Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face restrictions imposed by the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS. Despite the rich functionality, the system blocks access to system files, which prevents deep customization and installation of specialized software. Obtaining superuser rights, or root access, opens the door to complete interface recycling, removal of system debris and fine-tuning the processor.
The rooting procedure in 2026 has changed due to the increased security requirements of Android, but remained quite accessible to the trained user. The key step is unlocking the bootloader, without which any manipulation of the system partition is impossible. It is important to understand that interference with the software structure of the device always carries risks, so careful preparation and backup of data is not just a tip, but a prerequisite before starting work.
This guide covers everything from applying for the Mi Unlock Tool to the final configuration of the Magisk manager. We will discuss the nuances of working with the new versions of Android 15 and 16, and also discuss methods of bypassing root detection in banking applications. If you are ready to lose your warranty for the sake of full control of your gadget, this guide will be your main tool.
Preparing a smartphone and computer for modification
Before starting any operations, you need to assemble tools. You will need a computer running Windows (preferably version 10 or 11), a serviceable computer. USB-cable and the smartphone itself with a battery charge of at least 60%. ADB and Fastboot, as well as the platform SDK Platform Tools. Without these components, communication between PC and phone in bootloader mode will not be possible.
On the smartphone side, you need to activate the hidden developer menu. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI build number. After the message "You became a developer" return to the main settings menu and find the option "Additional → For developers." Here you need to enable debugging over USB and allow the installation of applications from unknown sources.
- 📱 Charge the device to at least 70% to avoid power outages when firmware is running.
- 💾 Make a full backup of all data, as unlocking the bootloader will destroy them.
- 🔗 Use the original. USB-cable or quality analogue with data transmission support.
- 🌐 Connect your smartphone to a stable Wi-Fi network to sync with Xiaomi servers.
Pay special attention to the Mi Account. It should be linked to the device, and it should take a certain amount of time from the time of attachment to the moment of unlocking. In different regions, this period varies from 7 to 168 hours (7 days). If you try to unlock the device earlier, the Mi Unlock tool will give an error indicating the remaining latency.
☑️ Checklist for routing preparation
Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock
Unlocking the bootloader is a critical step that erases all data on the device, a security measure implemented by the manufacturer to protect user data in the event of a theft. To perform the operation, download the official Mi Unlock Tool utility from the developer's website and log in under the same account that is used on the phone.
Put your smartphone in Fastboot mode. Turn off the device, then press the Down volume and power buttons at the same time. The screen will show an image of a rabbit repairing an android, or the inscription FASTBOOT. Connect the phone to your computer and press the Unlock button in the utility.
⚠️ Attention: The unlocking process permanently changes the status of the device in the Xiaomi registry.After that, some features, such as high audio quality in Bluetooth codecs or the operation of Mi Pay in some regions, may become unavailable or require additional manipulation.
If the unlock is successful, the phone will automatically restart and begin the Wipe Data cleanup process. This can take a few minutes. Once the system is booted, you'll see a clean desktop. Now the path to the system partition is open, and you can move to installing superuser rights.
Search and installation of custom TWRP recavator
The Android Recovery Menu does not allow you to install modified files and obtain root rights. This requires installing a third-party backup, and the de facto standard is TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). However, for modern Xiaomi models, finding the right build can be difficult due to the variety of modifications to the processors and screens.
Search for an image file (usually with the.img extension) should be done on specialized forums such as: 4PDA or XDA Developers. It's important to download the version that's specifically for your model (codename), installing an inappropriate Recovery can lead to a "brick" of the device or a broken touchscreen in the recovery menu. ADB computer-based.
To install TWRP, reset your phone to Fastboot mode and connect to your PC. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type in the command to firmware the image:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-name file.imgOnce you've done the command, you can't just reboot the phone in the normal way, because the Android rod system can overwrite the custom recapverie back to the stock one. You need to pinch the button combination (usually Volume Up + Power) and hold them until the TWRP logo appears. If you see the menu with the Install, Wipe, Advanced buttons, the procedure is done correctly.
