How to get root rights to Xiaomi Redmi S2: a safe guide with unlocking the bootloader

The Xiaomi Redmi S2 (codenamed ysl) is still a popular budget smartphone due to its balanced performance and support for custom firmware. However, the factory shell of MIUI imposes strict restrictions: you can not remove system applications, change the processor frequency or use Magisk modules for deep customization. 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 working method for obtaining root rights for the Redmi S2 in 2026, including unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool, installing a custom TWRP recap and Magisk firmware. All steps are tested on the latest versions of MIUI 14 (Android 11) and are compatible with earlier builds. If your phone runs on MIUI 12 or Android 8/9, the instructions will also fit - the differences will be specified separately.

1.Preparation of the phone: what to do before unlocking

Before you start unlocking the bootloader, you need to perform a number of mandatory actions, and skipping any of them can lead to a process failure or loss of data.

First, back up all the data. Unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP results in a full-scale reset of the phone. Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or local copying on your PC.

• 📱 Contacts (export to.vcf)
• 📸 Photos and videos (check folders) DCIM and Pictures)
• 🔑 Passwords from apps (save to KeePass or similar manager)
• 🎮 Save games (use Helium or root backup if you already have root)

Second, check the MIUI and Android version. Go to Settings → About the phone. The Redmi S2 is all about the following combinations:

Third, enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Activate switches: Debugging over USB OEM Unlock (may be called Factory Unlock)

⚠️ Note: If the item Unlock OEM Inactive or not, update your phone to the latest version MIUI through settings → System update. Some firmwares have this parameter hidden until it's updated.

2 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

The official Mi Unlock Tool is the only legal way to unlock the bootloader on the Redmi S2. Xiaomi binds the unlock to the Mi Account, so you can't do without authorization. Here's a step-by-step algorithm:

Download the latest version of Mi Unlock Tool from the official Xiaomi website (at the time of writing, version 6.5.408.27 is relevant). Install the program on a Windows 7/10/11 PC (on macOS/Linux works through emulators, but errors are possible).

Get Redmi on board. S2 to the computer through the original USB-cable and follow the following steps:

1. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.
2. On the phone, confirm the permission to debug via USB (a pop-up window will appear).
3. In the program, click Unlock, you start checking the device, and if you see a message called Couldn't unlock. Wait for 72/168/360 hours, you're not tied to your phone for long enough.

Unpack the archive from Platform Tools to the root of the disk C:\ (for example, C:\platform-tools\) And put the downloaded file in there. TWRP (for example, twrp-3.7.0_9-0-ysl.img). Then:

1. Open the command prompt in the ADB folder (click Shift + right mouse button → Open the PowerShell window here).
2. Transfer your phone to Fastboot: Adb Reboot Bootloader
3. Check the connection of the device: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the phone)
4. Please. TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-ysl.img
5. Immediately after the firmware reboot to TWRP: fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-ysl.img

