Root rights to Xiaomi Mi 6: a complete guide from unlock to Magisk

Xiaomi Mi 6 (codenamed sagit) is still a cult smartphone among Android modding enthusiasts. Despite its release in 2017, its Snapdragon 835 and 6 GB of RAM allow you to comfortably use the device even in 2026 — provided you optimize it correctly. One of the key ways to unlock the potential of the device is to gain root rights. This gives you control over system files, the ability to remove embedded software, install custom firmware and modify the kernel.

But the process of rooting the Mi 6 has nuances, from locking the bootloader from Xiaomi to working with fastboot and TWRP for this model. Unlike newer devices, you can not do with universal instructions – you need to take into account the version of the MIUI, the state of the anti-rollback partition and even the revision number of the board. In this guide, we will analyze the only reliable method in 2026, which works on current versions of the firmware and minimizes the risk of turning the smartphone into a “brick”.

Preparation: What to Know Before Unblocking

Before you start manipulating the bootloader, make sure you understand the consequences.Unlocking the bootloader on the Xiaomi Mi 6 results in:

• 🔓 Resetting all data (including internal memory) is a must for Xiaomi.
• 🛡️ Loss of the official guarantee (if it is still valid).
• 🔄 Blocking OTA-Updates – you will have to install firmware manually.
• 🚨 The risk of bricks when errors occur (especially if you ignore the anti-rollback).

Also check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone. For the Mi 6, it is critical that the firmware is no older than MIUI 12.5 - newer versions may have patches that make it difficult to unlock. If you have MIUI 13/14, you will first have to roll back through the Mi Flash Tool.

The equipment and software that you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer on Windows 10/11 (for the Mi Flash Tool or Linux/macOS (fastboot).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or high-quality – cheap can interrupt the connection).
• 📱 Charged Mi 6 (at least 60%) – Discharge during the process is fraught with failures.
• 🛠️ The Mi Unlock Tool: Mi Unlock Tool, TWRP for sagit, Magisk, ADB/Fastboot.

💡

If you have a Mi 6 with Chinese firmware (China ROM), first refashion to the global (Global ROM) through the Mi Flash Tool - this will make it easier to unlock the bootloader.

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all its devices, and the Mi 6 is no exception. To unlock, you need to obtain permission from the manufacturer through the official utility. The process takes from 3 to 15 days (depending on the activity of the Mi Account).

Instructions:

1. Connect Mi 6 to Xiaomi account in Settings → Mi Account.
2. Activate. OEM-unlocking and debugging USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times tap the version, then return to the additional → For developers).
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool (version no lower than 5.5.224.54).
4. Connect the phone in fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume down + Power).
5. Run the Mi Unlock Tool, log in and follow the instructions. If you see a message that says "Wait for X days," try it every day.

Linking Mi Account to phone|Turn on OEM-unlock|Install the Mi Unlock Tool|Connect your phone to fastboot|Wait for permission from Xiaomi-->

Important nuances for the Mi 6:

• 🔗 If the utility gives you a “Couldn’t unlock” error after waiting, try fastboot oem device-info – check the status of Device unlocked: true.
• 🔄 On some versions MIUI 14 unlock may require a rollback to MIUI 12.5.
• 🛑 If the phone was previously unlocked but then flashed through Mi Flash with the clean all option, the bootloader will lock again.

Step 2: Installation of TWRP Recovery

After unlocking the bootloader, you need to install a custom recavator - TWRP. For the Mi 6, it is important to use a special build that supports FBE encryption (File-Based Encryption) and correctly works with anti-rollback. The official version from the TWRP site may not be suitable!

Recommended assembly: TWRP 3.6.2_10-0 from wsxy360. Download the file. twrp-3.6.2_10-0-sagit.img And save it to a folder with fastboot.

Installation:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2_10-0-sagit.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.6.2_10-0-sagit.img

Once the commands are executed, the phone will automatically reboot to TWRP. Don't miss this step! If you just flash the recovers without downloading to it, the stock firmware can overwrite it the next time it turns on.

💡

Always check the version. TWRP I'm not sure if it's compatible with your firmware. MIUI 14 Android-based 13 fitting TWRP 3.7.0+ supportive dynamic_partitions.

Step 3: Magisk firmware to obtain root rights

Magisk is a universal tool for obtaining root rights without changing the systemless root. For the Mi 6, it is critical to use version 25.2 or later, as older builds can conflict with MIUI 13/14.

Instructions:

1. Download the latest version of Magisk from GitHub (Magisk-v26.4.zip file).
2. Move the archive to the phone’s internal memory or SD-map.
3. In TWRP, select Install → specify the path to Magisk-v26.4.zip → swipe for confirmation.
4. After installation, press Reboot System.

To check root rights, install Magisk Manager and run it. If you're successful, you'll see Installed 26.4 (26400) status and a green tick next to Root access.

💡

If after the reboot the phone is stuck on the logo MI, Hold the volume up + Food for entry TWRP and sew Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.zip (jump on XDA). This will disable the integrity check.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, Mi 6 users often encounter problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

The Mi 6 feature is that if NFC or Wi-Fi stopped working after root, it is due to a modification of the vendor section. The solution is to flash vendor.img from the original firmware through TWRP.

Security after obtaining root

Root rights are a great opportunity, but they also create risks. Here are the mandatory measures to protect the Mi 6:

• 🔒 Install MagiskHide (in Magisk settings) to hide root from banking apps and games.
• 🛡️ Turn it off. ADB root in the developer settings if you don’t use it constantly.
• 🔄 Update Magisk and modules regularly through Magisk Manager.
• 📱 Create a backup copy boot.img and dtbo.img through TWRP (fault-proof).

It is also recommended to install Magisk modules to improve stability:

• Riru - Core - to mask root.
• Universal SafetyNet Fix is a SafetyNet (required for Google Pay).
• BusyBox for Android NDK is for many root applications.

💡

Never update MIUI through root-right OTAs! This will result in loss of access or a brick. All updates must be installed manually through TWRP.

Alternative methods: without TWRP and Magisk

If for some reason TWRP is not suitable (for example, due to encryption bugs), you can get root through the firmware of the modified boot.img. This method is more difficult, but sometimes necessary.

Steps:

1. Download the original boot.img for your MIUI version (can be extracted from.tz firmware via Mi Firmware Extractor).
2. Patchit boot.img via Magisk Manager (Select and Patch a File option).
3. Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Boot magisk_patched.img

The advantage of this method is that there are no risks with TWRP and FBE. However, it requires the exact matching of boot.img and the current firmware.

💡

To check boot.img compatibility, compare its hash (SHA-1) to the original firmware file. The mismatch will lead to bootloop!

FAQ: Frequent questions about root on Xiaomi Mi 6

Now your Xiaomi Mi 6 is ready for any experiment, from custom cores to fine-tuning performance. The main thing is always do backups and follow the instructions without rushing. Good luck in modding!