[Redmi Note 9 Guides, News, & Discussion] N3OMOD:
Preamble:

After a bit of research, I've found a simple way to - at least - obtain root privileges on the basic version of

Redmi Note 9 (Mediatek - Helio G85

).

The procedure has been tested on a Redmi Note 9 Global NFC 4/128 (Model: M2003J15SG) with MIUI Global 11.0.5.

The attached files comprise:

Original Boot Image from MIUI Global 11.0.5 (provided as a courtesy, download your own copy from MIUI Website if you wish)

Patched Boot Image from Magisk on MIUI Global 11.0.5 (again, the file provided as a courtesy; you can generate your own file, on your device.)

VBMETA Patched Image: essential to the process,

this file has not been created by me

. Courtesy of user Neko-kun from MI.cn Forum. I can only confirm that the file works as expected; please, if you have the required expertise, inspect the file and report your findings.

Warning:

This procedure depends on having previously unlocked the bootloader

. Doing so you have read, understood and accepted all the information regarding security and potential stability issues given by XIAOMI before completing the procedure.

Also, this means y

ou have understood and accepted potential warranty issues arising from such procedure

, and you understand the risks associated with a rooted device.

I'm not responsible for any damage, loss of personal data, brick or loss of usability arising from following this procedure and/or from any user error committed by doing so.

As a result, your warranty may be void, according to laws in effect in your state.

This procedure is only valid for Redmi Note 9 (not the Pro version, not the 9S version) with MEDIATEK chipset

Note:

Always make a back-up of your data! This procedure will re-initialize the device.

Requirements:

A valid MI Account, associated with the phone, used to certification in the bootloader unlocking procedure. (via official MI UNLOCK)

Unlocked Bootloader (new devices usually have a 7-day waiting period)

A personal computer with FASTBOOT installed, basic knowledge of FASTBOOT commands, drivers correctly installed on your system of choice. (for windows users, a valid solution is "Minimal ABD and Fastboot".)

Resources:

Magisk Manager

Boot Image / Magisk Patched Boot Image / VBMeta Image - link or see attached files

Procedure:

Download the attached files (or generate the first two on your own device, using Magisk Manager).

Copy the prepared files inside the fastboot directory (so you don't have to worry about file path in the following steps)

Reboot the phone into Fastboot Mode (hold

Power+Volume Down

until fastboot screen)

Connect the phone to the computer, open fastboot terminal and issue the following commands. BE PATIENT AND DOUBLE CHECK EVERYTHING BEFORE CONFIRMING!

Text between round brackets are comments, it must not be copied.

fastboot devices (check your phone is the only device shown)
fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img (this disables system changes)
fastboot erase userdata (this will clear user data!)
fastboot erase cache
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
fastboot reboot

The following first reboot will take a while. After completing the initial configuration, install the latest Magisk Manager (at the time of writing, v. 7.5.1) and continue with the configuration following the in-app prompt.

Phone will reboot at the end of the procedure. Launch once again Magisk Manager, select the "Beta Channel" for updates and enable Magisk Hide.

Reload Magisk Manager, check for Safety Net: you should have the green light.

Enjoy your root privileges. (aka, get rid of the bloatware ;) )

Known BUGs / LIMITATIONS:

Can't modify /system partition

Need to temporary set SELinux to permissive in order to remove system apps. Please refer to this post.