Root rights to Xiaomi Redmi 3S: Complete guide with unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk

Xiaomi Redmi 3S (The codename land is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and the possibility of deep customization. Getting root-rights opens up access to removing system applications, fine-tuning performance, installing modified firmware, and even restoring “bricks” after failed experiments. However, the process of obtaining a root on this device has nuances associated with a blocked bootloader from Xiaomi and an outdated version of Android 6.0.

Unlike modern models, where unlocking the loader takes 7-15 Waiting days for approval from Xiaomi, for Redmi 3S This process can be accelerated to a few hours, provided you approach it correctly, and in this article we will discuss three current methods of obtaining root rights (via Magisk, SuperSU and custom recovery), compare their pros and cons, and warn against the typical mistakes that turn a phone into a brick. We will pay special attention to circumventing restrictions. MIUI 14 When unlocking the bootloader through the MiUnlock utility – this step is often missed in old guides.

Preparation of the device: what to do before unlocking

Before you start unlocking the bootloader and getting root, you have to do a number of things that you have to do, and neglecting them can cause data loss, sensor failures, or even hardware damage to the board (if you interrupt the firmware process), starting with the most important thing, backup.

Create a complete copy of all data, including:

• 📱 Contact and SMS (Export through Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Mover application)
• 📷 Photo/video (copy to PC or cloud – internal memory will be formatted!)
• 🔑 Logins/passwords (use Google Smart Lock or export from your browser)
• 🎮 Save games (for cloud backup games, enable synchronization in game settings)

Check the version further. MIUI And Android. Go to Settings for that. → About the phone, up-to-date data for Redmi. 3S:

⚠️ Note: If your device was purchased in China (the domestic version), unlocking the bootloader may require a link to a Chinese Mi Account.

Also prepare:

• 🖥️ Computer on Windows 7/10/11 (for MiUnlock and ADB)
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (cheap cables can interrupt the connection)
• 🔋 Charge at least 60% (process can take up to 2 hours)
• 🛠️ Tools: Mi Unlock Tool, ADB/Fastboot, Magisk or SuperSU

Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times press)

Connect your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi account

Install Qualcomm and ADB drivers on PC

Disable the antivirus (it can block MiUnlock)

Download Fastboot firmware for your version MIUI-->

Unlock the bootloader: bypass the limitations of Xiaomi

The main obstacle to root rights is a blocked bootloader, which Xiaomi introduced to protect against viruses and unauthorized changes, but for enthusiasts, it has become a headache.

1. Linking your Mi Account to your device (required!)
2. Getting permission to unlock through Mi Unlock Tool
3. Direct Unlocking in Fastboot Mode

The most common error is to try to unlock the bootloader without linking the account, and the system will return the error "Couldn't unlock" or "Current account is different from the account info on the device."

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account and log in.
2. Enable Data Synchronization and Device Search.
3. Connect your phone to the internet via mobile data (Wi-Fi may not work!).
4. Reset the device.

Now download the official Mi Unlock Tool (version no lower than 5.5.224.30) and install it on your PC, run it on behalf of the administrator, and follow the steps:

1 Enter the Mi Account details associated with the phone.


2. Connect Redmi 3S in Fastboot mode (turn off the phone, then press Volume Down + Power).




3. Press Unlock and wait until completion (usually 10-30 seconds).




4 If you receive a message about waiting 72/168 hours, use the method of bypassing.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the device (including internal memory) will be reset.

Official (through waiting)|Chinese account|Passage ADB|Another method|I couldn't unlock it.-->

Installation of custom recovery: TWRP vs OrangeFox

After unlocking the bootloader, the next step is to install custom recovery, which will allow you to sew ZIP-Root files (Magisk or SuperSU) for Redmi 3S two-way:

• 🔧 TWRP 3.7.0 – Classic solution with support ADB Sideload and data encryption. minus: may not work properly with some versions MIUI 14.
• 🦊 OrangeFox R11.1 — fork TWRP It has an improved interface and a built-in file manager, plus: it handles vendor and system partitions better.

We recommend OrangeFox for beginners because of the more intuitive menu. download the recovery image for land from the official website: OrangeFox for Redmi 3S.

Installation via Fastboot:

1. Move the downloaded OrangeFox-*.img file to the folder with ADB.


2. Open the command line in this folder (Shift + PCM → "Open PowerShell window here").




3. Enter commands:




fastboot flash recovery OrangeFox-*.img




fastboot boot OrangeFox-*.img




4.The phone will automatically reboot to OrangeFox Recovery.

