How to install root rights on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: a safe guide with unlocking the bootloader

Getting root rights to Xiaomi Redmi 9T (codenamed lime) opens up access to hidden Android features, but requires care. This closed-loop Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 smartphone doesn’t forgive mistakes: wrong actions can turn a device into a “brick.” This guide only shows current methods for MIUI 12/13/14 based on Android 10/11, tested on models from 2021-2023 release.

Important: the procedure voids Xiaomi's warranty and may disrupt banking applications (due to SafetyNet).We'll look at two ways: through official bootloader + Magisk unlock (recommended) and an alternative method with a boot image patch. If your goal is just to remove embedded apps, try ADB without root first.

1. Device Preparation: What to Do Before Unlocking

Before you start unlocking the bootloader, follow the mandatory steps, and skipping any of them can result in data loss or inability to complete the process.

First, check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone. Redmi 9T will only work with firmware with a build number ending in.0 (stable). Beta versions often block unlock. Also make sure that the device is debugging on USB:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → About the phone and 7 times click on the version MIUI, activate the developer mode.
• 🔧 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include: Debugging by USB Unlocking OEM (The most important thing!) Factory unlock (if any)
• 🔄 Make a full data backup via Mi Cloud or adb backup – after unlocking the phone will reset.

Pay special attention to the item Unlock OEM. On some Xiaomi firmware, it may disappear after a restart - check it immediately before connecting to the PC.

• 💻 Windows computer 10/11 (For the Mi Unlock Tool)
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (do not use extension cords!)
• 📄 Mi Account Account Linked to Phone ≥7 days
• 🛠️ The Mi Unlock Tool: Mi Unlock Tool, ADB/Fastboot, Magisk (links below)

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If the "OEM Unblock" option is inactive, go to "Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Sync" and update your account information. Sometimes re-assignment helps.

2 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

The official way from Xiaomi is the only safe way for the Redmi 9T. Alternative methods (e.g., via EDL) require an authorized account and risk blocking the IMEI.

Download the Mi Unlock Tool (version no lower than 5.5.224.30) and follow the steps:

1. Install Xiaomi drivers via MiFlash or manually (driver folder in archive with utility).
2. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator and log in under the same account as you do on your phone.
3. Put Redmi 9T to Fastboot: adb reboot bootloader Or manually: turn off the phone → pinch Power + Volume down.
4. Connect your phone to your PC. The utility will see a message called Phone Connected.
5. Press Unlock. It takes 5-10 minutes. The phone resets to factory settings.

⚠️ Note: After unlocking the Redmi bootloader 9T It will be reset to factory settings. All data (including photos in internal memory) will be deleted. Don't rely on recovery through Mi Cloud - some applications (such as WhatsApp) may not recover the history.

3. Install custom recovery (TWRP) on Redmi 9T

To obtain root rights, you will need TWRP, a custom recovery that allows you to flash modified images, and the official version for lime (codenamed Redmi 9T) is available on the TWRP website.

Download the file. twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lime.img (or newer) and do it:

1. Move your phone to Fastboot mode (as in the previous section).
2. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot and type: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lime.img fastboot reboot recovery
3. If the phone loads into standard recovery after rebooting, repeat the command, but execute: fastboot boot before restarting. twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lime.img It'll temporarily load. TWRP firmwareless.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware Xiaomi blocks installation TWRP In this case, use the fastboot boot method and immediately flash Magisk or Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.

After successfully downloading to TWRP:

• 🔐 Backup Boot, Data and System (Backup button).
• 📁 Copy the file. Magisk-v26.4.zip (or newer) by phone through MTP (into TWRP: Mount → Enable MTP).
• ⚙️ Pass Magisk through Install → Select a file → Swipe to Confirm Flash.

4. Getting root rights through Magisk

Magisk is not just a root tool, but also a module management system that bypasses SafetyNet checks. 26.4+ is recommended for the Redmi 9T, as older ones may conflict with MIUI 14.

If you've flashed Magisk through TWRP, the Magisk Manager app will appear on your phone after you reboot it.

1. Download the latest Magisk.apk from GitHub and install manually.
2. Open the app and check the status at the top: It should be written Installed: 26.4 (26400) or later.
3. Go to Settings → Update and wait for the additional components to load.

To check the functionality of root:

• 📱 Install Root Checker from Play Market.
• 🔍 Open it and press Verify Root - the message Congratulations! Root access is properly installed....
• 🛡️ Check SafetyNet in Magisk (SafetyNet Check section). FAIL, Install the Universal SafetyNet Fix module.

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After installing Magisk, DO NOT update MIUI through the standard menu! Use only manual firmware through TWRP, or you will lose root.

5 Solving problems after getting root

Even if you successfully install root on the Redmi 9T, you can have problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

After installing root, the phone stopped seeing SIM-maps, check the cards. IMEI teamwise:

adb shell


su




service call iphonesubinfo 3

If zeros are displayed instead of IMEI, restore it via TWRP using the IMEI Tool (available in Magisk repositories).

6. Alternative method: patch boot image without TWRP

If TWRP installation is difficult, you can get root by patching boot.img directly through Magisk, a method that is suitable for firmware where TWRP is unstable.

Instructions:

1. Download the stock firmware for your version MIUI (for example, lime_global_images_V12.5.3.0.RJQMIXM_20220314.0000.00_11.0_global).
2. Remove the boot.img file from the archive (located in the image folder).
3. Copy it on your phone and in Magisk, select Install → Select and Patch a File.
4. After the patching (magisk_patched.img) Copy the file on your PC and run through fastboot: fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img fastboot reboot

This method is less risky because it doesn't affect the recovery section, but if you update MIUI, you'll have to repeat the procedure again.

7 Security and Restrictions After Getting Root

Root rights give you complete control of the system, but they also open up vulnerabilities.

• 🔓 Security: Turn off root for apps in Magisk Settings → Superuser, other than trusted.
• 📱 Updates: Don't install OTA-updates, they'll remove root. Use only manual firmware.
• 💳 Banking apps: Even with SafetyNet Fix, some banks (like SberBank Online) can block access.Solution - MagiskHide + Change of fingerprints (Props Config).
• 🔋 Performance: Root doesn't speed up phone! removing system apps could disrupt stability.

To check the integrity of the system, use the command:

su


echo $?

If the answer is 0, root works correctly. To hide root from apps, activate MagiskHide in the settings and add apps to the list.

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To return the original boot image and remove root, run the stock boot.img through fastboot: fastboot flash boot.img. SafetyNet will automatically recover.

FAQ: Frequent questions about root on Redmi 9T