What happens if you get a root rights on Xiaomi: a full analysis of the pros, cons and hidden risks

Getting root rights (or “root”) on Xiaomi smartphones is a controversial topic, and it opens up hidden features. MIUI It allows you to fine-tune the device to your own devices, and it also gives you security, it creates security vulnerabilities, and it can lead to a bricking of the phone, but what exactly happens if you do that? Is it worth the candle?

Many Redmi users, POCO Or Mi see root as a way to get rid of branded ads, remove pre-installed apps, or install custom firmware, but not everyone understands what processes are triggered under the hood of the system after obtaining superuser rights. In this article, we will understand what exactly changes in the smartphone, what hidden risks appear and how to minimize possible problems.

Spoiler: on Xiaomi models with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi Note 12) 4G) Unlocking the bootloader and getting the root can permanently block access to official updates MIUI through OTA. This is not a theoretical threat, but a confirmed fact, which is silent on many “guides” on the Internet.

Why Users Want to Get a Root on Xiaomi

The desire to hack your smartphone usually comes from a place where it is not empty, and here are the most common reasons why Xiaomi owners are motivated to do so:

• 🚫 Removing embedded advertising – even in the latest versions MIUI 14/15 Some system applications (such as Mi Browser or Music) show banners that cannot be disabled without root.
• 🗑️ Blaatware cleanup – pre-installed services like Mi Pay, Mi Video or duplicate Google apps take up space and consume resources.
• ⚡ Overclocking the processor/GPU — Through kernel cores, you can improve performance in games (for example, in Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile), but this reduces the life of the battery.
• 🔧 Deep Customization – changing fonts, animations, icons at the system level (for example, through Substratum or Magisk Modules).
• 📱 Install custom firmware – switch to LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS for “clean” Android without MIUI.
• 🔒 Bypassing restrictions – for example, transferring applications to a memory card (which is officially blocked in the system). MIUI Android 10+).

But most of these problems can be solved without root, like advertising in the Internet. MIUI cut off EEA (Europe) in Mi Account settings, and Bloatware is hidden with the help of ADB-Before we take radical measures, we need to assess whether they are really necessary.

What technically happens when you get a root license

When you get root on Xiaomi, you start a chain of changes that few people talk about.

1. Unlocking the bootloader (bootloader)

On all modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with Redmi Note 5 and later), the bootloader is blocked by default. Its unlocking through the official Mi Unlock Tool erases all data from the device and binds it to the Mi Account. Importantly, from 2023, Xiaomi has tightened the rules - now up to 720 hours (30 days) can pass between the request for unlock and its confirmation.

Installation of custom recovery (TWRP)

Xiaomi’s standard recovery doesn’t allow unofficial firmware or modifications to be installed. TWRP (The Team Win Recovery Project, which gives you access to the file system, and the danger here is that the wrong version is the right one. TWRP For your model (for example, for the Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G Redmi Note 11 Pro instead of Redmi Note 5G) may result in loss IMEI or a broken chamber.

3. Magisk or SuperSU firmware

Magisk is the most popular tool for obtaining root rights without changing the systemless root, which masks the presence of root from applications (for example, banking or other applications). Pokémon GO), But it doesn't guarantee 100% protection. SuperSU is outdated and may conflict with the security of the superSU. MIUI 12+.

4. Change of access rights

After installing the root, applications get the opportunity to write files to protected folders (/system, /vendor), It's used for both customization and malware. 2022 In the past year, he has been operating root access to steal banking application data.

Implications for guarantee and official support

⚠️ Note: Since January 1, 2023, Xiaomi has officially equated unlocking a bootloader with a warranty violation, meaning that even if the phone issue is not root related (such as a broken screen or a faulty battery), the service center has the right to refuse free repairs.

Here is what exactly changes after getting a root license:

• 🔄 Denial of OTA-updates - the smartphone will no longer receive updates "over the air" to install new versions MIUI You will need to manually stitch the full packages through fastboot.
• 🔐 Blocking Xiaomi services – Find Device (phone search), Mi Cloud (synchronization of notes and contacts), as well as some functions like Second Space will stop working.
• 📱 Widevine's problems L1 — On most models, after the root, the Widevine level of protection is reduced to L3, What is blocking viewing content on Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video in HD-permit.
• 💳 Restrictions in banking applications – Sberbank, Tinkoff and VTB block access to their applications on rooted devices due to the risk of data interception.

Are there any workarounds? Partially. Like Widevine. L1 You can try to restore the original vendor partition through firmware, and banking applications sometimes work through MagiskHide or modules like Universal SafetyNet Fix.

