Owners of the legendary Xiaomi Redmi 3 often face the limitations of the standard MIUI shell, which does not allow you to remove system debris or use powerful applications to modify the system. Obtaining superuser rights opens up access to the deep settings of the Android operating system, allowing you to fully unleash the potential of this budget but productive device.
Before you start taking action, you need to understand that obtaining Root rights involves unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recavator. This is a complex procedure that, in case of an error, can lead to improper operation of the smartphone or complete loss of data. Redmi 3 has its own firmware features that distinguish it from newer models of the company, so it is important to strictly follow each step of the instructions.
In this article, we will discuss all the stages of preparation and implementation of the process, you will learn how to properly configure your computer, where to download the necessary files and what commands to enter into the console. Attention: all actions you perform at your own risk, so we strongly advise you to create a full backup of important data beforehand.
Preparing a smartphone and computer for modification
The first step is to get the workspace and the software ready, and you're going to need a Windows computer that's working. USB-The battery must be at least 70% charged so that the device does not turn off at the most critical moment of the recovery firmware.
You need to install the current ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer, without which the system will not be able to correctly recognize the phone in boot mode, you should also download the TWRP image, specially adapted for the Redmi 3 model (codenamed ido), and the Magisk firmware file in ZIP or APK format.
On the smartphone, you need to activate the hidden developer menu. To do this, go to Settings → About the phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times. After that, a new item will appear on the menu “For developers”, where you need to enable debugging over USB and unlock the bootloader.
- 📱 Charge the smartphone battery to at least 70-80%.
- 💻 Install the drivers. ADB/Fastboot computer.
- 📂 Download the image TWRP Magisk file for Redmi 3.
- 🔓 Turn on "Debugging by" USB» developer-menu.
⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will result in the complete removal of all data from the internal storage device of the smartphone. be sure to back up contacts, photos and documents before starting the procedure.
Check integrity USB-Cheap cables often only support charging and don't transmit data, making it impossible to interact with Fastboot. Use the original cable or high-quality analogue with data support.
Unlocking the Xiaomi Bootloader
Officially unlocking the bootloader is a must for custom recavator installation. Xiaomi has implemented this security measure, so you can't just flash TWRP. You'll need a Mi Account tied to the device and the official Mi Unlock Tool utility.
The process of linking an account can take anywhere from 7 to 360 hours. Once you apply for the Mi Unlock Status app on your smartphone, you will have to wait the allotted time. Trying to bypass the wait or use third-party services can lead to the device being blocked over IMEI.
When the wait time is up, turn off your phone and press the Loud Down + Power button combination until the hare logo appears (Fastboot mode). Connect your phone to your PC and launch the Mi Unlock Tool. If the account status allows, the Unlock button will become active.
fastboot oem unlockOnce successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically restart and reset to factory settings, which is the normal behavior of the security system, and now the bootloader is open to make changes, and you can move on to the next step.
☑️ Pre-firmware check
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
Xiaomi’s standard recovery does not allow third-party installations ZIP-files or obtain full access rights. TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project replaces the standard menu with an advanced tool with support for touch control and partition mounting.
To install, place an image file (such as twrp-3.x.x.x-ido.img) in the folder with ADB tools on your computer. Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode and connect to your PC. Open the command line in the ADB folder and enter the command to firmware the image.
fastboot flash recovery twrp-ido.imgAn important nuance for Redmi 3 is that you can't boot right into the system after you've run the firmware. If you do, the standard MIUI will overwrite the Recovery back to the drain. Immediately after you've finished the command, run the button combination to log into Recovery: Volume up + Power.
What happens if TWRP doesn’t start?
From the TWRP menu, select the language (Russian available) and allow modifications to the system partition. Now the device is ready to install superuser rights and other modifications.
Installation of Superuser Rights through Magisk
The modern standard for obtaining Root access is Magisk. Unlike the old SuperSU, Magisk works systemless, which allows you to hide the rights from banking applications and services Google Pay.
Download the current one. APK-Magisk file to your computer and rename its extension from.apk to.zip. Copy the resulting archive to your smartphone memory card or internal memory if it is accessed from the device. TWRP.
Boot to Recovery Mode (TWRP). Select Install, find the Magisk.zip file, and confirm the swipe installation. The process will take a few seconds, after which a successful completion message will appear.
- 📥 Download the latest version of Magisk.
- 🔄 Rename the file extension to.zip.
- 💾 Put the file in the phone memory.
- ⚙️ Install the archive through the Install menu in TWRP.
After installation, click the button "Reboot System". The first download may take longer than usual time (until the end of the day). 5-7 Don't panic if the screen is lit with a logo for a long time. MI Android: The system integrates Magisk modules.
⚠️ Warning: Never remove the Magisk app or try to update it through the Play Market. Update only through the app's built-in functionality or by re-running the firmware ZIP-archive.
Once downloaded, look for the Magisk icon in the app menu. If it shows the version and the status "Installed", then the procedure was successful. Now you have full control over the Xiaomi Redmi 3.
Comparison of methods for obtaining Root access
There are several approaches to modifying the system, but not all of them are relevant to Redmi 3. Some methods that worked on older versions of Android, on MIUI 8/9/10 can lead to the "bricking" of the device.
| Method | Security | Difficulty | The risk of blocking |
|---|---|---|---|
| KingRoot / OneClickRoot | Low. | Minimum | High (viruses, backdoors) |
| TWRP + Magisk | Tall. | Medium | Minimum (if instructions are followed) |
| Direct editing boot.img | Medium | Tall. | Medium (patch error) |
| Third-party PC utilities | Low. | Low. | Critical (data loss) |
As you can see from the table, TWRP + Magisk is the most reliable and secure bundle, and the use of dubious programs like KingRoot on Xiaomi devices often leads to system conflicts and inability to boot.
The Android ecosystem is constantly changing, and old security holes are closing, making simple methods unworkable on updated versions of MIUI.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
When modifying the Xiaomi Redmi 3, there may be unexpected situations, most often users face a cyclic reboot or inability to enter Fastboot mode. It is important to keep cool and not to perform chaotic actions.
If the phone is stuck on the logo after installing Magisk, try going to TWRP and performing "Wipe Dalvik/Cache." If that doesn't help, maybe the Magisk version is incompatible with your version of Android, and you'll need to roll back to a more stable build.
In case your computer stopped seeing your phone in Fastboot, check Windows Device Manager. If there's a device with a yellow exclamation point or an unknown device there, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers or using Google's universal USB drivers.
💡
Save the original boot.img file from your current firmware before any experiments, which will allow you to return to the original state of the system in case of a critical error without completely flashing.
Sometimes resetting TWRP to default helps. To do this, select Wipe → Format Data from the Recovery menu and type yes. This will delete all data, including encryption, which often solves memory access problems.
⚠️ Note: If the device went to Hard Brick (black screen, only charging reaction, PC emits a connection sound, but the device is not detected), you will need to disassemble the smartphone and close the contacts Test Point to enter the mode EDL.
To enter an EDL on Redmi 3, you usually need to remove the back cover, which is a complex process that requires electronic repair skills, so it's better to prevent a problem than to fix it.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Will the warranty be reset after obtaining Root rights?
Will the banking apps work with Root?
Can I update MIUI over OTA with Root installed?
How to remove Root completely and get it back to normal?
💡
Root rights give you complete freedom, but they require responsibility. Always have stock firmware on hand in case you need an emergency system recovery.
Obtaining superuser rights on Xiaomi Redmi 3 is a powerful customization tool. Following the instructions, you can extend the life of your device by installing lightweight versions of Android or removing unnecessary software.