ifelixit: Root System-lessly with Magisk for Redmi 5/Plus

Hei Redmi 5/Plus fans,

What have we here today? What is rooting? Rooting is the process of allowing the user to attain privileged control (known as root access) over various Android subsystems. After fiddling around with your Redmi 5/Plus and getting comfortable with it, you might want to explore more like rooting or flashing other custom ROMs and explore the new frontier of your device. Hence, this time we going to use Magisk for a systemless rooting while still getting Incremental OTA.

Why root with Magisk?
Android is getting more secured with each new release and is increasingly posing a challenge for developers to gain root access on Android devices and alter system files. Magisk released by topjohwu is a systemless interface that developers can use to build custom MODs for Android devices without altering the system files.

With the Magisk, a super powerful Systemless interface for Android devices, installing systemless root on Android devices has gotten easier than ever. And to top that, getting root via Magisk also allows you to use Android Pay and Magisk Modules support, and hide from tons of integrity tests like SafetyNet, keep your Banking apps working and biggest advantage is still getting to flash Incremental OTA flawlessly.

Let's get going. Read this Guide a couple of times and get a grasp of it, and if you still feel doubtful or find it too difficult, its just not meant for you, as this is meant for an advanced user to fully comprehend the rational of the method.

ifelixit Flasher Toolkit is a hassle-free flasher for multi-purpose tasking. To conveniently flash TWRP or alternative recoveries with a few click or other repeatitive designated task.

Essentials:

1. Bootloader Unlocked
2. USB DATA cable (the one that came with your device)
3. Before proceeding: Disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 7/8/10 64-Bit
4. Enable USB Debugging - Goto Settings > Additional settings > Developer options > USB Debugging - Enable (If you have not activated Developer options, then Goto Settings > About phone > tap MIUI version 7 times > You are now a developer)
5. Battery is charged at least 50%.

Requirements:

1. ifelixit Toolkit Flasher Vince-Rosy
2. MiFlash2017-7-20-0 - Preferably or Minimal ADB and Fastboot v1.4.3 and install it on your PC/Laptop, preferably on C\:Drive and choose system-wide installation.
3. Latest Magisk
4. Latest Uninstaller (Support all versions)
5. Latest Magisk Manager (Bundled in the Magisk zip, located at the common folder in the Magisk zip)

Using FLASHER TOOLKIT Vince/Rosy:

Note: In this guide, we are going to boot using TWRP without installing, to flash the Magisk-v15.4(1540).zip and the proper installation of Magisk.

1. Download "Minimal ADB and Fastboot" and install, download "Magisk-v15.4(1540).zip", and move to the "Download" folder of your phone internally or your SD Card for easy keeping if you need it for the next update.

2. Plug your device in an ON-STATE via USB cable to your PC/Laptop.

3. Download and extract, "Run as administrator" and execute "ifelixit FLASHER TOOLKIT Vince-Rosy.bat".

4. Next, you see the menu for what you want to do, as mentioned on the highlight, choose Menu #3 to FLASH Official TWRP Recovery for Redmi 5 or Menu #4 to Flash Official TWRP Recovery for Redmi 5 Plus and follow the on-screen instructions.

5. It will check whether you have followed all the Essentials mentioned above, and when all are met, it will run accordingly and flawlessly.

6. To Boot Only, tap "Keep Read Only" and "Swipe to Allow modifications".

7. Now, tap Install from TWRP menu and locate your "Download" folder from your internal storage and tap "Magisk-v15.4(1540).zip" and swipe to confirm to flash, as shown below:-

Magisk 2.png (220.5 KB, Downloads: 0)

Download Save to the album

8. Once Magisk is successfully flashed, tap Home on the adaptive screen and choose Reboot System. Check that the Magisk Manager is installed, otherwise download and install the latest version from the link above, and you should get a screen like below:-.

9. Now, you have successfully flashed Magisk and Magisk Manager installed and more with Magisk.

Tips and Advice:

Uninstall Magisk - Flash the boot image for your ROM (can be flashed to restore your device in case of problems). Most of the time, the Uninstaller.zip (see above) is sufficient.

Passing SafetyNet - SafetyNet should pass with no further input from the user. Nothing needs to be added to the Hide list. You'll see in the Magisk Manager if it works by checking the SafetyNet status. Remember, Google continuously updates SafetyNet.

Test MagiskHide - First thing to do is to make sure MagiskHide is actually working by using a root checker or a root app. Start by making sure the app can detect that your device is rooted. After that, add the app to the Hide list and see if it no longer can detect root. If that is the case, MagiskHide is working on your device.

SafetyNet incompatible devices and ROMs - There are devices/ROM’s that just won’t be able to pass SafetyNet fully. This has to do with how Google certifies devices, CTS certification (Compatiblity Test Suite). If a device hasn’t passed the Google certification process, or if the ROM alters how the device is perceived by Google, it won’t be able to fully pass SafetyNet (CTS profile mismatch). You might be able to get basic integrity to report as true (see Checking if Basic integrity passes below) and this means that MagiskHide is working as it should and it's most likely a CTS certification issue. It's possible that you can match your ROM's ro.build.fingerprint (and possibly other props) with an official ROM for your device to make it pass SafetyNet fully.