How to get the rights to root Xiaomi Redmi 8A: the complete guide

Xiaomi’s mobile devices are famous for their price-performance ratio, but the standard MIUI shell often limits the capabilities of advanced users. Obtaining superuser rights, or root access, on the Redmi 8A model opens up access to system files, allowing you to remove preinstalled software, improve autonomy and install specialized modules. This process requires care, since interference with the system partition carries certain risks.

Before you start taking action, it is important to be clear that unlocking the bootloader and subsequent firmware modifications will void the manufacturer’s official warranty.The Redmi 8A device, based on the Snapdragon 439 processor, has its own security features that need to be bypassed. Owners of global firmware (Global ROM) devices face a mandatory wait of 168 hours (7 days) after submitting an application to the Mi Unlock Tool.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm required to securely set administrator rights. We will look at the preparation of the environment, the procedure for unlocking the bootloader, installing a custom TWRP recap, and the final integration of the Magisk manager. Following each step is critical to avoid a “brick” situation.

Preparation of the device and the workplace

The beginning of any complex technical operation requires careful preparation. 8A You're going to need not only the smartphone itself, but also a personal computer running Windows. ADB Fastboot, which provides communication between the computer and the phone in the official mode.

Make sure you back up all your important data. In the process of unlocking the bootloader, the device will be completely cleaned, and it will be impossible to recover files without a backup. Use cloud services or local copying to an external medium.

Also make sure that the battery is charged at least 60-70%. Interrupting the firmware process due to battery discharge can lead to irreversible damage to the software part of the smartphone. USB-cable, as cheap analogues may not provide stable connection when transferring large amounts of data.

Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)

The first and most important step is to unlock the bootloader, and without that step, you can't install a modified restore or get root rights. You need a Mi Account that you need to link to the device.

Turn on the developer mode on your smartphone. To do this, go to the settings, select About Phone, and quickly click on the MIUI version number seven times. Then the "For Developers" option will appear in the "Additional" menu, you need to activate "Debugging by USB" and, critically, turn on "Mi Unlock Status." When you turn on the latter, the phone will require a network connection and link the current account to the device.

Then download the official Mi Unlock Tool to your computer. Launch the program, log in to your account and put your smartphone into Fastboot mode, holding both the power and volume buttons. Connect the device to your PC and press the Unlock button in the utility. If less than 168 hours have passed since you linked your account, the system will ask you to come in. At the end of the period, repeat the procedure - the bootloader will be unlocked and the data from the phone deleted.

Installation of custom TWRP Recovery

The default Recovery Recovery installed on Redmi 8A has limited functionality and does not allow you to install modified zip archives. To implement superuser rights, we will need to install Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP), a specialized environment that allows you to manage partitions of memory of a smartphone.

Find and upload the current image recovery.img, Designed specifically for your model (codenamed olive or olivewood), using an image from another model will cause the touchscreen to fail or the device to fail completely. ADB-driver.

Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode (power buttons and volume down) and connect it to your PC. Open the command line in the tool folder and enter a command to check the connection:

fastboot devices

If the serial number of the device is displayed in response, the connection is correctly installed.

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-olive.img

After successful firmware, don't boot into the system right away. Use a combination of power buttons and volume up to log directly into the installed TWRP.

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When you first boot into TWRP, the system may ask permission to modify the system partition. Be sure to drag the Allow Modifications slider, otherwise, the first time you restart, the stock recap will overwrite the TWRP, and the procedure will have to be repeated again.

Magisk integration and obtaining Root rights

The final step is to install the rights manager Magisk, which provides a modern and secure way to get root access with the ability to hide its availability from banking applications. APK-Magisk file from the official GitHub repository.

Rename the downloaded file Magisk-vXX.X.apk to Magisk.zip. This is necessary for the installer to recognize the file as an archive with firmware. Copy the renamed file into the internal memory of the smartphone.

When you boot from the TWRP menu, select "Install." From the file manager that opens, find the Magisk.zip file and confirm the swipe setting on the screen. The process will take a few seconds. Once complete, click "Wipe Cache/Dalvik" and then "Reboot System."

Once you load the operating system, look for the Magisk icon in the app menu. Launch the app -- it might suggest you add more components, OK. If the app opens and shows the version, then root rights are successfully activated.

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Magisk works on a system-based basis-less Modifications without physically changing the system partition, allowing security checks (SafetyNet/Play Integrity) with the right setup.

License Check and Basic Setup

To make sure that the procedure is correct, you can use specialized utilities: install the Root Checker app from the Google Play store or any other source. Run the check - the application will confirm the presence of superuser rights with a green indicator.

Now you can manage permissions for each application through the Magisk menu. In the manager's own settings, it is recommended to enable "Zygisk" for better compatibility with modern modules. This allows you to embed Magisk code into the Zygote process, which is the basis for many hidden modules.

For users who want to maximize performance, there are applications for overclocking the processor or deep memory cleaning that previously required system privileges, but it is worth remembering that the rash removal of system processes can lead to unstable interface operation.

Possible problems and solutions

During the Redmi 8A modification, users may encounter a number of common problems, one of the most common being a Bootloop, or cyclic reboot, which often happens if an incompatible version of the TWRP is installed or the system partition is damaged when modules are installed incorrectly.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is stuck in a reboot cycle, don't panic.Try to enter Recovery mode (if it works) and wipe data/factory If this does not help, you will need to flash the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode.

Another common problem is the failure of banking applications and Google Pay. Modern security systems actively detect the presence of root rights. To solve this problem, in Magisk settings, you need to activate “DenyList” and select all banking applications there, and also enable the concealment of the Magisk application itself (rename the package).

Also worth mentioning is the Widevine L1 issue. Once the bootloader is unlocked, the DRM level often drops from L1 to L3, which causes streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Prime) to stop streaming content in HD and 4K quality. Unfortunately, on Xiaomi devices with the bootloader unlocked, it is almost impossible to return the L1 level by software methods, since this is a restriction at the level of trusted execution environment (TEE).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)