How to open Xiaomi Redmi Note 6: unlock the screen, reset password and bypass the Mi Account

Forgot the password from Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 or bought a used smartphone with a locked screen? This problem is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi devices, especially if we are talking about models of 2018-2019 release, such as the Redmi Note 6 Pro (codename tulip) or the standard version of the Redmi Note 6. Unlike new smartphones, where unlocking often requires confirmation through Mi Account, there are still workarounds here - from the classic Hard Reset to use. ADB-Official or Official Mi Unlock Tool.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock, including resetting via Recovery Mode, bypassing the pattern lock using Fastboot, as well as the nuances of working with a tied Mi Account. Importantly, the methods are different for devices with an unlocked and locked bootloader - this affects the choice of tool. If you are not sure about the status of the bootloader, the article has instructions on how to check it.

Warn in advance: some methods (such as resetting via the Mi Flash Tool) result in complete loss of data, including photos, contacts and messages. If encryption is enabled on your smartphone, the chances of recovering files after reset are minimal.

1.Preparation: What to Know Before Unlocking

Before you start resetting or bypassing the lock, check a few key points:

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 50%. Breaking the process due to discharge can turn a smartphone into a brick».
• 🔌 Original. USB-Cheap cables often don't transmit data in Fastboot mode.
• 💻 Windows computer (for Mi Unlock Tool methods or ADB). Nana Mac/Linux Additional drivers may be required.
• 📱 Make sure you have a Redmi Note 6 Pro (tulip) or a standard version (cereus) that affects your firmware choice.

Also, check the bootloader status to check it out:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect to your PC and type the command: fastboot oem device-info
4. If the answer is Device unlocked: true, the bootloader is unlocked. If false is locked.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader and a tied Mi Account, most reset methods will not work without an official unlocker. In this case, it will take 7-15 days to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

2. Method 1: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (without PC)

The easiest method is to reset to factory settings via the Recovery menu, which is suitable if:

• 🔓 You forgot your password, PIN or a pattern lock, but not tied to a Mi Account.
• 📱 The device is not encrypted (if encryption is enabled, data cannot be recovered after resetting).
• 🔧 The bootloader can be either locked or unlocked.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the Redmi Note 6.
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
4. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some versions of Factory Reset).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
6. Reboot your smartphone (Reboot).

If the device requires data input from the previous Mi Account after reset, this method will not help – it will require official unlocking (see Method 4).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware may have a different name for the Wipe All Data item, such as Clear Data or Reset Phone. If the menu is in Chinese, look for characters (clear the data).

3. Method 2: Unlock through ADB (if USB-debugging is on)

If the Redmi Note 6 has been activated before USB-debugging (in the developer settings), you can reset the password through ADB This method works even with a locked bootloader, but requires prior preparation.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Android installed SDK Platform-Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (If not, the way is not right).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the commands in order: 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
4. After rebooting, the password/pattern lock will be reset.

If the commands are not executed due to the lack of root rights, try the alternative:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric

This command will open a password change menu where you can set a new one.

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If ADB can’t see the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers or using a USB 2.0 port (on some PCs, USB 3.0 doesn’t work well).

Method 3: Official Mi Unlock Tool (for locked bootloader)

If the bootloader is locked and the Mi Account is tied on the smartphone, the official Mi Unlock Tool is the only legal way to unlock.

What needs to be done:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Register a Mi Account (if there is none) and link it to your smartphone (if it is your device).
3. Enable OEM Unlocking in the Developer Settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → For Developers → Unlock OEM).
4. Connect Redmi Note 6 in Fastboot mode (Loudness down + Power).
5. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your account and follow the instructions.

Important nuances:

• ⏳ Waiting: After the first account is linked to the device, Xiaomi will block the unlock for 7-15 days (depending on the model and region).
• 🔗 Account binding: If a used smartphone, the previous owner must untie his account through Settings → Mi Account → Exit.
• 📵 Without Internet: If not on the device SIM-Cards or Wi-Fi, you can not link the account.

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Unlock Tool error appears, Couldn't unlock, or Current account is different from the one on the device, this means that the device is linked to another account.

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Mi Unlock Tool is the only legal way to unlock the bootloader, but requires waiting and binding an account.

5. Method 4: Bypassing Mi Accounts through Test Point (for experienced)

If Redmi Note 6 requires data from the previous Mi Account after a reset, and you can not contact the owner, you can try the Test Point method. This is an informal method that can lead to a loss of warranty or device failure. Use it at your own risk!

The method is to close the contacts on the motherboard to bypass account verification.

• 🔧 Screwdriver for disassembling the body.
• 🔍 Loop or magnifying glass (contacts are very small).
• 📶 Thin metal object (needle, tweezers).
• 💻 Computer with Mi Flash Tool and firmware for Redmi Note 6.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove the back cover (on the Redmi Note 6 it is removable, but you will need accuracy).
2. Find Test Point on the motherboard, which are two small pins next to the battery connector (exact location depends on the version of the board).
3. Close the contacts with tweezers and, holding them, connect USB-plug-in.
4. The smartphone should be defined in EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode.
5. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware for your model (tulip_global_images_... note 6 Pro and run the device with a complete reset (Clean All).

After the firmware, the Mi Account will be deleted, but:

• ⚠️ Risk of damage to the fee in case of negligent closure of contacts.
• ⚠️ Possible loss IMEI (Recovery will be required SN Writer Tool).
• ⚠️ The guarantee will be cancelled.

6. Method 5: Unlock via Fastboot (for unlocked bootloader)

If the bootloader on the Redmi Note 6 is already unlocked (for example, you have done this before), you can reset the password through Fastboot without losing data.

Instructions:

1. Transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode (Loudness down + Power).
2. Connect to your PC and check for device detection by command: fastboot devices
3. Enter the command to reset the password: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase locksettings
4. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

If you still request a password after rebooting, try an alternative command:

fastboot flash userdata userdata.img

(file userdata.img You can get it from the official firmware).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI fastboot erase commands may not work due to protection, in which case only a complete flashing through the Mi Flash Tool will help (see Method 4).

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you unlock the Redmi Note 6, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, there may be a problem with hardware damage (for example, a faulty flash memory), in which case we recommend contacting the Xiaomi service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions