Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) is still a popular device among Android modding enthusiasts, and gaining root rights allows you to deep-tuning the system, uninstall embedded software, and install custom firmware, but the process comes with risks ranging from loss of warranty to full “brick” of the device if you skip critical steps.
In this guide, we will break down the current 2026 method of obtaining root rights through Magisk with pre-unlocking the bootloader. We will focus on the nuances for the Redmi Note 4, including problems with anti-rollback and compatibility of MIUI versions. If you are a beginner, do not miss the sections with warnings and alternatives!
1. Device Preparation: What to Do Before Unlocking
Before you start unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP, you need to perform a number of mandatory actions, skipping at least one point can lead to the inability to restore the device through standard means.
First, check the MIUI version and build number in Settings → About Phone. Redmi Note 4 critically, that the firmware version is not lower than MIUI 9 Global Stable 9.6.2.0 — earlier builds may contain vulnerabilities exploited when unlocked. If you have Chinese firmware (China ROM), it must be changed to global through the Mi Flash Tool.
- 📱 Make a full backup: use Mi Cloud or Titanium Backup (if you already had a root). /data/app and settings /data/data.
- 🔋 Charging at least 70%: the process of unlocking and firmware can take up to 1 hour. Interrupting due to battery discharge is almost guaranteed to lead to a breeze.
- 🔐 Unplug Mi Account: go to Settings → Mi Account → If the device is tied to the account, the bootloader may be activated after unlocking the Mi Account Lock.
- 🖥️ Install. ADB Download Google’s Platform Tools and Xiaomi drivers from the official website.
⚠️ Note: If your device was purchased in China and is powered by China ROM, Unlocking the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool may require a Chinese phone number, in which case it is easier to flash the global version first via Fastboot.
2 Unlocking the bootloader: official and informal ways
The Redmi Note 4 bootloader is locked by default, and unlocking it is a must before installing TWRP or Magisk. The official Mi Unlock Tool method works, but has limitations, such as requiring a wait of 72–168 hours after an account is linked to a device.
Unofficial methods (for example, through exploits in the EDL-It allows you to bypass the wait, but it can lead to a hard breeze if you use inappropriate firmware files. We recommend that novice users stick to the official path despite the delays.
Unlocking with Mi Unlock Tool
- Activate USB debugging: go to Settings → About Phone, tap 7 times on the MIUI Version, then in Settings → Additional → For developers, turn on USB debugging and OEM unlock.
- Link your Mi Account to your device: in the same developer settings, find Mi Unlock Status and link the device to your account. Wait 3-7 days (exact time depends on Xiaomi policy).
- Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website (version no lower than 5.5.224.30).
- Open unlock: 1. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (press Power + Vol−). 2. In Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your Mi.3 account. Press Unlock and confirm the action.
What if the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a "Couldn't unlock" error?
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Couldn’t unlock, 86006 | Too early to attempt to unlock | Wait 72–168 hours after you have linked your account |
| Current account is different from the account info on the device | The device is linked to another account | Log out of all accounts on your phone and link the right one. |
| Device isn’t supported | The Mi Unlock Tool is an outdated version | Download the latest version from the official website |
| Network error | IP Blocking (often when using VPN) | Turn off VPN, try from another internet connection |
3. Installation of TWRP Recovery: version selection and firmware
After unlocking the bootloader, you need to flash the custom TWRP recovery. For Redmi Note 4 (mido), it is critical to use the correct version - incompatible firmware can lead to a bootloop or damage to the data partition.
Official assembly TWRP For mido, available at twrp.me. 3.7.0_9-0 Or newer -- it supports FBE (File-Based Encryption and compatible with the latest versions MIUI 12/13. Older versions (e.g, 3.2.3) They may not work properly with data encryption.
Step-by-step installation of TWRP
☑️ Firmware preparation TWRP
- Download the TWRP image (a file with the.img extension) and place it in the folder with the platform-tools.
- Open the command prompt in this folder (Shift + right mouse button → “Open command window”).
- Please. TWRP Team: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-mido.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-mido.img The second command loads the phone directly into the TWRP, to avoid overwriting the Recovery with stock firmware.
- Backup in TWRP: After downloading to the recovery, select Backup and save the Boot, Data and System partitions to an external memory card.
⚠️ Note: If after the firmware TWRP The phone is loaded into the stock recavator, so the protection mechanism has worked MIUI. Solution: Re-squeeze TWRP Then, immediately follow the command fastboot flash boot. magisk_patched.img (about this in the next section).
4. Magisk installation: obtaining root rights without risk to OTA-update
Magisk is a universal root-rights tool that doesn't modify the system partition, but works through boot. OTA-Updates (albeit with reservations) and be checked by SafetyNet.
