up when switched on).
Method 2: Hard Reset (Reset to factory settings)
Recovery is a universal method, but it removes all data from your phone (photos, contacts, messages) and only use it if other methods have failed.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone (squeeze the power for 10 seconds).
- Press Power + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
- From the menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
- Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
- After completion, select Reboot.
If the phone needs to enter Mi Account data after the reset, it was linked to the account.
- 📌 Enter the correct username/password (if you remember).
- 📌 If you don’t remember, try to restore access through account.xiaomi.com.
- 📌 If you bought your phone with your hands, contact the previous owner or contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.
☑️ Preparation for Hard Reset
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After reset, you may need to connect to the Internet to activate the device. If the phone is not connected to Wi-Fi, use mobile data (insert the device). SIM-card).
Method 3: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users)
If the phone doesn’t respond to the sensor or doesn’t load beyond the logo, you can try unlocking it via Fastboot mode.This method requires a computer and installed ADB/Fastboot drivers.
What you need:
- 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/Mac.
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
- 📦 Utilities. ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
- 🔓 Permission to unlock the bootloader (if not previously unlocked).
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
- Connect the phone to the computer.
- Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and type:
fastboot devices(The serial number of your device should be displayed.)
- Enter the command to unlock:
fastboot oem unlockIf the bootloader is already unlocked, try:
fastboot flashing unlockAfter successfully unlocking, the phone will reboot and you can set it up as new.
What if the fastboot can’t see the device?
Method 4: Unlocking through EDL-regime (extreme case)
EDL Download Mode is a firmware emergency mode that is used when the phone does not respond to other methods. It requires a special cable (EDL-cable) or short circuit of contacts on the board.
Warning: This method is risky and can cause your phone to fail completely if you do something wrong.
- 🔧 The phone does not turn on or hovers on the Mi logo.
- 🔒 The bootloader is locked and fastboot oem unlock is not working.
- 📱 You are ready for the possible loss of the guarantee.
Step-by-step (simplified version):
- Download the firmware for the Redmi Note 9 Pro (for example, from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website).
- Install the Mi Flash Tool on your computer.
- Put your phone in EDL mode: Method 1: Use EDL-cable (buyed on AliExpress). Method 2: Disassemble your phone and close the contacts of Test Point (requires a soldering iron).
Mi Flash Tool
Flash
Wait until the end (10-15 minutes).
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If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to contact the service center.The cost of unlocking through EDL from official Xiaomi partners usually does not exceed 1–2 thousand rubles, which is cheaper than the risk of damaging the phone.
Unlocking methods comparison: what to choose?
To make it easier for you to determine, we have collected the key pros and cons of each method in the table:
| Method | Difficulty | Loss of data | PC required | It works without a Mi Account. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlocking with Mi Account | ⭐ (simple) | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| Hard Reset (Recovery) | ⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Only if the account is untied |
| Fastboot (unlocking the bootloader) | ⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| EDL-regime | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
If your Redmi Note 9 Pro is simply locked because of a forgotten password and tied to your Mi Account, start with the first method. If your account is not tied or you are ready to lose data, use Hard Reset. EDL leave it to the last resort.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many users compound the problem by trying to unlock the phone in the wrong ways, and here are the most common mistakes:
- 🔄 Repeated attempts to enter a password – after 10 failed attempts, the phone can lock for 24 hours.
- 📱 Using unofficial firmware – this can lead to the blocking of the Mi Account for “unauthorized interference».
- 🔌 Interrupting the reset process – if you take out the battery or turn off power during Hard Reset, the phone may stop turning on.
- 💻 Incompatible firmware versions – firmware from Redmi Note 9S It is not suitable for Note 9 Pro, even if they look similar.
To minimize the risks:
- 📌 Always back up important data (via Mi Cloud or computer).
- 📌 Check the phone model before downloading firmware (written under the battery or in the settings).
- 📌 Use original cables – cheap Chinese cords can interrupt data transmission.
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If the phone is locked after a handheld purchase, the only legal way to unlock is to contact the previous owner for details from Mi Account or provide a check to the Xiaomi service center.