Xiaomi root rights: 7 Real Reasons to Get Root and 3 Reasons to Refuse

Xiaomi Android phones out of the box work with limited user rights, just like other brands. But many owners want full control of the system, and there are root rights (or root access) to do that. What do they do in practice? Is it worth risking stability for the sake of additional features?

This article is not about how to get a root (this is a separate topic with a lot of nuances for each model), but about why to do it. We will analyze real-world use cases, compare the pros and cons, and also talk about the hidden pitfalls that are often not mentioned in forums. If you are only thinking about unlocking a bootloader and getting a root, here you will find an honest analysis, not just a list of cool chips.

What are Root Rights and How They Work for Xiaomi

Root rights are administrative access to the Android operating system, similar to the rights of a superuser on Linux, which are blocked by default because:

• 🔒 Security: Restrictions protect against malware that could gain control of system files.
• 🛠️ Stability: Accidental changes in system folders can lead to a “brick” of the device (turning into a “brick").
• 📱 Guarantee: Xiaomi (like other manufacturers) removes warranty when root access is detected.

On Xiaomi smartphones, rooting is complicated by MIUI, a proprietary shell that actively resists change. To get a root, you first need to:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires Mi Account binding and waits 7-15 days).
2. Install custom Recovery (e.g., TWRP).
3. Sweep ZIP-Archive with Magisk or SuperSU to manage rights.

It’s important to understand: on new Xiaomi models (released after 2022), unlocking the bootloader may not be possible due to hardware protection – check your model’s compatibility before starting the procedure.

7 Real Reasons to Get a Root on Xiaomi

Theoretically, root offers unlimited possibilities, but in practice, most users use it for specific tasks.-7 In other words, the root is justified:

1. Removal of embedded software and advertising in MIUI

Xiaomi is known for aggressive integration of ads and pre-installed apps (called bloatware). Even after disabling ads in settings, it can appear in:

• 📱 Mi and Mi Video Browser;
• 📊 Security and Themes;
• 🔍 Searching the system.

With root rights, you can:

• 🗑️ Remove system applications via Titanium Backup or Adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 packet;
• 🚫 Block Advertising Servers Through File Editing /etc/hosts;
• 🔧 Disable unnecessary services that consume the battery (e.g. com.miui.analytics).

2. Optimization of productivity and autonomy

MIUI is often criticized for its increased battery consumption and lag, and with root rights, you can:

• 🔋 Set up the kernel: change the parameters CPU and GPU Kernel Adiutor (e.g. limiting the maximum frequency to save charge);
• 🗃️ Clean Dalvik cache: This speeds up the system after updates;
• 🛑 Freeze background processes: root-access apps like Greenify can completely block unnecessary services.

💡

Before changing the kernel settings, back up via TWRP – incorrect settings can lead to overheating or sudden reboots.

3. Data backup and transfer

Standard Android tools do not allow you to save:

• 📱 Application settings and data (e.g. game progress);
• 📞 Call log and SMS;
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords.

With root rights, programs like Titanium Backup or Swift Backup can create full backups, including:

• 📦 System applications and their data;
• 📱 Interface settings MIUI;
• 🔧 APN-mobile network settings.

4. Changes to system fonts and themes

Xiaomi allows you to change themes through themes, but:

• 🎨 Many topics are paid;
• 🔒 You can't change the system font without root;
• 📱 No access to editing icons and animations.

With root rights, you can:

• 🖌️ Install any font through FontChanger or manually replace files in /system/fonts;
• 🎭 Use themes from Substratum or LSPosed for deep customization;
• 🔧 Change the density of the screen (DPI) for a more compact display of elements.

5. Acceleration or lowering of the clock speed of the processor

For gamers and enthusiasts, the root opens access to:

• 🎮 Spread out CPU/GPU (Increased productivity in games);
• 🔋 Undervoltage (reduced voltage to save battery);
• 🌡️ Control of temperature by changing the cooling parameters.

Examples of annexes:

• Kernel Adiutor – for fine tuning of the kernel;
• EX Kernel Manager – for Qualcomm Snapdragon devices
• FrancoKernel – to optimize energy consumption.

💡

Changing the CPU frequencies without understanding the consequences can lead to overheating, reduced battery life, or even chip failure. Always test the changes gradually.

6.Blocking MIUI updates

Xiaomi often releases updates that:

• 🐌 Slowing down the device;
• 🔄 Remove useful functions;
• 📱 Instability (battery, network, etc.).

With root rights, you can:

• 🚫 Block the update servers through /etc/hosts;
• 🔧 Remove the Updater system application;
• 📥 Manually choose which firmware to install (for example, stay on a stable version) MIUI 12 if MIUI 13 works worse).

7. Use of specialized software

Some applications require root access to work:

3 Reasons Not to Get Root on Xiaomi

Despite the benefits, root rights are not for everyone, and here are some of the key downsides that are often overlooked:

1. Loss of warranty and problems with the service center

Xiaomi officially states that:

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights voids the warranty. Service centers refuse to repair devices with modified firmware, even if the problem is not related to the software (for example, a broken screen).

What to do if you need to give up your phone under warranty?

• 🔄 Return the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool;
• 🔒 Lock the loader back (not always possible);
• 📱 Remove traces of root access (for example, through Magisk there is an option "Full removal").

But: Some service centers check the status of the bootloader through fastboot oem device-info, and even after returning to the stock firmware, the Unlocked mark may remain.

