How to install root rights on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: a safe way to unlock the bootloader and Magisk

Getting root rights to the Xiaomi Redmi 9A opens up the hidden power of Android, from removing system applications to fine-tuning performance. But it comes with risks — doing the wrong thing can turn a smartphone into a brick. Unlike flagships, the budget Redmi 9A (codenamed dandelion) has nuances: a closed bootloader by default, limited support for custom recavereators, and features of working with MIUI.

This article is relevant for all versions of Redmi 9A (including Redmi 9AT and Redmi 9A Sport) running Android 10/11 with MIUI 12/13 shell. We will look at the official method of unlocking the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool, installing TWRP and Magisk firmware for root rights. If you are a beginner, do not miss the sections on preparation and backup!

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

Before you start unlocking, make sure your Redmi 9A meets the key requirements. First, check the MIUI version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Successfully unlocking the bootloader requires a version at least MIUI 12.0.8 (Android 10). If you have an older firmware, update it through Settings → System Update.

Second, unlocking the bootloader will reset all data on the device, including photos, contacts, and installed apps. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset, or use third-party tools like Titanium Backup (requires root rights, so only suitable for copying data to another phone).

• 🔋 Charge the battery to 80% or higher – the unlocking process can take up to 30 minutes.
• 🔗 Prepare the original. USB-cable (preferably from the kit) – cheap cables can cause errors when connecting to a PC.
• 💻 Install the Mi Unlock Tool (version) on your computer 5.5.224.51 and newer) and drivers ADB/Fastboot.
• 📱 Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times click on the version MIUI. Then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, activate the debugging by USB and Unlock. OEM.

Note that the Unlock OEM option may disappear after you reboot or connect to the Internet. This is normal MIUI behavior — just turn it on again before you start the process.

⚠️ Note: If you are buying a Redmi 9A In communication salons (for example, MTS or Beeline), the device may be linked to the operator, in this case, unlocking the bootloader is possible only after unblocking through the official Xiaomi service.

2 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

The process of unlocking a bootloader on Xiaomi requires you to link your Mi Account to your device, which means you will need a Xiaomi account (if you don’t have one, register at account.xiaomi.com). Importantly, the account must be older than 30 days, otherwise the Mi Unlock Tool will give you an error.

After preparation, follow the following steps:

1. Link your account to your phone: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account and log in. Then to Settings → Additional → For developers, find Mi Unlock Status and click Add Account and Device.
2. Reboot to Fastboot: Turn off the phone, then press the Power Button + Volume Down before the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect to your PC: Connect Redmi 9A to your computer cable and launch the Mi Unlock Tool. Sign in with the same Mi Account as your phone.
4. Start unlocking: Press Unlock in the program. The process will take 5-10 minutes, after which the phone will automatically restart.

If the Mi Unlock Tool gives you an error called "Couldn't unlock" or "Current account is different from the account info on the device", follow these steps:

• 🔄 Reconnect your Mi Account on your phone and re-assign to Mi Unlock Status.
• 🕒 Wait 72 hours – sometimes Xiaomi blocks unlock after several failed attempts.
• 📱 Try another one. USB-Port or cable (preferably original).

Mi Account over 30 days | Phone tied to Status Mi Unlock | USB debugging and OEM | Battery charge > 70% | ADB/Fastboot-->

⚠️ Note: After unlocking the Redmi bootloader 9A It's going to be reset to factory settings, and all the data is deleted, and it's going to lose support. OTA-Updates – you will have to install the firmware manually.

3. Installation of custom TWRP Recovery

The Redmi 9A will require custom recovery, TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), the official version for dandelion is available on twrp.me, but we recommend using a modified build from OrangeFox, as it works better with MIUI.

Download the latest TWRP image for Redmi 9A (a file with the.img extension) and save it to the folder with ADB/Fastboot.

fastboot flash recovery twrp-dandelion.img


fastboot reboot recovery

If after rebooting the system in TWRP, the system offers to enter a password (due to data encryption), perform Format Data (this will delete all data, but will avoid problems with partition mounting).

Important: After installing TWRP, don't reboot to the system right away! First, swipe Magisk (next step), otherwise the standard MIUI recap will overload TWRP.

