Rooting Xiaomi Redmi 6A: a safe way to get root rights in 2026

Why are Xiaomi Redmi 6A owners still opting for rooting?

Even 6 years after the release of the Xiaomi Redmi 6A (2018), it remains a popular budget device – especially among users who want to squeeze the most out of a smartphone. Rooting opens up access to features not available in standard firmware: from removing embedded software to fine-tuning performance. But in 2026, the process became more difficult due to Xiaomi’s tightening policy on blocking downloaders and security updates.

The main problem is the default bootloader, which is not possible to install customized recover (TWRP) or firmware without unlocking it, and newer versions of MIUI are actively fighting root access, automatically disabling it after updates. In this article, current methods that work on Redmi 6A with MIUI 12.5 firmware and later, including bypassing the 2026 restrictions.

Warning: the procedure requires care, a mistake in unlocking the bootloader can turn the phone into a brick, and incorrect rooting can make it impossible to guarantee (if it is still valid), but with the right approach, the risks are minimal.

Preparing for rooting: what to do before you start

Before you start, make sure you have:

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 70% (process can take up to 1 hour).
• 💻 Computer on Windows 10/11 Linux (MacOS will require additional drivers).
• 📱 Original. USB-cable (cheap analogues can cause firmware errors).
• 🔐 Mi Account tied to phone (required to unlock the bootloader).

Also download in advance:

• 📁 Mi Unlock Tool (official utility from Xiaomi).
• 📁 TWRP for Redmi 6A (version 3.7.0 or later).
• 📁 Magisk (last stable version).
• 📁 Drivers. ADB/Fastboot (You can install it through Android Studio or Minimal ADB).

⚠️ Note: If the phone has a firmware installed MIUI Global Stable is older than 2022, first update it through Settings → The phone. → System Update: Outdated versions may contain vulnerabilities that will prevent rooting.

Unlocking the bootloader: the most difficult stage

Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all devices, including the Redmi 6A. To unlock it, you need to:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlock in the Settings menu → Additional → For developers.
3. Link the device to your Mi Account in the same menu (Mi Unlock Status).

Then connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, and log in to your account, and the program will check if you can unlock the bootloader, and there are many people who have encountered an error:

Couldn’t unlock. Your device isn’t supported by Mi Unlock

This means that Xiaomi has limited the unlocking for your model, and the solution is to use alternative methods:

• 🔄 Try another Mi Account (sometimes it helps).
• 🕒 Wait 7-14 days after account linking (Xiaomi may require verification time).
• 🛠️ Use unofficial patches for Mi Unlock Tool (risky but works).

If unlocking is successful, the phone will reboot to Fastboot labeled Unlocked. You can now install TWRP.

Install TWRP and get root rights through Magisk

After unlocking the bootloader, follow the instructions:

1. Downloaded file TWRP (for example, twrp-3.7.0_cereus.img) rename recovery.img and put it in a folder with ADB.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the phone is off).
3. Open the command line in the ADB folder and do:

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img


fastboot boot recovery.img

The phone will load into TWRP.

1. Make a backup of the current firmware (Backup item).
2. Copy a Magisk file (e.g., Magisk-v26.4.zip) to your phone via MTP (TWRP has the option Mount → Enable MTP).
3. Install Magisk via Install and restart.

✅ Magisk Manager application installed

✅ In the settings Magisk displays the version

✅ Root Checker shows access to superuser

✅ No errors when booting the system-->

⚠️ Note: If after installing Magisk phone fixated on the logo MI, So the firmware doesn't support this version of the kernel, so the solution is to flash the custom kernel with Magisk support.

Problems After Rooting and How to Solve Them

Even with successful rooting, there may be difficulties:

Critical information: Redmi 6A with MIUI 13+ firmware may not work with the rooting method through patching boot.img. In this case, a complete replacement of the kernel with a custom one (for example, from the Peregrine project) is required.

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If your navigation gestures stop working after rooting, install the MIUI Gestures Enabler module via Magisk, which restores standard MIUI gestures even on custom firmware.

Alternative Rooting Methods Without TWRP

If installing TWRP seems complicated, you can get root rights in alternative ways:

• 🔧 Patching. boot.img: Extract. boot.img from the firmware, patch it through Magisk, and then stitch it back through fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img.
• 📦 Custom firmware ready: LineageOS 16 or Pixel Experience already include root access, for example. MIUI.
• 🔄 Temporary root: Use exploit methods (like DirtyCow) but they only work until you reboot.

The most reliable alternative is patching boot.img.

1. Download the firmware for your model with Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
2. Remove boot.img from the archive (use 7-Zip or WinRAR).
3. Transfer it to your phone and patch it through Magisk (Install → Select and Patch a File option).
4. Squeeze the result. patched_boot.img fastboot.

How to get it back: root removal and bootloader lock

If you no longer need root rights or want to sell your phone, return it to its original state:

1. Uninstall Magisk through its manager (uninstall option).
2. Sweep the original boot.img or recovery.img through fastboot.
3. To completely block the loader, use the command:

fastboot oem lock

Important: Locking the bootloader erases all data! pre-backup through TWRP or Mi Cloud.

⚠️ Warning: After locking the bootloader, some custom firmware may stop loading. MIUI, First, run the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

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Even after root removal, some banking applications (such as Sberbank Online) may continue to block access, in which case a full reset via fastboot erase userdata will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about rooting Xiaomi Redmi 6A