Xiaomi Redmi 6A: 5 Ways to Unlock Without Losing Data (and With Them)

Xiaomi Redmi 6A is still one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its owners often face the problem of locking the screen. the message “This device is locked” can appear after repeatedly incorrectly entering a password, a firmware failure or even after buying a used device with a tied Mi Account. Unlike new models, the Redmi 6A does not support fingerprint unlock, which complicates the situation.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of unlocking – from official (via Mi Account and Find Device) to radical (reset via Fastboot or Recovery). We will focus on methods that work even without a Xiaomi account, and how to minimize data loss, USB-cable and basic knowledge of working with ADB.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If you had a Mi Account attached to the Redmi 6A, and you remember the username and password, it's the easiest way to get back access. Xiaomi provides the official "Find Device" tool that allows you to unlock the device remotely. Here's how it works:

• 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in to your account.
• 📱 In the Devices section, select your Redmi. 6A (if it's connected to the Internet).
• 🔓 Click Unlock the device and confirm the action through SMS email.
• ⏳ Wait 5-10 minutes – the phone should unlock automatically.

⚠️ Note: If your smartphone is not connected to the network (Wi-Fi or mobile Internet), this method will not work. Also note that after unlocking, you may need to re-authorize in some applications (for example, Google Play).

2.Reset via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If Mi Account is lost and other methods fail, it is hard to reset through Recovery mode, which removes all data from the device, including photos, contacts and installed apps, and make sure that the phone has enough charge (minimum 30%) before starting.

Instructions:

1. Turn off Redmi 6A with a long press on the power button.
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
5. After the process is complete, select Reboot.

⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi firmware 6A After the reset, you may need to enter data from the Mi Account that was previously linked (Mi Cloud Lock).If you do not know this data, the phone will remain locked!

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If resetting via Recovery doesn’t help (for example, because of Mi Cloud Lock), you can try unlocking Redmi. 6A It's a Fastboot mode. It requires a computer, USB-cables and installed drivers ADB/Fastboot. Suitable for cases where:

• 🔒 Phone locked after reset due to tied Mi Account.
• 📱 The screen does not respond to touch, but the device is turned on.
• 🔧 You need to flash custom firmware to bypass the lock.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect Redmi 6A to your PC and open the command line in the Platform Tools folder.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined, continue.
5. To unlock the bootloader (if it is blocked), do: fastboot oem unlock Attention: this will erase all data!
6. If you need to flash stock firmware, download it from the official Xiaomi website and use the command: fastboot flash all [name file firmware.zip]

💡 If the fastboot oem unlock command doesn’t work, maybe on your Redmi 6A In this case, you will need firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with authorization in Mi Account.

4. Bypassing the lock via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If Redmi 6A previously had USB debugging enabled (Settings → Developer → USB debugging), you can try removing the password file via ADB.

• ❌ Debugging by USB switched off.
• ❌ Phone is completely locked (unlock screen is not turned on).
• ❌ The device is not defined by a computer.

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 6A to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
2. Enter the commands in turn: 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

Once you reboot, the lock screen should disappear, so if you see a su: not found error, then the phone has no root rights, and the method will not work.

💡

If you have a backup of your data in Mi Cloud, you can restore contacts and photos through the Mi Cloud app on your phone after unlocking.

5 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Centers

If all independent attempts to unlock the Redmi 6A were unsuccessful, you can contact the official Xiaomi service center.

• 🔐 The phone is tied to someone else's Mi Account (buy used).
• 📉 Reset requires data from your old account (Mi Cloud Lock).
• 🛠️ You need to refashion the device with a guarantee of preservation IMEI.

What will be required:

• 📄 Checks or documents confirming the purchase (if the phone is guaranteed).
• 🆔 Passport for identification.
• 💰 Payment for the service (from 1000 to 3 000 rubles depending on the problem).

⚠️ Attention: Unofficial services may offer "unlocking" through the firmware of uncertified versions of the software:

• 🚫 Loss of guarantee.
• 📵 Network problems (incorrect operation) IMEI).
• 🔄 Automatic locks from Xiaomi.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to unlock the Redmi 6A, users often make critical errors that can turn a phone into a brick, and the table below shows the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them.

💡 Key takeaway: If you're unsure of your actions, it's best to contact a service center.Redmi 6A — budget device, and the cost of repairs is often lower than the risks of permanently disabling it.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions