The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, also known as the whyred, remains one of the most popular devices for modification due to its reliability and the active support of the development community. Obtaining superuser rights opens the door to a world of limitless possibilities for the owner, from deep customization of the interface to the installation of specialized modules that block advertising throughout the system.
Before you start taking action, you need to be clear that the procedure of unlocking the bootloader and the subsequent firmware TWRP Recovery will lead to the complete removal of all data from the device. The process of unlocking the Xiaomi bootloader requires a mandatory binding Mi Account and waiting from 7 to 168 hours, so the rush here is inappropriate. In this article, we will discuss each step in detail, from the preparation of tools to the verification of the success of the installation of Magisk.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
The foundation of successful modification is the quality of the workplace and software. You will need a computer running Windows (or Linux/macOS with appropriate drivers, original or quality USB-cable, as well as a charged smartphone battery at least on 60%. Insufficient battery charge at a critical moment of firmware can lead to the inability to boot the system.
The first step is to install the ADB and Fastboot drivers, without which the computer will not be able to communicate correctly with the phone in boot mode, and you also need to download the current version of the Mi Unlock Tool utility from the official developer website, since using older versions often leads to a connection error with the server.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Remember to make a full backup of important data, photos and contacts. The Bootloader unlock process initiates a factory reset, and it will be impossible to recover the information after that without a pre-created backup.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
The key step, without which root rights on Xiaomi devices are impossible, is to unlock the bootloader. First, activate the developer mode by repeatedly clicking on the build number in the menu “About phone «USB-Debugging and Unlocking the Loader».
In the bootloader unlock menu, you need to link the device to your Mi Account. Then a countdown timer will appear. Attention: do not try to bypass the wait by resetting the date or changing the region, this may lead to the account being blocked.
⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, some applications, such as banking and Google Pay, may stop working as standard.
When the timer expires, turn off your phone and enter Fastboot mode, holding the power and volume buttons simultaneously. Connect the device to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions on the screen. Successful unlocking will be confirmed by the message "Unlocked successfully".
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
Xiaomi’s regular recovery is extremely limited in functionality and does not allow you to install third-party zip archives or make full partition backups. Replacing it with TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a mandatory step to implement superuser rights. You will need to download the twrp-whyred.img image, specially adapted for the Redmi Note 5 model.
Once you download the image, place it in the root folder on your computer where the platform tools are installed. Open the command line in this folder and type a command to flash the recovery section:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-whyred.imgAn important nuance: immediately after you type in the command, don't let the phone boot into the system in the usual way, as the regular Android will overwrite the TWRP back. Press the power and volume buttons until the Mi logo appears, then release the power, continuing to hold the volume until the TWRP menu starts.
What happens if TWRP doesn’t start?
Magisk installation and obtaining Root rights
The current standard for obtaining administrator rights is the use of Magisk. Unlike the old methods (SuperSU), Magisk works on the principle of systemless, that is, does not make changes to the system partition, which allows you to hide the presence of root from security applications. Download the current apk file Magisk and rename its extension to.zip for easy installation through the recovery, or use the built-in installer.
From the TWRP menu, go to Install, select Magisk.zip and confirm the swipe. The process will take a few seconds. Once complete, click Reboot System.
Once you load the operating system, look for the Magisk icon in the application menu. If the application opens and shows the version, and the Superuser status shows the active state, then the procedure was successful. You now have full control of the device.
| Parameter | Before modification | After installing Magisk |
|---|---|---|
| Access rights | Limited (User) | Full (Root) |
| System section | Only reading. | Systemless (changes do not affect /system) |
| Security | Standard. | MagiskHide (hiding root) |
| Modules. | Unavailable. | Module installation available |
Magisk setup and Root hiding
Once installed successfully, users often face the question of how banking applications work. Magisk provides powerful tools to bypass checks. In the application settings, you need to activate "Zygisk" and "DenyList" (negative list).
In the process list, check and tick all applications that require no root rights (banks, payment systems, anti-cheat games) to hide the modified bootloader for these programs, and it is recommended to include the MagiskHide feature in older versions or its counterpart in newer ones.
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Use the MagiskHide Props Config module to change your device’s fingerprint if some applications still detect the modified system.
Some applications may require additional customization, such as the Universal SafetyNet Fix module, which allows you to check the integrity of the system and make contactless payments.
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
The process of modifying a smartphone rarely goes perfectly smoothly for all users. One of the common problems is a “bootloop” – a cyclical reboot of the device. If this happened after installing the module, boot to TWRP mode, go to the “Advanced” → “File Manager” section and delete the problem file from the /data/adb/modules folder.
Another common mistake is the loss of broadband access to the network or the sound that is broken, which can happen when you run an incompatible backbone or damage the persist or modem partitions, in which case it helps to restore the original boot.img image from the stock firmware via Fastboot.
⚠️ Warning: Never delete or format a persistent partition manually unless you know exactly what you're doing. Losing this partition causes the approximation sensors, accelerometer and Bluetooth to fail, and recovering it without a backup from another identical device is almost impossible.
If the phone is not detected by your computer in Fastboot mode, try replacing it. USB-cable or connection port. Sometimes it helps to reinstall drivers through Windows Device Manager with manual selection of Android Bootloader Interface model.
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Always save the boot.img stock image of your current firmware before you start any manipulations – this is the only guaranteed way to get your phone back to its original state.