The Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro (codename sakura), released in 2018, holds a significant place in the company's lineup as the very first Redmi device to feature a display notch. It was a compact and reliable workhorse, packing the legendary power-efficient Snapdragon 625 processor and a large 4000 mAh battery into a small frame.
However, the Redmi 6 Pro's most important characteristic is its relationship with its identical twin, the Mi A2 Lite (daisy). While they are the same physical phone, sakura runs Xiaomi's MIUI, while daisy runs pure Android One. Their software is not directly interchangeable. This guide is exclusively for the MIUI-based Redmi 6 Pro (sakura).
In 2025, its official software journey has ended with MIUI 12 on Android 9 Pie. This final update can feel heavy on the aging hardware, so a clean flash is the best way to restore performance, unbrick your device, and get the most out of this classic phone.
This is your definitive guide to safely maintaining the Redmi 6 Pro:
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Redmi 6 Pro
For sakura, flashing is about restoration, optimization, and safe customization.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: sakura)
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the official firmware for your region and the necessary tools to get started.
Flashing Methods
Method 1: Flashing Official MIUI 12 Stock ROM (Fastboot Mode)
This is the most reliable method for unbricking your phone or returning it to its final, official factory state.
➡ Your phone will reboot into a perfectly clean, official MIUI 12 system.
Method 2: Installing the Xiaomi.eu ROM (Custom Recovery)
Choose this method for a debloated, ad-free version of MIUI 12.
➡ Your Redmi 6 Pro will now run a clean, optimized version of its final MIUI software.
FAQs
Q1: What is the main difference between the Redmi 6 Pro (sakura) and the Mi A2 Lite (daisy)?
They are the exact same physical phone, but they were sold with different software from the factory. sakura runs Xiaomi's MIUI skin, while daisy runs pure, stock Android One. Their internal partition layouts are different, so their firmware is not directly compatible.
Q2: Can I get Android 10 or newer on my Redmi 6 Pro?
Not officially from Xiaomi. However, because it shares hardware with the very popular Mi A2 Lite and has a developer-friendly Snapdragon 625, there is a large and active custom ROM community. You can find many unofficial builds of Android 10, 11, and even newer versions on forums like XDA-Developers.
Q3: My phone is very slow on MIUI 12. Will this help?
Yes, a clean flash will help significantly by removing old files. But for the best possible performance, many users of this device prefer to flash a lightweight, AOSP-based custom ROM (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS) which is much less demanding than MIUI 12.
Q4: The "India" link has a "MIXM" global version code. Is this correct?
Yes. For many models, Xiaomi uses a single "Global" ROM (identified by "MI" in MIXM) for multiple international regions, including India. So, V12.0.4.0.PDMMIXM is the correct final official ROM for the Indian variant.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
However, the Redmi 6 Pro's most important characteristic is its relationship with its identical twin, the Mi A2 Lite (daisy). While they are the same physical phone, sakura runs Xiaomi's MIUI, while daisy runs pure Android One. Their software is not directly interchangeable. This guide is exclusively for the MIUI-based Redmi 6 Pro (sakura).
In 2025, its official software journey has ended with MIUI 12 on Android 9 Pie. This final update can feel heavy on the aging hardware, so a clean flash is the best way to restore performance, unbrick your device, and get the most out of this classic phone.
This is your definitive guide to safely maintaining the Redmi 6 Pro:
- ✔ A critical clarification of the Redmi 6 Pro (sakura) vs. the Mi A2 Lite (daisy)
- ✔ Download links for the final official MIUI 12 (Android 9) firmware
- ✔ A link to the clean, ad-free Xiaomi.eu ROM for enthusiasts
- ✔ A working TWRP custom recovery installer and all essential tools
- ✔ Step-by-step instructions to unbrick and optimize your device
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Redmi 6 Pro
For sakura, flashing is about restoration, optimization, and safe customization.
- Fix Severe Lag on MIUI 12 → A clean installation is the most effective way to make the heavy MIUI 12 software run as smoothly as possible on the reliable Snapdragon 625 chipset.
- Unbrick or Fix a Bootloop → The essential recovery guide, especially important for a device that can be easily bricked by flashing the wrong firmware (for the Mi A2 Lite).
Prepare for Lighter Custom ROMs → The Redmi 6 Pro has a great custom ROM community. Flashing the latest stock firmware is the perfect stable base before installing a more lightweight, performance-oriented ROM like Pixel Experience or LineageOS. - Restore to 100% Stock Firmware → Revert from a custom ROM or simply start fresh with the final official software from Xiaomi.
- Install a Clean, Ad-Free MIUI (Xiaomi.eu) → The best choice for users who like MIUI's features but want a debloated experience without ads.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: sakura)
- Model: Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro
- Release Year: 2018
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625
- Display: 5.84” FHD+ IPS LCD with notch
- Battery: 4000 mAh
- OS at Launch: MIUI 9 on Android 8.1 Oreo
- Final Official OS: MIUI 12.0 on Android 9 Pie (End of Life)
- Codename: sakura
CRITICAL WARNING: This guide and firmware are for the Redmi 6 Pro (codename sakura) ONLY. It is NOT for the Mi A2 Lite (codename daisy), even though they share the same hardware. Cross-flashing between these models without the proper, advanced procedure is the most common way to permanently hard brick this device. Always verify your model.
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the official firmware for your region and the necessary tools to get started.
| Tool / File | Purpose / OS Version | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Flash Tool | For flashing official Fastboot ROMs. | Download Latest Version |
| Xiaomi USB Drivers | Ensures your PC can communicate with your phone. | Driver Pack |
| Mi Unlock Tool | Required to unlock the bootloader. | Official Unlock Page |
| Custom Recovery (TWRP) | Required to flash custom ROMs like Xiaomi.eu. | TWRP for Sakura (Fastboot ZIP) |
| Fastboot ROM (China) | Official MIUI 12.0 (Android 9) | V12.0.1.0.PDICNXM |
| Fastboot ROM (Global/India) | Official MIUI 12.0 (Android 9) | V12.0.4.0.PDMMIXM |
| Xiaomi.eu ROM (Custom) | Clean MIUI 12.0 for Enthusiasts | V12.0.1.0.PDICNXM |
Flashing Methods
Method 1: Flashing Official MIUI 12 Stock ROM (Fastboot Mode)
This is the most reliable method for unbricking your phone or returning it to its final, official factory state.
- Unlock Bootloader: Your device's bootloader must be unlocked. Use the official Mi Unlock Tool. This will erase your data.
- Boot into Fastboot Mode: Power off your Redmi 6 Pro. Press and hold Power + Volume Down until the Fastboot logo appears.
- Extract Firmware: On your PC, extract the downloaded .tgz Fastboot ROM twice until you have a folder with an images directory.
- Launch Mi Flash Tool: Open the tool as an administrator. Click "select" and choose the extracted firmware folder.
- Connect Device & Flash: Connect your phone to the PC, click "refresh", ensure "clean all" is selected at the bottom, and click "flash".
➡ Your phone will reboot into a perfectly clean, official MIUI 12 system.
Method 2: Installing the Xiaomi.eu ROM (Custom Recovery)
Choose this method for a debloated, ad-free version of MIUI 12.
- Unlock Bootloader: Ensure your bootloader is unlocked.
- Flash TWRP: Extract the downloaded TWRP .zip file. Boot your phone into Fastboot mode. Run the fastboot_twrp_installer.bat file from the extracted folder to install TWRP.
- Boot into TWRP: Hold Power + Volume Up while the phone reboots to enter the newly installed TWRP recovery.
- Wipe Data: This is mandatory. In TWRP, go to Wipe → Format Data and type "yes" to confirm.
- Transfer ROM File: Connect your phone to the PC and copy the downloaded Xiaomi.eu .zip file to its internal storage.
- Install the ROM: In TWRP, tap Install, select the ROM .zip file, and swipe the slider to begin flashing.
- Reboot: Once finished, tap "Reboot System."
➡ Your Redmi 6 Pro will now run a clean, optimized version of its final MIUI software.
FAQs
Q1: What is the main difference between the Redmi 6 Pro (sakura) and the Mi A2 Lite (daisy)?
They are the exact same physical phone, but they were sold with different software from the factory. sakura runs Xiaomi's MIUI skin, while daisy runs pure, stock Android One. Their internal partition layouts are different, so their firmware is not directly compatible.
Q2: Can I get Android 10 or newer on my Redmi 6 Pro?
Not officially from Xiaomi. However, because it shares hardware with the very popular Mi A2 Lite and has a developer-friendly Snapdragon 625, there is a large and active custom ROM community. You can find many unofficial builds of Android 10, 11, and even newer versions on forums like XDA-Developers.
Q3: My phone is very slow on MIUI 12. Will this help?
Yes, a clean flash will help significantly by removing old files. But for the best possible performance, many users of this device prefer to flash a lightweight, AOSP-based custom ROM (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS) which is much less demanding than MIUI 12.
Q4: The "India" link has a "MIXM" global version code. Is this correct?
Yes. For many models, Xiaomi uses a single "Global" ROM (identified by "MI" in MIXM) for multiple international regions, including India. So, V12.0.4.0.PDMMIXM is the correct final official ROM for the Indian variant.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
- Bricked after trying to flash Mi A2 Lite ROM: This is the most common and most serious error for this device. If you flashed daisy firmware and the phone is now completely dead (only detected as "Qualcomm 9008" in EDL mode), recovery is very difficult and may require advanced "test point" methods. Always double-check that you are flashing sakura firmware.
- Bootloop after flashing a custom ROM: You MUST use the "Format Data" option in TWRP before flashing. This is required to remove the stock MIUI encryption and is the most common reason for a failed custom ROM boot.
- Mi Flash Tool shows an error: Ensure you have extracted the .tgz file correctly and are using the correct firmware for sakura. Running the tool as an administrator and using a good USB cable are also important.
- "The system has been destroyed": This is a generic Xiaomi error for a failed boot. It is almost always fixable by forcing the phone back into Fastboot mode and flashing the stock firmware again.