Getting root rights on Xiaomi smartphones is more complex than on other brands, due to the company’s policy of protecting the bootloader and restrictions in the MIUI firmware. However, with the right approach, even a beginner can unlock the potential of his Redmi, POCO or Mi without the risk of turning the gadget into a “brick”.
In this article, we will discuss three officially supported root-rights methods (via Magisk, TWRP and built-in MIUI tools), and which Xiaomi models from 2022-2026 require a special approach. We will focus on unlocking the bootloader, a key step without which further manipulation is impossible. If you have never worked with ADB or Fastboot, don’t worry: we will explain each step in as much detail as possible, with illustrations and warnings of possible errors.
⚠️ Important: The rooting process voids Xiaomi's warranty and may result in data loss.On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) After unlocking the bootloader, data encryption stops working, and banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) block access.
1.Preparation: What to do before unlocking
Before you start getting root rights, make sure your device is ready for the procedure.Missing at least one of these steps can result in soft-brick (the device is turned on but not booted) or complete data loss.
First, check out your Xiaomi processor model:
- 🔹 Qualcomm Snapdragon (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G or POCO F4): Supports unlocking the bootloader via Fastboot.
- 🔹 MediaTek Helio/Dimensity (Like Redmi. 10C or POCO M4 Pro: requires additional drivers and can block some commands ADB.
- 🔹 Google Tensor (if we are talking about Xiaomi) 12S Ultra for the Chinese market: the procedure differs due to proprietary drivers.
Secondly, it is imperative that:
- Back up your data via Settings → About Phone → Backup or Mi Cloud (if the device is tied to a Xiaomi account).
- Charge the battery to a minimum of 70% – the unlocking process can take up to 30 minutes.
- Install the Android SDK Platform-Tools (includes ADB and Fastboot) on your PC.
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on MIUI Version. Then to Settings → Additional → For developers, turn on USB Debugging and OEM Unlock.
2. Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi: the official way
Xiaomi locks the bootloader on all devices by default. To unlock it, you need to obtain permission through the official Mi Unlock Tool. The process takes from 72 hours to 7 days (depending on model and region).
Download Mi Unlock Tool (the version must match your firmware - for MIUI 14/15, version 5.5.224.24 and later is suitable).
- Sign in to the tool under the same Xiaomi account as on your phone.
- Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power).
- In Mi Unlock Tool, click Unlock and a waiting timer (usually 168 hours for new accounts) will appear.
⚠️ Note: If you see a "Couldn't unlock. Your device isn't supported" error, it's your model. 13T, Redmi K60 The Mi Cloud requires that you link your account to your device 30 days before unlocking, and this rule has been in effect since 2023.
Link your Xiaomi account to your phone (minimum 3 days of use)|Install the Mi Unlock Tool with the latest version|Enable debugging on USB unlock OEM|Connect your phone to Fastboot mode|Wait for the waiting timer to end-->
| Xiaomi model | Waiting time to unlock | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | 72-168 hours | Requires account binding for 7 days |
| POCO F5 | 24 hours. | Supports unlocking without waiting for old accounts |
| Xiaomi 13 Lite | 168 hours | Blocks unlocking when changing the firmware region |
| Black Shark 5 Pro | 0 hours | The game models are unlocked immediately. |
3. Install custom recovery (TWRP) on Xiaomi
Once the bootloader is unlocked, the next step is to install TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) and this custom recovery will allow you to flash Magisk to get root rights. Importantly, every Xiaomi model has its own version of TWRP!
Download the current firmware TWRP For your device from the official website, for example, for Redmi Note. 11 Pro+ 5G fitting twrp-3.7.0_12-vayu-mauronofrio.img. Then:
- Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with the platform-tools.
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
- Immediately after the firmware, go to TWRP, holding Volume Up + Power (otherwise the system will overwrite recovery!).
⚠️ Note: On devices with Dynamic Partition (all Xiaomi on Android) 12+) firmware TWRP It doesn't work. You need to use modified versions that support it. super.img, For example, from the developer of mauronofrio.
💡
If after TWRP firmware the phone loads into standard recovery, try the command fastboot boot twrp.img – this will temporarily load custom recovery without writing to memory.
4. Getting Root Rights through Magisk (without TWRP)
If installing TWRP seems complicated, you can get root rights directly through Magisk, a popular root access management tool that works even on MIUI 15 and doesn’t require custom recovery.
Download the latest version of Magisk (e.g. Magisk-v26.4.zip) from GitHub.
- Copy the Magisk-v26.4.zip file into your phone’s internal memory.
- Reboot to Fastboot and execute the command: fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched.img (file magisk_patched.img You need to create through the official Magisk application).
- Reboot the device. Once you boot it, install it. APK-Magisk file and check root rights status.
🔹 Advantages of the method:
- 🔄 It retains the possibility of receiving OTA-Updates (as opposed to updates) TWRP).
- 🛡️ Supports SafetyNet, which is important for banking applications.
- 📱 It works on Android. 13/14 patchless.
What to do if Magisk is not being stitched?
5. Setup root rights for applications
Once you've successfully obtained a root right, you need to configure access to specific applications, either through Magisk or manually, such as giving the root rights to Titanium Backup or AdAway:
- Open the Magisk app and go to the Superuser tab.
- Click on the icon. ⚙️ in the upper right corner and select Settings.
- Activate options: 🔘 Automatic response for ADB → Permission. 🔘 Show notices of requests 🔘 Log of requests (for debugging)
⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Netflix or Google Pay) block work on root-righted devices. To get around this, activate modules in Magisk:
- 🔹 MagiskHide Props Config (Hides Root From Apps).
- 🔹 Universal SafetyNet Fix (SafetyNet Certification).
💡
Once you install Magisk, be sure to restart the device. Some modules (for example, to hide the root) start working only after the reboot.
6. Solving common errors
Even with the correct following of the instructions, errors can occur, and here are the most common problems and solutions:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "This device is locked" on Fastboot | The bootloader is not unlocked | Repeat the procedure in Mi Unlock Tool and wait for the timer |
| "Invalid sparse file format" with TWRP firmware | Incompatible version of recovery | Download. TWRP For your exact model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G ≠ Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G) |
| The phone does not turn on after Magisk firmware | Damaged. boot.img or init_boot.img | Sweep the original boot.img through Fastboot: |
| Banking apps are not working | Not passed by SafetyNet | Install MagiskHide Props and Universal SafetyNet Fix modules, clean up application data |
🔹 If the device is stuck on the logo MIUI:
- Keep Volume Up + Power 10-15 seconds for forced reboot.
- If it doesn’t work, run the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (select the Clean all option).
7.How to remove root rights and return warranty
If you need to return the device to the service center or sell it, the root rights must be removed.
- Open Magisk and go to Settings → Complete Deletion.
- Confirm the action - the phone will restart and remove all traces of the root.
- Stitch the original boot.img Fastboot: Fastboot Flash boot boot.img
- Return standard recovery: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
⚠️ Note: Some models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi) K50 Ultra) after removing the root rights, you may still have a tag in the avb section. To reset it, run the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean all and lock option, which will block the bootloader again.
💡
Removing root rights does not guarantee restoration of warranty. Xiaomi can check the status of the bootloader through service utilities even after blocking.