2. Security risks and vulnerabilities

With root rights:

• 🛡️ Malware can access banking applications, passwords and personal data;
• 🔓 Root-access apps can spy on you (for example, some SEOs send data to Chinese servers);
• 📱 Vulnerabilities in custom cores – unofficial firmware often contains bugs that hackers can exploit.

Example: In 2021, it was discovered that some Magisk modules contained backdoors that allowed remote code execution on the device.

Instability and “brickling”

Errors in working with root rights can lead to:

• 📵 Soft-brick (device is enabled but not loaded beyond the logo);
• 🧱 Hard-brick (device not responding to buttons, not determined by computer);
• 🔋 Rapid battery discharge due to incorrect core settings;
• 📶 Network problems (e.g., mobile internet disappears after files are changed) /efs).

Examples of typical errors:

• Delete system files that MIUI depends on
• Incompatibility of the custom core with the firmware version;
• Interrupt the firmware process through TWRP.

Create a backup copy of the data|Check the compatibility of the model with Magisk|Download stock firmware for rollback|Learn about the firmware reviews in forums|Prepare a computer with ADB and Fastboot-->

Myths about root rights on Xiaomi: what doesn’t really work

And there's a lot of advice on forums that is either outdated or just wrong.-5 mythology:

Myth 1: “Ruth will speed up any smartphone”

Actually,

• ✅ On weak devices (e.g. Redmi) 5A Redmi Note 7 can help if you optimize your system correctly;
• ❌ On flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Mix Fold 3) performance gains will be minimal – modern processors are already working at the limit.

Myth 2: “You can get a root without unlocking the bootloader”

This is not possible on Xiaomi because of:

• 🔒 Anti-Rollback (on new models);
• 📱 System Integrity Checks at Boot;
• 🛠️ No exploits for the latest versions MIUI.

All “one-click” programs like KingRoot or iRoot either don’t work or install malware.

Myth 3: “Ruth is needed to install custom firmware”

Actually,

• 🔄 Custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) is installed through an unlocked bootloader, not through a root;
• 📱 root rights are needed already inside the custom firmware for fine tuning;
• ⚠️ Many custom firmware for Xiaomi require patching through Magisk for banking applications.

Myth 4: “You can bypass DRM (L1 → L3) with root rights”

That's partly true, but:

• 🎬 Most streaming services (Netflix, Disney)+, Movie search required by Widevine L1 to display content in high resolution;
• 🔒 Ruth automatically lowers the level. DRM before L3, limiting the quality of 480p;
• 🛠️ There are workarounds (such as the MagiskHide Props Config module), but they don’t work on all devices.

Myth 5: “Ruth will allow you to upgrade the old Xiaomi to a new version of Android”

Actually,

• 📱 Updates MIUI iron-bound – if Xiaomi hasn’t officially released firmware for your model, custom firmware may not work smoothly;
• 🔧 Some features of newer versions of Android (e.g., Dynamic Refresh Rate in Android 12) require driver-level support;
• ⚠️ On older devices (such as Redmi Note) 4X) New Android versions may be slower due to lack of resources.

Alternatives to root rights: what can be done without root

Not everyone needs root rights, many tasks are solved by standard means or with the help of ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

1. Disabling Advertising and Bloatware through ADB

With ADB commands, you can:

• 🗑️ Remove pre-installed apps (e.g. com.miui.msa.global – Xiaomi analytics service);
• 🚫 Turn off the adverts in MIUI team:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.muy.advertising.package

Examples for disabling security advertising:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop

2. Automation with Tasker (no root)

Tasker can work without root rights, but with some restrictions, for example, you can:

• 📱 Automatically turn on the mode in the plane at night;
• 🔋 Send notifications when battery is low;
• 📶 Switch mobile data when connecting to a specific Wi-Fi network.

Restrictions without ruts:

• ❌ You cannot change system settings (for example, screen brightness below the minimum threshold);
• ❌ No access to some sensors (e.g., proximity sensor).

3. Install Magisk without unlocking the bootloader (on some models)

On older devices (Redmi Note 5, Mi A1), there are methods of installing Magisk via:

• 📱 Exploits in the bootloader (e.g., DirtyCOW);
• 🔧 Patching boot image through Magisk Manager.

But:

⚠️ Note: On anti-Rollback devices (all models after 2019), these methods lead to hard-brick – recovery is possible only through an authorized Xiaomi service center.

4.Using Shizuku for partial root access

Shizuku is a tool that allows some applications to obtain adb rights without physically connecting to a computer.

• 📱 Manage Application Permissions through App Ops;
• 🔧 Use Tasker with advanced features;
• 🗃️ Reserve data from some applications.

Limitations:

• ❌ No access to system files;
• ❌ You can not change the core or firmware.

How to check if there is a root right on Xiaomi

If you bought a used device or are not sure if the root is installed, there are several ways to check:

Method 1: Root Checker application

1. Install Root Checker from Google Play;

2. Launch the application and press Verify Root;

3. If the message Congratulations! Root access is properly installed on this device!

Method 2: Through the terminal

1. Install Termux or any other terminal application;

2. Enter the command:

su

3. If a superuser invite appears (# instead of $), there is a root.

Method 3: Checking the status of the loader

1. connect the phone to the computer;

2. Open the command line and type:

adb reboot bootloader


fastboot oem device-info

3. If the output has a line Device unlocked: true - the bootloader is unlocked (but this does not guarantee the availability of root rights).

Method 4: Checking with Magisk Manager

1. Install Magisk Manager (if it is not installed, there is probably no root permission);

2 Open the app – if it shows the Magisk version and Installed status, then root is there.

FAQ: Frequent questions about root rights on Xiaomi