Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 have powerful hardware, but software constraints often prevent them from reaching their full potential, with many users facing the inability to remove system debris or wanting to install specialized modules to improve autonomy, which is why gadget owners are seeking to root the rights to their device.
The procedure for obtaining superuser rights requires carefulness and a clear follow-up to the algorithm of actions. An error in the stage of unlocking the bootloader or firmware can lead to the inoperability of the device, so before starting work, you need to study the theoretical basis. Below is a detailed guide that will help you safely modify the software of your smartphone.
It is worth noting that there are always risks involved in tampering with Android system files, and you should be prepared for the manufacturer’s warranty to be cancelled and some banking applications to stop working without further manipulation, but if you are aware of the consequences and are prepared to take responsibility for your actions, proceed to prepare.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
The first step on the way to modify the system is to carefully prepare the workplace and the smartphone itself. You will need a computer running Windows (versions 7, 8, 10 or 11) and a high-quality computer. USB-Also make sure that your Redmi Note 9 battery is at least 60% battery power to avoid a sudden shutdown at a critical moment.
You need to install specialized ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer. Without these components, your computer will not be able to properly interact with your phone in bootloader mode. There are ready-made 15 seconds ADB Installer packages that automatically install all the necessary files and prescribe paths in the system.
⚠️ Warning: All data on the internal drive will be permanently deleted when the bootloader is unlocked. Be sure to back up photos, contacts and important documents to the cloud or to an external drive before starting the procedure.
Then activate the hidden developer menu on the smartphone itself. To do this, go to Settings → About the phone and quickly click 7 times in a row on the MIUI version field. After you appear, "You became a developer," go back to the main settings menu and select "Additional", and then "For developers".
In the menu that opens, find and activate the USB Debugging switch, and you also need to turn on the Factory Unlock option, and the system will alert you to the risks, accept them, and now the device is ready for the first step of interaction with the PC.
- 📱 Charge your smartphone to a minimum 60-70% steady-work.
- 💾 Make a full backup of all important data on an external medium.
- 🔌 Prepare the original. USB-cable USB 2.0/3.0.
- 💻 Install the drivers. ADB and Fastboot on the computer.
Unlocking the bootloader Xiaomi Redmi Note 9
The most difficult and longest step is unlocking the bootloader, and Xiaomi’s policy requires that you bind your Mi Account to your device and wait for a certain period of time, a security measure that you can’t bypass by official methods.
To start, download the official Mi Unlock Tool from the manufacturer's website and install it on your computer. Launch the program and log in to your Mi Account. On your smartphone, in the Developer menu, click on "Mi Unlock Status." The system will suggest linking the device to your account - confirm the action.
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Use the same Mi Account and the same computer that you linked to to unlock it, and changing your hardware or account will reset your waiting timer.
Once tethered, the phone will suggest waiting.The wait period can be from 7 to 168 hours (one week), depending on the current load on the servers and the version of MIUI. During this period, you should not reset your phone settings or log out of your account, otherwise the timer will reset.
When the wait period expires, turn off the smartphone and turn it on in Fastboot mode, holding the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously. Connect the phone to your PC and press the Unlock button in the Mi Unlock utility. The process will take a few minutes, after which the device will restart.
☑️ Checking before unlocking
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
The standard recovery menu does not allow you to make changes to the system partition, so you need to install TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). This custom recovery has a user-friendly touch interface and supports the installation of third-party zip archives.
You need to find the current version of the image. twrp.img, It is designed specifically for the Redmi Note model. 9 (The use of files from other models is strictly prohibited, as this will lead to a "brick" of the device. Download the file and place it in the root folder on the computer where you installed it. ADB-driver.
Download your phone to Fastboot (Loud Down buttons) + Power) and connect to the PC. Open the command line in the tool folder and type a command to check the connection:
fastboot devicesIf you see the serial number of the device, you've got the connection, and then you've got the command to temporarily load the Recovery.
fastboot boot twrp_merlin.imgOnce the command is executed, the phone will restart in the TWRP menu. It is important to immediately prevent modification of the system partition if the corresponding window appears by running a slider, this is to ensure that the system does not automatically try to recover to a stock state on the first boot.
⚠️ Note: Do not clean the data (Wipe Data) in the TWRP, If you don’t want to lose all files, you only need to clear the Cache and Dalvik partition if you need to.
Magisk installation for root rights
Today, the de facto standard for obtaining superuser rights is the Magisk utility, which works on the principle of systemless, that is, it does not make changes to the system partition directly, which allows you to bypass some security checks and use banking applications.
Download the current Magisk apk file and rename it from.apk to.zip. Copy the archive to your smartphone's internal memory. If you're on TWRP, connect your phone with a cable to your computer, and it should be defined as a drive.
From the TWRP menu, select "Install" (Installation). Find the previously copied Magisk.zip file and confirm the installation by running a slider at the bottom of the screen.
Once installed successfully, press the button "Reboot System." When you first boot, the system can update — that's fine, it can take up to 5-10 minutes. Don't panic or turn off the phone.
Once you download the OS, find a new Magisk icon in the application menu. Open it. If the version of the application and the installed environment is displayed at the top, and the green indicator is on, then root rights have been successfully obtained.
Setting up and verifying the rights of the superuser
Once Magisk is installed, the system is not yet ready to work with privileged applications, and an initial root hiding setting is necessary, since many banks and games (for example, Pokémon GO) do not work on rooted devices.
Open the Magisk app and go to the settings (cog in the corner). Activate the "Zygisk" function (if available in your version) and "DenyList" (Bounce List). In the DenyList, select all the apps that should think that root rights are not (banks, Google Pay, games).
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended value | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MagiskHide | Off. | Included (via DenyList) | Hiding root from apps |
| Zygisk | Off. | Included. | Code injector for modules |
| Superuser | Included. | Included. | Allows requests for root |
| Bootloader | Unlocked. | Unlocked. | Loader status |
You can use specialized tools like Root Checker to check for rights, and you can start the app and click Check Root, and if you see a green screen with confirmation, it's a success.
You should also install a rights manager if it is not built into Magisk, although modern versions are autonomous, and now you can uninstall system applications through ADB or special uninstallers that require root access.
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Properly configuring DenyList in Magisk is critical for banking applications and NFC-Payment after obtaining root rights.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
During the process of modifying the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, users often encounter typical errors, one of the most common is “bootloop”, when the phone constantly restarts and cannot boot the operating system, which often happens when installing an incompatible version of TWRP or corrupting system files.
If the phone is cyclical rebooted, try re-entering Recovery mode (clamping Volume Up + Power).If the TWRP starts, try doing "Wipe Dalvik/Cache" or recovering a full copy of the system from the backup if you did.
Another problem is a broken fingerprint or camera, which may be due to conflicting Magisk modules, try entering Safe Mode (usually by clamping the off button on the download screen) or removing newly installed modules through the file manager in Recovery mode.
⚠️ If the phone has stopped responding to buttons and the screen is black ("Hard Brick" mode), only flashing through the interface will help. EDL using an authorized Mi Account or specialized equipment (programmer).
Remember that after unlocking the bootloader stops working Widevine L1, Streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Prime) can only stream videos in low resolution (SD instead HD). Bring it back. L1 It is difficult and often impossible to replace security keys.
What to do if you forget your Mi Account password after resetting?
Keep an eye out for Magisk updates and modules. Developers regularly release patches to close vulnerabilities and improve compatibility with new versions of Android and MIUI. Ignoring updates can lead to unstable device performance.