Redmi / Xiaomi Android 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 boot.img

How to root the Redmi 9C, 9A, 10, 12 & 13C Series with Magisk

Complete budget device rooting manual for Redmi 9C, Redmi 9A, Redmi 10, Redmi 12, and 13C. Details MediaTek Helio boot.img patching, MTK Client, and vbmeta verification flags.

At a glance

Device familyRedmi 9C, 9A, 10, 12 & 13C Series
Launch softwareAndroid 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 (MIUI)
ChipsetMediaTek Helio G35 / G85 / G88 (12nm Architecture)
Root partitionboot.img (Non-GKI Legacy Architecture)
Firmware formatFastboot ROM (.tgz) or MTK Firmware
Bootloader unlockMi Unlock Tool or MTK Client Bootloader Bypass
Warranty / security impactUnlocking the bootloader wipes user data and may disable some hardware-backed features. It can usually be re-locked and re-flashed to stock.

Rooting method

  1. Step 1. Download the stock firmware or factory image that matches your exact build (Fastboot ROM (.tgz) or MTK Firmware).
  2. Step 2. Extract boot.img from the package.
  3. Step 3. Copy boot.img to the phone, open the Magisk app, tap Install → Select and Patch a File and choose it. Magisk writes magisk_patched.img to your Download folder.
  4. Step 4. Copy the patched image back to your computer.
  5. Step 5. Reboot to the bootloader and flash it, then reboot the device.
Flash command
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img fastboot reboot

For the full workflow and prerequisites, see the installation guide and boot image patching guide.

If the device bootloops

Recovery

Fastboot -> Flash Stock boot.img && fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img

More options: fix a Magisk bootloop.

Keeping root across updates

Manual Fastboot Flash After Update

See the OTA survival guide for the full procedure.

Related

Redmi / Xiaomi rooting hub

Hub

All Redmi / Xiaomi models covered on this site.

Play Integrity Fix

Module

Restore device integrity for Google Wallet and banking apps after rooting.

Shamiko

Module

Hide root from apps that perform detection checks.

Root method checker

Tool

Confirm which partition to patch and generate the flash command.
Independently written from public upstream documentation. Verify every command against the official Magisk documentation and your exact device firmware before flashing. Not affiliated with the Magisk project.