Obtaining superuser rights on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus opens up unlimited possibilities for the owner to customize the system, but requires strict adherence to the algorithm of actions. The standard shell MIUI restricts access to system files, which prevents you from removing embedded debris, installing specialized modules or making full backups. The process of obtaining root rights is not a standard procedure and involves interference with the work of the bootloader and the system partition.
You should understand that any manipulation of software at the kernel level carries certain risks. Mistaking steps can lead to a loss of warranty or turn the device into a brick. However, modern methods, such as using Magisk, allow you to implement administrator rights, while maintaining the ability to operate banking applications through concealment mechanisms.
Before you get into the practical part, you need to be aware of your responsibility for your actions, and you need to be prepared for the fact that the process will require time, a stable Internet connection and attentiveness. Next, we will consider the detailed action plan that is relevant for the Redmi 5 Plus (codename vince) model with the Snapdragon 625 processor.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
The success of the operation depends on 90% of the quality of the pre-production of the workplace and the software. USB-cable and fully charged smartphone without installing the right drivers ADB and Fastboot computer just won’t see the device in firmware mode.
Make sure to back up all important data, as unlocking the bootloader will result in complete deletion of information from internal memory. This is not just a recommendation, but a strict procedure security requirement. Save photos, contacts and documents to an external medium or to the cloud.
⚠️ Note: The Xiaomi bootloader unlock process erases all data on the device. Make sure you backup important information before starting the procedure.
You will need to download specialized software to work. The list of necessary software includes:
- 📱 Mi Unlock Tool - the official utility for unlocking the bootloader.
- 💻 ADB Fastboot drivers – drivers for communication of PC and smartphone.
- 🔧 Platform-tools – a set of command line for debugging.
- 📂 Image TWRP — custom recavery adapted for the vince model.
- 📦 Magisk APK — file for root rights implementation and management.
☑️ Root readiness check
Pay special attention to the Mi Account. It must be tied to the device for at least 7 days (168 hours). If you connect the account today, you can unlock the bootloader only in a week, this is a security restriction set by the manufacturer, and it is impossible to circumvent it by legal means.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
The first technical step is to unlock the Bootloader. Without this, installing a modified recover is impossible. The standard procedure requires submitting an application via the "Mi Unlock" app on the smartphone itself. Go to Settings → About Phone → Press 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
Then, the "Development for Developers" menu should include "Factory Unlock" and "USB Debugging" and then the "Mi Unlock Status" app will link the account, and only after the set timer expires, you can proceed to unlock via PC.
What if the timer doesn't go?
Launch the Mi Unlock Tool on your computer, log in to your account and put your phone into Fastboot mode by pressing Volume Down + Power. Connect the cable and press the Unlock button. The process can take a few minutes, after which the device will restart and clear the data.
Importantly, once unlocked, Android's security system will consider the device to be changed, which is normal behavior. It can take up to 10-15 minutes to boot the first time, as the system is first set up from scratch.
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
To implement superuser rights, we need a different recovery environment than stock. TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) allows you to install unsigned zip archives and make changes to system partitions. You need to find a current twrp.img image created specifically for the Snapdragon 625 processor and the Redmi 5 Plus model.
Put the image file and archive with Magisk in the root of the phone’s internal memory or on the phone. SD-Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode and connect to your PC. Open the command line in the folder with the installed ones. ADB-Enter a command to check the connection:
fastboot devicesIf the serial number of the device appears in the line below, the connection is set correctly. Now you need to flash the image of the Recovery.
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img💡
After TWRP firmware, don't let the system boot on its own.Put the Volume Up + Power buttons and hold them until the MI logo appears, then release Volume, but continue to hold Power until you enter the TWRP menu.
There's an important caveat: the MIUI stock system tries to replace the customized Recovery with the original one when it starts, which is why you need to log in to TWRP immediately after you've run it, and if you miss that moment and the system boots up, you'll have to repeat the firmware procedure again.
From the TWRP menu, select a language (usually English and Chinese, sometimes Russian in builds) and confirm permission to make changes by shifting the slider, which will prevent automatic re-coverage replacement when rebooting.
Root implementation through Magisk Manager
The current standard for obtaining administrator rights is Magisk. Unlike the old methods (SuperSU), Magisk works systemless, which means no changes to the system partition, which is critical to the operation of banking applications and Google Pay services.
If you're on the TWRP menu, go to Install. Find a previously copied file called Magisk.apk or Magisk.zip. Click on it and confirm the swipe installation. It takes a few seconds.
After successful installation, click the button "Reboot System". The first download after the introduction of root rights can last longer than usual. Don't panic if the Xiaomi logo hangs on the screen for more than 3-4 minutes - the system performs application optimization.
| Component | Appointment | Post-installation status |
|---|---|---|
| Bootloader | Loader of the system | Unlocked (Unlocked) |
| Recovery | Recovery environment | TWRP Custom |
| System | System section | Unchanged (Systemless) |
| Root Access | Superuser rights | Active (Magisk) |
You can check for rights using the Play Market's Root Checker app or by opening the Magisk Manager app, and if the green indicator is on and the version is on at the top of the screen, it's a success. You now have full control of the file system.
Magisk setup and root rights hiding
Once installed, many users face a problem: banking applications refuse to work after finding root rights. Magisk provides powerful tools to bypass these checks. In the application settings, you need to activate the function “Zygisk” (in new versions) or “Magisk Hide” (in old versions).
In the Magisk settings menu, include Hide Magisk App, which renames the package and hides it from the list of installed applications for regular programs. Next, in the Configure MagiskHide section, tick off all banking applications, Google Pay, and other services that require security.
⚠️ Note: Even with hidden Magisk, some applications (such as Sberbank or high-security bank clients) may not work.
It is also recommended to install the MagiskHide Props Config module if you need a fingerprint to pass the SafetyNet test from Google, but standard concealment settings are usually sufficient for basic use.
Don’t forget to update Magisk regularly. Developers are constantly improving their hiding mechanisms to keep up with new methods of detection by banking software. Ignoring updates can lead to a sudden failure of applications.
Possible errors and methods of their solution
When you modify your system, you often have some common problems, and one of the most common is bootloop, and if you stop loading after you install a module or firmware, don't panic. TWRP and select the "Wipe" option» → «Advanced Wipe, mark only "Dalvik / ART Cache and Cache, then clean them.
If the problem is not resolved, the system file may be damaged, and if it was made in TWRP before the changes, it will help to restore it from the backup, which is why creating a backup (Backup in the TWRP menu) is a critical step that cannot be ignored.
Another common mistake is the PC's failure to see the device in Fastboot mode, which is solved by reinstalling the drivers or replacing them. USB-Use the original cable or quality analogue that supports data transfer, not just charging.
💡
Most root errors are not related to the process itself, but to inattention to detail: old drivers, a dead battery, or an incorrect version of TWRP firmware.
If you encounter an error when unlocking the bootloader (error code 10008 or similaire), check the status of the Mi Account. Sometimes you need to re-link the account or wait for the expiration of the temporary ban on the part of Xiaomi servers.