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If after installing TWRP, the phone is getting stuck on the Xiaomi logo, press the power button for 15 seconds to force the reboot, then re-enter the Recovery via fastboot.

4. Magisk firmware for root rights

Magisk is a universal tool for obtaining root rights without changing the systemless root, which allows you to pass SafetyNet check and use banking applications. The latest version of Magisk (26.4+) can be downloaded from the official repository on GitHub.

Installation instructions:

1. Download the Magisk-v26.4.zip file (not.apk!) and save it to your phone or flash drive.
2. Reboot to TWRP (press Power + Volume Increase when the phone is off).
3. In TWRP, select Install, find the Magisk file, and confirm the installation.
4. After completion, press Reboot System.

The first download after installing Magisk can take up to 10 minutes. After you start the system, install the Magisk Manager application (download.apk from the same GitHub) and check the root rights status in the Superuser section.

⚠️ Note: If after installing Magisk, the applications of banks (Sberbank, Tinkoff) stopped working, turn on the Magisk option in the Magisk settings and restart the phone. Some applications will require additional configuration through the Universal SafetyNet Fix module.

5. Root-law verification and problem solving

To make sure that the root rights are successfully installed, use the Root Checker app from Google Play or run the command in the terminal:

su

If the command returns # (not $), then the root access works. If not, check the following points:

• 🔄 Make sure that Magisk Manager displays Installed status.
• 📱 Reinstall Magisk through TWRP, Remove the old version (Uninstall) → Complete Uninstall).
• 🔧 Check if the root is blocking antivirus or built-in protection MIUI (Turn off Mi protection in security settings).

If after obtaining root rights, the phone became slower to work or overheat, try:

• 🛠️ Disable unnecessary modules in Magisk (Modules section).
• ⚙️ Install Displax’s Kernel Manager to optimize the kernel.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache through TWRP (Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache).

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If the OTG, NFC or camera stop working after the root license is granted, it means that the vendor partition has been damaged, so the solution is to flash the original vendor.img from stock firmware.

6 Risks and how to minimize them

Getting the root rights to the Redmi 9A strips you of Xiaomi’s official warranty, and there are other risks:

• 💥 Brick: A faulty firmware or interrupted process can render the phone inoperable.Always check the file compatibility with the dandelion model.
• 🛡️ Security vulnerabilities: Root access opens up potential malware breaches.Install AFWall+ for controlling network access of applications.
• 🔄 Problems with OTA-Updates: After unlocking the bootloader, automatic updates MIUI They won't work. Sending updates manually through TWRP.

To reduce the risks:

• 🔄 Regularly create backups through TWRP (backup).
• 📱 Do not remove system applications MIUI without first examining their functions (e.g. com.xiaomi.finddevice is responsible for finding the device).
• 🔧 Use only proven modules for Magisk (from the official repository or trusted developers on the site) XDA).

If you have a Redmi 9A, try restoring it through the Mi Flash Tool with a full firmware (fastboot-rom).

7. Alternative ways of obtaining root rights

If the standard method with Magisk is not suitable (for example, due to problems with SafetyNet), consider alternative options:

• 🔧 Patched Boot Image: You can manually patch boot.img It's a Magisk Manager and it's a fastboot. TWRP, but more difficult to execute.
• 📦 Custom firmware: Installing LineageOS or Pixel Experience automatically provides root access, but strips the features MIUI (For example, a dark theme or gesture).
• 🔓 Temporary root: Apps like KingRoot or iRoot promise to root without unlocking, but often contain malicious code!

For boot.img patching, follow the following steps:

1. Download the stock firmware for your MIUI version and extract boot.img from it (use Mi Firmware Extractor).
2. Move boot.img to your phone and open it in Magisk Manager (Install → Select and Patch a File).
3. Copy the patched file (magisk_patched.img) On PC and run it through fastboot: fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img fastboot reboot

This method is suitable for devices where TWRP is unstable (e.g. MIUI 13 for Redmi 9A).

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even with the correct instructions, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, please refer to the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums and indicate:

• 📱 Precise model (Redmi) 9A, 9AT or 9A Sport).
• 🔢 Version MIUI Android.
• 🔧 The steps you took and the exact mistake.

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If the phone doesn’t turn on after all the manipulations, try flashing the full firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in clean all mode. This will return the smartphone to its factory state, but delete all data.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions