How to securely get root rights on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: from unlocking the bootloader to Magisk

Getting root rights to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T (codename willow) opens up access to hidden Android features, but requires careful attention. This process includes unlocking the bootloader, installing custom recovery (TWRP) and installing Magisk, a modern alternative to SuperSU. It is important to understand that once unlocked, all data will be reset, and Xiaomi’s warranty will be canceled.

Many users are eager to root to remove system applications, optimize battery or install modified firmware. However, the Redmi Note 8T with MIUI 12/13/14 makes the process more complicated due to anti-Rollback protection and regular security updates. This article presents current 2026 methods tested on the latest software versions.

⚠️ Critical Warning: On Redmi Note models 8T newer-stitched V12.0.3.0.QCXMIXM (Android 10) unlocking a bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool can take up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting!

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

Before you start the process, make sure your Redmi Note 8T meets the key requirements. First, check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone. For stable operation, Magisk recommends firmware that is not newer than Android 11 (MIUI 12.5). Android 12/13 may have module problems.

Second, back up all data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or with Mi Mover. Unlocking the bootloader will inevitably result in the device being completely reset to factory settings, including internal memory.

🔋 Charge your phone to at least 70% – the process can take several hours.
🔗 Make sure you have the original USB-cable (better from the set) and port USB 2.0 on PC — USB 3.0 can cause errors.
🖥️ Prepare a computer with Windows 10/11 (on macOS/Linux Possible problems with Mi Unlock Tool drivers).
📥 Download archives: Official firmware for your model (select Fastboot version). TWRP 3.7.0+ (only for willow!... Magisk! v26.4+ (Do not use versions below 25.2 – they are not compatible with Android 11+).

⚠️ Please note: if your Redmi Note 8T purchased in China (version) CN), Unlocking requires a device-linked Mi Account with a confirmed phone number +European (EEA) Global (Global) versions of this restriction are not.

📊 What is your experience with unlocking Xiaomi?

This is my first time.

I've already unlocked other models.

I tried, but there were mistakes.

I prefer not to risk it.

2 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

The official tool from Xiaomi – Mi Unlock Tool – the only legal way to unlock the bootloader on the Redmi Note 8T. The process consists of two stages: linking the account to the device and directly unlocking.

First, turn on the developer mode:

Go to Settings. → The phone.
7 times click on the MIUI version (you will be notified "You became a developer").
Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
Activate USB Debugging and OEM Unlock (the last item may be hidden – see spoiler below).

What to do if there is no “OEM Unblock” item

If the "Developers" menu does not have the option to unlock OEM, this means that your device has activated anti-Rollback protection. In this case: 1. Update the firmware to the latest stable version via Settings → System Update. 2. Connect the device to your PC and execute the command: fastboot oem unlock-go 3. If the command does not work, you will need to flash the older version of MIUI (but not lower than V11.0.6.0 for Redmi Note 8T).

Next, link your Mi Account to your device:

In the “Developers” menu, find Mi Unlock Status and click Add Account and Device.
Sign in to your Mi Account (required to have a confirmed phone number!).
Connect the phone to the PC, confirm the permission to debug via USB.
Start Mi Unlock Tool (download here) and log in to the same account.
Follow the instructions of the program. The screen will display a waiting timer (from 168 to 720 hours).

MIUI version	Waiting time to unlock	Notes
MIUI 11 and below	72-168 hours	Minimum time for old firmware
MIUI 12.0–12.5	168-360 hours	Confirmation of phone number is required
MIUI 13/14	360-720 hours	Maximum time for new devices
Global/EEA ROM	168 hours (fixed)	For European and Global Versions

After the timer expires, plug the phone into Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Power + Volume Down) and launch unlock in Mi Unlock Tool. Successful unlocking will be confirmed by saying Unlocked on the phone screen.

1. Use another. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).

2. disable the antivirus and Windows firewall.

3.Reinstall Xiaomi drivers via XiaomiFlashTool.-->

3. Install TWRP Recovery on Redmi Note 8T

Castomic recovery TWRP is necessary for Magisk firmware and backups. For the Redmi Note 8T, only use versions 3.7.0 and higher - older versions do not support Android 11/12.

Installation instructions:

Download TWRP for willow (file with.img extension).
Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in a folder with fastboot (e.g., C:\platform-tools).
Turn your phone into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down).
Run the command to temporarily boot TWRP (does not record recovery in memory): fastboot boot twrp.img
In TWRP, go to Advanced → Flash Current TWRP (this will record recovery permanently).

Make sure the loader is unlocked|Ride. TWRP It is the willow model.|File. twrp.img It's in a folder with fastboot.|Phone in Fastboot mode (screen with a rabbit)|Windows Signature Drivers Disabled (if you use unofficial drivers)-->

⚠️ Important: On some versions of the Redmi Note 8T post-installation TWRP There may be an OrangeFox error, in which case it will be a logo hover:

Download OrangeFox Recovery (alternative to TWRP).
Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery orangefox.img fastboot reboot recovery

4. Magisk firmware for root rights

Magisk is a universal tool for obtaining root rights without changing the systemless root. Redmi Note 8T is recommended version 26.4 or later.

Step-by-step:

Download the latest Magisk.zip (not.apk!).
Move the file to your phone or flash drive.
Download to TWRP (Nutrition + Volume Increase).
Click Install, select Magisk.zip and swipe for confirmation.
After installation, reboot to the system.

