[Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Guides, News, & Discussion] churchrickshaw:
Please read this thread thoroughly and carefully. Do this at your own risk. The following had worked for two of the same devices. I've made this guide partly for my own notes and because other guides out there seemed incomplete.

Aim of this guide is to have an unlocked bootloader with a custom recovery for flashing root, Xposed and other things while possibly preserving the ability to get official OTA updates. The following is a summary of what this guide entails.

Official Mi FlashUnlock was used to unlock the bootloader. It will take 3-4 days before Xiaomi grants unlock permission on your account. This guide does not touch the emmc for unlocking since that method causes -2% or 50% battery bug. This is the same bug that most CM flashers are running into. In the meantime, prepare your computer and phone for when you do get permission.

Recovery TWRP Alka is a good recovery to use since it's already patched (boot.img) so that it can flash MIUI recovery ROMs (OTA) as well as CM based ROMs. It also has the ability to backup the entire phone (EFS partition). I would strongly suggest backing up all partitions and moving it to your computer or SD card after. You may choose Cofface TWRP if you're never going to try CM based ROMs. Helpful links from other guides will be posted at the end. I have yet to receive an OTA update yet so this part is not tested.

Root, Xposed and DPI instructions are all outlined below. Flash and configure these as you normally would.

Debloating is a big thing that I do to stock ROMs. This essentially prevents the ROM from running the apps, slimming the ROM and hopefully extending daily usage. There are few things that broke though. The only thing I could care about is that I'm not able to change the wallpaper via the Settings (lockscreen + homescreen) anymore. However, the rest that broke were the features that I don't use such as Cleaner (sponsored by Cheetah), dual apps and etc. Debloat accordingly. Be cautious, as I won't be necessarily explaining what each item does. ​

OTA updates does work. However, recovery, root, DPI, Xposed and debloat all needed to be done again.

Prep work

Sign up and login to all the neccessary accounts

Sign up for unlock: http://en.MIUI.com/unlock/, this will take 3-4 days.

Make sure you're also signed into your Mi account on your phone and that you can find your phone at http://i.mi.com/.

Prepare your computer for drivers and software

Enable Windows TESTSIGNING first: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff553484(v=vs.85).aspx

The TESTSIGNING boot configuration option is enabled or disabled through the BCDEdit command. To enable test-signing, use the following BCDEdit command:

Bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING ON

To disable test-signing, use the following BCDEdit command:

Bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING OFF​

Restart your computer and then install the following:

Mi PC Suite (http://pcsuite.mi.com/)

Mi ROM Flashing Tool and drivers for fastboot & ADB (http://en.MIUI.com/a-234.html)

Mi FlashUnlock tool (http://en.MIUI.com/thread-202290-1-1.html)

Fastboot EDL, just in case (http://xdaforums.com/redmi-note-3/how-to/guide-reboot-to-edl-mode-fastboot-test-t3398718)

Prepare your device

Enable developer mode by going to Settings > About phone > Tap on MIUI Version repeatedly until you get a toast that Developer Mode is enabled

Go back to Settings and then tap on Additional Settings > Developer options

Enable Developer options

Enable OEM unlock

Enable USB debugging

Plugin your phone into your computer, it should now install all the drivers

Turn TESTSIGNING OFF and restart your computer

Signs of computer recoginizing your phone properly (for ADB, Fastboot and etc)

In Device Manager, you should see under Android Phone: Android Composite ADB Interface and Xiaomi Composite MDB Interface

You phone should have also asked you to allow debugging from your computer (check always allow)

Unlocking your phone

Log in from time to time to check your unlock permission from the MiFlash Unlock Tool. You'll just need to follow the instructions to unlock your bootloader.

Boot into fastboot by holding volume-down + power

Run MiFlash Unlock and follow the onscreen instructions

If you're curious to see if it's unlocked, boot back into fastboot and type fastboot oem device-info

Using MiFlash tool to flash another MIUI ROM (China to Global, skip if you already like your MIUI version)

Boot into fastboot by holding volume-down + power, you will get the fastboot bunny

Download your desired fastboot version: http://en.MIUI.com/a-234.html, you can check the changelog and description from here: http://en.MIUI.com/download-301.html

Or you can use MIUI 8 Global Beta: http://xdaforums.com/redmi-note-3/development/MIUI-8-global-beta-redmi-note-3-t3417423

Extract the fastboot ROM (.tgz) twice, the first extract you'll be left with .tar file, the second should leave you with a directory of files

Place that directory in the root of your drive (or somewhere with a short location)

Launch the MiFlash tool, browse to your extracted fastboot ROM and click on refresh. You should now also see your device listed

Click on Flash All and click on refresh once more

Now flash your device, it should take upwards of 170s

Let your device boot, which should take 5m or longer. Set it up as you normally would and redo all the steps outlined in the "Prepare your device" section (don't need the TESTSIGNING part).

