Smartphone Xiaomi Mi 9T, Also known as davinci, it is still popular due to its frameless device. AMOLED-The screen and the hidden front camera, but the standard shell. MIUI, Although functional, it often limits the capabilities of advanced users, blocking access to system files and deep system configuration. Obtaining superuser or root rights gives you access to full control of the device, allowing you to remove system debris, install specialized modules and even overclock the processor.
The procedure for obtaining administrator rights on modern Xiaomi devices is not a trivial task and requires care. You will have to go through an official unlock of the bootloader, which will entail a complete data cleanup, and then install a custom TWRP recap to implement the rights manager Magisk. The most critical point is to wait 168 hours (7 days) after the account is tied, which cannot be circumvented by official methods. Violation of the sequence of actions can lead to program errors, so it is important to strictly follow the algorithm.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at every step from tool preparation to the final rights check through adb. We’ll look at not only the software part, but also the nuances of working with Qualcomm drivers, which often cause problems for beginners. Being willing to act clearly according to instructions will be the key to success in modifying your Mi 9T.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
Before you start any manipulation of the system partition, you need to make sure that your device is fully ready for the procedure. The basic requirement is the original USB cable, preferably the one that came with the bundle, since cheap counterparts often do not support stable data transfer at high speeds. You will also need a Windows computer, since most of the utilities from Xiaomi are optimized for this platform.
On the smartphone, you need to activate the hidden developer menu. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI build number seven times. Once the notification “You’ve become a developer” appears, go back to the main settings menu and select “Additional → For developers.” You need to enable debugging over USB and, critically, allow the installation of applications from unknown sources if required by your firmware version.
⚠️ Warning: The bootloader unlock procedure results in the complete removal of all data from the internal drive. Backup photos, contacts and documents in the cloud or on your computer in advance.
You will also need a Google account linked to your phone and a Mi Account to work with, and make sure that your SIM card has mobile internet enabled, as it is through the mobile network that the device is linked to the developer account, not Wi-Fi, a security measure by the manufacturer designed to make it harder to steal devices.
☑️ Checklist for training for root rights
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
The first and mandatory step is to unlock the bootloader. Without this step, installing a modified recovery is impossible, since the Verified Boot integrity check system will block the launch of unofficial software. First, download the official Mi Unlock Tool utility from the developer site and log in using the same Mi Account that is authorized on the phone.
Then you turn your smartphone off completely, and then you press the down volume and power buttons at the same time. Hold them until you see a picture of a rabbit fixing an android or a Fastboot on the screen. Connect your phone to your computer with a cable and press the Unlock button in the utility on your PC. If you do this for the first time, the system will tell you that the device is tied to your account, and the waiting time countdown will start.
The standard latency is 168 hours (7 days). In rare cases, the timer can be increased to 360 hours. Resetting the phone settings or reinstalling the OS will not reset this timer, as it is tied to the server and unique device ID. Once the latency expires, repeat the Fastboot connection procedure and press Unlock again. The unlock process will take a few minutes and end with a device reboot with complete data clearing.
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
After successfully unlocking the bootloader, the standard recovery menu is replaced with a modified TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) which is necessary because the stock recovery does not allow you to install zip archives with superuser rights. The recovery.img image file that is compatible with the davinci model should be downloaded from a trusted source, for example, from the 4PDA forum or the official TWRP website.
To install, we'll need the ADB tool and Fastboot on your computer. Place the downloaded image file in the tool folder and rename it to recovery.img for convenience. Open the command line in this folder and enter a command to check communication with the device, pre-setting the phone to Fastboot mode:
fastboot devicesIf the device is displayed in the list, you can start temporarily loading the recovery. The fastboot boot recovery.img command will run TWRP without it being permanently installed. This is a safe testing method. If the TWRP menu is loaded correctly, you can go to install the rights. For constant TWRP firmware, the device uses fastboot flash recovery.img, but on new versions of Android with dynamic partitions, it is often enough to simply install Magisk via temporary TWRP.
⚠️ Note: At the first loading in TWRP The system may suggest resizing the partition. Consent to Allow Modifications, or the phone will return to stock Recovery after the reboot.
Inside the TWRP menu, you need to swipe to allow changes. If you plan to use Magisk, you don't always have to flash the TWRP itself into memory, you just have to download it once. However, for the convenience of further work, many users prefer to install it permanently. The main thing is not to format the Data partition again after unlocking, if you have already cleaned the phone during the Mi Unlock stage.
Magisk installation and access to Root
The current standard for root rights is to use Magisk from topjohnwu. Unlike the old methods (SuperSU), Magisk works system-lessly, without directly changing the /system partition, which allows you to bypass some security checks and run banking applications. To install, download the current Magisk apk file to your phone and rename the file extension from.apk to.zip.
When you boot into TWRP, click the "Install" button and select the renamed zip archive. Confirm the swipe installation. Once the process is complete, click "Reboot System." Android can run longer than usual when you first boot, which is normal, since MagiskSU is set up in the first place. Once you turn on, you'll see the new "Magisk" app on the menu.
| Component | Function | Post-installation status |
|---|---|---|
| Magisk Manager | Managing rights and modules | Active. |
| SU Binary | Executable file of the superuser | Installed in /data |
| Zygisk | Introduction to Zygote for modules | Requires inclusion |
| DenyList | Hiding the root from apps | Customizable |
Open the Magisk app. If the version number is displayed at the top of the screen and the status bar says "Installed," then the procedure was successful. Now you can manage root permission requests for other applications. Some modules may require Zygisk activation in the settings of the Magisk app itself, followed by a reboot.
What if Magisk doesn’t see root?
License check and access setting
Once installed, you need to make sure that the rights are working correctly. The easiest way is to use specialized test applications, such as Root Checker. Launch the application and click Check Root. If you see a green message about successful rights acquisition, then the binary su file is working properly.
A more advanced verification method is to use ADB debugging. Connect your phone to your PC, open the command prompt, and type in:
adb shell su -c "id"You'll see a request from Magisk to grant superuser rights to ADB on the screen. Click "Provide." If the console returns the answer to uid=0(root) gid=0(root), you have full rights. You can now install modules like Viper4Android to improve sound or AdAway to block ads at the system level.
⚠️ Warning: Don't give root rights to apps you doubt. Superuser-enabled malware can gain full access to your passwords, emails and banking data.
Banking applications often require hiding root rights. In Magisk settings, turn on "Zygisk" and "DenyList." In DenyList, check for banking apps, Google Pay and Play Services itself. After that, restart the device. You may also need to remove the Magisk app from the list of visible apps through the hideout settings.
Possible problems and solutions
The Xiaomi Mi 9T modification process can run into technical difficulties. One of the common problems is a bootloop. If the phone doesn't boot after installing a TWRP or Magisk, try going to the receptacles (clamping up volume and power) and making a wipe cache/dalvik. If that doesn't help, maybe the image version doesn't match your firmware version.
Another common issue is a broken Fastboot on your computer, often due to the lack of drivers. Install Xiaomi USB Driver or Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader universal drivers. Windows Device Manager, when you connect your phone in Fastboot mode, should display an Android Bootloader Interface device without yellow exclamation points.
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If your computer can’t see your phone in Fastboot mode, try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0) and the original cable. Sometimes it helps to run the command line on behalf of the administrator.
Users may also encounter a "Verification failed" error when downloading, which means that the integrity of the boot image is compromised, in which case flashing the stock boot.img via Fastboot with the fastboot flash boot.img command taken from the stock firmware will help.
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90% of the problems with getting root rights to Xiaomi Mi 9T are due to the wrong version of TWRP or skipping the data cleanup phase after unlocking the bootloader.