Obtaining superuser rights on Xiaomi smartphones is a process that opens up access to hidden system functions, but requires caution. The owner of Redmi 9 may face the limitations of the standard MIUI shell, which does not allow you to remove system applications or deeply customize the interface, which is precisely what requires root access, giving full control of the file system.
The procedure is not trivial, and consists of several critical steps, each of which affects the final result. Without an unlocked bootloader, installing administrator rights on Xiaomi devices is technically impossible, and you will go from applying for a service to firmware modified boot image.
It is worth noting that there are always risks involved in tampering with the software code of a smartphone. Mistakes can lead to loss of warranty, locking the device or disrupting the operation of banking applications. However, if you understand the consequences and have prepared all the necessary tools, this guide will help you safely modify Redmi 9.
Preparation of the device and unlocking the loader
The first step is to prepare the smartphone for modification, as the standard MIUI security settings block any attempts to interfere. You need to activate the developer mode and allow debugging over USB. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times, after which the option For developers will appear in the menu.
Inside the developer menu, find and activate the Debugging item USB. You also need to link your Mi Account to your device, as this is a mandatory requirement to unlock the bootloader. In the same menu, select Mi Unlock Status and add an account, making sure that you have a new account. SIM-The card with the number of this account is installed in the smartphone.
⚠️ Warning: Once an account is tied, the system may require you to wait 168 hours (7 days) until unlocked.Trying to get around this wait may result in a timer reset and the need to start the process anew.
To unlock directly, you will need a Windows computer and the Mi Unlock Tool. Download the official program from en.miui.com/unlock, launch it and log in to your account. Turn off your smartphone and enter Fastboot mode, holding the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously.
Connect your phone to your PC through quality USB-In Mi Unlock, press the Unlock button, the system will warn you that all data is erased, which is a mandatory security step, and after confirmation, a process will begin, which can take several minutes, after which the device will be cleaned and the bootloader unlocked.
Installation of TWRP Recovery on Redmi 9
Standard_recovery_It does not allow you to install modified files, so you need to install a custom recovery environment, for example, Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP). For Redmi. 9 (codename lancelot) you need to find the current version of the image that is compatible with your version of Android. The file usually has the extension.img.
Once the image is loaded, move it to the root of the C disk on your computer for convenience, renaming it, for example, twrp.img. Next, open the command prompt or PowerShell in the folder with the ADB and Fastboot tools. Make sure the drivers are installed correctly and the computer sees the device in Fastboot mode.
Enter a command to check the connection:
fastboot devicesIf the device serial number is displayed in response, you can proceed to the recovery firmware.
fastboot flash recovery twrp.imgImmediately after a successful recording, it is important to prevent automatic booting to the standard system, as MIUI may re-write TWRP back to stock recovery. So once the process is complete, press the Volume Up button and >Eating and keeping them until the logo appears TWRP.
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Use the original cable that comes with the kit, or a certified counterpart. Cheap charging cables often don't support stable data transfer, which can interrupt the firmware process at a critical stage.
Install Magisk to obtain Root rights
The most relevant and secure way to obtain superuser rights on modern versions of Android is to use Magisk, which allows you to implement root rights in a system-safe way, modifying the boot partition in memory rather than replacing system files directly, which increases the stability of the system.
First, download the current one. APK-Magisk file from the official GitHub repository.Put this file on the internal memory of the smartphone or SD-Download to the previously installed map. TWRP Recovery. In the main menu, select Install (Install).
In the file manager, find the downloaded APK-Before installing, press the Modify Zip button (or Install Zip in older versions) at the bottom of the screen. Confirm the swipe. The installation script will automatically write the necessary files to the boot section.
- 📂 File system: Make sure the partition is unlocked for writing, otherwise the installation will end in error.
- 🔋 Battery charge: The charge level must be at least 60% to avoid turning off at a critical moment.
- 📱 Device model: Make sure the image is TWRP It is designed for Redmi 9 (lancelot) and not for Redmi. 9C or 9A.
Once you have completed the installation, press the Reboot System button. It may take longer than usual to download the first install. Once you have enabled the new Magisk app, you will see it on the menu, open it, and if necessary, allow access to the files and complete the additional installation of the components.
⚠️ Note: Do not delete the Magisk app after installation, it is necessary to manage application access rights and hide root rights from banking programs.
License Check and Basic Setup
Once you have successfully restarted, you need to verify that you have superuser rights. Download the Root Checker app from Play Market or use the built-in Magisk functionality. The Magisk app should display the version of the installed program at the top of the screen, which indicates that the daemon process is active.
You can use a terminal to do a deeper check, and you can install any terminal emulator, like Termux, and you can type in the command:
suIf you see a request for superuser rights on the screen, and after confirmation, the cursor changes from $ to #, then you have successfully accessed it. Now you can use root-access applications such as Titanium Backup, Greenify or system file managers.
☑️ Verification of success of rooting
It is important to set up access rules for applications. When you first run a program that requires administrator rights, Magisk will request confirmation. You can choose "Just now," "For 10 minutes," or "Forever," and it is recommended that you only give regular access to trusted system utilities.
Solving problems with banking applications
Having super-user rights often leads to the failure of banking applications and services like Google Pay (now Google Wallet), banks use SafetyNet or Play Integrity API security mechanisms that detect modifications to the system, but Magisk offers tools to circumvent these restrictions.
In the Magisk settings, turn on the Zygisk option (formerly known as MagiskHide). Reboot the device after you turn on. Then, in the same settings menu, look for Configure DenyList. Here, you should mark all banking apps and Google Play services.
| Annex | Action. | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play Services | Enable in DenyList | Hiding the root from Google's check |
| Sberbank Online | Enable in DenyList | The application starts without errors |
| Magisk Manager | Rename the package | Bypassing the lock by packet name |
| Google Wallet | Enable in DenyList | Possibility to pay for NFC |
If simple methods don’t work, you may need to install Universal SafetyNet Fix via the Modules menu in Magisk, which replaces device data by pretending to be certified, and some banks block applications if they detect a TWRP installed or an unlocked bootloader, which requires more complex manipulations to rename the Magisk executable.
What to do if the app sees Magisk?
Possible risks and return to the original state
Software modifications always carry risks. You may encounter a “boot loop” if you have flashed an incompatible file. In the event that Redmi 9 stopped loading but reacts to buttons, you can return the system via TWRP, making a wipe data, or by restoring a full copy of the system from the backup if it was made in advance.
To return to the stock state completely (unroot) you need to download the original firmware for your model and region. Using the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode, you can completely resimplify the phone, this action will automatically lock the bootloader back (if you do not check the tool) and remove all traces of root rights.
Remember that unlocking the bootloader permanently changes the status of the device in Xiaomi servers. Even after returning to factory settings, the system will “remember” that the bootloader has ever been unlocked, which could theoretically affect some security features, such as the Widevine L1 (video quality in streaming services can drop to HD).
⚠️ Attention: The bootloader unlock procedure permanently deletes all data from the internal drive.Be sure to back up photos and contacts in the cloud or on PC before starting any action.
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The safest path to Root on Redmi 9 is to officially unlock through Mi Unlock, install TWRP, and use Magisk with Zygisk enabled to hide rights.