Xiaomi Mi 9 SE — compact flagship with Snapdragon 712 and AMOLED-It's a screen that's still relevant today, thanks to the powerful stuffing and support for custom firmware. MIUI It restricts the device's capabilities by blocking system files, imposing ads, and taking control of hardware. Getting root rights solves these problems, but the process requires caution - a mistake at any stage can turn a smartphone into a brick».
In this guide, we will discuss three officially supported methods for obtaining root on the Mi 9. SE (codename grus: through unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk, using the boot patched image, as well as an alternative method for devices with a locked bootloader (if Xiaomi has suspended unlocks). MIUI 14 and Android 13, but will also be suitable for older versions (adjusted for build numbers).
1.Preparation: What to Know Before Unlocking
Before you start manipulating the system, consider two critical points:
- 🔓 The warranty is canceled. Xiaomi fixes the fact of unlocking the bootloader in the hardware chip (efuse), and it is impossible to return the warranty even after a rollback to the stock firmware.
- 🚨 The risk of a breeze, the wrong firmware boot.img or interrupted installation TWRP It can result in a load cycle or complete inoperability of the device.
- 📱 Data loss. Unlocking the bootloader resets the Mi 9 SE to factory settings – make a backup through Mi Cloud or ADB Backup.
Also check the MIUI version and the firmware region. To do this, go to Settings → About the phone. If you have a Global or EEA build, there won't be any problems. If you have China Stable firmware, you'll have to flash Global ROM first through the Mi Flash Tool, otherwise Magisk might not work properly.
Be sure to prepare:
- 💻 Windows PC 10/11 (for Linux/macOS Additional drivers will be required).
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or certified – cheap cables can cause firmware errors).
- 📱 Battery charge of at least 60% (to avoid shutdown during the process).
- 🔐 Mi Account tied to the device (unblocking is impossible without it).
2 Unlock the bootloader on Mi 9 SE
Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all devices, and the Mi 9 SE is no exception. To unlock it, you need to obtain permission from the manufacturer through the official Mi Unlock Tool.The process takes from 3 to 360 hours (depending on Xiaomi's policy) and requires an account to be linked to the device.
Steps to unlock:
- Activate. OEM-Unlocking: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to activate Developer Mode. Then go back to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers and include: 🔧 OEM-Unlock (if there is no option – update) MIUI last-minute). 🔌 Debugging by USB.
Link the Mi Account
In the same Developer Menu, find Mi Unlock Status and link your account. Without this step, the Mi Unlock Tool won't see the device.
Download the Mi Unlock Tool
The official utility can be taken on the Xiaomi website (version should be at least 5.5.224.30).
Launch unlock.
Connect the Mi 9 SE to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume Down).
In Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your account and follow the instructions. If you see a message that says "Couldn't unlock," wait for the specified time (usually 168 hours) and try again.
Linked Mi Account to the device
On. OEM-unlocking USB
Download the Mi Unlock Tool of the latest version
Device in Fastboot mode
Battery charge >60%-->
⚠️ Note: If Xiaomi temporarily suspends unlocks (this happens periodically), you will receive a message saying "This device is not supported:
- 🕒 Wait 1-2 weeks and try again.
- 🔧 Use informal methods (e.g., through the use of EDL-mode), but this requires the purchase of an authorized account and is risky for beginners.
3. Installation of TWRP Recovery on Mi 9 SE
Once the bootloader is unlocked, the next step is to install a custom TWRP recavator. This will allow you to flash modified images and install Magisk to obtain root rights. For Mi 9 SE (grus), TWRP 3.7.0 or later is suitable.
Installation instructions:
- Download. TWRP Grus: The official version can be found on the website TWRP (file twrp-3.7.0_9-0-grus.img). 💡Before downloading, check the hash amount of the file (MD5) — This will prevent fake firmware with malicious code.
- Please. TWRP Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-grus.img Then immediately reboot to the recavers: fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-grus.img
- Save the stock. boot.img: V TWRP Go to Advanced. → File Manager and copy the file /boot on SD-You'll need a map or a PC to create a Patched image in Magisk.
⚠️ Attention: If after installation TWRP The phone is loaded into the stock recavator, so you have anti-rollback protection on:
- Squeeze TWRP again, but before restarting, do: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img (the vbmeta.img file can be downloaded with TWRP or from stock firmware).
- Turn off signature verification in TWRP: Settings → Disable DM-Verity.
4. Getting root rights through Magisk
Magisk is a universal tool for obtaining root rights without making changes to the systemless root, which allows you to pass SafetyNet check and use banking applications. For the Mi 9 SE, Magisk v26.1 or later is suitable.
Step-by-step:
- Download Magisk: The official Magisk.apk is available on GitHub. Install it on your phone as a regular app.
- Create a patched boot.img: Copy the previously saved boot.img Open Magisk, press Install. → Select and Patch a File and choose boot.img. After processing, the patched file will appear in the Downloads folder under the name magisk_patched-XXXX.img.
Squeeze patched boot.img
Reboot to Fastboot and do:
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched-XXXX.imgThen restart the device.
After successful firmware, Magisk will have Installed status and Magisk Manager on the app menu. To check root, install Root Checker from Google Play.
💡
Use Magisk Hide (in Magisk settings) to hide root from banking apps and games.
5. Alternative methods of root production
If official unlocking isn't available, or you don't want to wait 168 hours, informal ways are available. They're riskier, but sometimes the only option.
| Method | Pluses | Cons | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDL-Regime (through an authorized account) | It works even with a blocked loader. | Requires an account purchase (~$5–$10), risk of a bric | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Exploit via ADB (e.g. DirtyCow) | Does not require unlocking the loader | It only works on older versions of MIUI, temporary root | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Custom ROM firmware with pre-installed root | Full control of the system, updates from the community | Loss of stock functions (e.g. 48MP cameras) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
⚠️ Attention: Method EDL It requires a connection to port 9008 (emergency mode:
- Turn off the phone.
- Click Power + Volume + Volume + Volume reduction.
- Connect the cable to the PC – the device will be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
If Google Pay or banking applications have stopped working after receiving root:
- Enable Magisk Hide in the Magisk settings.
- Add the problematic app to the hidden list (Magisk Hide → select the app).
- Reset the device.
What if Magisk doesn’t pass SafetyNet?
7.Rollback to stock firmware
If you need to return the Mi 9 SE to its original state (for example, for sale or warranty repairs), follow the following steps:
- Download stock firmware: The best version for grus can be found on Xiaomi Firmware Updater. Choose Fastboot ROM for your region.
- Flick through Mi Flash Tool: Unpack the firmware into a folder without spaces. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode. In Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Refresh → Flash. Select the clean all option.
Unlock the loader back.
After the firmware is installed, the bootloader will remain unlocked.
fastboot oem lock⚠️ Warning: This command will erase all data and return the device to factory settings!
After rollback, check the status of the bootloader with the command:
fastboot oem device-infoIf Device unlocked: false is successful, however, as mentioned earlier, the unlock information remains in efuse and is visible to service centers.