Users often face a situation where previously obtained superuser rights become a burden. This can be due to the inability to run banking applications, problems with the operation of Google Pay or simply wanting to return the warranty to Xiaomi. The process of removing root access requires care, since improper actions can lead to the inoperability of the smartphone. In this article, we will discuss all the methods, from simple settings in the application to complete flashing of the device through Fastboot.
There are several scenarios where you have to do a system cleanup procedure. Sometimes it's enough to just disable the modules in the rights manager, and other times it's going to require a full partition reset. It's important to understand that disabling the root doesn't always mean removing it completely, so we'll look at the nuances of each approach. A deep understanding of the Android structure on Redmi devices will help you avoid critical errors.
Before you start taking action, you need to assess the current state of your gadget. If the phone is stable, but only requires temporary concealment of rights, the methods will be the same. If the system is damaged or you plan to sell the device, a more radical approach will be required. Data security is the first thing at this point, so be sure to back up important information.
Analysis of the current state of Root rights
The first step is always to diagnose. You need to know exactly how the superuser rights were obtained. Most of today's Xiaomi smartphones use a bundle of unlocked bootloaders and Magisk utility. Less commonly, older methods like SuperSU that can conflict with newer versions of Android.
Go to the app menu and look for icons with names like Magisk, SuperSU or similar. If you can't find an app but you still suspect rights, check the developer's settings. Having USB Debugging in an active state often indicates that the user has manipulated the system. It's also worth paying attention to the behavior of the system: the presence of strange notifications or unknown processes may indicate hidden modifications.
How Root Rights Are Hidden
For a precise check, you can use specialized tools from Google Play. Apps like Root Checker will instantly tell you if you have active access to system files. If the check is positive, but you don't remember how it happened, it may have been installed along with custom firmware or Recovery.
- π± Check the list of installed applications for root access managers.
- βοΈ Go to Settings. β About the phone and repeatedly click on the kernel version to see the status of the bootloader.
- π Use the command line. ADB status-questioner SU, if visual inspection is not possible.
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Determining the exact type of root system installed is critical to choosing the right method to delete it without losing data.
Preparing the device for removal of modifications
The process of removing superuser rights carries the risk of data loss or βbrickingβ the device. Therefore, preparation is the foundation of a successful operation. First of all, you need to charge the battery of a POCO or Redmi smartphone to a minimum of 60-70%.
The next step is to create a full backup. Even if you plan to just disable the modules, there is always a human factor: save contacts, photos and documents to the Google Drive cloud service or to your computer. Pay special attention to two-factor authentication: make sure you have access to your phone number or backup codes, as after a reset, logging into some accounts may require confirmation.
βοΈ Checklist of smartphone preparation
You also need a stable Internet connection. In some cases, you may need to download original firmware images or additional components. Do not use public Wi-Fi networks with captcha authorization, as this can interrupt the process of downloading important files.
β οΈ Warning: Before starting any work, be sure to untie your Mi Account account in your phone settings. If you do not, after resetting or flashing, the device can request a password from the previous owner by blocking access to the system (Mi Cloud Lock).
Complete removal method through Magisk application
The most common and civilized way to remove rights is to use the functionality of the Magisk manager itself, which allows you to completely remove root access by restoring the original boot image, which is preferable because it is clean and does not require a connection to a computer.
Open the Magisk app on your smartphone. On the home screen, you'll see a button that says "Uninstall" and click on it, and you'll get two options: "Complete Uninstall" and "Restore Images." To return to full factory status, you'll need to select the first option.
The removal process:
1. Open Magisk
2.Push Uninstall
3. Select Complete Uninstall
4. Confirm action
5. Wait for automatic rebootOnce confirmed, the cleaning process will begin. The phone will automatically restart, and this process may take longer than usual. Don't panic if the screen goes out and lights up several times. At this point, Magisk replaces the modified boot partition with the original one that was saved when the first installation was installed. If the process is successful, the Magisk application will disappear from the list of programs, and the superuser rights will be completely removed.
- ποΈ Select the option of complete removal for guaranteed result.
- π Do not interrupt the reboot process, even if it seems long.
- β After activation, check for rights through Root Checker.
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If the interface stops loading (cyclic reboot) after Magisk is removed, try booting into Safe Mode. To do this, press the volume button when you turn on, this will remove the conflicting modules.
Removing SuperSU and Old Rooting Methods
If your Xiaomi device has an outdated SuperSU utility installed, the procedure will be different. This method is often found on Android 6.0 and 7.0 devices. Owners of such gadgets are more fortunate: the developers provided a regular feature of full removal of rights right in the application settings.
Launch the SuperSU app and go to the Settings tab. Scroll down to the Cleanup section, and you'll find Full Unroot, where you'll be alerted to the device that will be restarted to delete binary files and restore stock launch files, a safe method that returns the phone to a "out of the box" state in terms of software modifications.
This is even more complicated if the application has been removed but the rights are still there, or if third-party scripts have been used, and if you do not want to delete files, you will need to access the file system through Recovery or use it. ADB However, for most older Redmi users, it is easy to reinstall the SuperSU app from the rest of the system. APK-file to activate the deletion function.
β οΈ Note: The method of complete removal through the SuperSU settings does not work if the recovery partition has been modified or if the phone has been re-flashed with custom recovery (TWRP) No runoff returns, and then you can only flash it back.
After the procedure, the phone will restart. Make sure the SuperSU app is gone. If it remains but the rights don't work, try to manually delete the app through Android settings. Sometimes the file residues can conflict, so a full cache cleanup via Recovery (Wipe Cache/Dalvik) after such operation will not be unnecessary.
Recovery of stock firmware through Fastboot
The most radical, but also the most reliable way to turn off the root on Xiaomi is to completely reflash the device with the official stock firmware, which is necessary if the standard removal did not help, if the phone goes into a cyclic restart (bootloop) or if you want to guarantee that you will hide the fact of modifying the system for sale.
For this method, you will need a computer with Windows, the original USB-First you need to download the official firmware for your model (important: it is Fastboot firmware, it has the extension.tgz, not.zip). The file must be unpacked into the root of the C disk so that the path to the folder does not contain Cyrillic or spaces.
| Parameter | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Loading mode | Fastboot (down volume button + power) | Critically. |
| Type of firmware | Fastboot (.tgz), not Recovery (.zip) | Tall. |
| Drivers. | Qualcomm or Xiaomi USB Drivers | I'll be sure. |
| Data retention | Clean All Mode Deletes All Data | Attention. |
Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press the "Refresh" button and make sure the program sees your device in Fastboot mode. Choose the path to the unpacked firmware. In the lower right corner, make sure to select "Clean all" mode. This action will completely wipe the userdata and cache sections, removing all traces of root rights, custom recaps and modifications. Press "Flash" and wait for the process to end.
Once the firmware is complete, the phone will automatically restart. The first run can last up to 10 minutes. You'll get a completely clean system, like when you buy in-store. All superuser rights, custom cores and modifications will be permanently removed. This is the only way to guarantee that the bootloader will be closed (if you choose Clean all + Lock mode), although on global versions the bootloader often remains open even after the firmware is installed.
Solving problems with banking applications after removal
Even after successfully removing root rights, some applications, especially banking and payment systems, may still fail, because they find traces of modification in the system or cache, such as Google Pay, which can write about security bugs, and Sberbank Online, which refuses to start.
The first thing to do is clear the data and cache of the problem app. Go to Settings β Apps β All apps, find the right one (like Google Pay) and select Clear Data and Clear Cache. Itβs also worth checking for updates to the app itself and Google Play services. Sometimes it helps to delete and re-install the banking app.
If the problem persists, there may be an unlocked bootloader on the phone, which is what many banking apps check for. Unfortunately, on Xiaomiβs global versions, itβs almost impossible to officially lock the bootloader back without changing the firmware region to Chinese and using special keys, leaving it to use workarounds like cloning the app into hidden space.
- π² Clear the cache and data of the Google Play Services app.
- π Check the status of the bootloader with the command fastboot oem device-info.
- π Remove and reinstall a broken banking application.
β οΈ Note: If you used Magisk Hide or Zygisk to hide the root, simply removing it may not be enough.Make sure there are no records in the hosts file blocking the banks' security servers, and that there are no magiskboot or su files left in the directories. /system/bin or /system/xbin.