The procedure for obtaining superuser rights on Xiaomi smartphones has long ceased to be the lot of only experienced enthusiasts, but it still requires the user to be as attentive and understand the processes. Owners of the popular model Redmi Note 9 often wonder about the expansion of the functionality of their device, which becomes possible after installing root rights. This gives full control over the file system, allowing you to remove system debris, customize the processor and use powerful applications for automation.
It should be noted immediately that interference with the software of the smartphone carries certain risks, including loss of warranty and the ability to turn the device into a “brick” with incorrect actions. Before starting any manipulations, you must clearly understand that unlocking the bootloader is a mandatory first step that irreversibly changes the security state of the MiUI. The data in the device memory will be completely destroyed, so creating a backup is a critical step that cannot be ignored.
In this article, we will discuss each step of the process in detail, from tool preparation to the final installation of the Magisk rights manager. We will look at the nuances of working with the Fastboot mode, the features of the firmware custom TWRP recap and ways to bypass security checks of banking applications. If you are ready for an experiment and have a computer with the Windows operating system at hand, then you can start studying the technical part of the manual.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
The first thing you need to do is make sure your device is fully ready for modifications and all the required drivers and programs are installed on your personal computer. You will need to download and install ADB and Fastboot drivers that provide communication between the PC and the smartphone in special boot modes. Without this toolkit, any attempt to interact with the bootloader or recovery will be unsuccessful, since the computer will simply not see the connected device.
It is also critical to back up all user data, including photos, contacts and messages, as the process of unlocking the bootloader initiates a complete reset to factory state, it is recommended to use cloud services Xiaomi Cloud or Google Drive, as well as local copying to an external drive.
⚠️ Note: The process of unlocking the bootloader permanently changes the status of the device in the security system Xiaomi.After this procedure, some features, such as Mi Pay or the operation of certain banking applications in standard mode, may become unavailable without additional manipulation.
You will also need a high-quality job. USB-A cable, preferably original, that came with the device, or a certified analog with data support, and cheap charging cables often do not provide stable connections, which can lead to interruption of the firmware process and the occurrence of critical errors. The battery charge of the smartphone should be at least 60% so that the device does not turn off at the most inopportune moment.
☑️ Verification of readiness for modification
Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)
The foundation for obtaining superuser rights is to unlock the bootloader, without which installing a modified backup is impossible. First, you need to link your Mi Account to the device through the settings menu, logging into the "Developers" section and activating the "Mi Unlock Status" item. After that, you should wait for the wait period, which is usually from 7 to 15 days, although in some cases it can be shortened or increased by the company's security algorithms.
After the wait timer expires, you need to switch to Fastboot mode, holding the power and volume buttons on the switched off smartphone. Connecting the device to the computer, launch the Mi Unlock Tool utility and log in to your account. The program automatically determines the lock status and, if successful, will offer to unlock, warning again about the complete deletion of data.
| Phase | User action | Expected output |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Entrance to Mi Account | Account tied to device |
| 2 | Waiting for a timer | It's been 168 hours (7 days) |
| 3 | Launching Mi Unlock | The utility sees the phone in Fastboot |
| 4 | Confirmation | bootloader unlocked, data deleted |
Once the procedure is completed successfully, the phone will automatically restart, and you will see a characteristic image of the open lock when turned on, indicating the unlocked state of the Bootloader. Now the device is ready to accept commands to write to system partitions, which opens the door to install custom software. If the process is interrupted or an error occurs, do not panic, but check the utility logs and try again, making sure that the connection is stable.
What to do if the timer is not going?
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
Standard Mi Recovery recovery has limited functionality and does not allow you to install third-party zip archives or make full partition backups, so replacing it with TWRP is a must. For the Redmi Note 9 model (codename merlin) you need to download a strictly relevant version of the image, since using a file from another model is guaranteed to cause the touchscreen to fail or completely lock the device.
The firmware process is done through the computer using a command in Fastboot mode. Connect your smartphone in this mode, open the command line in the folder with ADB-You can use the drivers and type in the command to record the image. It's important to avoid errors in the syntax of the command, otherwise the firmware will not start or will be written to the wrong memory partition.