For Redmi Note 4, Magisk version 26.1 or later is suitable. Older versions (e.g. 20.4) may not support modern encryption mechanisms and lead to bootloop.
Patching boot image through Magisk
- Download stock boot.img for your version of MIUI. It can be extracted from the full firmware (.tz file) using Mi Firmware Extractor or download ready-made from the 4PDA forums.
- Move boot.img to your phone and install Magisk APK (don’t run it!).
- V TWRP: 1. Press Advanced. → File Manager. 2. Go to the folder with boot.img and copy it into /sdcard. 3. Go back to the main menu and select Install. → Select and Patch a File. 4. Show the way to boot.img and wait for the creation magisk_patched.img.
- The Boot: Fastboot Flash Boot magisk_patched.img fastboot reboot
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If the phone hangs on the MI logo after the reboot, then the patched boot.img is incompatible with your version of MIUI. Solution: download another boot.img (for example, from firmware to 1-2 builds newer or older) and repeat the process.
5. Root-rights check and SafetyNet bypass
After successful installation of Magisk, you need to check whether the root rights are working correctly and whether the device passes the SafetyNet test, the latter is important for the operation of banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online or Google Pay).
Use:
- 🔍 Magisk App: Open the app and make sure that the status shows Installed: 26.1 (or newer) and All checks passed.
- 🛡️ SafetyNet Check: Install SafetyNet Test from Play Market and run the test. If ctsProfile: false status, you will need to adjust the test further.
- 📱 Root Checker: Any root-rights checker application (such as Root Checker Basic) must show a successful result.
SafetyNet bypass on Redmi Note 4
If SafetyNet fails (ctsProfile: false), follow the following steps:
- In Magisk, go to Settings → Hide Magisk (MagiskHide) and enable this option.
- Install Universal SafetyNet Fix module via Magisk → Modules → Install from storage.
- Restart the device and re-check SafetyNet.
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If banking apps still don’t work, try adding them to the hidden list in MagiskHide (the “Magisk Configuration” section).
Possible problems and solutions
Even if you follow the instructions accurately, there can be specific errors on the Redmi Note 4, and the following are the most common ones and ways to fix them.
| Problem. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone does not turn on after TWRP firmware | Incompatible version of the recovery or damaged boot | Stitch the stock. boot.img via fastboot flash boot stock_boot.img |
| Magisk is not installed, Failed to mount /data error | Data Encryption (FBE) is not supported by the older version of TWRP | Use TWRP 3.7.0 or later, format data in Recovery |
| After the rut, no work. OTA-update | Magisk Modifies Boot That Blocks Standard Updates | Update manually via TWRP or disable Magisk before upgrading |
| Phone overheats after getting root rights | background processes with root access (e.g. Xposed or Magisk modules) | Check the list of installed modules and disable suspicious ones |
⚠️ Note: If after all the manipulations the phone loads into Fastboot with an anti-rollback error, it means that you tried to flash the firmware older than the one installed earlier. ROM The same or newer version via the Mi Flash Tool with the clean all option.
7. Alternative ways of obtaining root rights
If the standard Magisk method is not suitable (for example, due to SafetyNet problems or firmware incompatibility), alternatives may be considered.
- 🔧 SuperSU: Outdated method, but suitable for older versions MIUI (Not recommended for modern firmware due to SELinux issues.
- 📦 Custom firmware with pre-installed root, such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience, require complete flashing of the device and can deprive functions MIUI (for example, IR Blaster).
- 🔓 Temporary rout through ADB: Suitable for one-time tasks (e.g., uninstall system applications) Not saved after rebooting: adb shell su
For the Redmi Note 4, Magisk remains the most balanced solution, as it allows you to save the functionality of MIUI and pass SafetyNet. Castom firmware should be considered only if you are critically important features that are not in the stock shell (for example, Project Treble).
8 How to Get Everything Back: Removing Root Rights and Restoring Guarantees
If you need to return the device to stock (for example, for sale or repair under warranty), you must:
- Delete Magisk: 1. Open the Magisk app. 2. Go to Settings → Complete Deletion. 3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
- Fastboot flash recovery: fastboot flash recovery stock_recovery.img
- Return stock boot (if patched): fastboot flash boot stock_boot.img
- Reset settings through Settings → Restore and Reset → Reset settings.
To fully restore the warranty, you will also need to lock the bootloader. This can be done through the Mi Flash Tool with the clean all and lock option when you run the official Fastboot ROM firmware. Note that once the bootloader is blocked, installing custom firmware or TWRP will become impossible without re-unblocking.
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Even after removing root rights, some banking applications can retain memory of the changed partitions, in which case only a complete flashing through Fastboot with the bootloader locked will help.