Xiaomi Redmi 6A is a popular budget model that is often the object of experimentation by enthusiasts who want to expand its functionality. The standard shell MIUI, although functional, has a number of limitations that prevent custom firmware installation, complete removal of system debris or deep interface modification, and it is to remove these restrictions that you need to unlock the bootloader, which is the first and most important step in customizing the device.
The procedure for opening BL (Bootloader) on Xiaomi devices is officially authorized by the manufacturer, but requires a number of strict conditions and waiting. Unlike many other brands, you can not just enter a secret code or flash a single file here - you need to interact with the company's servers. Below we will discuss in detail the entire path from submitting an application to successfully completing the process, paying special attention to the nuances of the Redmi 6A model.
It is worth noting that unlocking the bootloader is an irreversible action in terms of data security and security. Once the procedure is completed, all files on the device will be permanently deleted, and the Android Verified Boot security system will go into warning mode. However, for experienced users, this opens the door to install TWRP recovery, Magisk for root rights and light operating systems such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience.
Preparation of the device and creation of an account Mi
The first step is to create or use an existing Mi Account. This is your digital passport in the Xiaomi ecosystem, without which the procedure is impossible. It is important that the account is tied to the exact phone number that will be used in the smartphone, and it has been a certain time since its creation (or password change), which will be discussed below. Go to the phone settings and make sure that you are logged in.
Then you need to activate the developer mode and allow debugging. To do this, go to the Settings menu → About the phone and find the MIUI version line. You need to quickly click on it 7-10 times in a row until the notification “You became a developer” appears. After that, go back to the main settings menu, select Additional → For developers and activate the Debugging switch over USB.
⚠️ Note: After the debugging is enabled USB This is standard Android security, and you need to confirm it by pressing OK, otherwise the computer will not be able to interact with the phone in debugging mode.
The next critical step is to link your account to your device through a special menu. In the "Developers" section, look for Mi Unlock Status (Mi Unlock Status), click on it, and the system will request confirmation via the device. SMS yours SIM-Make sure the phone is the one on the card. SIM-The card that the Mi Account is registered with has a stable Internet connection (preferably Wi-Fi). After successfully linking, you will see a message that the device is associated with the account.
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Use a strong password for your Mi Account and write it down. If you forget the login details after unlocking, it will be extremely difficult to restore access to your account, and the phone can turn into a brick when you try to reset.
Installation of drivers and utilities Mi Unlock
You will need the official Mi Unlock Tool, which can only be downloaded from miui.com/unlock. Do not use third-party versions of the program, as they may contain malicious code or work with verification servers incorrectly. Also be sure to install ADB and Fastboot drivers, which often come with Android SDK platform tools.
The process of installing drivers on Windows can sometimes not be automatic. If when connecting your phone in Fastboot mode, the Device Manager shows an unknown device, you will have to manually update the driver, specifying the path to the files. android_winusb.inf. For Redmi. 6A, The processor running on MediaTek may also require specific VCOM Drivers, but standard Google is usually enough for standard unlocking via Fastboot USB Driver.
Once you install the program, run MiUnlock.exe on behalf of the administrator. Sign in to your Mi Account using the same data you have on your phone. The program will check your account status and issue a warning that all data will be deleted. Confirm consent to go to the main unlock interface.
☑️ Checking readiness for unlocking
Switching to Fastboot Mode and Connecting
To get your computer to see the phone in the right mode, you need to turn the Redmi 6A into Fastboot. Turn it off completely. Then press the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time. Hold them until the image of a hare repairing an android appears on the screen, labeled FASTBOOT in orange or blue.
Connect your phone to your computer with high-quality USB-It is recommended to use the original cable or certified analogue, as cheap cables often do not provide stable data transfer, which leads to connection errors in the utility. In the Windows Device Manager in the section "Android Devices" should appear Android Bootloader Interface.
In Mi Unlock Tool, click Unlock. The system will do an initial check. If all the conditions are met, you will see a message to wait. This is the most difficult stage for many users, as it depends on Xiaomi's security policy at the moment.
| Status of verification | Description of the situation | Action required |
|---|---|---|
| Unlock successfully | Unlocking was successful | The phone will reboot, the data will be deleted. |
| Wait 168 hours | You have to wait 7 days (168 hours) | Do nothing, just wait for the deadline to expire. |
| Account mismatch | Accounts on PC and phone do not match | Log out and re-enter the same Mi Account |
| Device not bound | The device is not tied to the account | Attach via the menu "Mi Unlock Status" in the settings |
Waiting and trying again to unlock
In most cases, the program will give a wait message on the first attempt, the standard time is 168 hours (7 days), but in periods of high load on servers or for new accounts, this period can be extended to 30 days.
During the waiting period, you can not leave the Mi Account on your phone, reset your settings or change the phone. SIM-If you violate these conditions, the timer will reset and the wait will start again. Also, it is not recommended to reboot the phone often, although this is not always critical, the stability of the device's state increases the chances of successfully unlocking the first time after the timer expires.
⚠️ Note: Some users try to trick the system by changing the date on the computer or using modified versions of Mi Unlock. IMEI. Use only official methods and be patient.
When the wait period expires, re-start the Mi Unlock Tool, connect the phone in Fastboot mode and press the unlock button. This time, the program should give a green success message. The process will take several minutes, during which the phone can restart several times, and the screen will display the progress bar.
First start and check the status of the loader
Once the procedure is completed successfully, Redmi 6A will automatically restart and begin the Wipe Data cleanup process. The screen can go out and light up, the system will reassemble. The first run will take longer than usual - from 5 to 10 minutes. Don't panic if the phone "hangs" on the MI logo, this is normal behavior after formatting the data partition.
When the system boots up, you'll see a characteristic picture with an open lock when the device is turned on, which is displayed a few seconds before the logo appears, which is a visual confirmation that Bootloader is unlocked, and Mi Unlock will change to Unlock status under the Developer Menu.
Now you can install custom recavators, such as TWRP. To do this, download the recovery image corresponding to your version of Android and the cactus model (codenamed Redmi 6A). Connect the phone in Fastboot mode and use the command in the console:
fastboot flash recovery twrp.imgAfter you have recovered the firmware, it is important to immediately switch to Recovery mode by pressing the Volume Up and Power buttons. If you just reboot the phone to the system, the standard MIUI can overwrite the recavereas back to the drain, and you have to repeat the procedure.
What is Verified Boot and How Does It Affect Work?
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
Unlocking is rarely a perfect process for all users, with Error 10004 or Error 10007 being a common bug, often associated with network or server issues. In such cases, try using a proxy server in the settings of the Mi Unlock program or change the Internet connection (for example, distribute the Internet from your phone via a phone). USB-modem).
Another common problem is that you're stuck at 50 percent or 99 percent, which can indicate a bad one. USB-cable, faulty port or driver interruption. Try connecting the device to the port USB 2.0 (black connector) instead USB 3.0, because older MediaTek devices are sometimes better stabilized on them, and reinstalling drivers in Device Manager helps.
If the program says "Couldn't verify device," make sure that the "Mi Unlock Status" menu on the phone does tick the binding box, sometimes you need to repeat the binding procedure over the mobile Internet, turning off Wi-Fi, as servers can block the connection. IP-addresses of certain providers.
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The main reason for failures when unlocking is an unstable Internet connection and the use of unoriginal devices. USB-cables that do not provide the necessary data rate for handshake protocol.