How to root Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: from unlocking the bootloader to Magisk

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (including the Pro and Special Edition versions) is still a popular device among Android enthusiasts due to its hardware and deep customization capabilities. However, to fully control the system from removing embedded software to installing custom firmware, you need to get root rights. In this article, we will analyze the current ways of rooting in 2026, taking into account all the nuances of working with the Xiaomi bootloader and the features of the model.

The rooting process of Redmi Note 3 consists of three key stages: unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool, installing a custom recavator. TWRP And it's important to understand that every step of the way requires preparation, from backing up data to checking firmware compatibility, and we'll go through each step in detail, and we'll also warn you against the common mistakes that can turn a smartphone into a brick».

Note that the procedure for Redmi Note 3 Pro (codename kenzo) and Redmi Note 3 Special Edition (codename kate) differs in the supported versions. TWRP In this article, we will give you universal solutions, and also point out the specific points for each modification.

1.Rooting Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start unlocking the bootloader, make sure all the preconditions are met, which minimizes the risk of data loss or software failures.

First, check the version. MIUI And the device model. Go to Settings for that. → The phone, you'll need it:

• 📱 The exact name of the model (Redmi Note 3 Pro or Special Edition).
• 🔢 Assembly number MIUI (for example, MIUI Global 12.5.4 Stable).
• 🔄 Android version (6.0 Marshmallow or 7.0 Nougat – this depends on the choice of firmware).

Second, back up all the data. Unlock the bootloader and install it. TWRP You can reset your device to factory settings, use Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or local copying on your PC:

• 📁 Contact, SMS and call logs (export through Settings) → Google → Backup).
• 📸 Photos and videos (copy to external drive or cloud).
• 🎮 Application data (e.g. saves in games – many of them are not automatically synced).

💡

If you use two-factor authentication in Mi-account, turn it off temporarily, and in rare cases, it can block the bootloader from unlocking.

Third, prepare a PC with Windows 7/10/11 (Mi Unlock Tool requires Windows and the following tools:

Finally, make sure that the device is enabled debugging by USB and unlock OEM. For that:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to activate the Developer Mode.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Activate the USB Debugging and OEM Unlock switches.

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If the option “Unlock” OEM» Inactive, check if the Mi-account is linked to the device and connected to the Internet.

2 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

Xiaomi bootloader is blocked by default, and its unlocking is a mandatory step before installation TWRP. The procedure takes between 3 and 720 hours (depending on Xiaomi’s policy) and requires a Mi-account to be linked to the device.

Step 1: Put Mi-account on your phone.

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account and log in.
2. In the Mi Cloud section, activate synchronization of contacts and notes (this confirms the account binding).
3. Connect your device to the Internet via mobile data or Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Connect Redmi Note 3 to your PC in Fastboot mode.

• Turn off the phone.
• Press the buttons Loud down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.
• Connect the device to the PC through the original USB-cable.

Step 3: Launch the Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator.

1. Sign in under the same Mi-account as you do on your phone.
2. Press Unlock and the unlocking process will begin.
3. If you have a waiting message (e.g. Couldn't unlock, try again after 168 hours), wait until the time is set.

Step 4: Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically restart. Check the bootloader status with the team in ADB:

fastboot oem device-info

The output should be Device unlocked: true.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader resets the device to factory settings. All data, including files on internal memory, will be deleted!

3. Installation of custom TWRP Recovery

After unlocking the bootloader, the next step is installation. TWRP (This custom recovery will allow you to install Magisk, custom firmware and create Nandroid backups.

For the Redmi Note 3 Pro (kenzo) and Special Edition (kate) are used in different versions. TWRP. Download the correct build from the official website and rename the file to twrp.img convenienceally.

Installation instructions:

1. Transfer your phone to Fastboot (Loudness buttons down) + Nutrition).
2. Connect the device to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
3. TWRP command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
4. After successful installation, restart to the Recovery team: fastboot boot twrp.img Important: First launch TWRP may take up 5 minutes - do not interrupt the process!

V TWRP You'll be asked to allow changes to the system partition. Swipe the Swipe to Allow Modifications slider, but don't install Magisk right away -- create a backup first!

Create a backup Nandroid (Backup section)|Check the Android version (Settings) → The phone)|Format Dalvik/ART Cache (Wipe → Advanced Wipe)|Reboot to TWRP after formatting (not in the system!)

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Creating a backup in TWRP:

1. Go to the Backup section.
2. Select the backup sections: Boot, System, Data (the rest are optional).
3. Specify the place of preservation (preferably on the external one) SD-map).
4. Swipe to start the backup.

⚠️ Attention: If after installation TWRP The phone is loaded into the stock recavator, which means that the device has activated anti-Rollback protection. TWRP bypassing protection (e.g, TWRP OrangeFox).

4. Getting root rights through Magisk

Magisk is a universal tool for obtaining root rights without changing the systemless root, it also allows you to hide root from applications (for example, banking) and install customization modules.

Step 1: Download the latest version of Magisk (.zip file) and move it to internal memory or SD-phone.

Step 2: Load into the TWRP (buttons Volume up + Power when switched on) and follow the following steps:

1. Click Install and select the downloaded Magisk file.
2. Swipe to confirm installation.
3. After completion, press Reboot System.

Step 3: After you reboot, check for root rights with the Magisk Manager app (install it from Magisk or download it separately). Open the app and make sure that the green tick and Installed sign appear at the top of the screen.

If Magisk Manager isn't installed automatically, download it from GitHub and install it manually. When you first run it, the app will ask for permission to update — agree.

Official (Mi Unlock) + TWRP + Magisk)|Through an exploit (e.g., DirtyCOW)|A sleeve with pre-installed root|I haven't decided yet.-->

5. Checking the performance and troubleshooting problems

Once you have root permissions, you need to make sure that the system is stable, and here are the key points to check:

Root access verification:

• 📱 Install the Root Checker app from Google Play and run the check.
• 🔧 Open Termux (or another terminal) and enter the su command. If a permission request from Magisk appears, root works.

Verification of SafetyNet:

Many applications (such as Google Pay or banking) require a SafetyNet check to pass:

1. Open Magisk Manager and go to Settings.
2. Activate the MagiskHide and Enforce DenyList options.
3. In the DenyList section, add apps that should not see root (like Google Play Services).
4. Reset the device.

Typical problems and their solutions:

If after rooting the device began to overheat or discharge quickly, check the activity of processes through Settings. → Battery. Often the fault is Magisk background tasks or installed modules. Disable unnecessary modules in Magisk Manager.

6. Additional features after rooting

Root rights give you access to a lot of features that are not available in stock firmware, and here are the most useful ones:

1. Removal of embedded applications:

With Titanium Backup or Root Explorer, you can uninstall your system applications (bloatware) such as:

• 🎵 Music (stock player Mi Music)
• 📺 Mi Video and Mi TV
• 📊 Analytics (collection of statistics Xiaomi)
• 🛒 Mi Store, Mi Browser

⚠️ Do not delete system services called com.android. or com.miui. – this may cause the device to fail.

2. Optimization of productivity:

With root rights, you can:

• 🚀 Change the planner CPU and GPU via Kernel Adiutor.
• 🔋 Disable unnecessary background processes with Greenify.
• 📶 Set up network settings (for example, force-activate VoLTE or 4G+).

Installation of custom firmware:

Popular firmware for Redmi Note 3:

• 🌍 LineageOS (Pure Android without shell) MIUI)
• ⚡ Pixel Experience (like the Google Pixel interface)
• 🔄 MIUI EU (Weekly builds with extended settings)

Before installing custom firmware, make sure it is compatible with your model (kenzo or kate) and the bootloader version.

4. Magisk modules for advanced customization:

Some useful modules:

• 🎨 MagiskHide Props Config – changing the device’s fingerprint (for example, to trick applications).
• 🔊 ViPER4Android — pitch-tuning.
• 🔒 App Systemizer – transferring user applications to the system partition.

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Before installing Magisk modules, always create a backup in the TWRP. Some modules may conflict with each other or with the Android version.

7.Security after rooting: how not to lose data

Root rights give you complete control of the system, but they also increase security risks.

1. MagiskHide setup:

Many malicious applications use root to steal data, to protect themselves:

• 🛡️ Enable MagiskHide in the Magisk Manager settings.
• 🔍 Add to DenyList all banking apps, instant messengers and Google Play Services.
• 🔄 Update Magisk and its modules regularly.

Backup:

With root rights, you can create complete system backups, including:

• 📱 Nandroid backup in TWRP (includes all sections).
• 🗃️ Application and Data Backup with Titanium Backup.
• 📄 backup EFS-section (contains) IMEI and network settings).

Store backups on an external drive or in the cloud.

3. Protection against malware:

Install an antivirus with root scanning support, such as:

• 🛡️ Malwarebytes (with root access option).
• 🔍 360 Security (has a module for checking system files).

Avoid installing apps from unverified sources, even if they require root.

Activity monitoring:

Use apps to track root activity:

• 📊 Root Checker – Root Checker.
• 🔧 Logcat Extreme – Viewing system logs.
• 🚨 AFWall+ — Control of network traffic for each application.

⚠️ Note: Some banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff) may block work on rooted devices. In this case, use MagiskHide or Universal SafetyNet Fix module.

FAQ: Frequent questions about rooting Redmi Note 3