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x.x-merlin.imgOnce you've done the command, you can't just reboot the phone in the normal way, because standard Android will rewrite the custom Recovery back to stock when you start, you need to do a special button combination to force you to go into recovery mode, and you need to press the volume and power button at the same time, holding them until the TWRP logo appears.
⚠️ Note: If you accidentally booted into a standard Android system after firmware TWRP, You have to repeat the process of firmware again. Stock system Xiaomi aggressively protects the integrity of the partitions and replaces the modified Recovery at the first boot.
The TWRP menu recommends that you format the Data partition to avoid encryption and file access issues. Select Wipe, then Format Data, and type the word "yes" for confirmation. This action will delete all files, but provide a clean environment for further work with superuser rights and install modifications.
Obtaining Super User Rights through Magisk
The current standard for root rights management is Magisk, which is implemented in the systemless way, which allows you to hide the fact of modification from banking applications and Google services. To install you will need to download the current apk file Magisk, rename its extension to.zip (or just choose as zip in some versions of TWRP) and download to the memory of the phone.
When you download from the TWRP menu, go to the Install section and select the downloaded archive from Magisk. Swipe the slider to confirm the installation and wait for the process to be completed. In the logs, you will see messages about the boot partition patching, which means the successful implementation of the rights manager in the boot image of the system.
After successful installation, press the Reboot System button for normal reboot in Android. On the first run, the system can initialize longer than usual, which is normal behavior after making changes to the bootloader. On the desktop, the Magisk app icon should appear, which indicates the successful acquisition of superuser rights.
- 📱 Open the Magisk app and check the installation status at the top of the screen.
- 🔒 Enable the “Zygisk” function in Magisk settings for better compatibility with modules.
- 🛡️ Activate Enforce DenyList if you plan to hide root applications.
- 🔄 Check for updates for the application itself through the built-in interface.
💡
Magisk Manager is not only a tool for getting root, but also a platform for installing modules that extend the functionality of Android without flashing the entire system.
Security setting and hiding root rights
Once the superuser rights are installed, many users are faced with the problem of banking applications that block startup on modified devices. To solve this problem, Magisk implemented DenyList (formerly known as MagiskHide), which allows you to hide root rights from selected applications. You need to go to Magisk settings, find the appropriate item and mark all banking programs and Google Play services on the list.
Additionally, it is recommended to install the MagiskHide Props Config module or use the built-in Zygisk features for deeper camouflage. This is especially true for Xiaomi devices, where the security system can be quite aggressive in finding modifications. Sometimes you also need to clear the data of the Google Play Services applications and the bank itself after enabling the concealment.
It is important to understand that the arms race between root concealment and detection developers is ongoing, so methods may change. Regularly update Magisk to the latest stable version to have access to current check-bypass mechanisms. In some cases, additional modules such as Shamiko may be required to enhance the concealment effect.
⚠️ Warning: Full root hiding does not guarantee 100% operation of all applications. Some banking programs use additional detection methods, such as checking the integrity of the bootloader or the presence of suspicious processes that are difficult to bypass by conventional means.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
When modifying the Redmi Note 9, users may experience a number of common problems, such as a cyclic bootloop or lack of Internet access. If the phone is stuck on the logo when it is turned on, try logging into the TWRP and clearing the Dalvik/ART Cache cache, as well as the Cache and Data partitions, often helping the system to correctly complete the first boot after making changes.
Network or Wi-Fi problems after firmware can be caused by damage to the modem partition or incorrect settings. In most cases, re-running the recovery stock image and downloading it to the original system helps restore calibration data. If the problem persists, you may need to completely flash the device through the Mi Flash Tool using the original global or regional firmware.
The lack of root rights after a reboot often indicates that the system has automatically updated the boot partition or that the user has not installed Magisk correctly. Check if the Zygisk module is activated in the settings, and try reinstalling Magisk by selecting the "Direct Install" option inside the application, if available, or repeat the procedure through TWRP.
- 🔄 Bootloop: Get in there TWRP → Wipe → Format Data, then restart.
- 📶 No network: Try resetting your network settings or reflashing the modem partition.
- 🚫 No Root: Make sure the bootloader is unlocked and Magisk is installed correctly.
- 🔋 Quick discharge: Check the installed modules, some of them can cause memory leaks.
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Always save the original stock firmware for your model on your computer, which will allow you to quickly return the device to its original state through the Mi Flash Tool in case of critical errors.