How to disable Administrator Mode on Android Xiaomi: 5 working ways

Why Xiaomi’s Administrator Mode Could Hinder Your Smartphone

Administrator mode (or superuser rights) on Xiaomi devices with MIUI firmware is a two-way sword. On the one hand, it gives you extended control over the system: the ability to remove embedded applications, change system files or install modified software. On the other hand, it can cause problems ranging from accidental removal of critical components to security vulnerabilities. For example, some banking applications (such as Sberbank Online or Tinkoff) refuse to work on rooted devices, citing the risks of data compromise.

Moreover, Xiaomi Redmi, POCO or Mi with unlocked bootloader and administrator rights can experience errors when updating MIUI via OTA. The system often sends a message “failed to verify the integrity of the package”, blocking the installation of new versions. This is due to the fact that the modified system partitions do not pass the digital signature verification. Also, do not forget about warranty restrictions: most Xiaomi service centers refuse to repair under warranty if they detect traces of rooting or unlocking the bootloader.

But what if you don't need administrator rights anymore? Maybe you want to put your smartphone back in a factory state before you sell it, or your banking app stopped working, or you just want to make your system more stable. In this article, we'll look at 5 proven ways to turn off your admin mode on Xiaomi, from simple (through settings) to radical (full reset). Important: some methods can cause data loss, so back up in advance!

Method 1: Disabling Administrator Rights through MIUI Settings

If the superuser rights were obtained through official MIUI tools (e.g., through the Security app), they can be disabled in a standard way, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI 12/13/14.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search box, enter Security (or Security in Russian).
• 🛡️ Select the Security app (shield icon) → Administrator rights.
• 🔄 Find Root Rights or Superuser Rights and disable the slider.
• 🔐 Confirm the action with a password / fingerprint, if necessary.

Then the system will suggest restarting the device. Do this to make the changes effective. If there is no Root right, then the rights were obtained not through MIUI, but through third-party tools (for example, Magisk or SuperSU) - read the next section.

Method 2: Remove Magisk or SuperSU (for rooted devices)

If you used Magisk or SuperSU to obtain root rights, disabling them requires removing the relevant software. Magisk is the most popular tool among Xiaomi users, as it supports hidden rooting (MagiskHide), which masks the presence of rights from banking applications.

To remove Magisk:

1. 📲 Open the Magisk Manager app.
2. 🔧 Go to the Settings section (cog in the upper right corner).
3. 🗑️ Select the complete uninstall (Magisk).
4. 🔄 Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

If Magisk Manager is not installed but administrator rights are active, download the official uninstaller.zip from GitHub Magisk and run it through TWRP or Fastboot. SuperSU just removes the application and clears the data through Settings → Applications, but sometimes additional cleaning through TWRP is required.

⚠️ Note: Removing Magisk or SuperSU will not return the bootloader's original state. If you unlocked it through the Mi Unlock Tool, you will need to re-lock it to fully return to the factory state (see Method 4).

Method 3: Reset to factory settings (without data loss)

If previous methods didn’t work or you’re not sure which tool was used to get the rights, you can try a soft reset via MIUI settings.This method will delete all user data and applications, but will retain the ability to recover through Mi Account.

Step-by-step:

• ⚙️ Go to Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
• 🔄 Select Reset all settings (not to be confused with Reset to factory!).
• 🔒 Enter the password from your Mi Account if required.
• ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After the reboot, check for administrator rights using the Root Checker app. If they have disappeared but the bootloader remains unlocked, it can be blocked back through the Mi Unlock Tool (see Method 4 for this).

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is installed TWRP, resetting through standard settings MIUI It could lead to a logo hanging, and then you'd have to reflash it. MIUI manually via Fastboot.

Method 4: Lock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

The unlocked bootloader is an open gate for system modifications, even if the administrator rights are already disabled. To fully return the smartphone to its original state (for example, for warranty repairs), you need to lock the bootloader back, which requires the official Mi Unlock Tool utility and the Mi Account associated with the device.

Algorithm of action:

1. 📥 Download Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi’s official website.
2. 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down) + Power with the device switched off).
3. 🖥️ Launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.
4. 🔒 Press Lock Now (in some versions – Bind Account and Lock).
5. ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed (may take up to 10 minutes).

Once the bootloader is blocked, all system modifications (including TWRP and custom firmware) will be removed and the device will return to the stock MIUI. Note that this process can erase all data, so make a backup beforehand.

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If the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a “Couldn’t unlock” error, check that the phone has Settings → Additional → For developers, OEM Unlocking is enabled and Find Device is disabled (in some versions of MIUI).

Method 5: Flashing MIUI Fastboot (radical method)

If none of the previous methods worked, the most reliable, but also the most time-consuming option is a complete flashing of stock MIUI through Fastboot mode, which is guaranteed to remove all traces of rooting, unlocked bootloader and modified system files.

What will be required:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 📁 Official firmware MIUI For your model (you can download it on the Xiaomi website).
• 🔧 The Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware (file with extension.tgz) in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
3. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. In the program, click Select and specify the path to the unpacked firmware.
5. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
6. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot Flashing deletes all data, including photos, contacts and apps, and after the procedure, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account if the device was protected by Find Device.

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Fastboot flashing is the only way to get back a clean MIUI if previous methods don’t work, but it requires strict compliance with instructions, or you risk getting a brick.

What to do if there are problems after the administrator is disconnected

Even after successful disabling of the administrator rights, Xiaomi may have problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🚫 Banking applications are not working: Check SafetyNet status through the SafetyNet Test app. If the test is not passed, there may be traces of modifications in the system. Try installing the MagiskHide Props Config module or performing a full reset.
• 🔄 OTA-No updates are installed: This is due to the modified system partitions. MIUI via Fastboot (Method 5) or manually install the update via Recovery.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: After removing root rights, some system processes may not work properly.Reset battery settings in Settings → Battery → Settings → Reset.
• 📱 Phone does not turn on after reset: If after manipulation the device stuck on the logo MI, Try to go to Fastboot and ask again. MIUI If that doesn't work, maybe the section has been damaged. EFS (Specialized repairs are required).

If none of the tips helped, contact the Xiaomi service center to reflash the device. check in advance if they will keep the warranty after such a procedure - some centers may refuse if the bootloader was unlocked.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling Administrator Mode on Xiaomi