Root rights to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S: a complete guide with a security guarantee

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S is still one of the most popular budget smartphones thanks to its balanced performance and support for custom firmware. However, the factory shell of MIUI imposes severe restrictions, from the inability to remove system applications to blocking deep performance settings. Getting root rights solves these problems, but requires accuracy - a mistake at any stage can turn the phone into a brick.

In this guide, we will discuss the only officially supported Xiaomi method of unlocking the bootloader for the Redmi Note 9S (codename curtana), as well as the safe ways to install Magisk for superuser rights. All steps are tested on current versions of MIUI 14/15 and comply with the security policy of Xiaomi 2026. If you are a beginner, do not miss the section on preparation: 80% of the “bricks” arise from ignoring basic requirements.

Preparing the phone: what to do before unlocking

Before you start unlocking your bootloader, make sure your Redmi Note 9S meets the key requirements. First and most important, the MIUI version must be global or European. Chinese firmware (CN) blocks unlocking for foreign accounts, and flashing them without unlocking the bootloader leads to a hard breeze. You can check the version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

The second requirement is to link the device to a Mi Account account with a confirmed phone number. Xiaomi requires this to protect against theft, but the binding process takes up to 7 days (from 2023 the period is increased). If you just created an account, wait - the system will not allow you to unlock the bootloader earlier.

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60% (unlocking can take up to 30 minutes)
• 📱 Developer Mode Enabled: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times)
• 🔓 Debugging is permitted. USB: Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB
• 🔗 Wi-Fi connected (mobile internet may be interrupted during the process)

⚠️ Warning: If you bought your phone with your hands, make sure the previous owner untie your Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi account → Delete your account, otherwise it will be impossible to unlock it without your participation.

The final step is to back up your data. Unlocking the bootloader erases all data from internal memory, including photos, messages, and installed apps. Use Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local backup or third-party tools like Swift Backup (requires root, but you can make a copy on another phone).

Unlock the bootloader: the official method from Xiaomi

Xiaomi has tightened its policy of unlocking bootloaders since 2020, but for the Redmi Note 9S, the process remains legal - provided all the rules are met.

• 💻 Windows computer 10/11 (MacOS and Linux are not supported by an official tool)
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (cheap cables can cause connection errors)
• 🛠️ Mi Unlock Tool (download only from the official website!)

The unlocking process consists of 4 stages:

1. Account-to-device binding: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud and make sure the phone is tied. Then go to Settings → Additional → Developer → Mi Unlock Status and click “Link Account.” Wait 168 hours (7 days) is a mandatory requirement for Xiaomi for new accounts.
2. Launch Mi Unlock Tool: Install the utility on your PC, log in to the same Mi Account as on your phone. connect the Redmi Note 9S turned off to your computer, holding Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot.
3. Check the ability to unlock: In the utility, click "Unlock" If the message "Couldn't unlock" with a timer appears, then the 7-day waiting period has not passed. If the error "Current account is different from the account info on the device" - you are logged into the wrong account.
4. Unlock Confirmation: After successful verification, press Unlock anyway. The phone will reboot and all data will be erased.

⚠️ Warning: If you see a message saying “This device is bound to another account” and the previous owner cannot untie the account, the only way out is to contact the Xiaomi service center with proof of purchase. IMEI.

Linked to Mi Account on phone|It's been 7 days since the tie-up.|Data backup made.|Installed drivers Xiaomi on PC|Phone's 60-charged%+-->

Select firmware: TWRP or Fastboot?

Once you unlock the bootloader, you have to choose the method of installing root rights. There are two main approaches:

1. TWRP is custom recovery, which allows you to install zip files (like Magisk). Pros: flexibility, backup capability. Cons: requires a separate TWRP installation, which may conflict with some versions of MIUI.
2. Fastboot is the firmware of a modified boot.img with Magisk already sewn in. Pros: less error risk, faster. Cons: when you update MIUI, you have to repeat the process.

For the Redmi Note 9S, we recommend the Fastboot method, as:

• 🔧 It is officially supported by Magisk developers.
• 🛡️ Minimizes the risk of bricks due to incompatibility TWRP new-form MIUI.
• ⚡ Faster – the whole process takes no more than 10 minutes.

If you still want to use TWRP, download only versions designed for curtana (codename Redmi Note 9S). The wrong version of recovery can lead to the inability to boot the system. Current builds can be found on XDA Developers in the device theme.

Install Magisk via Fastboot: step-by-step instructions

For this method, you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Unlocked Redmi Note 9S plug-in USB.
• 🔗 The latest version of Magisk (download the file) Magisk-vXX.X.zip).

Step 1: Remove boot.img from your phone's firmware.

1. Download the full firmware for your MIUI version from the official website (select the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive and find boot.img file in the images folder.
3. Copy it onto your phone into the root folder.

Step 2: Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb push Magisk-vXX.X.zip /sdcard/


adb shell




su




magisk --patch /sdcard/boot.img

As a result, a file will appear in the Download folder. magisk_patched.img — it's modified boot.img Magisk.

Step 3: Sweat patch boot.img through Fastboot:

fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img


fastboot reboot

Once you reboot, install Magisk Manager (download APK from GitHub) and check the root status in the app. If done correctly, you'll see a green checkmark and a version of Magisk.

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If you've got your phone stuck on the MI logo after you've been firmware, don't panic! Press Volume Up + Power for 10 seconds to force the device to turn off. Then repeat boot.img, which usually solves the problem.

Root rights verification and solving typical problems

After installing Magisk, first check if the root rights are working.

1. Open Magisk Manager and make sure the version is displayed in the “Magisk” section.
2. Install the Root Checker app from Google Play and run the check.
3. Try uninstalling a system application (such as Mi Browser) via Titanium Backup or adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser.

If root is not working, check:

• 🔄 Magisk Version: On the Redmi Note 9S s MIUI 14/15 must have 26.4 or newer.
• 📱 Correct firmware: patched boot.img Must be consistent with the current version MIUI.
• 🔒 Magisk settings: in Settings → Magisk → Enable Zygisk must be disabled (unless necessary to bypass SafetyNet).

⚠️ Note: If you use Google Pay or other SafetyNet-sensitive apps, install the Universal SafetyNet Fix module and enable Zygisk in Magisk settings. Without this, banking apps can block access.

💡

If the root has stopped working after the root OTA-It's okay to update. MIUI without losing root, download the full firmware from the official site, patch it boot.img via Magisk and hand-stitch through Fastboot.

What to do after getting root: useful modules and settings

Root rights give you access to the deep customization of the Redmi Note 9S. Here’s what to do first:

• 🚀 Bloat Removal: Use Adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name.packet or Debloater application to remove unnecessary system applications (com.mi.globalminusscreen, com.xiaomi.scanner, etc.).
• ⚡ Performance optimization: Install a PowerKeeper module to manage background processes or FDE.AI Improve the Autonomous Work Time.
• 🎨 Customization of the interface: MiuiBlur modules (interface blur) or Lawnchair (alternative launcher) transform the appearance MIUI.
• 🔋 Battery Charge Limit Module to Limit Charge to 80% for Battery Health.

For the installation of modules:

1. Download the module file (usually with the.zip extension).
2. Open Magisk Manager → Modules → Install from storage.
3. Select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
4. Reboot the phone.

Do not install modules from unknown developers, which can lead to unstable work or security vulnerabilities. Before installing, check reviews on XDA Developers or in telegram chats dedicated to the Redmi Note 9S.

Security and Risks: How to Avoid Losing Data and Breaking Your Phone

Root rights give you complete control over the system, but with them come the risks:

• 🛡️ Security vulnerabilities: Root-accessing apps can access your data (passwords, messages, photos) and install only trusted applications from trusted sources.
• 🔄 Loss of loss OTA-Updates: After receiving root, automatic updates MIUI Every update you have to manually install, patch. boot.img.
• 🚨 Brick Risk: Incorrect firmware, interrupted process, or incompatible modules can make your phone inoperable.Always have the original firmware on hand to restore.
• 📵 Warranty issues: Xiaomi does not officially guarantee devices with unlocked bootloader.However, in most service centers, you can return the phone to a factory state before repair.

To minimize the risks:

• 🔄 Regularly do backups through TWRP or adb backup.
• 🔍 Before installing modules, check their compatibility with your version. MIUI Android.
• 🛠️ Do not modify system files manually (for example, /system/build.prop), unless you are sure of the consequences.
• 🔋 Watch the battery charge during firmware – a sudden power outage can damage the partition.

If you do encounter problems, use the Mi Flash Tool to restore the original firmware. Instructions for the Redmi Note 9S brick recovery can be found in the official Xiaomi forum (use an interpreter, as most of the themes are in Chinese).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions