How to get root rights to Xiaomi Redmi 9: Safe Guide 2026

Why rooting on Redmi 9 isn’t just about unlocking

Getting the root rights to Xiaomi Redmi 9 (codenamed Lancelot) is a process that many users perceive as a “magic pill” to unlock the potential of a smartphone. From unlocking the bootloader to installing a customized recapaveri and a modified core, unlike the older Xiaomi models, where it was enough to activate. OTG-debugging and running KingRoot, modern devices require a careful approach.

The main problem is that the procedure for unlocking the bootloader on Redmi 9 is tied to the Mi Account, and Xiaomi officially prohibits the use of root rights, citing security risks.This means that any error during the unlock stage can lead to a “brick” (inoperable device) or blocking IMEI. However, the benefits of the root – removing the built-in software, fine-tuning the performance, access to system files – often outweigh the risks for experienced users.

In this article, we will discuss three officially supported methods for obtaining root rights to Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T versions) current for 2026, taking into account the latest MIUI updates and Xiaomi policy. Importantly, the instructions apply only to Android 10/11 devices with original firmware. If your smartphone has already been modified, the algorithm may differ.

Preparation of the device: 5 mandatory steps before unlocking

Before you start unlocking the bootloader, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps, omitting at least one point can lead to a failure of the procedure or loss of data.

• 📱 Back up. Use the settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset or third-party utilities like Swift Backup (requires) ADB). Pay special attention to the preservation IMEI, contacts and media files.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to 80% or more. The unlocking process can take up to 30 minutes, and an interruption due to battery discharge is guaranteed to lock the bootloader permanently.
• 🔑 Link your Mi Account to your device. Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account and make sure that the account is active.
• 🖥️ Install. ADB Download Google’s Platform Tools and drivers for Redmi 9 from Xiaomi’s official website.
• 📡 Activate debugging on USB. To do this, click on the version 7 times. MIUI In Settings → About the phone, then turn on the developer mode and activate Debugging by USB In Settings → Additionally. → For developers.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Redmi 9 with firmware MIUI Global Stable version below 12.0.10, first update it through Settings → System Update: Older versions have vulnerabilities that could prevent unlocking.

Method 1: Officially unlock the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool

This is the only way Xiaomi supports unlocking, but it has limitations: it requires waiting (3 to 30 days) and only works with the original firmware. The algorithm is relevant for Redmi 9 of all modifications, including 9A (dandelion) and 9C (angelica).

Steps:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website (version no lower than 5.5.224.24). Install the program on a Windows 10/11 PC.
2. Sign in to Mi Unlock Tool with the same account that is linked to your phone.
3. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power until the hare logo appears).
4. Click Unlock in the program. If you see the message "Couldn't unlock, try again after XX hours" - wait for the specified time (usually 168 hours for new accounts).

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings, and you can now start installing Magisk or TWRP.

⚠️ Warning: If you see an error "This device is locked" after waiting, check if the bootloader has previously been blocked through the service center.

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If the Mi Unlock Tool doesn’t recognize the device, try connecting the phone to another device. USB-port (preferably 2.0) or disable driver signatures in Windows via command line:

bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on

Method 2: Install Magisk without TWRP (patch boot.img)

This is a method for those who do not want to install custom Recovery, but need root rights. It is based on modifying the boot.img file with Magisk and its subsequent firmware via fastboot.

Instructions:

1. Download the original firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website. Select the version corresponding to the current MIUI on your phone.
2. Remove boot.img from the firmware archive (the file is in the image folder).
3. Move boot.img to your phone and install Magisk Manager (download here).
4. In Magisk Manager, select Install. → Select and Patch a File and show the way to the boot.img. After processing the file magisk_patched.img It will appear in the Download folder.
5. Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Boot magisk_patched.img fastboot reboot

Once rebooted, the phone will have Magisk Manager, and the root rights will be active, which does not erase data, but requires a firmware version and boot.img to match exactly.

Method 3: Install TWRP and Magisk (for power users)

TWRP Castom Recovery provides more options for system modification, but its installation on Redmi 9 is complicated by the lack of official support for some modifications. We recommend this method only if you plan to update your firmware frequently or install custom ROMs.

Algorithm:

1. Download the unofficial TWRP for your model (for example, the Lancelot version from XDA Developers is suitable).
2. Please. TWRP Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.6.2_lancelot.img fastboot reboot recovery
3. In TWRP, reset Format Data (required!), then reboot to the recaveri again.
4. Install Magisk via Install → Select zip (download the latest Magisk-v26.1.zip from the official repository).

The advantage of this method is that it can create and restore the entire system backups when they fail, but TWRP can conflict with MIUI encryption, so you have to manually configure access to internal memory once installed.

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Using TWRP on Redmi 9 requires disabling data encryption (MIUI encrypts /data by default).If after installing TWRP asks for a password, run Format Data and re-sweep Magisk.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with accurate follow-up, users often face problems, and we've collected the most common errors and ways to fix them:

• 🚫 Anti-Rollback Error: Occurs when trying to flash the old version MIUI So the solution is to flash the full fastboot firmware of the current version through the Mi Flash Tool in clean all mode.
• 🔄 Flushing on the Mi logo: The reason is incompatible boot.img The solution is to repeat the firmware with the correct file or restore the original boot via fastboot.
• 🔒 bootloader will not unlock: Check if the phone is linked to another Mi Account (for example, after buying used one.
• 📵 Network Loss After Root: Often Related to Modifying Files in the Internet /vendor. The solution is to stitch the original vendor.img restore IMEI through QCN (requires an engineering menu).

If none of the methods worked, check the status of the USB connector - a faulty cable or port may interrupt the firmware. Also make sure that the PC has turned off antiviruses (they can block the Mi Unlock Tool or ADB).

What to do after obtaining root rights?

Now that you have a root, it is important to use it properly so that you do not lose the functionality of the phone.

• 🛡️ Install MagiskHide (built into Magisk) to hide the root from banking apps and games (e.g., MagiskHide, Pokémon GO or SberBank Online).
• 🧹 Remove bloatware (built-in garbage) with Debloater or ADB: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics
• ⚡ Optimize performance with Kernel Adiutor (setup) CPU, GPU, memory-control).
• 🔄 Set up automatic backup creation via Swift Backup or Titanium Backup (requires root).

Remember, MIUI updates through OTA root rights will result in root loss. To upgrade, download full firmware (fastboot) and stitch them manually through TWRP or Mi Flash Tool, pre-patch boot.img through Magisk.

⚠️ Note: Use of root rights to modify system files (e.g, /system/build.prop) This can lead to the blocking of Google Pay and other services that check the integrity of the system.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions