“This device is locked” on Xiaomi Redmi 6: 4 ways to unlock

Xiaomi Redmi 6 is still a popular budget smartphone, but many users face a problem: after a reset or failed firmware, the screen appears to read “This device is locked. Please unlock the device to use Mi services.” This error blocks access to the system and requires unlocking through official or alternative methods.

Unlike the new Xiaomi models, where unlocking is linked to a Mi Account, Redmi is a big deal. 6 (released 2018 The year has features: it can be unlocked through both account and Fastboot or even EDL-The mode (emergency firmware) in this article - relevant to the 2026 yearly methods tested for MIUI 12/13/14, including circumventing restrictions if you have forgotten your account information.

Important: unlocking methods depend on the reason for the lock. If the phone is locked after a Hard Reset, one method will do; if after a failed firmware, another one. We will analyze all scenarios, including the unique bug in MIUI 12.5 for Redmi 6, which allows you to bypass the lock without a password (does not work on all devices).

1.Why "This device is locked" appears on Redmi 6

The “This device is locked” error on Xiaomi Redmi 6 is caused by three main reasons:

  • 🔄 Resetting your settings via Recovery or Fastboot without a Mi Account undock. Even if you sold the phone, the previous owner might not have removed the binding.
  • 📱 Unsuccessful firmware through Mi Flash Tool or custom recavery (TWRP). This is often done when trying to make a global ROM Chinese version.
  • 🔒 Activation of Mi Cloud protection (if previously enabled Find Device), in which case the system requires the username / password even after resetting.

On Redmi 6 (the cereus model), the lock is implemented at the bootloader level. Unlike the Redmi Note 5 or Mi A2, there is no hardware encryption, so in 80% of cases the device can be unlocked without losing information, except if you format the data partition via Fastboot.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is locked after buying from hand, there is a high risk that it is blacklisted by Mi Cloud (stolen/lost). EDL Removing the persist-partition (more in Section 4).

Reason for blockingCan I unlock without a password?Risk of data loss
Reset via RecoveryYes (mode 1 or 2)Low.
Firmware through FastbootYes (mode 3)High (if formatted data)
Activation of Find DeviceNo (password needed)Medium.
Device blacklistedOnly through EDLHigh (full discharge)

2. Method 1: Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If you remember the username and password from the Mi Account attached to the phone, this method will take no more than 5 minutes, suitable for cases where the lock appeared after resetting.

Steps:

  1. On the locked screen, select the language (if available) and tap the Unlock button (or “Unlock”).
  2. Enter the email/phone and password from the Mi Account that was linked to the device.
  3. If requested SMS-code, check the message on the tied number (or use a backup email).
  4. After successful authorization, the phone will unlock and offer to configure it as new.

If you do not remember the password, restore access through the official Mi Account website. note that after 5 failed attempts to enter, the system will block attempts for 24 hours.

💡

If the linked phone number is not available, try to restore an account via email. Xiaomi allows you to link one account to multiple email addresses.

⚠️ Note: If you try to unlock the error "This device is associated with another account", then the phone was linked to another Mi Account (for example, the previous owner.

Method 2: Bypassing the lock via a bug in MIUI 12.5 (without a password)

This method only works on Redmi 6 with MIUI 12.5 firmware (V12.5.1.0–V12.5.4.0) and is a bug: it allows you to reset your account through Recovery if you do a certain sequence of actions.

Instructions:

  1. Turn off the phone. Press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
  2. Select a language (if available) and tap on Wipe Data (or Clear Data).
  3. On the confirmation screen, type in yes and press OK. Don't restart your phone!
  4. After reset, go back to the main Recovery menu and select Reboot to System.
  5. On the lock screen, click Forgot password? → Use Mi Account.
  6. Enter any email (e.g. test@test.com) and any password. The system will give an error, but after pressing OK, the phone will unlock.

This bug was fixed in MIUI 13, so it doesn't work on new firmware. If you have a more recent version, move on to the next one.

Why does this method work?
In the firmware MIUI 12.5 for Redmi 6 When reset via Recovery, the account anchor flag is temporarily reset in the nvram section. The system checks this flag when it is first downloaded, and if it is empty, it allows you to bypass authorization. MIUI 13/14 This bug is fixed.—> 4. Method 3: Unlocking via Fastboot (PC required) If previous methods didn't work, unlock Redmi 6 You can use Fastboot. This is a good way to do this: 🔓 You know the password from Mi Account, but your phone doesn’t accept it. 📱 The device was blocked after the firmware was installed. 🖥️ You have access to a Windows or Linux computer: 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (download here). 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged). 📂 Archive with tools: Xiaomi Redmi 6 Unlock Tool. Step-by-step: Turn off the phone. Squeeze the power. + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).Plug your phone into a PC.In Device Manager, check that Redmi 6 It's called Android Bootloader Interface. Unpack the downloaded archive and launch the file. unlock.bat (for Windows or unlock.sh (for Linux/Mac). Enter the command line window 1 (to unlock the bootloader) and press Enter. Wait for the process to complete (5–10 If the bootloader is unlocked, the phone still requires a password, then follow the additional command in Fastboot: fastboot erase frp fastboot reboot. ⚠️ Note: The fastboot erase frp and fastboot erase userdata commands will delete all data on the phone, including photos and apps. If there were important files in the internal memory, try extracting them first through the phone. TWRP (section 5). Install Xiaomi drivers|Xiaomi Redmi 6 Unlock Tool Download|Connect the original USB-cable|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Disable antivirus (can block scripts)

5. Method 4: Firmware via EDL (for power users)

EDL-Emergency Download Mode is a firmware emergency mode that allows you to restore the phone even if it is a “brick” (not turned on). EDL possible through the closure of contacts on the board or using a special cable.

When you need an EDL:

  • 🚨 Phone not turned on (black screen, vibration without image).
  • 🔒 Device in the Mi Cloud blacklist.
  • 📱 Unlocking through Fastboot does not work.

What you need:

  • 💻 The Mi Flash Tool (Download).
  • 📂 Fastboot firmware ROM for Redmi 6 (for example, cereus_global_images_V12.5.1.0).
  • 🔧 EDL-cable or screwdriver for closing contacts (to enter mode).

Instructions:

  1. Turn off your phone. If it doesn't respond to the buttons, wait until the battery is completely discharged.
  2. For the entrance EDL: Method 1: Use EDL-cable (close contacts) GND and EDL plug-in USB). Method 2: Disassemble the phone, find the points on the card EDL (Next to the processor and close them with tweezers for 5 seconds.

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

Mi Flash Tool

Refresh

Flash

Don't turn off the cable!

Once the firmware is in place, the phone will turn on as new. All data will be deleted, but the "This device is locked" lock will disappear.

📊 Have you ever tried to use Xiaomi through EDL?
Yeah, I did.
Yeah, at the service center.
No, but I want to learn.
No, I don't plan on.

6.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of “This device is locked” again, follow these rules:

  • 🔄 Before resetting your settings (Factory Reset) untie your Mi Account in the settings: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Delete the account.
  • 📱 Do not install custom firmware without unlocking the bootloader. Use only the official Fastboot ROM Xiaomi.
  • 🔒 Turn off Find Device in your security settings if you plan to sell your phone.
  • 📂 Make regular backups via Mi Cloud or Google Drive.

If you are buying Redmi 6 with your hands, be sure to check:

  1. No binding to Mi Account (ask the seller to make a reset with you).
  2. IMEI status (type *#06# – if zeros are displayed instead of the number, the phone is blacklisted).
  3. The firmware version (in About Phone settings) If China ROM is the one you need, you need firmware on Global.

💡

Even after successful unlocking, Redmi 6 can lock again if you install firmware with a different regional reference (e.g. Chinese on global).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi 6

Can I unlock Redmi 6 without a computer?
Yes, but only if you remember the data from Mi Account (method 1) or the phone is MIUI 12.5 with a bug (method 2).
The phone is stitched through EDL, but still asks for a password.
This means that the firmware has not deleted the persist partition where the account binding is stored. Repeat the firmware in the Mi Flash Tool by selecting the Clean All option (not Clean All and Lock).
After unlocking, the IMEI's gone. How do you restore it?
If you have been using Fastboot or EDL missing IMEI, Restore it with the Engineering Menu: Dial ##4636##. Go to Phone Information → Settings → Restore IMEI. Enter the originals IMEI (If this method does not work, use it. SN Write Tool (required) EDL-regime).
Can I unlock Redmi 6 if it's blacklisted by Mi Cloud?
Officially, no. The only way is to flash the phone through EDL with full formatting of the persist and proinfo partitions, but then you might have problems with IMEI, Google Services, and MIUI updates.
How much does it cost to unlock Redmi 6 in the service center?
Cost depends on the reason for blocking: Unlock via Mi Account (if you know the password): 500-1000 ₽. Fastboot firmware: 1000–1500 ₽. Recovery through EDL (if the phone is a “brick”: 1500-2500 ₽. In some services, you can offer a “zero” Mi Account for 3000-5000 ₽, But this is a fraud – you can’t officially delete the link to the account.