Why Redmi 9 is blocked and what to do
Forgotten password, PIN-The code or pattern lock on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a bad situation, but it is solvable. The smartphone is blocked for a reason: it is protection from unauthorized access to personal data. However, if you own a device but canβt remember the combination, there are several formal and informal ways to unlock it.
The rule is, don't try to pick up a password at random. After 5-10 failed attempts, Redmi 9 can lock for 30 seconds, 5 minutes or even require you to enter data from your Mi Account. And if you haven't tied the device to your Xiaomi account, the problem gets complicated. In this article, we'll take a look at all the current methods, from the simplest to the most radical, with the risks and nuances for each Redmi 9 model (including Redmi 9A, 9C, 9T versions).
We warn you right away: some methods will lead to complete loss of data (photos, messages, applications).If there is important information on the phone, first try the methods without reset - they are described in the first sections.
Method 1: Unblocking through Mi Account (official method)
The most reliable and recommended way Xiaomi uses is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:
- π± The phone was tied to a Xiaomi account (even if you don't remember it).
- π Internet access (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
- π Remember your username (email or phone number) and password from your Mi Account.
If all conditions are met, follow the instructions:
- On the Redmi 9 lock screen, enter any password 5 times in a row until the message βForgot your password?β or βUnlock through Mi Accountβ appears.
- Click on this link and enter the details from your Xiaomi account (email/phone + password).
- Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
- Set a new password, PIN or pattern lock.
β οΈ Note: If you do not remember the data from Mi Account, do not attempt to restore access through third-party services. Xiaomi does not provide support for restoring accounts to third parties - this may lead to permanent locking of the device (status "Device Locked").
If the screen does not have the button "Unlock through Mi Account", it means:
- π΄ The account was not tied to the phone.
- π΄ The device was reset to factory settings without decoupling from the account (then you will need to enter data from the previous owner).
- π΄ There is no internet connection.
Method 2: Reset via Find Device (remote unlock)
If the Mi Account is attached but there is no unlock button on the screen, you can try resetting the password remotely via Google's Find Device, which works only if:
- πΆ The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
- π Find Device has been activated in settings (Settings) β Mi Account β Find Device).
- π You remember the data from your Mi Account.
Instructions:
- Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
- Sign in with the same account as Redmi 9.
- Select your device from the menu (Redmi 9 will be displayed with a model, such as the M2003J15SC for the global version).
- Click on Delete Data or Delete Device (in some versions of the interface, Unlock).
- Confirm action. The phone will reboot and reset to factory settings.
Once reset, you can configure Redmi 9 as a new device, with the downside of total data loss (photos, contacts, messages) if your phone has been synced to Mi Cloud, some of the data (contacts, notes) can be restored after you re-enter your account.
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Before resetting through Find Device, check if the phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi as the computer. If so, disconnect the smartphone from the network - this will speed up the process of remote command.
Method 3: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users)
If Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the data, the radical method is unlocking through Fastboot mode, USB-The cable and basic command line knowledge, all the data on the phone will be deleted.
Suitable for Redmi 9 models with bootloader unlocked. If the bootloader is locked, additional permission from Xiaomi will be required (the procedure takes up to 72 hours).
Download and install ADB & Fastboot Tools|Connect your phone to the original PC USB-cable|Download firmware for Redmi 9 (e.g., from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com)|Disable antivirus on PC (can block commands)
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Step-by-step:
- Turn off Redmi 9.
- Press the buttons Loudness down + Power before the logo Fastboot (robot with a gear).
- Connect the phone to the computer.
- Open the command prompt (cmd) in the ADB folder and type: fastboot devices If the device is identified (the serial number appears), continue. If not, check the drivers.
- Enter the command to reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp fastboot reboot
After the reboot, the phone will be unlocked, but all data is deleted. If the bootloader was blocked, you will need to unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool before reset (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
β οΈ Note: Some versions of Redmi 9 (e.g. for the Chinese market) may have additional Anti-Rollback protection.Before resetting via Fastboot, check the firmware version by command: fastboot getvar anti If the value is anti-=3 or higher, reset may result in a device blink (inoperability.
What is a bootloader and why is it blocked?
Method 4: Using ADB to bypass lockdown (without data loss)
This method only works if the phone is debugging on USB and it has been connected to this computer before. If not, skip the partition.
If you have previously activated USB Debugging (Settings β About Phone β MIUI Version β 7 times press to unlock developer options, then Settings β Additional β Developers β USB Debugging), you can try to delete the lock files via ADB.
Instructions:
- Connect Redmi 9 to your computer.
- Open the command line and type in: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
After the reboot, the lock should reset. If you have a request to enter a password, try entering any one or just swipe (for a pattern lock).
β οΈ Attention: On new versions MIUI 12+ This method may not work because of the increased protection, and some antiviruses (such as Avast) block commands. ADB β temporarily shut them down.
Method 5: Hard Recovery Mode (total data loss)
If no other method has worked, the last resort is Recovery, which will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, but unlock the phone.
Instructions for Redmi 9:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Volume Up + Power buttons and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
- Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
- Select Wipe Data β Wipe All Data (on some versions β Factory Reset).
- Confirm the action (Confirm).
- After reset, select Reboot.
The phone will reboot and suggest that you configure it as a new device, and if you previously had a Mi Account attached, you will need to enter the data to confirm ownership.
| Unlocking method | Mi Account required | Loss of data | Difficulty | Time. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Through the Mi Account on screen | β Yes. | β No. | β | 2-5 minutes |
| Find Device (remote) | β Yes. | β Yes. | β | 5-10 minutes |
| Fastboot | β No. | β Yes. | βββ | 15-30 minutes |
| ADB | β No. | β No* | ββββ | 10-20 minutes |
| Recovery Mode | β No. | β Yes. | ββ | 5-10 minutes |
* Only if USB debugging has been enabled before.
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If Redmi 9 has enabled Data Reset Protection (Settings β Google β Security), even after a hard reset, you may need to enter data from your last Google account, an additional protection that cannot be circumvented legally.
What do you do if nothing helps?
If all of these methods do not work, the following reasons are possible:
- π The phone was stolen and blocked by the previous owner via Find Device (Device Locked status").
- π§ The firmware or security module is damaged (for example, after a failed update).
- π οΈ Hardware malfunction (memory chip or lock controller damaged).
In such cases:
- Contact the official Xiaomi service center with documents confirming the purchase. They can unlock the device through special tools (for example, EDL Mode).
- If the phone is bought by hand, ask the previous owner to untie it from the Mi Account via account.xiaomi.com.
The cost of unlocking the service varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles, depending on the complexity. Do not contact "masters" with dubious reputations - they can use illegal methods (for example, firmware through EDL with an IMEI substitution), which will lead to loss of warranty and risk of a breeze.