If after the firmware recovery phone loads into the standard MIUI Recovery, so the stock firmware overwrote it:

• Check OrangeFox again.
• Immediately after installation, execute the command:

fastboot flash boot OrangeFox-*.img

This will prevent automatic recovery from stock recovery.

💡

If after installing custom recovery phone does not turn on (black screen), try to pinch the Volume up. + Meals for food 10-15 This will force recovery.

Getting root rights: Magisk vs SuperSU

Now that you have custom recovery installed, you can start getting root, and you can choose from two basic tools:

For Redmi. 3S Magisk is the clear choice, as it supports MagiskHide (hiding root from banking apps and games) and is regularly updated. SuperSU is outdated and may conflict with new versions. MIUI.

Instructions for installation of Magisk:

1. Download the latest Magisk ZIP (version 26.4+).
2. Move the file to your phone or to your phone. SD-map.
3. Download to OrangeFox Recovery (Loudness Up) + Nutrition).
4. Choose Install. → Choose. Magisk.zip → Swipe to Confirm Flash.
5. After installation, reboot to the system.

If Magisk does not appear in the app menu after the reboot:

• Install Magisk. APK manually.
• Check for the file. /data/adb/magisk.db via a file manager with root access.
• If the file is missing, repeat the Magisk firmware.

⚠️ Note: After installing Magisk, do not update via OTA (This will lead to root loss and possible bricks. Use only manual firmware through recovery.

💡

Magisk is the only way to get root on Redmi 3S Not only is SuperSU obsolete, but it could also cause system boot problems due to conflicts with the kernel. MIUI 14.

Root rights and problem solving

You can make sure that root is successful in several ways:

• 📱 Start Magisk Manager – If all modules are active and the status shows “Installed”, root works.
• 🛠️ Install Root Checker from Google Play.
• 💻 Connect the phone to the PC and enter into ADB team:

adb shell su

If you answer, you will see # instead of $ — root available.

Typical problems and their solutions:

If the root has stopped working, the fingerprint or NFC, This is due to a change in section /vendor. Decision:

1. Download the stock firmware for your version MIUI.
2. Take the files out of it. vendor.img and persist.img.
3. Write them through Fastboot:

fastboot flash vendor vendor.img


fastboot flash persist persist.img

What to do after root: security and optimization

Root rights are a huge opportunity, but they also carry risks.

• 🔒 Set up MagiskHide for banking applications: Open Magisk Manager → Settings → Turn on MagiskHide. Add apps (like SberBank Online, Google Pay) to the hide list. Reboot your phone.

Remove the bloatware

Titanium Backup

ADB

adb shell


su




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.mi.browser




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks

Optimize productivity

• Install the Magisk Disable Force Encryption module to disable forced encryption (speed up work).
• Use Kernel Adiutor to fine-tune the kernel (frequency) CPU, input/output planner).

To improve safety:

• 🛡️ Install the Magisk SafetyNet Fix module to pass Google certification.
• 🔄 Update Magisk and modules regularly through Magisk Manager.
• 📡 Turn it off. ADB Wi-Fi in the developer settings if you don’t use it.

⚠️ Note: Do not install Magisk modules from unknown developers! Some modules (for example, to "overclock" the processor) can cause overheating and irreversible damage to the Snapdragon 430 in Redmi. 3S.

Recovery after unsuccessful experiments

If something goes wrong (bootloop, brick, loss) IMEI), Don't panic. 90% of Redmi cases. 3S It can be reconstructed. Here's the algorithm:

1. Soft brick (bootloop or recovery): Swipe the stock firmware through Fastboot: fastboot flash all.tgz If the error "remote: partition table doesn't exist" - use MiFlash in "clean all and lock" mode.
2. Hard brick (black screen, no button response): Connect your phone to your PC and check if it is identified in Device Manager as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008. If yes, use it. EDL Mode and run the firmware through MiFlashPro. If not, the problem is in the hardware (bar on the board or damaged eMMC).

Loss of loss IMEI net:

• Scroll the modem section from the stock firmware:
• If IMEI Reset to 0 - restore it via Engineer Mode (#36446337##) or ChimeraTool.

To restore through EDL You'll need a Mode:

• 🖥️ Windows PC and Qualcomm Drivers.
• 📂 Firmware in.mbn format for Redmi 3S (land).
• 🛠️ MiFlashPro or QFil.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Mode resets all partitions, including persist (where stored) IMEI After recovery, the accelerometer and gyroscope may need to be recalibrated via Engineer Mode.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions