Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often resort to unlocking the bootloader and obtaining Superuser rights for the sake of enhanced system features. However, over time, it becomes necessary to return the device to its original state, this may be due to the requirement of banking applications, the desire to sell the gadget or the need to undergo official MIUI or HyperOS updates.
The process of removing administrator rights is not always obvious, as the standard settings menu does not have a “Roll back Root” button. Incorrect actions when trying to reset can lead to a software failure or “bricking” of the device. In this article, we will look at safe methods for removing kernel modifications and restoring the integrity of the system partition.
It is important to understand that the procedure depends on how the rights were obtained. If you used Magisk, the approach will be different from the situation with SuperSU or custom recaps. Before starting any manipulations, make sure to make a full backup of important data, as some methods will require a complete reset of the device to factory settings.
Why you need to remove Root rights on modern smartphones
With the development of mobile security technologies, the presence of superuser rights becomes a critical factor for the operation of many services. Banking applications such as Sberbank Online, Tinkoff or Google Pay use system integrity verification mechanisms known as SafetyNet and the Play Integrity API. When a modified bootloader or system files are detected, the application blocks access to financial transactions.
In addition to financial constraints, users may face the inability to view high-resolution content on streaming platforms, services like Netflix or Disney+ require a certified device to play video in HD and 4K. Root access often lowers certification levels, limiting the quality of the picture.
⚠️ Warning: Some anti-cheat games can block launch on rooted devices.If you're an avid gamer, removing administrator rights can solve the departure problem.
Warranty obligations are also worth considering. While warranty laws are flexible in China and some other regions, official Xiaomi service centers can refuse free repairs if they find traces of interference with the code.
Preparation of the device for the procedure of removal of modifications
Before you start active actions, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps, this minimizes the risk of data loss and ensures the stability of the process. First of all, make sure that the battery charge is at least 60-70%.
The second important step is synchronizing your data with your Google or Mi Cloud account, so that contacts, photos and documents are stored in the cloud, and you can write a list of installed applications to quickly restore the ecosystem.
☑️ Checklist before reset
If you plan to use a computer for flashing, install the current ones. USB-drivers for Xiaomi and utilities ADB For users who choose the method of resetting through settings, it is enough to have a stable connection to the Wi-Fi network.
Method of removing Root through Magisk application
The most common tool for superuser rights management in modern versions of Android is Magisk. If your phone was rooted with it, the uninstall process is built into the app itself and is the most secure.
Run the Magisk app on your smartphone. On the home screen, in the middle, you'll see a button that says "Uninstall" (Delete), clicking on it will open a menu with two options: "Complete Uninstall" and "Restore Images" (Restore Images), the first option will completely clear the system of modifications, the second will only return the original boot images, but may leave some files.
Select "Complete Uninstall." The app will alert you that the device will be rebooted and all modules will be removed. Confirm the action. The phone will go into recovery mode or immediately start the cleaning process, followed by automatic reboot. Once turned on, the Root rights will be completely removed.
⚠️ Note: If the phone goes into an endless bootloop after deleting Magisk, this may mean a conflict of residual files.
What if Magisk is not removed?
It is important to note that this method only works if the system partition has not been damaged by other modifications. For devices with a locked bootloader, this method is the only safe option without data loss.
Removal of SuperSU and other rights managers
Older Xiaomi models, such as the Redmi Note 3 or Mi 5, often used the SuperSU manager. The removal principle is similar to Magisk, but has its own features. Open the SuperSU app, go to the Settings tab.
In the list of options, find Full Unroot. The system will request confirmation, warning that the device will be rebooted. Once confirmed, the process of deleting binary files and the application itself will begin. Unlike Magisk, SuperSU may not restore the original boot image automatically on some custom firmware.
If you have rights left after removing SuperSU (check this through apps like Root Checker), you will need to manually reset via Recovery, you will need to boot into TWRP mode or stock recavator and execute the Dalvik/ART cache clearing command.
- 📱 Open the SuperSU app and go to settings.
- 🗑️ Select the option “Full Deletion” and confirm the action.
- 🔄 Wait for the automatic reboot of the device.
- 🔍 Check for rights through Root Checker.
It is worth considering that modern versions of Android 11, 12 and higher practically do not support SuperSU, so this method is relevant mainly for devices running Android 9 Pie and below.
Full reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)
If simple methods didn’t help or you want to be guaranteed to remove all traces of interference, use a full reset.This method puts the phone back in the “out of the box” state, removing all user data, apps and system modifications.
Go to your Xiaomi settings menu. The path usually looks like: Settings → About Phone → Reset. In some versions of MIUI, this menu is located under Advanced Settings. Click on the "Erase All Data" button.
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Before performing Hard Reset, remove SIM-microSD card and memory card to avoid accidental formatting of external media or locking SIM-post-reset.
The system will ask you to enter the screen unlock password or Mi Account password, a security measure that prevents unauthorized users from deleting data, and after confirmation, a process that can take between 5 and 15 minutes will begin.
| Parameter | Description of action | Impact on data |
|---|---|---|
| Soft Reset | A normal reboot. | Data is retained |
| Wipe Cache | Cleaning up the cache in Recovery | Data is retained |
| Factory Reset | Reset via settings | All data is deleted |
| Fastboot Flash | Complete flashing. | All data is deleted |
Once the reset is complete, the phone will turn on as new. Root rights installed through system applications will be deleted as the system partition will return to its original state. However, if the bootloader has been modified, a simple reset may not be enough.
Recovery of stock firmware through Fastboot
The most radical and effective method is to flash the device in an original way through Fastboot mode, which guarantees 100% removal of any traces of Root, custom recapvery and modified partitions, USB-cable and downloaded firmware for your model.
You can download the firmware from the official website miui.com or proven resources. You need a file with the.tgz extension (for Windows), not.zip. Unpack the archive to the root of the C disk so that the path is short, for example. C:\xiaomi_rom.
Put the phone into Fastboot mode. For most Xiaomi models, this is done by turning off the phone and then pressing the Volume Down + Power button before the Fastboot logo appears (a hare in headphones or just a lettering).
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot rebootHowever, it is easier to use the official Xiaomi Flash Tool. Launch the program, connect the phone in Fastboot mode, select the downloaded and unpacked firmware file. In the lower right corner, be sure to select the “Clean all” or “Clean all and lock” mode.
⚠️ Warning: Selecting the Clean All and Lock mode will block the bootloader. If you try to unlock it again later, all data will be deleted. Make sure you need it.
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Using the “Clean All” mode in the Mi Flash Tool is the only way to guarantee the removal of Root, modified bootloader and custom recavers at the same time.
Press Flash and wait until the process is over. The phone automatically reboots. It can take up to 10 minutes to boot up the first one, and then you get a completely clean, factory-operated device.
Checking the result and solving problems
After you've done all the procedures, make sure that the Root rights are actually deleted. Install the Root Checker app from Google Play. Run the check. If you see a green screen with the message "Congratulations! Root access is not properly installed," then the task is done.
Also check bootloader status. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer menu. Then go to Advanced Settings → For Developers → Mi Unlock Status. It should say “Locked” if you’ve done a full lock-on flash.
- ✅ Run Root Checker to confirm no rights.
- 🏦 Check the work of banking applications.
- 🎬 Test the streaming services for availability HD-content.
- 🔒 Make sure the bootloader is locked (if that was the goal).
If the banking applications still do not work, it is possible that the device still has a custom recovery (TWRP), in which case you need to flash the Recovery stock section through Fastboot with the fastboot flash recovery recovery.img command, taking an image from the stock firmware.