How to update the firmware on Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro: 3 proven ways

Why it’s important to update your firmware on Redmi 6 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro, released in 2018, is still popular among users due to its balanced characteristics and support for MIUI. However, every year the relevance of its software decreases as the manufacturer stops issuing official updates, and security vulnerabilities accumulate.

First, security gaps that can be exploited by attackers to access personal data are closed; second, system bugs that affect stability of work are fixed: accidental reboots, interface freezes or problems with connecting to 4G networks. Finally, the latest versions of MIUI often bring performance optimization, which is especially important for low-end devices with limited resources.

But there’s a caveat: the Redmi 6 Pro is no longer officially getting updates from Xiaomi via OTA (over the air), which means that you’ll need to use manual methods to install the latest available firmware, and in this article, we’ll look at all the current ways, from automatic updates (if it’s still available) to installations via Fastboot and custom recovery.

Before you start, consider that wrong actions can lead to a device blink (complete failure) or data loss. So be sure to read the FAQ section at the end of the article, which discusses typical errors and their solutions.

Preparing for the update: what to do before the start

Updating a firmware is not just about clicking the "Install" button, it depends on the right preparation to keep your information and go smoothly.

Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)

Check the battery power (minimum 60%)

Download the correct firmware version for your model

Make sure the original is available USB-cable

Disable antivirus and firewall on PC (if you use Fastboot)-->

Pay special attention to backup. Even if the upgrade is successful, some settings (such as Wi-Fi passwords or app data) may reset.

• 📱 Built-in tools MIUI: Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup. Save the file to a memory card or to the cloud.
• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: sync contacts, notes and photos through your Mi Account. Make sure you have enough space in the cloud (free 5GB).
• 💻 Titanium Backup (requires root) or Swift Backup to save these applications.

Also check the current firmware version. This will help avoid installing an older build. Path: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Write down the build number (e.g. V12.5.1.0.PDMCNXM) to help you choose the correct update file.

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 6 Pro is unlocked (custom recovery or root installed), official firmware is available through the MIUI Updater may not be installed. In this case, use the Fastboot method or TWRP.

Method 1: Update via MIUI Updater (if available OTA)

This is the easiest method, but it only works if:

• 📶 The device is connected to stable Wi-Fi.
• 🔋 Battery charge over 50%.
• 📱 Current firmware is not modified (no root or custom recovery).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Checker.
3. If an update is found, click Download (file weight is usually 1.5-2.5 GB).
4. After downloading, select Reboot and install.

It takes 10 to 20 minutes. It reboots a few times, which is normal. Don't turn off the power or press the buttons until the system is fully loaded.

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If you don't have an update, try changing the region in the MIUI settings. Go to Settings → Additional → Region and select India or Global. Sometimes this helps you access fresh builds.

⚠️ Note: If, after updating, through OTA smartphone hangs on the logo MI, Wait 10-15 minutes. If the situation does not change, reset through Recovery. + Volume up when switched on).

Method 2: Manual installation of firmware through Recovery

If OTA-Updates are not available, but you want to stay on the official firmware, use the Recovery installation method:

• 🔄 No access to OTA Due to regional restrictions.
• 📥 There is a downloaded firmware file with the extension.zip.
• 🔧 No bootloader (bootloader locked).

Steps:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 6 Pro (codename of the device is sakura) from en.miui.com. Choose the Recovery ROM version (not Fastboot!).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory (not folders!).
3. Turn off your smartphone and press the Power + Volume combination up to enter Recovery Mode.
4. In the recovery menu, select the language (if available), then: Install update.zip to System → confirm the selection.
5. Wait for the installation to be completed (5-10 minutes) and restart the device.

If the error "Can't verify update" appears after the reboot, it means:

• 🔹 The firmware file is damaged (download again).
• 🔹 You downloaded firmware for another model (check the codename sakura).
• 🔹 You have custom recovery installed (use the Fastboot method).

Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for power users)

Fastboot is the most reliable method for installing official firmware, but requires a computer and basic command line skills.

• 🔧 The device does not turn on or hangs on the logo.
• 📦 You need to install a firmware with a full reset (for example, when selling a phone).
• 🔓 Bootloader Unlocked (mandatory condition!).

Step-by-step:

Step 1: Preparation of tools

• 💻 Download Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb) and unpack into a folder C:\platform-tools.
• 📄 Download Fastboot firmware for sakura from Xiaomi website (file with extension.tgz or.zip).
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable.

Step 2: Transfer your phone to Fastboot mode

1. Turn off Redmi 6 Pro.
2. Press Power + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears (a robot labeled Fastboot Mode).

Step 3: Installation of firmware

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in the folder with the platform-tools (files like this should appear). flash_all.bat).
2. Run the command prompt in this folder (Shift + right mouse button → Open the PowerShell window here).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue.
4. Run the firmware: flash_all.bat For clean installation (with deletion of data) use flash_all_lock.bat.

It takes 5-15 minutes. When it's finished, the phone automatically restarts. If the phone doesn't turn on for more than 20 minutes after you've run through Fastboot, repeat the process using the fastboot erase userdata command before you run it.

What to do if the firmware is not installed

Even with the right instructions, you can get errors, and here are the typical problems and solutions.

• 🔴 "This package is for 'sakura' devices" error: you downloaded the firmware for another model. → The phone. → Model (should be) M1805D1SE or M1805D1ST For the Redmi 6 Pro).
• 🔴 Lack of room to upgrade: free up at least 3GB of internal storage. Move files to a memory card or PC.
• 🔴 Device not defined in Fastboot: Try another USB-Install Mi Flash Tool drivers from Xiaomi. disable driver signatures in Windows (use gpedit.msc for this).
• 🔴 After the update, it disappeared. IMEI: This is a critical error that requires recovery through QCN-A self-intervention without skills can lead to the loss of the network forever.

If none of these methods worked, there may be a problem with the hardware (damaged memory or controller), in which case you can contact the service center, and you can use the memory test via Fastboot to diagnose:

fastboot test 40000000

(The team checks the memory for errors.)

Through OTA (automatically)

Through Recovery (ZIP manual installation)

via Fastboot (from computer)

Didn't update.

Another way.-->

How to roll back the firmware to the previous version

Sometimes after the update, users encounter bugs: the autonomy has deteriorated, some features have appeared or some functions have stopped working, in which case you can return the previous version of MIUI, but with reservations:

• ⏳ The only way to do this is to use the same thread (for example, with MIUI 12 on MIUI 11, but not on MIUI 10).
• 🔒 Requires an unlocked bootloader (if you roll back through Fastboot).
• ⚠️ Data loss risk: when rolling back through Fastboot, a full reset is performed.

Instructions for rollback through Recovery:

1. Download the required firmware version (recovery ROM only!) from the Xiaomi website.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the memory.
3. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery.
4. Select Install update.zip and confirm the installation.
5. After restarting, reset your settings (Wipe data) if the system is unstable.

⚠️ Note: Retracement to a version older than the one installed out of the box can lead to problems with the modem (network disappearing.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi updates 6 Pro

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If your Redmi 6 Pro doesn’t turn on after a failed update, try getting into Fastboot mode. + Volume down) and flash it back again, which is 90 percent of the time, it restores performance.