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How to Root Poco X2 (phoenixin) via Magisk without TWRP

In this guide, we will show you the steps to root the Poco X2 device [codename: phoenixin] via Magisk without using TWRP Recovery. While Poco is now a separate entity, yet its root still lies with Xiaomi. As a result, you would still be getting tons of power-packed features at an affordable price. Along the same lines, it is becoming a favorite for tech enthusiasts. This shouldn’t come as a surprise considering the fact that its predecessor was equally impressive.

So once you have unlocked the device’s bootloader, you have literally opened the floodgates to a plethora of customizations. These include the likes of flashing custom ROMs or installing a custom recovery like TWRP. However, gaining administrative privileges has always been the top-most priority for the end-users. And for that, they proceed to root their device via Magisk. This in turn could be carried out by two different approaches.

The first one is by directly flashing the Magisk ZIP (which is now part of the Magisk App) via TWRP. However, owing to the complexities involved many users prefer to keep a safe distance from this method and turn towards the second one. This involves extracting the stock boot.img from the Fastboot ROM, patching it via Magisk, and flashing it via Fastboot Commands. And in this guide, we will be focusing on this method only. So let’s start off with the tutorial to root the Poco X2 device via Magisk without using TWRP.

How to Root Poco X2 via Magisk without TWRP

root poco x2 magisk without twrp

We are listing the instructions under separate sections for ease of understanding. Make sure to follow in the exact same sequence as mentioned below. Droidwin and its members wouldn’t be held responsible in case of a thermonuclear war, your alarm doesn’t wake you up, or if anything happens to your device and data by performing the below steps.

Install Android SDK

install adb platform tools windows

To begin with, install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. This is the official ADB and Fastboot binary provided by Google and is the only recommended one. So download it and then extract it to any convenient location on your PC. Doing so will give you the platform-tools folder, which will be used throughout this guide.

Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking

Next up, you will have to enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking on your device. The former will make your device recognizable by the PC in ADB mode. This will then allow you to boot your device to Fastboot Mode.

oem-unlock-bootloader-root-magisk-poco-x2

On the other hand, OEM Unlocking is required to carry out the bootloader unlocking process. So head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on MIUI Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking.

Unlock Bootloader on POCO X2

You will also have to unlock the bootloader on your POCO X2 if you wish to root it via Magisk without using TWRP. Do keep in mind that doing so will wipe off all the data and might make the device’s warranty null and void as well. So if that’s well and good, then refer to our guide to Unlock Bootloader on any Xiaomi Device.

unlock-bootloader-poco-x2

Note: The next two steps requires you to download the stock firmware file and then extract the stock boot.img file. As of now, I am using the V12.1.3.0.RGHINXM version Fastboot ROM. So if you are also on the same build, then you could directly use the below-extracted stock boot.img file that I have provided here. After this, skip the next two steps and directly move over to the Magisk patching instructions.

Download: poco_x2_phoenixin_12.1.3.0.RGHINXM_boot.img

Download POCO X2 Fastboot ROM

You will now have to download the Fastboot ROM for your device. Make sure to download the same firmware version that is currently installed onto your device. As for this guide, I am using the POCO X2 (phoenixin) Fastboot Stable (India) V12.1.3.0.RGHINXM.

poco x2 fastboot rom boot.img root magisk

As far as downloading the ROM goes, you may do so from the official site. Or if you cannot access it, then take the help of a third-party site such as Xiaomi Firmware Updater Poco X2 Fastboot ROMs.

Extract Stock Boot.img

Once you have downloaded the ROM, extract it to any convenient location on your PC. Once extracted, go to the Images folder. Within that, you should see all the partition files in IMG format. Copy the boot.img file and send it to your device.

Patch POCO X2 Stock Boot.img via Magisk

  1. First off, install the Magisk App onto your POCO X2 so that we could patch the stock boot.img and hence root it without TWRP.
  2. Then tap on the Install button situated next to Magisk.
  3. From the Method section, choose Select and Patch a file.
    patch-stock-boot.img-root-poco-x2-magisk
  4. Browse to the extracted boot.img file and select it.
  5. Then tap on the Let’s Go option situated at the top right.
  6. Magisk will now load the boot.img file and will patch it accordingly. Once that is done, you would get the Download Complete message.
    magisk-patched-boot-image-root-poco-x2
  7. The patched boot image file will be saved in Internal Storage > Downloads. The name of the file will be magisk_patched.img.

Boot POCO X2 to Fastboot Mode

  1. Connect your device to the PC via USB cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
  2. Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
  3. Type in the following command in the CMD window to boot your device to Fastboot Mode
    adb reboot bootloader

    fastboot-mode-poco-x2

You should now see the famous MI Bunny Logo along with the Fastboot text written underneath it, signifying that the device has successfully booted to Fastboot. Let’s now move over to the final set of instructions and root POCO X2 via Magisk without using TWRP Recovery.

Flash Magisk Patched Boot.img and Root POCO X2

  1. To begin with, make sure that you have transferred the magisk_patched.img file to the platform-tools folder.
  2. Now type in the below command in the CMD window (that is opened inside the platform-tools folder) to flash the Magisk Patched file:
    fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
  3. Once that is done, reboot your device to the OS via the following command:
    fastboot reboot

That’s it. These were the steps to root your POCO X2 device via Magisk without using TWRP Recovery. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.

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