How to make a root right on Xiaomi: a complete guide from unlock to Magisk

Getting root rights on Xiaomi smartphones is a process that requires careful and understanding of all the steps. Unlike other brands, there are nuances: the mandatory unlocking of the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool, working with custom firmware and installing Magisk for root access management. Since 2023, Xiaomi has tightened the unlock rules, so the old instructions may not work.

In this article, we will discuss the current way to obtain root rights on modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models (including devices on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS). You will learn how to properly prepare the phone, avoid blocking the Mi Account, and what tools you will need to successfully root. Importantly, the procedure cancels the warranty and can lead to a device blink if errors - so follow the instructions strictly by step.

1. Preparation of the smartphone: what to do before unlocking

Before you start unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights, you need to follow several critical steps, and ignoring them can lead to permanent locking of the device or loss of data.

First, check your smartphone model and MIUI version. Some devices (such as the Xiaomi 13/14 series or POCO F5) require additional actions due to the protected anti-rollback section. You can find out the model in the Settings menu → About Phone → Model, and the firmware version in the MIUI version.

• 📱 Backup all data (photos, contacts, messages) through Settings → Additionally. → Backup or by using Mi PC Suite. Once the bootloader is unlocked, the phone will be reset!
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%. interruption of the process due to discharge can lead to a breeze.
• 🔑 Link your Mi Account to your phone (unless you've done it before) without it, unlocking is impossible.
• 🛠️ Install drivers for your smartphone model on your PC. Download them from the official Xiaomi website or through the Mi Flash Tool.

Beginning in 2026, Xiaomi requires that the device be tied to the account for at least 7 days before unlocking. If you just created an account or reset your phone, you will have to wait. Check the anchor status in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Device Status.

⚠️ Note: If you bought the phone with your hands, make sure the previous owner untie your Mi Account. Otherwise, unlocking will not be possible without his participation.

2 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

Unlocking the bootloader is a must before getting a root license. Xiaomi officially allows this procedure, but with restrictions. You will need a Windows PC (7/10/11) and the original USB Type-C cable (don’t take cheap Chinese counterparts – they can cause connection errors).

Download the latest version of the Mi Unlock Tool from the official website (note the build date - older versions may not work with new models). Install the program and follow the following steps:

1. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator.
2. Sign in with the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.
3. Turn off your smartphone and put it in Fastboot mode by pressing the Volume Down + Power buttons.
4. Connect your phone to your PC. The program should show a message called Phone Connected.
5. Press Unlock and confirm the action.

It takes 5 to 30 minutes to unlock, and when it's done, it automatically resets and resets to factory settings. USB-If you have a Couldn't unlock error, check it out:

• 🔌 Correct cable connection (try another port) USB).
• 🕒 Has it been 7 days since the account was linked.
• 📱 Mi Unlock Tool Compatibility (Some New Devices Require 360 Hours of Waiting!).

3. Installation of custom recavery (TWRP) after unlocking

Once the bootloader is unlocked, the next step is to install a customized Recovery (TWRP) that is an alternative recovery menu that allows you to flash through informal firmware and get root rights. Importantly, for each Xiaomi model, there is a version of TWRP!

Download the current version of TWRP for your model from twrp.me (see Device section). The file will be in.img format. You will also need the fastboot utility (which is part of the Android SDK Platform Tools).

Installation instructions:

1. Unpack Platform Tools in the root of the C:\ drive (the path should not contain Cyrillic!).
2. Place the file twrp-3.x.x-x-xiaomi-codename.img in the folder with Platform Tools.
3. Turn your phone into Fastboot mode (Loudness down + Power).
4. Open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools (press Shift + PCM → Open the command window).
5. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices Must appear serial number of the device.
6. Please. TWRP Team: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-xiaomi-codename.img
7. Reboot to Recovery: fastboot boot twrp-3.x.x-x-xiaomi-codename.img

If TWRP requests a password after the reboot (due to data encryption), format the Data section in the Wipe → Format Data menu.

4. Obtaining Root Rights through Magisk

Magisk is a modern root rights management tool that allows you to hide root from applications (such as banking or games). Once you install TWRP, you only need to flash Magisk through the Recovery.

Download the latest version of Magisk (Magisk-v26.x.zip file) from the official repository on GitHub. Do not use third-party sources - the risk of catching a virus!

Installation instructions:

1. Copy the Magisk-v26.x.zip file to your phone (e.g., a memory card).
2. Reboot to TWRP (turn off the phone, then press Volume up + Power).
3. In the TWRP menu, select Install and specify the path to the Magisk file.
4. Swipe to confirm the installation.
5. After completion, press Reboot System.

The first download after installing Magisk can take up to 10 minutes. Once you start the system, check for root rights using the Root Checker app or the built-in Magisk manager (should appear in the application menu).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F4 GT) require additional firmware disable_forceencrypt Without it, the system can get stuck on the logo.

5. Post-rooting problems and their solutions

Even if you do all the steps right, you can have problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If they stopped working after the rutting OTA-It's okay, custom recavers block the installation, so you have to manually stitch through the full packages to update the system. MIUI through TWRP (But it can take away the root rights, and you'll have to repeat the procedure).

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If navigation gestures stop working after rooting, try disabling Magisk modules associated with modifying system files. Often the problem is solved by flashing the original vendor.img.

6. How to hide root rights from apps (MagiskHide)

Many apps (bank clients, Google Pay, games like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact) block work on root-righted devices, and Magisk has a MagiskHide feature to circumvent this restriction.

It's easy to activate it.

1. Open the Magisk app.
2. Go to Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
3. Turn on the MagiskHide option.
4. Return to the main screen and click MagiskHide in the menu.
5. Check the boxes of the application that you need to hide the root.
6. Reboot the phone.

For reliability, it is also recommended:

• 🔄 Update Magisk to the latest version (developers regularly improve detection bypass mechanisms).
• 📱 Use alternative payment methods (such as Samsung Pay or virtual cards) if Google Pay refuses to work.

If MagiskHide doesn't work, try Universal SafetyNet Fix (you can download it from Magisk in the Modules section) which bypasses the Google SafetyNet check that many banking apps use.

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MagiskHide doesn’t work with all apps, for example, some Chinese games (like Honkai: Star Rail) use their own detection mechanisms, which are difficult to get around.

7.How to remove root rights and return the phone to its original state

If you need to return the phone to stock status (for example, for sale or warranty repair), you need to completely remove Magisk and restore the original boot.img. This can also help if critical errors occur after rooting.

Method 1: Magisk (if the system is booted):

1. Open the Magisk app.
2. Go to the Uninstall section.
3. Select Complete Uninstall.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

Method 2: TWRP (if the system does not boot):

1. Download the original boot.img for your MIUI version (you can extract from the full firmware via the Mi Flash Tool).
2. Reboot to TWRP.
3. Sweat boot.img through Install → Install Image → select boot.img → Flash to Boot.
4. Do a data reset (Wipe → Factory Reset).

You can also use the Mi Flash Tool to return to stock firmware:

1. In the Mi Flash Tool, specify the path to the firmware folder and press Refresh (the device should appear).

⚠️ Note: After fully flashing through the Mi Flash Tool, the bootloader will remain unlocked. To return Locked status, you will need an official Xiaomi service center (this cannot be done independently).

FAQ: Frequent questions about root rights on Xiaomi