What if TWRP doesn’t see internal memory?
Install Magisk and get Root rights
The modern rooting standard is Magisk from topjohnwu. Unlike the old methods (SuperSU), Magisk works on the principle of systemless, that is, it does not change the system partition directly, which makes it easier to hide the presence of rights from applications. First, download the current one. APK-Magisk file and rename it to.zip if you plan to install it over the recap, or simply save it. APK for initial adjustment.
If you're already on TWRP, just copy the Magisk.apk file (or Magisk.zip) to your phone's internal memory. From the Recovery menu, select Install, find the file, and confirm the swipe installation. Once successfully completed, press Reboot System. The process may take longer than usual when you first boot, which is fine, as the system reassembles the boot image.
Once you download Android, look for the Magisk icon in the app menu. Open it. If the app suggests you install components or reboot, you'll agree. The version status of "Installed" confirms that you've successfully obtained superuser rights. You can now manage root access for each application separately.
| Parameter | Value before rooting | Post-rooting value |
|---|---|---|
| Access to /system | Read-only (Read-only) | Full access (Read/Write) |
| Removal of system applications | Impossible. | Maybe through ADB or file manager. |
| Work of banking applications | They work normally. | Requires Hidden Settings (Zygisk) |
| System modules | Not supported. | Full support for Magisk modules |
| Device guarantee | It's working. | Cancelled (in most regions) |
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Use the MagiskHide Props Config module if you need to change the system fingerprint to hide the fact of rooting from strict applications.
Set up Root Hide from Banking Apps
Getting root rights automatically marks your device as “unsafe” for Google Pay, banking apps and some anti-cheat games. SafetyNet and the new Play Integrity API check the integrity of the bootloader and system. To get around these checks, you need to properly configure Zygisk (replace MagiskHide) inside the Magisk manager.
Open Magisk settings and turn on the Zygisk switch. After the reboot, create or edit an exception list. In newer versions of Magisk, you go to the settings, select "Configure DenyList" and tag all banking apps and Google Play services, which will prevent them from seeing root modifications.
⚠️ Note: Some banking applications (e.g. SberBank, Tinkoff) have their own security mechanisms and may not run even when the root is hidden. APK, checkless.
It also recommends installing the Play Integrity Fix module (formerly known as Universal SafetyNet Fix) that patches the system's responses to integrity requests, convincing Google services that the device is not modified.Without this module, Google Pay may refuse to add maps even if DenyList is configured correctly.
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Without Zygisk enabled and DenyList properly configured, banking apps will see root rights and be turned down.
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
Xiaomi’s rooting process doesn’t always go smoothly. One of the common problems is the Unable to verify update or the endless reboot cycle after installing Magisk. If the phone doesn’t boot but enters Fastboot mode, you can flash the original boot.img image from stock firmware to get the device back to working.
Another common problem is the Mi Unlock Tool’s refusal to see the device or the issue of an account error, often solved by logging out of the Mi Account on the phone itself, disconnecting the Internet, re-entering and waiting for the timer to expire, and it’s also worth checking whether your ISP has blocked access to Xiaomi servers, and trying to use DNS or VPN.
- 🔄 Bootloop: Press the Volume Up + Power to log in to Recovery, make Wipe Data. If it doesn't work, reflash the stock firmware through MiFlash.
- 🔒 Blocked bootloader: Make sure that Mi Unlock Tool is in the same account that is tied in the phone settings.
- 📉 Performance drop: After unlocking the bootloader, some models may run slower.Say goodbye to resetting settings or installing an optimized kernel.
If you are faced with a situation where TWRP does not see partitions or cannot mount internal memory, this is often due to File Based Encryption (FBE) encryption. In such cases, formatting the Data partition through the Wipe menu in the TWRP itself (Format Data command and yes input) helps.