How to install root rights on Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro: a complete guide with risks and solutions

Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro (also known as Redmi K20 Pro) remains a popular smartphone among Android modding enthusiasts thanks to its powerful hardware and strong support for custom firmware. However, installing root rights on this device is a multifaceted process that requires understanding technical nuances and preparedness for potential risks. Unlike Xiaomi’s budget models, where unlocking the bootloader takes a couple of clicks, the Mi 9T Pro with its Snapdragon 855 processor and Anti-Rollback protection requires a careful approach.

This article will not just list the steps to getting root, but also explain why each stage is important, what pitfalls await users on firmware. MIUI 14+, We will look at two current methods: through official unlocking of the bootloader and an alternative exploit path (for devices with locked bootloader).+ and bypassing SafetyNet checks, which block banking applications.

Before you start, answer yourself a key question: Why do you root? If the goal is just to remove system applications or change fonts, maybe enough is enough. ADB-If you plan to install custom cores or firmware like LineageOS, you can't do without root. And remember, Xiaomi's warranty is canceled once the bootloader is unlocked.

Preparation of the device: what to do before unlocking

The first and most critical step is to prepare the smartphone, where errors are costly, from data loss to complete failure of the device.

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Update your firmware to the latest stable version via Settings → The phone. → System update. For Mi. 9T Pro is relevant MIUI 14/15 Android-based 13/14. Older versions (Android) 10 and below) may contain vulnerabilities, but new firmware makes it difficult to unlock.
• 🔋 Battery charge: At least 80% Unlocking and firmware process TWRP It can take up to 30 minutes, and a sudden power outage will lead to a “brick».
• 📁 Backup: Use Mi Cloud or Adb Backup to Save Contacts, SMS And the internal memory will be completely erased!
• 🖥️ Computer: Required PC with Windows 10/11 MacOS is possible, but Xiaomi’s official tools are not optimized for it.

Pay special attention to the binding of the Mi Account. Without a confirmed Xiaomi account, unlocking the bootloader is not possible. If you have not previously used Xiaomi services (for example, cloud or themes), sign up in advance and wait. SMS-Account must be older than 7 days – this is a security requirement of Xiaomi.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Mi 9T Pros purchased in China (the domestic version) can stand Anti-Rollback 3. Trying to roll back on the old firmware will lead to a permanente brik.

Also prepare. USB-The original cable is very cheap cables often don't transmit data in fastboot mode, which leads to errors like waiting for device. If you have a charging cable, you'd better buy a new one that supports data transfer.

Unlock the bootloader: the official method from Xiaomi

The official way to unlock the bootloader on the Mi 9T Pro involves using the Mi Unlock Tool utility. This method is the safest, but also the longest - waiting for permission from Xiaomi can take up to 720 hours (30 days).

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi's official website (link). Use only the latest version - the old ones may not support new firmware.
2. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times click on the version MIUI. Then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, turn on OEM-unlocking and debugging USB.
3. Link the device to your account: in the same developer menu, find Mi Unlock Status and link the phone to your account. Without this step, the utility will not see the device.
4. Boot in fastboot: Turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume down before the Fastboot logo appears.
5. Connect to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool. Sign in to Xiaomi and follow the instructions. If you see the message "You need to wait XXX hours," wait until the timer ends.

Once the bootloader is successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings, and you can now start installing a custom recaveri.

Linked to the Mi Account to the device|On. OEM-unlock|Battery charge > 80%|Drivers installed ADB/Fastboot|The latest Mi Unlock Tool downloaded-->

⚠️ Warning: If you see a "Couldn't unlock" error after waiting, try: Change the Mi Unlock Tool (sometimes rollback to an older one helps), use another PC or operating system (for example, Windows instead of Linux). Disable the antivirus - it can block the utility.

On some MIUI 14+ firmware, users encounter a bug when the wait timer is reset after rebooting. In this case, a rollback to MIUI 12.5 via fastboot will help, but this is risky due to Anti-Rollback. The alternative is to use informal unlock methods (more on this below).

Install TWRP and Magisk: Getting root rights

Once the bootloader is unlocked, you can start installing a custom TWRP recavator and obtaining root through Magisk. For the Mi 9T Pro (codenamed raphael), use only special TWRP builds, since the universal versions do not support data encryption on this device.

Download the current files:

• 📥 TWRP for raphael: official website or XDA Developers.
• 📥 Magisk: Latest version (Magisk 26.4)+) GitHub.
• 📥 Disable Force Encryption: If you don’t want to encrypt your data, download it. disable_forceencrypt.zip.

Now, follow the following steps:

1. Please. TWRP Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-raphael.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-raphael.img After the second command, the phone will be loaded into TWRP.
2. Reset your data: In TWRP, select Wipe → Format Data (this will delete everything, including internal memory!).
3. Squeeze Magisk: transfer Magisk-v26.4.zip to your phone via MTP in TWRP, then select Install → Magisk-v26.4.zip.
4. Disable forced encryption (optional): if necessary, click disable_forceencrypt.zip.
5. Reboot: Select Reboot → System.

After the reboot, check for root using the Magisk Manager app or command in the terminal:

su

If you see a superuser invitation (#), then root is installed successfully.

Alternative methods: Unlock without waiting

If you don't want to wait 30 days for official unlocking, there are informal ways to get around Xiaomi's restrictions. They're riskier, but sometimes run on firmware up to MIUI 13. One method is to use a DumpsterFire exploit that bypasses account verification.

Attention: this method can lead to a constant breeze if done incorrectly. We describe it only for reference!

Steps for exploit:

1. Download DumpsterFire and unpack it on PC.
2. Turn on USB debugging and connect the phone.
3. Run dumpsterfire.bat and follow the instructions.
4. After successful execution, restart to fastboot and use the Mi Unlock Tool – the waiting timer should reset.

⚠️ Note: DumpsterFire exploit does not work on MIUI 14+ and new devices with Anti-Rollback 4. 9T Pro with firmware 2023+ This may result in a blockage of the year. IMEI!

Another way is to use EDL-Emergency Download Mode with Mi Flash Pro box or XiaomiTool utility V2. This method requires an authorized Xiaomi developer account and is only suitable for power users. XDA or 4PDA.

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If you are not sure about your abilities, try rooting on an old or unused device first, which will help you understand the process without risking losing your main smartphone.

SafetyNet and the operation of banking applications

After getting root, many people face a problem: banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) and games (Pokémon GO) refuse to work because of the failure of SafetyNet. This is due to the fact that Google detects is a modified system, and the problem of installing additional modules in Magisk is solved.

Here's what we need to do:

1. Open Magisk Manager and go to the Modules section.
2. Install modules: 🔒 Universal SafetyNet Fix – bypasses the check CTS. 🛡️ MagiskHide Props Config – masks the device as certified.

MagiskHide

Reset the device.

Check SafetyNet status with the SafetyNet Test app (available from Play Market). If you see ctsProfile: true, the bypass worked. Some applications (like Google Pay) may need additional adjustment via ADB:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

If the banking application still does not work, try:

• Remove and reinstall the application.
• Clear the data of Google Play Services.
• Use alternative payment methods (e.g. Mir Pay does not check SafetyNet).

Possible problems and solutions

Even with the correct following of the instructions, errors can occur, and let's consider the most common and ways to eliminate them:

1.The phone does not turn on after TWRP firmware

Symptoms: black screen, vibration when pressing buttons, but no loading.

Decision:

• Try booting up to fastboot (Power + Volume Reduction) and flashing the original boot.img.
• If it doesn’t work, run the full firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in clean all mode.

2. Magisk is not installed (Error 1 or 21)

Causes: Incompatible boot.img or corrupted Magisk file.

Decision:

1. Download the original boot.img for your version of MIUI.
2. Patch it through Magisk: in the app, select Install → Select and patch the file.
3. Sweep the patchy boot.img via fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img.

3. Loss of IMEI or network after unlocking

This is a critical problem that often occurs when modem or nvram is incorrectly firmware.

Decision:

• Sweep the original nvram through the SP Flash Tool (backup required!).
• Use the Engineering Menu: dial ##4636## and select Phone Information, then Select Network.
• If the IMEI is reset to 0, restore it through the MTK Engineering Mode (for the experienced!).

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Always back up the nvram partition before the firmware! Losing it leads to a broken network, and it's extremely difficult to restore the IMEI without a backup.

4.The phone overheats or discharges quickly after rooting

This is due to background processes that have received root access.

Decision:

• Check active processes through the terminal top or CPU Monitor app.
• Disable unnecessary modules in Magisk.
• Install Greenify for hibernation of background applications.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions