Unlock & Root Realme X2 and X2 Pro
Unlocking the bootloader and rooting your Realme X2 or X2 Pro gives you full system access, allowing you to install custom ROMs, remove bloatware, and use root-only apps. This guide walks you through the official unlock process and then Magisk-based rooting. You’ll need a Windows PC, a USB cable, and a willingness to erase all data on your phone.
What You’ll Need
- Realme X2 or X2 Pro with at least 60% battery
- Windows PC with internet access
- USB data cable
- Realme Unlock Tool (download from official Realme community)
- Realme Flash Tool (download from official Realme community)
- Magisk APK (from the official Magisk GitHub)
- Stock firmware for your exact model (from Realme’s official site or community)
- Backup of all important data – this process wipes everything
Step-by-Step
- Back up your data. Unlocking wipes your phone completely. Copy photos, contacts, and any other files to your PC or cloud storage.
- Enable Developer Options. Go to Settings > About Phone and tap Version Number 7 times until you see “You are now a developer.”
- Enable OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging. In Settings > Developer Options, turn on OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging.
- Install the Realme Unlock Tool on your PC. Download it from the official Realme community forum. Extract the ZIP and run the .exe file.
- Apply for unlock permission. Open the tool, sign in with your Realme account, and click Apply for Unlock Permission. Wait for approval (can take up to a week).
- Connect your phone to the PC. Use a good-quality USB cable. On your phone, accept the USB debugging prompt.
- Start the unlock process. In the Realme Unlock Tool, click Start Unlocking. Follow the on-screen instructions. Your phone will reboot and show an unlocked bootloader warning.
- Re-enable USB debugging. After the phone reboots, go through the initial setup (you can skip most steps), then re-enable Developer Options and USB Debugging as before.
- Download the stock firmware. Find the exact firmware for your model (e.g., RMX1991 for Realme X2, RMX1931 for X2 Pro). Extract the ZIP to get the
payload.binfile. - Extract the boot.img. Use a tool like payload-dumper-go on your PC to extract the
boot.imgfrompayload.bin. Copy theboot.imgto your phone’s internal storage. - Install Magisk. Install the Magisk APK on your phone. Open the Magisk app, tap Install, then Select and Patch a File. Choose the
boot.imgyou copied. The patched file will be saved asmagisk_patched-XXXX.imgin the Downloads folder. - Copy the patched image to your PC. Transfer the patched file to your PC and note its location.
- Boot into Fastboot mode. Turn off your phone. Press and hold Volume Down + Power until the fastboot menu appears. Connect the phone to your PC.
- Flash the patched boot image. Open a command prompt in the folder with the patched image and run:
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched-XXXX.img. Then runfastboot reboot. - Verify root. After reboot, open the Magisk app. If it shows the Magisk version, root is successful. You can also install a root checker app from the Play Store.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping the backup. Many users lose precious photos because they thought unlocking wouldn’t wipe data. It always does.
- Using the wrong firmware. Flashing a boot image from a different model or region can cause boot loops. Always double-check your exact model number.
- Not enabling OEM Unlocking. Without this, the Realme tool will fail. It must be toggled on before applying.
- Using a bad USB cable. A cable that only charges will cause the tool to lose connection. Use the original cable or a known data cable.
- Interrupting the unlock process. Pulling the cable or closing the tool mid-unlock can brick your device. Let it finish completely.
- Forgetting to re-enable USB debugging. After the unlock reboot, you must re-enable it before trying to flash Magisk.
Tips
- Keep your phone charged above 60% throughout the process to avoid shutdowns.
- Use a dedicated folder on your PC for all downloaded files to avoid confusion.
- Read the Realme community forums for your specific model – there may be known quirks.
- After rooting, install a good backup app like Titanium Backup to protect your data.
- If you plan to install custom ROMs, the unlocked bootloader is your first step; Magisk can be removed later if needed.
- Be aware that some banking apps and Google Pay will stop working on a rooted device. You can use Magisk’s DenyList to hide root from specific apps.
Troubleshooting
- Realme Unlock Tool says “Unlock failed”. Check that you have an active internet connection, are signed in, and have OEM Unlocking enabled. Try a different USB port and cable. If it persists, wait 24 hours and retry.
- Phone stuck in boot loop after flashing. This usually means you flashed the wrong boot image. Boot into fastboot mode (Volume Down + Power) and flash the original stock boot.img extracted from the firmware. If that doesn’t work, use the Realme Flash Tool to restore the full stock firmware.
- Fastboot command not recognized. Ensure you have the correct USB drivers installed and that fastboot is in your PATH. Try running the command from the folder where fastboot.exe is located.
- Magisk app says “Requires Additional Setup”. Open the app and tap OK to let it finish setup. If it asks to reboot, do so.
- No root after flashing. Make sure you flashed the patched image, not the original. Also verify that the bootloader is actually unlocked by checking for the warning at startup.
- Phone not detected in fastboot. Install the latest Google USB driver or Realme USB driver. Try a different USB port (preferably a rear port on a desktop).
Frequently Asked Questions
Will unlocking the bootloader void my warranty?
Yes, in most cases unlocking the bootloader voids the warranty. Realme may refuse service for devices with an unlocked bootloader.
Can I relock the bootloader after rooting?
Yes, you can relock it using the Realme Unlock Tool or fastboot command fastboot oem lock. However, this will wipe your data again, and it may not work if you have a custom ROM installed.
Will I still receive OTA updates after rooting?
No, OTA updates will fail on a rooted device. You’ll need to flash updates manually via the Realme Flash Tool or download full firmware and re-patch the boot image.
Does rooting affect Google Pay or banking apps?
Yes, these apps typically detect root and refuse to work. You can use Magisk’s DenyList to hide root from specific apps, but it’s not guaranteed to work with all apps.
What is the difference between unlocking and rooting?
Unlocking the bootloader allows you to flash custom images and is required before rooting. Rooting gives you superuser access within the Android system, usually via Magisk.
Is it safe to root my Realme X2/X2 Pro?
It is generally safe if you follow instructions carefully, but there is always a risk of bricking your device if you make a mistake. Always have a backup and be prepared to restore stock firmware.
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