Flashing TWRP (Alka) & Root

Download the following files:

TWRP https://dl.twrp.me/kenzo/

Alka http://www.mediafire.com/download/febttn8piu0vfae/recovery+Alka+Update.zip

Universal Boot Img Patcher http://xdaforums.com/redmi-note-3/how-to/modified-twrp-deleting-emmcappsboot-t3371667

SuperSU https://download.chainfire.eu/969/SuperSU/

You should now be working in an administrator command prompt in this directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Xiaomi\MiPhone\Google\Android. Take this chance to extract fastboot-edl into this same directory. Also place twrp and alkarecoveryupdate img files into this directory. You should have the Universal Boot Img Patcher and SuperSU copied to your phone.

Follow these, don't reboot in between unless stated:

Enter fastboot (volume-down + power)

Type fastboot boot twrp.img

Swipe to allow modifications

Flash universal boot img patcher zip

Flash twrp.img by selecting "Select Image" option.

Select recovery partition & flash it

For some reason twrp has to be flashed this way or else recovery will be reverted to stock MIUI recovery. You can try Alka directly to see if it works for you.

Now reboot to recovery

Flash alkarecoveryupdate.img by selecting "Select Image" option.

Select recovery partition & flash it

Reboot to recovery

Flash SuperSU

Reboot system and let it boot MIUI, it may take longer than usual

You should now test root, configure SuperSU & install Busybox.

Flashing Xposed

Download the latest SolarWarez Xposed: http://xdaforums.com/xposed/unofficial-xposed-MIUI-t3367634

Download Material Xposed Installer: http://xdaforums.com/xposed/material-design-xposed-installer-t3137758

Download Xposed uninstaller, just in case: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=3034811

A few posts suggests that the latest official Xposed v86 works with MIUI, but doesn't seem to be the case for me.

Install the Xposed Installer of your choice (apk install)

Enter recovery (volume-up + power)

Flash v86-sdk22-arm64 (LP, sdk23 is for MM)

Clear cache and dalvik

Reboot the phone, this should take 5m or longer since we wiped the cache

If you notice bootloops or crashing services, use the uninstaller. Worst case, flash it back to stock using MiFlash.

Xposed modules that I use:

App Settings

MIUI Brightness Fix

Mobile Radio Active Fix

Power Nap

Play Store Fixes

Spotify Skip

TextLinkify

WhatsApp Tuner

xMIUI

xInsta unfortunately does not work well.

Changing DPI

Using FX Explorer (Root access enabled) or any explorer you feel fit.

Go to system/ and edit build.prop

Add this line in between persist.hwc.downscale_threshold=1.15 & #ro.hdmi.enable=true

ro.sf.lcd_density=370​

Reboot your phone

You should be able to use a DPI changer such as texdrodier_dpi to change it to whatever you like after

ROM Debloating, should get around 1.8GB of free memory on boot

Using FX Explorer (Root access enabled) or any explorer you feel fit.

Create the backup location:

Create a folder in system named _backup

Create subfolders named app, data-app, priv, vendor

Debloat app folder as you wish but here's my list:

Go to system/app

Cut the following into system/_backup/app

AGPSTestMode

AmapITS

AnalyticsCore

AntHalService

BasicDreams

BrowserProviderProxy

BugReport

CalendarLocalAccount

CalendarWidget

CloudService

Drive

Email

FileExplorer

FM

Galaxy4

GuardProvider

HTMLViewer

HiddTestApp

HoloSpiralWallpaper

KSICibaEngine

KingSoftCleaner

LatinImeGoogle

LiveWallpapers

LiveWallpapersPicker

LunarInfoProvider

MiDiscover

MiLivetalk

MiuiVideoPlayer

MiWallpaper

MSDC_UI

NoiseField

Notes

OmaDownload

OmaDrmEngineApp

PartnerBookmarksProvider

PhaseBeam

PhotoTable

QtiBackupAgent

QtiFeedback

SampleAuthenticatorService

SapClientApp

SecureSampleAuthService

SoundRecorder

SecProtect

StaProxyService

StepsProvider

Stk

SystemAdSolution

TouchAssistant

TranslationService

Videos

VisualizationWallpapers

WAPPushManager

WfdClient

xdivert

fastdormancy

imstests

jjcontainer

jjhome

jjknowledge

jjstore

Go to system/data-app

Cut the following into system/_backup/data-app

Facebook

klobugreport

Go to system/priv

Cut the following into system/_backup/priv

AndroidForWork

AutoTest

BackupRestoreConfirmation

Browser

Calendar

CleanMaster

FM2

GoogleBackupTransport

GoogleFeedback

Mipub

Music

MusicFX

SpacesManagerService

SpacesTrustAgent

Velvet

xtra_t_app

Go to system/vendor

Cut the following into system/_backup/vendor

CTA

ChinaMobile

ChinaTelecom

ChinaUnicom

CmccPower

MPCS

app

Helpful posts if you have other issues

Flashing to CM: http://xdaforums.com/redmi-note-3/how-to/guide-step-step-guide-flash-cm13-build-t3391839

TWRP Explained: http://xdaforums.com/redmi-note-3/how-to/guide-redmi-note-3-available-twrps-t3406708

Fastboot EDL for softbricked phones: http://xdaforums.com/redmi-note-3/how-to/guide-reboot-to-edl-mode-fastboot-test-t3398718

IMEI Repair: http://en.MIUI.com/thread-245598-1-1.html

MIUI Unlock guide: http://en.MIUI.com/thread-202290-1-1.html