Why Root Makes Your Xiaomi Vulnerable

The main problem with root rights is that they disable key Android security mechanisms, and here are the specific threats that are emerging:

1. Vulnerabilities in the core

Ruth opens access to kernel modifications, which could lead to exploiting vulnerabilities like Dirty Pipe (CVE-2022-0847) or CVE-2021-0920. These breaches allow malware to gain full control of the device, including access to the device:

• 📸 Photos and video in DCIM
• 💬 Messages on WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS
• 🏦 Data of banking applications (if they do not block the root)
• 📍 Geolocation history

2.Attacks through Magisk modules

Modules for Magisk (e.g., Magisk, ViPER4Android For sound, or EdXposed for app modifications, it is often distributed through third-party repositories.In 2023, researchers at Kaspersky found that 1 in 5 modules on popular forums contained backdoors for cryptocurrency mining or data theft.

3. Loss of protection against malware

Stock-stock MIUI It's a Mi Security Scan that blocks known viruses at the kernel level, and once you get the root, that protection goes off, and you're going to have to rely on antiviruses like Malwarebytes or Bitdefender, which are less effective.

⚠️ Note: If you use a rooted Xiaomi for business email (e.g., Microsoft Outlook), IT-A company department may block access to servers due to a breach of the Device Administration, even for personal devices connected to the work network.

💡

Before installing any Magisk module, check its hash (SHA-256) site XDA Developers. Even popular modules like this. YASNAC (for camera setup) sometimes contain modified versions with malicious code.

How to minimize risks: checklist before receiving a root

If you still decide to get a root on your Xiaomi, follow this algorithm to reduce the chances of “bricking” the device or losing data:

Make a full backup through the Mi PC Suite (including Suite) IMEI data modemst1/modemst2)|Check compatibility. TWRP For your model on twrp.me|Disable all antivirus and firewalls on your PC while you are firmware|Charge your phone at least to the minimum. 80% (The firmware may take up to 2 hours)|Download stock firmware for your model (in case of rollbacks)|Make sure the version MIUI Supports unlocking (on some regional firmwares this is blocked)|Create a backup copy of the section EFS (contain IMEI and MAC-address)

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Critical moments:

• 🔋 On battery models ≤ 4,000mAh (like Xiaomi 12 Lite) firmware via fastboot can drain your phone before it shuts down.Use the original cable and charge on 30W+.
• 📡 Once the bootloader is unlocked, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth may temporarily fail - that's OK.Reboot usually solves the problem.
• 🔑 If you forget the password from the Mi Account that the phone is attached to, unlocking the bootloader will become impossible.

For models with Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (e.g, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13 or Xiaomi) recommends using Fastboot Enhanced from Xiaomi.eu – this tool automatically checks the integrity of the firmware before installation.

💡

Even if you have successfully rooted, never uninstall system applications through Root Explorer or Titanium Backup without first checking. For example, deleting com.miui.analytics can lead to endless system loading, and com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice can lead to network loss.

Can you get it back? How do you remove the root and restore the warranty?

Technically, you can get your smartphone back to stock, but it doesn't always restore warranty.

1. Removal Magisk/SuperSU

If the root was obtained through Magisk, it can be removed directly from the application (Uninstall option). boot.img fastboot:

fastboot flash boot stock_boot.img


fastboot reboot

2. Stock recovery recovery recovery

We are looking for the original recovery for your model:

fastboot flash recovery stock_recovery.img

3. Locking the loader

This is the hardest step. Xiaomi doesn't officially provide a tool to re-block, but you can use the command:

fastboot oem lock

⚠️ Attention: Locking the bootloader on a device with custom firmware or modified partitions (system, vendor) will lead to a constant blink (the phone will not turn on). MIUI Mi Flash Tool with Clean All and Lock option.

Verification of the status of the guarantee

Even after the rollback to the drain, the service center can determine that the bootloader is unlocked.

• 🔍 Fastboot oem device-info (Shows Device unlocked: true)
• 📱 In the phone settings: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap the kernel version three times – if the OrangeState label appears, the bootloader has been unlocked).

Some Xiaomi service centers in Russia and the CIS turn a blind eye to unlocking if the problem is clearly not related to the software part (for example, a cracked screen).

Alternatives to Root Rights: What Can Be Done Without Risks

Before you go to extreme measures, assess whether the same goal can be achieved in safe ways:

For most tasks, unlocking the bootloader without installing the root is enough, which allows you to flash custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.eu), but retains a guarantee on hardware components.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Root Rights on Xiaomi