How to Root Redmi Note 3 Snapdragon

This tutorial will guide you on how to safely root Redmi Note 3 Snapdragon (Kenzo) but to keep MIUI OTA update. This includes flashing ZCX TWRP to avoid bootloop by disabling boot-system DM-Verity. Moreover, the modded version of TWRP has also includes built-in SuperSU binary to gain root access. Just read the whole article before you actually implement all the steps listed in this article. One more thing, flashing custom recovery and rooting Android system are advanced tasks involving user to alter and to do some modifications with the system. Hence, proceed with full caution and never forget to create backup. We hold no responsibility to any risks and damage those may happen to your phone.

Requirements

• A Redmi Note 3 Snapdragon (Kenzo) with unlocked bootloader – a must (Visit MIUI official unlock page).
• A USB cable to connect the phone with computer.
• A Windows-based computer (Windows 7/8/8.1/10).
• Download Minimal ADB and Fastboot driver software.
• Download ZCX TWRP for Redmi Note 3 Kenzo (this guide uses v20161230).

Also read: How to root Redmi Note 4 MediaTek (Nikel).

Stage 1 – Flash TWRP

If you have installed ADB and Fastboot driver on your computer then skip step 1 and 2. Just proceed directly from step 3.

Step 1 – First thing first, you may need to disable Windows Driver Signature Enforcement mechanism in your computer.

Step 2 – Now extract the Minimal ADB and Fastboot driver and install it by double-clicking the installer file.

Step 3 – Also extract the ZCX TWRP package.

Step 4 – Make sure you have enabled USB Debugging via Developer Options on your phone.

If you haven’t enabled it yet, follow these sequence:

Settings >> About phone >> tap 7x the MIUI version >> this will enable Developer Options.

Now go back to main Settings menu >> Additional Settings >> Developer Options >> enable USB Debugging.

Step 5 – Now connect your phone with the computer using its USB cable.

Step 6 – Open up Windows Explorer and open the folder of where you have extracted ZCX TWRP package.

Step 7 – Double-click the “Flash.bat” file to run the script. Upon click the file, the installer script will automatically try to detect your phone, flash the TWRP on it, and finally reboot it into ZCX TWRP interface.

p.s: You may need to firstly boot your phone into Fastboot mode if it won’t be recognized. Simply turn off your phone completely and then reboot by pressing Volume Down (-) and Power buttons simultaneously.

Stage 2 – Initial ZCX TWRP Setup

Step 8 – At this point your phone should be in TWRP interface showing its main menu. The first thing you may need to do is to change its default language in English (unless you understand Chinese or newer version is already in English).

Step 9 – Now go back to the main menu of TWRP and choose “Settings”. Finally you’ll need to choose and enable “Support MIUI-OTA” and “Disable Root-System DM-Verity“. This step is necessary or otherwise your phone will go into a bootloop state and will not be able to receive OTA Update.

Stage 3 – Gaining Root

Step 10 – Basically, the ZCX version of TWRP has included flash-able SuperSU binary integrated within the Recovery app but you are welcome to use and flash latest version of SuperSU. Just go back to the main menu of TWRP >> choose Advanced >> then choose SuperSU >> do the “Swipe to install SuperSU” action >> wait for the flashing process to complete >> finally choose “Reboot System“.

Alternatively, you may need to download latest SuperSU and transfer it to your phone then flash it from TWRP >> Install >> Locate and choose the SuperSU .zip file >> Swipe to confirm flash.

Step 11 – That’s it. Now once your phone has been fully rebooted into normal mode you can download and install Root Checker app from Play Store to confirm the root state.

At this point you can unplug your phone from computer.

Stage 4 – Surviving OTA Update

Step 12 – Check the current MIUI version of your phone (Settings >> About phone >> see the “MIUI version“). Now download MIUI Recovery ROM of the same version with the one running on your phone. Use Google for the download link. The file should have .zip extension.

Step 13 – Copy/transfer the MIUI Recovery ROM .zip file into the internal storage of your phone.

Step 14 – Now boot your phone into TWRP Recovery. Turn off your phone >> reboot by pressing Volume Up (+) and Power buttons simultaneously.

Step 15 – Now choose Install >> locate and choose the MIUI Recovery ROM .zip file >> then do the “Swipe to confirm flash” action >> wait for the flashing process to complete >> finally choose “Reboot system“.

p.s: This step is only one time process. You only need to do this step once.

Step 16 – Once your phone is fully turned on in normal mode, simply launch up Updater app which is usually located in Tools folder. You just need to check for any new OTA update and if an OTA update is available simply download it and tap the Update button.

Step 17 – Upon taping the Update button your phone will then automatically reboot into TWRP.

Step 18 – Next, TWRP will then do the magic and the OTA flashing will start using special “patching ingredient” making sure your device can apply the downloaded OTA update properly.

That’s it. Your phone should now reboot into Normal mode with new version of MIUI obtained from the OTA. Please keep in mind that you only need to flash full MIUI Recovery ROM once (Step 15). From now on each time an OTA Update is rolled out, you will only need to apply the update (Step 16 – Step 18).

There is a chance you will get Error 7 when flashing the OTA incremental update. If that’s happen, you may need to flash latest fastboot ROM of MIUI Beta/Developer through Mi Flash tool and go through the steps above again.

Thanks and credits belong to Raaj52 from XDA.