Rooting Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: from unlocking the bootloader to Magisk

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is still one of the most popular budget smartphones thanks to the powerful Mediatek Helio G90T chipset, 64MP camera and capacious battery. However, the factory firmware MIUI imposes limitations: you can not remove system applications, change the CPU frequency or use modified modules. The solution is rooting.

Unlike smartphones on Qualcomm Snapdragon, where rooting often comes down to unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk, the Redmi Note 8 Pro has two key hurdles: 1) The official Mi Unlock utility requires a Xiaomi account binding and waiting 7-15 days. 2) To install a custom recovery (TWRP) you need to bypass the Anti-Rollback protection, otherwise the device will turn into a “brick”.

This article presents an algorithm that is relevant for 2026, taking into account the latest versions of MIUI and Magisk, as well as ways to bypass typical errors.

Preparing for rooting: what you need to know before you start

Rooting the Redmi Note 8 Pro is not just about installing a program, it is a modification of the system partition that affects:

• 🔒 Security: some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) will stop working due to the SafetyNet trigger.
• 📱 Guarantee: official service centers Xiaomi will refuse repairs under warranty if found root.
• 🔄 Updates: OTA-Updates will stop coming automatically – you will have to install firmware manually.

Before you start, check:

• 📌 Version MIUI: rooting is only possible on firmware below 12.5.3 (due to changes in security policy). → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
• 🔋 Battery charge: not lower than 70%, process of unlocking the bootloader and firmware TWRP It can take up to 30 minutes.
• 💻 Availability of a Windows PC 7/10/11 (for Mac/Linux Additional drivers will be required).

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi Note 8 Pro is purchased in China (suffix version) CN In the model, the bootloader will need a Chinese phone number to link the account to unlock the bootloader.

A unique feature of the Redmi Note 8 Pro: the Mediatek Helio G90T chipset uses Secure Boot protection, which blocks the installation of unofficial firmware without first patching the bootloader.

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock

The Xiaomi bootloader is locked by default. To unlock it, you need to:

1. Download the official utility Mi Unlock Tool (version not lower than 5.5.224.30).
2. Turn on the phone Developer Mode (7 times press the version) MIUI in settings) and activate OEM-unlocking and debugging USB.
3. Link Xiaomi account to device in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Security.

Then connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power). Launch Mi Unlock Tool and sign in under the same account as your phone. The utility will show a waiting timer (usually 168 hours for new accounts).

⚠️ Note: If the utility gives an error "Couldn't unlock" with code 86006 or 86012, it means that the account is not tied to the device.

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings. All data will be deleted, so back up in advance through Settings → Additional → Backup.

Step 2: Installation of TWRP Recovery

Standard Recavery MIUI It doesn't allow you to install modified firmware. It's a need to sew it instead. TWRP — Custom Recavers with Root Rights Support. 8 Pro is a good version 3.7.0_9-0 from the developer mauronofrio (with a patch for Anti-Rollback).

Instructions:

1. Download. TWRP For the Redmi Note 8 Pro (file) twrp-3.7.0_9-0-begonia.img).
2. Rename the file to recovery.img and place it in the folder with fastboot (from Platform Tools for Android SDK).
3. Translate your phone to Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery.img
4. Immediately after firmware, restart to TWRP, holding Volume up + Power (otherwise the system will rewrite the Recovery to standard).

V TWRP First, make a backup of the persist section (in the Backup menu). → Select persist. This section contains data on the camera modules and IMEI. If it gets damaged, the phone will lose contact.

Loader unlocked|Backup persists.|File. recovery.img fastboot|Phone in Fastboot mode-->

Step 3: Magisk firmware to obtain root rights

Magisk is a root rights management tool that masks them from verification systems (like Google Pay or Netflix).The latest stable version as of 2026 is Magisk 26.4.

Installation algorithm:

1. Download Magisk-v26.4.zip (not.apk!).
2. Move the archive to your phone or flash drive.
3. In TWRP, select Install → Install → Indicate the path to Magisk-v26.4.zip → Swipe to Confirm Flash.
4. After installation, reboot to the system.

To check for root rights, install the Root Checker app from Play Market or enter the command in the terminal:

su

If a request for rights appears, the rooting was successful.

⚠️ Note: If after you run Magisk, your phone loads into a bootloop, you've used an incompatible version. boot.img from the original firmware through TWRP, Repeat the Magisk installation.

💡

If banking applications have stopped working after rooting, install the Magisk Universal SafetyNet Fix module and activate the Enforce DenyList option in the Magisk settings.

Alternative methods of rooting

If the official method does not work (for example, due to Mi Unlock errors), you can use workarounds:

The most reliable alternative method is firmware through EDL.

1. Download Mi Flash Pro.
2. Connect the phone in mode EDL (Turn off the device, press the volume up. + Loud down, then plug in. USB-cable).
3. In Mi Flash Pro, select Unlock Bootloader and follow the instructions.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can have problems.

• 🚨 Mi Unlock 999 error: means your account is not tied to your device, so you can log in to your phone and wait 24 hours.
• 🔄 Bootloop after Magisk firmware: you probably stitched the wrong version. boot.img stock-stack.
• 📵 No network after rooting: damaged partition persist. Solution - restore it from backup to TWRP.
• 🔒 SafetyNet does not work: Install Universal SafetyNet Fix in Magisk and enable Enforce DenyList.

If the phone stops booting after rooting (the black screen or Redmi logo hangs indefinitely), try:

1. Download to TWRP and reflash boot.img from the original firmware.
2. If it doesn’t help, complete a reset via TWRP → Wipe → Format Data (Warning: Delete all data!).
3. In extreme cases, flash the full stock firmware through Mi Flash in Clean All mode.

💡

If the phone doesn’t turn on after manipulating system partitions, don’t panic: in 90% of cases it can be restored via EDL or Fastboot. The main thing is not to try to stitch random files, this can aggravate the problem.

What to do after rooting?

Now you have full control of the device. Here's what you can do:

• 🧹 Remove System Applications: via Titanium Backup or Adb Shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 packet.
• ⚡ Optimize performance: With Kernel Adiutor or FrancoKernel, change the CPU frequencies.
• 🔐 Block Ads: Install AdAway or Blokada.
• 📱 Install custom firmware: for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience for pure Android.

But remember, with root rights, you also take responsibility for security, update Magisk and modules regularly, avoid installing suspicious.zip files, or you risk catching malware.

To check the system performance after rooting:

1. Install Magisk Manager and update it through Settings → Update.
2. Check SafetyNet status in Magisk → SafetyNet Check (should be PASS for ctsProfile and basicIntegrity).
3. Test the camera, communication and sensors – they should work without failure.

FAQ: Frequent questions about rooting Redmi Note 8 Pro