How to install TWRP on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S: a complete guide to unlock the bootloader

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S (The codename curtana remains a popular smartphone among custom firmware enthusiasts, despite the release of new models. TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project opens access to advanced features: system backup, manual firmware ZIP-Files, root rights, and even building blocks after a failed experiment, but the process has nuances, from unlocking the bootloader to choosing the right version of the Recovery for your region.

In this guide, we will discuss the current 2026 method of installing TWRP on the Redmi Note 9S, taking into account changes in Xiaomi’s policy to unlock bootloaders and the peculiarities of working with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chipset. You will learn how to avoid common errors (for example, Invalid image format or hanging on the Mi logo), what tools will be needed, and how to check the success of the operation. The guide is suitable for users with basic skills with ADB and Fastboot, but we will explain each step in detail.

⚠️ Warning: Installation TWRP And unlocking the bootloader resets the smartphone to factory settings, deletes all data, and can take away warranties. MIUI) The process is blocked by additional protection measures - read about this in the section on preparation.

1. Preparation: What to do before installing TWRP

Before you start firmware, make sure you have everything you need, and errors at this point are the main reason for the "bricking" of the devices, and here is a checklist of mandatory conditions:

Backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages)

Battery charge of at least 70%

Original. USB-cable (better from the set)

Windows 10/11 or Linux PC (macOS not recommended)

Disabled antivirus (can block) ADB-team)-->

Pay special attention to the MIUI firmware version. On the Redmi Note 9S with firmware newer than MIUI 12.5, an additional step may be required - a rollback to an older version via Fastboot. Check the current version in the Settings menu → About Phone → MIUI version.

Also download the following files (links are valid for June 2026):

• 🔹 Official TWRP For curtana (select the version) 3.7.0_12-0 or newer)
• 🔹 Platform Tools (ADB & Fastboot by Google
• 🔹 Mi Unlock Tool (to unlock the bootloader)
• 🔹 Stock firmware (in case of restoration)

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If you have a Chinese version of the Redmi Note 9S (with the CN suffix in the model), before unlocking the bootloader, be sure to run the global firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

2 Unlock the bootloader: without this, TWRP cannot be installed

Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all its devices, so the first step is to unlock it. The process takes from 7 to 360 hours (depending on Xiaomi policy and your Mi Account activity).

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone: go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sync and make sure the device is tied.
2. Enable USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then Settings → Additional → Developer → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, confirm debugging permission, and follow the ADB command: Adb devices The device should appear in the list.
4. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to the Mi Account and follow the instructions. During the verification phase, the phone will reboot to Fastboot.
5. Wait for a message about successful unlocking (it may take several attempts).

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Unlock Tool shows a Couldn't unlock error or asks you to wait, don't interrupt the process. Xiaomi can block unlock on new accounts - in this case, link SIM-Card to account and wait 72 hours.

Less than 24 hours.

1-3 days

4-7 days

More than a week.

I haven't tried it yet.-->

3. Install TWRP via Fastboot: a step-by-step process

Once the bootloader is unlocked, you can start the TWRP firmware. It is important to use only the official version from the TWRP.me site, as unofficial builds may contain malicious code or not support data encryption.

Instructions:

1. Downloaded file twrp-3.7.0_12-0-curtana.img rename twrp.img and put it in a folder with platform-tools.
2. Open the command prompt in this folder (Shift + right mouse button → “Open PowerShell window here”).
3. Turn the phone into Fastboot mode: turn it off, then press Power + Volume Down.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and check for detection by the team: fastboot devices
5. TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
6. Reboot to Recavers off the system!: fastboot boot twrp.img

⚠️ Note: If after firmware you reboot into the system, stock recavator MIUI slack TWRP. Therefore, immediately after the command fastboot boot phone should boot in the custom recaveri.

4. TWRP setup: encryption, backup and root

After the first TWRP run, you will be asked to allow modifications to the system partition. Don't agree to changes (swipe don't!) unless you plan to flash Magisk or custom firmware right away. Otherwise, the system may stop booting.

First, make a full backup of the current firmware:

1. Go to the Backup section.
2. Check the boxes Boot, System, Data, Vendor.
3. Select a save location (preferably on MicroSD, if any).
4. Start backup swipe to the right.

If TWRP asks for a password to decrypt /data, enter PIN-If the partition doesn't decrypt, it means your firmware uses a new encryption method (FBE), And the backup data will be incomplete.

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Backup in TWRP is your brick insurance, and even if you don't plan on running firmware experiments, keep a copy of the stock system, and it will allow you to recover your phone in case of a failure after an upgrade or a failed modification.

5. Common mistakes and their solutions

When installing TWRP on the Redmi Note 9S, users often face typical problems, and we put them together in a table with solutions:

If your problem is not listed in the table, check the error log in TWRP (Advanced → Copy Log) often listing a specific file or partition that cannot be mounted.

6.Follow-up: Magisk, custom firmware, recovery

Now that TWRP is installed, you can:

• 🔧 Get root rights through Magisk (download the latest version) Magisk-v26.4.zip and run through Install in TWRP).
• 📱 Swipe custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience for curtana).
• 🔄 Restore the stock firmware from the backup if something goes wrong.
• 🛠️ Remove Bloatware (preinstalled Xiaomi apps) via Mount → System in TWRP.

⚠️ Note: Installing Magisk or custom firmware can cause Google Pay, Netflix and banking apps to crash due to the SafetyNet trigger. To get around this, after Magisk firmware, install Universal SafetyNet Fix and MagiskHide Props Config modules.

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Before you run custom firmware, check it is compatible with your bootloader version. For example, firmware for the Redmi Note 9 Pro (joyeuse) will not work for the Note 9S (curtana), despite the look and feel of the models.

7 How to get it all back: Restore the stock Recovery

If you need to return the phone to its original state (for example, for sale or warranty repair), follow the following steps:

1. Download stock recavators for your version of MIUI (can be extracted from the official firmware.tgz via the Mi Flash Tool).
2. Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery stock_recovery.img
3. Return the stock. boot.img (Magisk: Fastboot Flash boot stock_boot.img
4. Reset the Recavator: Wipe Data → Factory Reset.

After that, the phone will look like new, but the bootloader will remain unlocked. To lock it back, use the command:

fastboot oem lock

Attention:

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions