Root Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Gen - MDZ-28-AA

Instructions and Files to Root a Brand-New Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Gen - MDZ-28-AA

Important: Do this on the first boot, DO NOT let the SYSTEM update itself or it may not work (but you can also test):

Download the Necessary Files

1. Download the necessary files: MDZ-28-AA.zip (mirror).
2. Extract MDZ-28-AA. It should contain the following files:

Install Fastboot Drivers

1. Install the fastboot drivers (if you don't have them yet):
   • Inside MDZ-28-AA, go to the folder fastboot_driver, right-click on android_winusb.inf, and choose Install.

Bootloader Preparation

1. Unplug all wires except HDMI.
2. On the PC terminal, go to folder MDZ-28-AA and issue the following fastboot commands:

• fastboot reboot bootloader

Terminal should say:

Rebooting into bootloader                            OKAY [  0.000s]
< waiting for any device >

3. Plug in the USB-A to USB-A cable.
4. Plug in the power.

Terminal should say:

Finished. Total time: 5.159s

5. Wait for bootloader screen, and then unlock:

• fastboot flashing unlock

6. Confirm unlock:

• fastboot getvar unlocked

unlocked: yes
Finished. Total time: 0.001s

Flash all the necessary images:

• fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta_a vbmeta.img

Rewriting vbmeta struct at offset: 0
Sending 'vbmeta_a' (2048 KB)                       OKAY [  0.097s]
Writing 'vbmeta_a'                                 OKAY [  0.026s]
Finished. Total time: 0.147s

• fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta_b vbmeta.img

Rewriting vbmeta struct at offset: 0
Sending 'vbmeta_b' (2048 KB)                       OKAY [  0.096s]
Writing 'vbmeta_b'                                 OKAY [  0.027s]
Finished. Total time: 0.144s

• fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta_system_a vbmeta_system.img

Sending 'vbmeta_system_a' (2048 KB)                OKAY [  0.097s]
Writing 'vbmeta_system_a'                          OKAY [  0.036s]
Finished. Total time: 0.153s

• fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta_system_b vbmeta_system.img

Sending 'vbmeta_system_b' (2048 KB)                OKAY [  0.097s]
Writing 'vbmeta_system_b'                          OKAY [  0.026s]
Finished. Total time: 0.139s

• fastboot flash dtbo_a dtbo.img

Sending 'dtbo_a' (2048 KB)                         OKAY [  0.097s]
Writing 'dtbo_a'                                   OKAY [  0.027s]
Finished. Total time: 0.140s

• fastboot flash dtbo_b dtbo.img

Sending 'dtbo_b' (2048 KB)                         OKAY [  0.097s]
Writing 'dtbo_b'                                   OKAY [  0.027s]
Finished. Total time: 0.134s

• fastboot flash vendor_boot_a vendor_boot.img

Sending 'vendor_boot_a' (24576 KB)                 OKAY [  1.167s]
Writing 'vendor_boot_a'                            OKAY [  0.297s]
Finished. Total time: 1.481s

• fastboot flash vendor_boot_b vendor_boot.img

Sending 'vendor_boot_b' (24576 KB)                 OKAY [  1.157s]
Writing 'vendor_boot_b'                            OKAY [  0.596s]
Finished. Total time: 1.765s

• fastboot flash boot_a boot.img

Sending 'boot_a' (65536 KB)                        OKAY [  3.092s]
Writing 'boot_a'                                   OKAY [  0.791s]
Finished. Total time: 4.089s

• fastboot flash boot_b boot.img

Sending 'boot_b' (65536 KB)                        OKAY [  3.092s]
Writing 'boot_b'                                   OKAY [  0.787s]
Finished. Total time: 4.073s

• fastboot reboot fastboot

Rebooting into fastboot                            OKAY [  0.000s]
< waiting for any device >
Finished. Total time: 15.159s

• fastboot flash super super-ab-737rw-sparse.img

Sending sparse 'super' 1/7 (262128 KB)             OKAY [ 11.994s]
Writing 'super'                                    OKAY [  2.932s]
Sending sparse 'super' 2/7 (262096 KB)             OKAY [ 12.329s]
Writing 'super'                                    OKAY [  3.938s]
Sending sparse 'super' 3/7 (259588 KB)             OKAY [ 12.198s]
Writing 'super'                                    OKAY [  5.661s]
Sending sparse 'super' 4/7 (257016 KB)             OKAY [ 11.922s]
Writing 'super'                                    OKAY [  4.296s]
Sending sparse 'super' 5/7 (262140 KB)             OKAY [ 12.224s]
Writing 'super'                                    OKAY [  3.859s]
Sending sparse 'super' 6/7 (262120 KB)             OKAY [ 12.083s]
Writing 'super'                                    OKAY [  3.884s]
Sending sparse 'super' 7/7 (164402 KB)             OKAY [  7.630s]
Writing 'super'                                    OKAY [  3.918s]
Finished. Total time: 108.916s

• fastboot reboot

Rebooting                                          OKAY [  0.000s]
Finished. Total time: 0.002s

Configure the Device

1. Configure the device normally (Wi-Fi, Google account, etc.).
2. Enable developer options:
   • Click 5 times on: Settings > System > About > Android TV OS Build.

3. Enable USB Debugging:
   • Navigate to: Settings > System > Developer Options > USB Debugging.

Install Magisk

From the PC, inside MDZ-28-AA folder, issue the following commands:

adb install Magisk-v28.1.apk

Open the Magisk app from within the apps menu:

• Settings > System > Apps > See All Apps > Magisk > Open

Or use:

adb shell am start -n com.topjohnwu.magisk/.ui.MainActivity

Install the App & Patch

1. On Magisk Home activity, choose "Install" from the App Menu (You may need to give Magisk permission to install apps):

Install the app normally.

2. Go back to Magisk Home Activity, and choose "Install" from the Magisk Menu.

3. Select "Direct Install (recommended)".

4. Reboot the device using: adb reboot or use the remote control.

Verify Root Access

If all goes well, the device should now have root access. Test this by issuing the following commands:

adb shell
jaws:/ $ su

Accept the Magisk prompt to give root access to the shell:

jaws:/ # whoami
root

---

Note:

• If you are stuck on the Google TV logo, try going into fastboot as explained above and run: fastboot -w. This will erase all user data and should allow you to bypass the loop. Please note this will erase all your data, apps, etc.
• Sources:
  • Rooting Xiaomi TV Box S 2nd Gen (jaws) without UART/teardown
  • Обсуждение Xiaomi Discussion TV Box S 2nd Gen (MDZ-28-AA)
• You can change the Google TV Launcher with the Android TV: https://github.com/davigamer987/atv-adfree-module - Flash as a Magisk Module
• I'm not reponsible for any brick, be wise.