To check root rights, install the Magisk Manager app (you can download here) and run the test. If it goes well, you'll see the green checkbox and the Magisk version.

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 8T s MIUI 13+ After installing Magisk, Google Pay and banking applications may stop working. To solve this, install the MagiskHide Props Config module and activate root hiding for these applications.

💡

After obtaining root rights, be sure to turn off automatic updates. MIUI In Settings → Updating the system → Settings (⚙) → Auto-update: Updating over the air can lead to root loss and the need to repeat the process from scratch.

5. Solving common mistakes

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, the Redmi Note 8T can still get bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

🔴 Mistake "This" MIUI version cannot be installed on this device": Reason: malfunction of the firmware version and device. Solution: download the correct firmware for your model (willow for Redmi Note) 8T).
🔴 TWRP Does not see internal memory: Reason: encrypted partition /data. Decision: in TWRP Go to Wipe. → Format Data, enter yes and confirm. Attention!
🔴 Bootloop (locking on the logo) MI): Reason: Magisk module incompatibility or damaged firmware. Solution: boot into the TWRP and sew Magisk-uninstaller.zip, Then re-flash Magisk again.
🔴 Mi Unlock Tool shows "50%" or "99%" and stops: Reason: driver problems or problems USB-Solution: use another cable/port, turn off everything. USB-PC devices, run Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator.

If the phone doesn’t boot after installing Magisk, try:

Delete /data/adb/magisk.db file via TWRP (use File Manager in recovery).
Switch clean Magisk without modules.
Fastboot: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash recovery recovery.img fastboot reboot

6. System optimization after rooting

Now that you have root rights, you can improve the Redmi Note 8T. Here are some useful steps:

⚡ Remove System Applications: Use Titanium Backup or ADB to remove unnecessary applications (e.g. com.miui.analytics – Xiaomi statistics collector). ADB: adb shell su pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics
🔋 Battery Optimization: Install Battery Charge Limit in Magisk to limit charge to 80% and extend battery life.
🎯 Performance setting: Kernelsu or FrancoKernel module allows you to overclock the Snapdragon 665 processor (but be careful with overheating!).
🔒 Security: Activate MagiskHide to hide root from banking apps. in Magisk Manager, go to Settings → MagiskHide and mark the desired applications.

To back up the system, use TWRP:

Get on the recovery.
Pick Backup.
Check the Boot, System, Data sections.
Swipe for confirmation.
Save the backup on SD-card.

💡

To avoid problems with OTA-Updates before installing the update via Settings → Update the system temporarily remove Magisk (please Magisk-uninstaller.zip), Then upgrade and install Magisk again.

7. How to get it back: root removal and bootloader lock

If you need to return your phone to its original state (for example, for warranty repairs), follow the following steps:

Download Magisk-uninstaller.zip and run it through TWRP.
Download the official recovery.img for your version of MIUI and run through Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery.img
bootloader lock: Load to Fastboot and execute: fastboot oem lock Attention! This will result in a complete data reset!
Firmware clean MIUI: Download Fastboot firmware for your model and run through MiFlash: miflash.exe flash_all_lock.bat

After this, the phone will return to the factory settings and the bootloader will be locked. However, note: the unlock counter in Fastboot (Device is unlocked) will remain. You can only reset it through the official Xiaomi service (for a fee).

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

❓ Can I get root on the Redmi Note? 8T loader-free?

No. On all modern Xiaomi devices (including the Redmi Note 8T), unlocking the bootloader is mandatory for custom recovery and root rights. Alternative methods (for example, through vulnerabilities) either do not work, or are temporary and unstable.

❓ Why Mi Unlock Tool Shows 'Couldn't Unlock' at 50%?

This error is usually related to: Incorrectly installed drivers (use XiaomiFlashTool). USB-Connection (try the port) USB 2.0 and original cable. Mi Account (make sure the phone number is confirmed and linked to the device). Solution: reinstall the drivers, change the phone number. USB-If it doesn't work, wait until the wait timer expires (sometimes the Mi Unlock Tool resets progress).

❓ How to update MIUI After rooting without losing Magisk?

There are two ways: TWRP: Download the full service pack (.zip) for your model. Sweep it through Install in TWRP. Immediately after the update, please Magisk.zip again, through OTA Magisk: Install the update via Settings → System update. Don't restart! Immediately after installation OTA plough Magisk.zip through TWRP. Delete the folder. /data/adb (avoiding conflict). ⚠️ Important: Never install OTA-Updating directly will result in root loss!

❓ Will Google Pay and banking apps work after rooting?

By default, no, because of SafetyNet. To fix: In Magisk Manager, activate MagiskHide (click on the shield icon in the top right corner). Install Universal SafetyNet Fix module via Magisk. Reboot phone. Check SafetyNet status in the YASNAC app (must be PASS on both tests). Some banking applications (like Sberbank Online) may require additional setup via MagiskHide Props Config.

❓ Can I get root on the Redmi Note? 8T Android-based 12/13?

Yes, but with reservations: Android 12 (MIUI 13) runs Magisk v25.2+ and TWRP 3.7.0+, but module issues are possible. Android 13 (MIUI 14) is complicated by Dynamical Partition – you will need a patched boot.img. Some features (such as MagiskHide) may not work well. Recommendation: if your goal is stable root, stay on Android 11 (MIUI 12.5).