This article covers all required steps to gain root access on any variants of Redmi Note 5 (RN5) including the RN5 Pro, RN5 Global, and RN5 China. This includes flashing TWRP custom recovery and flashing Magisk to gain systemless rooting. Alternatively, you may also use SuperSU if you want to achieve traditional permanent root on your device.
The device, that has a codename of Whyred, is the next Xiaomi’s latest budget-friendly phone featuring a middle-range chipset that balance performance, stability, and power consumption. There are several variants of RN5 and this can sometimes make users confused and ended up flashing or installing incompatible apps or ROM.
Read: Redmi Note 5 Pro Tech Specs.
Therefore, this tutorial is an all-in-one article that covers the workaround to root and is compatible with all variants of Redmi Note 5 including:
- RN 5 Pro India (codename Whyred Global)
- RN 5 Global (codename Whyred Global)
- RN 5 China (codename Whyred)
Warning for MIUI 10 users: Xiaomi has implemented Anti-rollback Protection since MIUI 10. There is a slight workaround to flash a custom recovery (and hence rooting). What is this? Why should I concern? Please read our detailed information on MIUI Anti-rollback mechanism here.
Prerequisites
Some preliminary steps and some necessary requirements that must be fulfilled before you proceed are:
- Make sure the phone’s bootloader has been unlocked. Follow our previous guide on how to unlock MIUI bootloader step by step if you haven’t done so yet.
- Download one of this software: Mi Flash tool, Mi Flash Unlock Tool, or the Minimal ADB Fastboot Drivers. Basically you will need the ADB drivers to be installed on your computer. Installing Mi Flash tool is the easiest one to get this job done since the tool contains all necessary drivers. Moreover, it is advised to firstly disable Windows Driver Signature Enforcement before installing ADB driver.
- You will need a Windows-based PC/laptop. It is recommended to use the 64-bit version.
- You will also need a USB data cable to connect your phone to computer. You can use the one comes with your device or use any other. Just make sure the cable can transfer data and not just a charging cable.
- Check your Android version and ensure it is Android 5.0 or newer.
- Download TWRP Recovery for RN5 India or RN5 Pro – RN5 Global or RN5 China (choose the one according to your device variant). India version of RN5 (Vince) can also use Red Wolf Recovery / RWRP (very recommended).
- Download the latest version of Magisk and Magisk Manager app.
- Download dm-verity and force disabler tweak.
- Make sure your phone battery is not under 60%.
Useful information:
- This article is intended for those who want to install Magisk for the first time. Users with an old version of Magisk installed can simply update the app via Magisk Manager app.
- Proceed with caution since neither we nor Magisk Developer will hold any responsibilities to any damage like risks of boot failure, bootloop, bricked device, or hardware failure. Please proceed responsibly and do on your own risks.
- Rooting your device and flashing custom binaries might get your phone warranties obsolete.
- Magisk root only works on the device with Android version 5.0 or above. Make sure your phone runs at least MIUI 8 or MIUI 9. This has been tested to work well on MIUI 9 Android 7.0 Nougat or 8.0/8.1 Oreo.
- Please, backup your data and files especially contact information and messages.
Read the whole article thoroughly before actually trying the steps. Attempt only if you have fully understood and when you already have the big picture on how the tutorial works.
Steps to Root
Step 0 – Unlock your phone bootloader. This is a must.
Step 1 – Disable Windows Driver Signature on your computer. This is necessary to be able to install and use ADB Driver properly.
Step 2 – Install either Mi Flash or ADB Driver you have downloaded earlier. Install it on the drive C: on your computer.
Step 3 – Enable Developer Options on your phone:
Settings >> About phone >> tap MIUI version 7 times >> You are now a developer
Step 4 – Enable USB Debugging on your phone:
Settings >> Additional settings >> Developer options >> USB Debugging >> Toggle it on
Step 5 – On your computer, copy the downloaded .img file of TWRP into your ADB folder.
Step 6 – Now rename that file (Right-click >> Rename) into recovery.img.
Step 7 – Next, grab your phone and the USB data cable. Do not turn off your phone and connect it to your computer using the USB cable. Make sure the connection type is MTP or File Transfer (Not Charging only).
Step 8 – Next, copy the two zip files you have downloaded earlier to your phone’s storage: Magisk v16 and No-Verity v6.0. Put it either in the root directory or in the download folder.
Step 9 – Now go to the adb folder. Hold down the Shift button on the keyboard and right-click on any empty area inside that folder. Choose “Open Command Window Here” or “Open PowerShell window here”.
Step 10 – Now type this command and hit Enter to execute it:
adb devices adb reboot bootloader
The above two command lines will ask your computer to recognize your device and then reboot into bootloader mode or fastboot mode.
Step 11 – Next, also execute the command below:
fastboot devices fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
The first one will ask your computer to recognize your phone which is already in Fastboot mode while the second command will ask your computer to flash twrp recovery onto your device.
Step 12 – Now you should have already installed TWRP on your phone. The next thing to do is to boot into twrp for the very first time. Type this command:
fastboot boot recovery.img
Step 13 – Your phone will then reboot into TWRP. Tick the “Never show this screen during boot again” and then “Swipe to allow system modification“.
Step 14 – You will get into TWRP main menu. Tap the “Install” button.
Step 15 – Now locate the Magisk .zip file. Select the files to be flashed.
Step 16 – Next, do the “Swipe to confirm flash” action.
Step 17 – TWRP will then flashing Magisk in seconds.
Step 18 – Go back to TWRP’s main menu (do not tap reboot) by tapping on either the back button or home button of TWRP. Next, choose “Install” again.
Step 19 – Next, locate the no-verity-opt-encrypt-6.0.zip file you have copied earlier. Flashing this package is necessary for your phone to prevent bootloop.
Step 20 – Again, do the “Swipe to confirm flash” action to start flashing.
Step 21 – Once done, you will see the Success message being displayed. Eventually, you are now safe to Reboot to the normal system now.
Step 22 – Once your phone has been turned on and rebooted completely in normal mode, you will see a new app installed which is Magisk Manager. Since Magisk v16.3, the app has been included built-in within the package you have flashed through TWRP. However, if in any weird cases you don’t have the app installed, download the latest Magisk Manager .apk file and install it manually.
Finally, open up the Magisk Manager app. You can see the status of your root access and which Magisk version has been installed.
Congratulation, your Redmi Note 5 has now been rooted and you now have a custom recovery installed. From here, you are going to explore a better Android experience. Start by exploring Magisk modules, flashing custom mod and tweak through TWRP, or flash a custom ROM on your phone.