How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi 6: everything from Mi Account to Fastboot reset

Locking the Xiaomi Redmi 6 is a situation that users face for various reasons: a forgotten password from the Mi Account, multiple mistyping of a pattern lock or buying a used device with a tied account of the previous owner. Unlike new Xiaomi models, where unlocking often requires waiting 720 hours, Redmi 6 (released in 2018) is more flexible - but with nuances.

The main problem is that firmware based on Android 8.1 Oreo (MIUI 9/10) They do not support modern methods of bypassing EDL, The official Mi Unlock Tool unlocker is unstable. 5 working methods – from legal to technical – taking into account the specifics of Redmi 6 (Important: some ways require a PC, a cable. USB Type-C and basic knowledge of working with ADB or Fastboot.

If you have purchased a phone from hand and can not contact the previous owner, or the system is blocked after resetting, do not rush to carry the device to the service. Most locks on Redmi 6 are removed by themselves, but without guarantees of data retention.

• 🔋 Battery level (minimum 30%) When discharged during the procedure, the phone can turn into a brick".
• 📱 Version MIUI (Hold the volume up + Power with the phone turned off. For Redmi 6, firmware is relevant to MIUI 12.5.
• 💻 Presence of a Windows PC (for methods with Windows) ADB/Fastboot) Xiaomi drivers (download from the official website).

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If your phone is locked because of a Mi Account link, the most legal way to use Xiaomi’s official service is to use it, which only works if:

• 📧 You have access to email/phone-linked.
• 🔓 The device was not stolen (otherwise Xiaomi will block the unlock).
• 🕒 No more than 30 days have passed since the last authorization (otherwise, confirmation will be required after the date of the last authorization). SMS).

Instructions:

1. Go to the Mi Account website and log in.
2. In the menu, select Devices → Find the device.
3. Click Unlock next to Redmi 6 (model cereus).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

If the Unlock button is not available, it means:

• The device is not tied to your account (try the Fastboot method).
• The account is blocked for suspicious activity (you need to contact Xiaomi support).

⚠️ Warning: Once unlocked via Mi Account, the phone may require a reset.All data will be deleted, including photos and apps.

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If you buy a used Redmi 6, always ask the seller to untie the device from the Mi Account in your presence. Just go to Settings → Mi Account → Get out and reset the phone to the factory settings.

2. Reset the pattern lock or PIN via Recovery Mode

If only the screen (pattern lock or PIN) is locked and the Mi Account is not tied, you can try resetting via Recovery Mode, which deletes all data but does not require a PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (squeeze the power for 10 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume buttons, confirmation – Power).
4. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If Recovery asks for a password, it means:

• 🔒 The device is tied to Mi Account (you need a method from section 1 or Fastboot).
• 📱 Installed custom firmware (try the method with the ADB).

3 Unlocking via Fastboot (Mi Unlock Tool)

Xiaomi’s official Mi Unlock Tool lets you unlock the bootloader and reset the Mi Account binding, but there are limitations to Redmi 6:

• 🕒 It takes 72-720 hours to wait (depending on Xiaomi policy).
• 💻 Need Windows (only) macOS/Linux tool).
• 🔌 The phone must be defined in Fastboot Mode (checked by the fastboot device team).

Instructions:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it.
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect Redmi 6 to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool.
4. Sign in to the same Mi Account that your phone is attached to.
5. Press Unlock and wait until it is completed (it may take several attempts).

If the instrument makes an error:

• Couldn’t unlock – the account is not matched or the device is not supported.
• Device not connected – Xiaomi drivers are not installed or the cable is faulty.
• Waiting for 720 hours – you will have to wait (you can reduce the time if you have previously unlocked other devices).

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked via Fastboot, the phone will be reset to factory settings. All data, including photos and messages, will be deleted without recovery.

4. Delete the pattern lock via ADB (without data loss)

If only the screen (pattern lock or PIN) is locked and the Mi Account is not tied, you can try to delete the key file via ADB. This method sometimes saves data, but requires enabled debugging over USB.

Conditions:

• ✅ Debugging by USB (Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB) was turned on before the lockdown.
• ✅ PCs are installed. ADB Fastboot (downloaded as part of Android) SDK).
• ✅ The phone is determined in the system (checked by the adb device command).

Instructions:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key # for pattern lock




or




rm /data/system/password.key # for PIN-code




reboot

If the teams are not working:

• 🔐 No root rights (to be obtained through Magisk).
• 📁 Key files are renamed (try ls). /data/system/, to see the actual names).
• 🚫 MIUI block ADB (Reset via Recovery or Fastboot).

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The ADB method only works if USB debugging was enabled before locking, and if you haven't activated this mode beforehand, move on to other methods.

5. Firmware through Fastboot (extreme case)

If no methods have worked, you just have to flash the phone over Fastboot, which will delete all the data, but it will return the device to working condition, and Redmi 6 will fit the official MIUI firmware or custom (for example, LineageOS).

What you need:

• 🖥️ PCs with Fastboot installed and ADB.
• 📄 Firmware for cereus (download from Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (cheap cables can interrupt data transmission).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware in the folder from fastboot.exe.
2. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot Mode (Loudness Down + Power).
3. Connect to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash all (or fastboot flash) all_except_storage, If you need to preserve internal memory).
4. Upon completion, type in fastboot reboot

Possible errors:

• FAILED (remote: 'Flashing is not allowed') - the bootloader is blocked (you need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool).
• Invalid sparse file format - corrupted firmware file (download again).
• 🔄 The phone is getting stuck on the Mi logo – the firmware is not suitable for your model (check the cereus version).

Alternative methods (EDL and service centers)

If all of the above methods do not work, there are two options:

• 🔧 EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) – firmware through a special mode that requires an authorized Xiaomi account (available only to official service centers or through paid services such as DC-Unlocker).
• 🏢 Contact the service center - if the phone is warranty or you do not want to risk.The cost of unlocking Redmi 6 in 2026 - from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles.

To enter EDL Mode on Redmi 6:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume up + Volume down + Power for 10-15 seconds.
3. Connect to a PC – the device should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

Without an authorized Xiaomi account, you can’t flash your phone to EDL, because it blocks the download of the firmware, a method that only works for experienced users or service centers.

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Before contacting the service center, check if the warranty period has expired (for Redmi 6-12 months from the date of purchase). If the phone is purchased with hands, the warranty does not apply, but some centers are taken for unlocking for a fee.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi 6