Install Kali Nethunter on Xiaomi: a complete guide with unlocking and setting up

Installing Kali Nethunter on Xiaomi smartphones makes your device a powerful tool for security testing, pentesting and networking. However, the process requires not only technical skills, but also an understanding of the features of MIUI firmware, unlocking the bootloader and compatibility with specific models. Unlike standard instructions, here we take into account the nuances of Redmi, POCO and Mi 2020-2026, as well as the current limitations of Xiaomi on unlocking Bootloader.

This article doesn’t just recap the common steps — it contains unique solutions for bugs like Anti-Rollback and Invalid IMEI, which are common when you install custom firmware on Xiaomi. We’ll also break down which models are officially supported and which will require manual kernel assembly. If you’re a beginner, start by checking your device’s compatibility, which will save you debugging hours.

1. Verification of device compatibility

Not all Xiaomi smartphones support Kali Nethunter. The official list of compatible devices includes models with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (series 6xx, 7xx, 8xx) and unlockable bootloader. For example, Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet), POCO F3 (alioth) and Mi 11 (venus) are suitable, while budget models on MediaTek (e.g. Redmi 9A) are not.

To make sure your device is supported:

• 🔍 Check the model code name in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (For example, raphael for Redmi. K20 Pro).
• 📋 Check the official Nethunter list or GitHub repository.
• ⚙️ Make sure your model has a Nethunter-enabled custom core (e.g. KernelSU or FrancoKernel).

If your model is not on the list, you can try informal builds, but this requires manual compilation of the kernel. For example, for the Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia), you will have to use XDA Developers and adapt the kernel from a similar model.

⚠️ Note: Install Nethunter on MediaTek devices (e.g. Helio) G95) It often leads to problems with Wi-Fi injections and Bluetooth. 4PDA.

2 Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)

Xiaomi locks the bootloader on all devices, and unlocking it is a must-have. The process takes 3 to 7 days because of the company's policy.

• 📱 Mi Account linked to the device (required to confirm email and phone!).
• 🔗 Official Mi Unlock Tool (version no lower than 5.5.224.30).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original – cheap often cause connection errors).

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Enable Developer Options (7 times click on the MIUI version in your phone settings).
2. Activate OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For Developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in.
4. Follow the instructions of the program. During the checkout phase, a message may appear: Couldn't unlock. Wait 168 hours is normal.

Create a backup copy of data (photos, contacts, SMS)

Disable Find My Device and all Google accounts

Charge your phone at least 60%

Make sure that drivers are installed on the PC ADB-->

Once unlocked, the bootloader will reset to the factory settings, all data will be deleted, and if you see the message This device is locked when you boot, then the process has been successful.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro, when unlocked, may trigger the Anti-Rollback, which will cause the device to "brick" before unlocking, check the version. MIUI Compatibility with custom firmware on Xiaomi Firmware Updater.

3. Installation of TWRP Recovery

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is the custom recovery required to install Kali Nethunter. It is important for Xiaomi to choose the correct version, since many TWRP builds do not support FBE (File-Based Encryption) encryption.

How to install TWRP:

1. Download the current version of TWRP for your model from the official website or XDA. For example, this build will suit the Redmi Note 10 Pro.
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with the platform-tools (where adb and fastboot are installed).
3. Turn off your phone, press Power + Vol Down to go to Fastboot.
4. Connect the device to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img

If the TWRP is not saved after the reboot, but the standard MIUI Recovery returns, then your model is running Anti-Rollback protection.

• 🔧 Install. TWRP Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp.img, Then immediately move to it, holding the Power. + Vol Up.
• 📦 V TWRP plough disable_forceencrypt.zip (Disables encryption and OrangeFox (alternative recovery).

4. Selection and installation of firmware

For Kali Nethunter, any custom firmware based on Android 11-14 with support for Magisk will suit.

Installation instructions:

1. Download firmware (like LineageOS for your model) and Kali Nethunter ZIP.
2. Move the files to the phone or SD-map.
3. Download to TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (if you switch from MIUI).
4. Install firmware, then Kali Nethunter, and then Magisk (for root rights).

If Nethunter does not start after installation, check:

• 🔄 Compatible with your firmware version of Nethunter (for example, Android 13 requires build 2023.2)+).
• 🛠️ File availability nethunter.zip at the root of memory (sometimes) TWRP Can't see files in folders).
• 🔧 Correct installation of the kernel (if assembled manually).

💡

If after installing Nethunter, Wi-Fi does not work in monitor mode (for pentest), try flashing the monitor mode kernel from the Kali Nethunter Wiki repository.

5.Setting up Kali Nethunter

Once installed successfully, you need to configure Kali Nethunter to work.

1. Open the Nethunter app and wait until the first setup is complete (it can take 5-10 minutes).
2. Update your repositories with Kali Chroot Manager: apt update && apt upgrade -y
3. Install the necessary tools (e.g. aircrack-ng, metasploit-framework): apt install aircrack-ng metasploit-framework -y

To work with Wi-Fi in monitor mode:

• 📶 Connect an external adapter (e.g. Alfa) AWUS036ACH) through OTG-cable.
• 🔧 Turn on the monitor mode in Nethunter → WiFi.
• 🛡️ Use the following: airodump-ng wlan0mon

If Nethunter tools don’t start, check:

• 🔄 Su rights (to be issued through Magisk).
• 📦 Availability of free space in /data (minimum 5 GB).
• 🔧 Core compatibility (some custom kernels block access to the core) /dev).

💡

If you’re using Xiaomi with a Snapdragon 8xx processor, check for 802.11ac support in monitor mode – many internal Wi-Fi modules don’t support packet injection.

6. Solving common errors

When installing Kali Nethunter on Xiaomi, there are often specific errors.

If the phone doesn’t turn on after installing Nethunter (black screen or Xiaomi logo), try:

1. Download to Fastboot and flash boot.img: fastboot flash boot.img
2. If it doesn’t work, restore the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (select clean all and lock for a full reset).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with Dynamic Partition (e.g. Redmi Note 11), custom firmware installation can result in the loss of the super partition. TWRP or SP Flash Tool.

7. Optimization of productivity

Kali Nethunter can brake on weak devices (e.g. Snapdragon 6xx) to speed up:

• 🔧 Disable unnecessary services in Nethunter → Services.
• 📉 Reduce the number of tools running simultaneously (e.g., don’t run metasploit and aircrack together).
• 🔄 Use lightweight firmware (e.g. LineageOS MicroG).
• 🛠️ Set up a swap file to increase RAM: fallocate -l 1G /data/swapfile mkswap /data/swapfile swapon /data/swapfile

For Snapdragon 8xx devices (such as POCO F3), you can overclock the processor via Kernel Adiutor or FrancoKernel Manager, but this will reduce battery life.

If Nethunter tools are giving out errors such as Permission denied, check:

• 🔐 Su rights in Magisk (must be included for Nethunter).
• 📂 Folder rights /data/local/nethunter (must 755).
• 🔧 File availability /data/local/nhsystem/bin/busybox.

FAQ: Frequent questions