⚠️ Note: If after the firmware TWRP You reboot your phone to the system, MIUI It's automatically replacing the Recovery with the stock. TWRP before the Magisk installation! TWRP asks to allow modification of the system partition — swipe right for confirmation. If you have a request to enter a password (if a pattern lock was installed), enter it. 💡If TWRP You can’t see your internal memory, go to Wipe. → Format Data, enter yes and confirm. This will delete all data but solve the partition mount problem. 4. Magisk’s installation to obtain root rights is a universal tool for obtaining root rights without changing the systemless root. It also allows you to hide root from applications (such as banking) and install customization modules. Download the latest version of Magisk (at the time of writing — v26.4) from the official GitHub repository. The file must be named Magisk-v26.4.zip (Don't download from third-party sources!! Move the Magisk archive to your phone (via the phone). MTP into TWRP or ADB): adb push Magisk-v26.4.zip /sdcard/ V TWRP Follow the following steps: Press Install and select the file Magisk-v26.4.zip. Swipe to confirm installation. Once complete, press Reboot System. The first download may take up to 10 After you start the system, install the Magisk application from GitHub. Magisk-v26.4.apk) And check root status: Open Magisk. If it says Installed at the top of the screen: 26.4 (26400) And the green tick -- root is successful. Run the Root Checker from Google Play for more validation? If you install Magisk error Failed to mount /vendor, Download a special patch for Redmi S2 — disable_dm-verity_forceencrypt_ysl.zip. Put him in. TWRP Before the Magisk firmware: [forum.xda-developers.com](https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/fix-for-redmi-s2-twrp-magisk-issues.3821234/). 5. After obtaining root rights, you need to make sure that the system is stable: 1. Root Access Check: Install Root Explorer or Titanium Backup — if they request superuser rights and are working, root is active. Type in the terminal command: su If an invitation appears #, root works. 2. SafetyNet Check: Many apps (such as Google Pay or banking) require you to go through SafetyNet. → MagiskHide and activate the option. Install Universal SafetyNet Fix via Magisk → Modules. 3. Frequent problems and solutions: Problem Reason Phone does not boot after installing Magisk Incompatible version of Magisk or TWRPFlow the stockware through Mi Flash and repeat the process Applications do not see root Not activated MagiskHide Enable MagiskHide and reboot SafetyNet does not pass No Universal SafetyNet Fix Install the module and clear the data of Google Play Services TWRP replaces with stock-recoveryMIUI Rewrites the Recovery when loading After installation TWRP go straight through disable_dm-verity.zip ⚠️ Note: If after obtaining root-rights, the phone began to overheat or discharge quickly, check the active processes through the phone. CPU Monitor, some app may be abusing superuser rights.Revoke rights for suspicious programs in Magisk → Superuser. 💡If after installing Magisk, the phone boots to bootloop (cyclic reboot), reflash the kernel through TWRP, stock-based boot.img firmware. 6. Alternative methods of obtaining root (if the standard one does not work) In rare cases, the official method with the Mi Unlock Tool may not work (for example, due to account lock or Xiaomi server errors). 1: Unlocking through EDL (Emergency Download Mode is an extreme way, as it requires the use of a vulnerability in the Qualcomm protocol and can lead to hardware damage! 🔧 Necessary: Cable EDL (or a lintel on the motherboard) Mi Flash Pro or QFil firmware file.mbn for Redmi S2 🚨 Risks: Loss IMEI Damage to the module Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Blocking the account Mi Method 2: Using the Patched boot.img If the Mi Unlock Tool refuses to unlock the bootloader, you can flash the modified boot.img For this, download the official firmware for Redmi. S2 from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater. boot.img Patch it through Magisk (select Install in the app) → Select and Patch a File. boot.img Fastboot: Fastboot Flash boot magisk_patched.img Method 3: Waiting round 168 If the Mi Unlock Tool requires waiting, but there is no time to wait, try it: 📱 Link another phone to your Mi Account (even the old one) and wait 7 days. 🔄 Use another Mi Account that was registered more than 30 days ago. 🌐 Connect to the Mi Unlock Tool via VPN (For example, Hong Kong or India, sometimes it resets the timer. 💡If you bought a Redmi S2 hand, make sure the previous owner untie his Mi! account otherwise unlocking will be impossible without his data. 7. What to do after obtaining root rights? Now that you have full control of Redmi S2, Here are some useful steps: 1. Uninstall system applications (bloat): With Titanium Backup or Root Explorer, you can remove unnecessary Xiaomi applications: 🗑️ com.miui.analytics (collection of statistics) 🗑️ com.xiaomi.midrop (Mi Drop) 🗑️ com.miui.videoplayer (videoplayer) 🗑️ com.miui.cleanmaster (cleaner) ⚠️ Do not delete system services with the names com.android. or com.qualcomm. — This can cause the phone to fail! 2. Performance Optimization: Install Magisk modules to improve performance: 🚀 Disable Flag Secure – allows you to take screenshots in protected applications. 🔋 Battery Charge Limit – Limits battery power (e.g., up to a battery charge) 80% prolongation). 🎮 Game Turbo Mod – Improves performance in games. 3. Installation of custom firmware: C TWRP and root rights can be used to create alternative firmware: 📱 LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11) — pure Android without bloat. 📱 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface. 📱 Havoc-OS – customizable firmware with many functions. 4. Backup with root: Use Titanium Backup or Swift Backup to create full backups: 💾 Save the apps. + data. 💾 backup SMS and call logs. 💾 Backup copy /data and /system section. 💡Before installing custom firmware, always check its compatibility with the codename ysl. Firmware for another model (e.g. Redmi 6) will lead to a brick! 8. Getting root rights is always associated with risks, but they can be minimized if you follow the proven instructions. Here are the main threats and ways to protect: 1. Loss of warranty: Xiaomi officially declares that unlocking the bootloader will void the warranty. However, in practice: 🔧 If the problem is hardware (for example, a broken screen), service centers often turn a blind eye to it. 🔧 Before you go for repair, you can return the phone to the stock state: Swipe the official firmware through Mi Flash. Lock the bootloader with the command fastboot oem lock. 2. Security: Root rights open access to system files, which can be dangerous: 🛡️ Install AFWall+ for controlling network access of applications. 🛡️ Use MagiskHide to hide root from malware. 🛡️ Check installed apps regularly for suspicious permissions. 3. System Updates: After obtaining root rights, you can not install OTA-renewal MIUI! This will result in the loss of root or bootloop: 🔄 Download full firmware (.zip) with Xiaomi Firmware Updater. 🔄 Set them up through TWRP (pre-deleted /system/addon.d, if there is). 🔄 After the update, re-switch Magisk. 4. Hardware Risks: Mistakes can lead to: 💥 Soft-brick (phone turned on but not loaded) – treated with flashing. 💥 Hard-brick (the phone does not respond to buttons) EDL repair. 💥 Poose. IMEI or Baseband, which is regenerated through QCN-file. ⚠️ If after manipulation with root the phone stopped catching the network, check IMEI team *#06#. If it is missing, restore it via Maui. META or SN Write Tool (backup required) QCN). FAQ: Answers to frequent questions ❓ Can I get a root on Redmi? S2 No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. S2 (As with all modern Xiaomi, it is mandatory to unlock the bootloader, without which neither Magisk nor SuperSU will be able to gain full access to the system. The only exception is temporary root through vulnerabilities (for example, DirtyCOW), but it is unstable and dangerous. ❓ Why does Mi Unlock Tool write "Couldn't unlock. Wait for 360 hours"? This means your Mi Account isn't tied to your phone for long enough. Xiaomi requires that the device be logged in to your account for at least 30 days (sometimes up to 15 days). Use of another account (registered earlier) SIM-Maps to account and active use of Xiaomi services (for example, Mi Cloud). Connection through VPN Xiaomi servers in China (sometimes resets the timer). ❓ How to return the phone to stock after getting root? To roll back to factory firmware: Download the official firmware for Redmi S2 (.tgz or.zip) with Xiaomi Firmware Updater. Unpack the archive and put the files in a folder with the Mi Flash Tool. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (adb reboot bootloader). In Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and click Refresh → Flash. After firmware, run fastboot oem lock to block the bootloader. ⚠️ Important: Locking the bootloader erases all data! make backup in advance. ❓ Can I update you? MIUI after getting root? Yes, but not through OTA! First, download the full firmware (.zip) for your version. MIUI With Xiaomi Firmware Updater. then reboot to TWRP. Install the firmware (no wiping!) and re-sweep Magisk (otherwise root will disappear).