How to become a developer on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro: from unlock to custom firmware

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is one of the most popular smartphones for Android enthusiasts. Its powerful Snapdragon processor 732G, 120-hertz AMOLED-The screen and open architecture make it the perfect place to experiment with firmware, cores and system modifications, but before you get into deep tuning, you need to properly prepare the phone, or you risk growings exponentially.

This article is not about how to easily enable USB debugging (which is a base we'll also discuss), but here you will find unique nuances of working with the Redmi Note 10 Pro (codename sweet), including bypassing typical bootloader unlock errors, choosing stable custom firmware and optimizing performance for development. We avoid general tips — only specific steps tailored to the features of this model.

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

Before touching system files, make sure your Redmi Note 10 Pro is ready to be manipulated.Missing these steps could result in data loss or an inability to recover the phone through official tools.

First, check the MIUI version and the firmware region. Only the global (Global) or European (EEA) version is suitable for unlocking the bootloader. Chinese (CN) firmware requires additional actions, including linking the Mi Account to a phone number. You can find out the version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

Second, back up all data, including:

• 📱 Contacts (exports to VCF via Contact → Management → Exports)
• 📸 Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud)
• 🔑 Logins and passwords (use Settings) → Google → Backup)
• 🎮 Save games (via Mi Account) → Cloud Sync or hand-held backup)

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, the phone will perform a full reset (wipe). MIUI, some system settings (for example, data on allowed USB-devices) not refurbishable.

2. Activation of the developer mode and debugging over USB

Without the developer mode enabled, you can't unlock the bootloader or install custom software. On the Redmi Note 10 Pro, this process is standard, but there is a nuance with a hidden menu for the user. OEM-Unlocking that only occurs after a few steps.

To activate the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click on the MIUI version 7 times in a row (you will be notified "You became a developer").
3. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional → for developers.
4. Turn it on: 🔧 Debugging by USB (USB Debugging) 🔓 Unlocking OEM (OEM Unlocking – This item may not be available before connecting to the Mi Unlock Tool! 🔄 Factory Unlocking (Factory Unlocking)

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If the "OEM Unlock" option is inactive, connect the phone to a PC with the Mi Unlock Tool installed and restart the device.

There's a bug on the Redmi Note 10 Pro: sometimes, after you turn on USB debugging, the phone is no longer defined in adb devices.

adb kill-server


adb start-server




adb devices

If the problem persists, try changing the regime. USB-Connection to File Transfer (MTP).

3. Unlock the bootloader: bypass the limitations of Xiaomi

Xiaomi has tightened its bootloader unlock policy, requiring a phone-linked Mi Account with a confirmed number. On the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the process takes 72 to 168 hours of waiting after the first account is linked.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

Download the Mi Unlock Tool (official version only!) and follow the algorithm:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via the original cable (important!).
3. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.
4. Click Unlock. If the error "Couldn't unlock" appears, it means that it has not been 72 hours since the account was linked.

⚠️ Warning: Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset. Don't interrupt the process, it can lead to hard brick. MI, wait 10-15 minutes or forcefully restart the long hold of the power button.

The Redmi Note 10 Pro has a bug that says, "Current account is not bound to this device even after it's tied."

• 🔄 Re-connect your Mi Account in your phone settings (Mi Account) → Security → Link the account).
• 📱 Make sure your phone is on mobile internet or Wi-Fi (unlocking requires checking through Xiaomi servers).
• 🖥️ Try using another PC or virtual machine with Windows 10/11.

4. Installation of Custom Recovery (TWRP) and Magisk

Once unlocked, you can install customized recavers (such as TWRP) and get root rights through Magisk. For the Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet), there are special TWRP builds that support data encryption and work with MIUI 13/14.

Download the current version of TWRP for sweet from the official website or from trusted communities (for example, XDA Developers).

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_sweet.img


fastboot reboot recovery

Important: once you install the TWRP, you can't reboot it right away -- MIUI will reset the Recovery to standard.

1. Immediately after you sign in to TWRP, go to Mount → Enable MTP and copy the Magisk-v26.4.zip file to your phone.
2. Install Magisk via Install → Select file → Magisk-v26.4.zip.
3. Reboot to the system (Reboot → System).

To check root rights after installing Magisk, use the command:

adb shell


su

If a request for rights appears, the root is installed successfully.

5.Selection of custom firmware: what works on the Redmi Note 10 Pro

With Redmi Note 10 Pro compatible dozens of custom firmware, but not all equally stable. Below is a table with proven options (as of 2026):

Before installing any firmware:

• 📌 Check compatibility with your version of sweet (for example, the same as yours, sweet_global or sweetin).
• 🔋 The battery should be charged. >50%.
• 🔄 Run the Wipe. → System, Data, Cache, Dalvik (except internal memory, if you do not want to lose files).

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On the Redmi Note 10 Pro, Android 13+ firmware can have problems encrypting data. If the phone asks for a password after installing it but doesn't accept it, try formatting Data into TWRP and installing the firmware again.

6. Optimization for Development: ADB, Terminal and Performance

Now that your Redmi Note 10 Pro is unlocked and stitched, you can customize it for easy development.

ADB acceleration:

By default, ADB is slow due to the limitations of USB 2.0.To enable USB 3.0 (if the cable supports):

adb shell


setprop persist.sys.usb.config mtp,adb

Terminal configuration:

Install Termux from F-Droid and add repositories to develop:

pkg update && pkg upgrade


pkg install git python clang

3. Performance optimization:

• 🔥 Turn on Force. GPU Rendering in developer settings to speed up rendering.
• ⚡ Turn it off. MIUI Optimization (through ADB): adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.zeus.
• 🎯 Use Performance Mode in Battery Settings for Maximum Performance.

To test performance after modifications, use the following commands:

adb shell dumpsys cpuinfo # CPU monitoring


adb shell dumpsy meminfo # Memory use

7.Typical errors and their solutions

Even experienced users face problems on the Redmi Note 10 Pro, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the Internet has disappeared after installing Magisk:

1. Open Magisk and check the modules.
2. Turn off SafetyNet Fix (if installed).
3. Reboot the phone.

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On the Redmi Note 10 Pro, after unlocking the bootloader, Widevine L1 (down to L3) may disappear, which worsens the quality of streaming in Netflix/Disney+. Solution: install the Widevine L1 Fix module for Magisk.

FAQ: Frequent development questions on the Redmi Note 10 Pro