Obtaining superuser rights, or root access, on Xiaomi smartphones is a process that opens up almost limitless possibilities for the device owner to customize the system. The standard MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, despite its functionality, often limits user actions, blocking system files and prohibiting deep changes in the operation of the kernel. That is why many enthusiasts seek to unlock the bootloader and implement administrator rights to remove system debris that cannot be removed by conventional methods, or run specialized applications for process management.
However, it is worth understanding that the procedure for obtaining root rights is not just installing one program from the Play Market, as it was in the early days of Android 2.3. Google's modern security system and Xiaomi's own developments require a number of complex preparatory actions. You will have to interact with the command line, use specialized software on the PC and carefully check the compatibility of firmware versions. Any error at the stage of unlocking the bootloader can lead to a loss of warranty or, in the worst case, turn the smartphone into a "brick".
In this article, we will discuss all the steps of the process, from applying for unlock to installing the modern rights manager Magisk. We will look at the risks, necessary tools and step-by-step algorithm of actions that are relevant for most models of the brand. If you are ready for experimentation and want to squeeze the maximum out of your gadget, carefully study each paragraph of the instructions.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
Before you start directly interfering with the system, you need to do a thorough preparation. Without these requirements, further action will be impossible or lead to errors. The first step is to create a full backup of all important data, since the process of unlocking the bootloader completely clears the internal memory of the device.
You will need quality. USB-The cable, preferably original, which comes with a smartphone. Cheap charging cables often don't support data transmission or give an unstable connection, which is critical when partitioning. Also make sure that the battery is at least charged. 60-70%, So that the device does not turn off at the most inopportune moment.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
You need to install a minimum set of drivers and utilities on your computer, primarily ADB Drivers and Fastboot Drivers, which allow your PC to see your smartphone in debugging mode, and you will need the official Mi Unlock Tool to unlock the bootloader, without which you will not be able to implement modified recovers or obtain root rights, since the bootloader will block the launch of unsigned images.
Unlocking the bootloader (Unlock Bootloader)
Unlocking the bootloader is a fundamental step without which obtaining superuser rights on modern Xiaomi devices is impossible.The bootloader is a small program that runs in front of the operating system and checks the integrity of its components. By default, it allows only officially signed Xiaomi images to run, blocking any attempts at modification.
The process begins with the Mi Account being linked to the device, and to do this, the developer menu (which you need to activate by clicking on the build number seven times in the About Phone section) must include the "Factory Unlock" and "Debugging by Phone" items. USB". After that, an account is entered and the system sets a waiting timer, which is usually between 7 and 168 hours (7 days), during which Xiaomi servers check the device for theft and legality of ownership.
⚠️ Note: After unlocking the bootloader, some security features may stop working, in particular, banks’ applications may refuse to start, and Google Pay (Wallet) services may not pass system integrity checks.
When the timer expires, you need to put the smartphone in Fastboot mode (clamping the volume button when the device is turned off) and connect it to the PC. In the Mi Unlock Tool program, you will see the account status and the ability to unlock the device. Pressing the Unlock button will start a process that will take several minutes. At the end, the smartphone will reboot, and you will see the words "Unlocked" in the corner of the screen when you turn on.
What to do if the timer is not going?
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
Xiaomi’s standard Recovery menu has extremely limited functionality and does not allow installing third-party zip archives or patches. To install root rights, we will need TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) – an open-source custom recovery that gives full access to memory partitions.
Finding the right TWRP image is critical. For each smartphone model, and sometimes for different regions of the same model, the image may differ. You only need to download the file from proven resources, such as the official TWRP website or the 4PDA forum. Using an image from another model is guaranteed to cause a touchscreen in the Recovery or a complete failure of the device.
The installation process is carried out via Fastboot mode. After connecting the phone to the PC, open the command line in the folder with ADB tools and enter the command to firmware the image:
fastboot flash recovery twrp_image_name.imgAn important nuance: immediately after firmware can not boot into the normal Android system, otherwise the standard Xiaomi recavator will overwrite TWRP. You must immediately press the combination of buttons (usually "Loudness up" + "Power") to enter the installed recovery menu. If you accidentally booted into Android, the process of firmware image will have to repeat.
Magisk installation for obtaining Root rights
Magisk is now the de facto root access standard, and unlike the old (SuperSU) methods, Magisk works on a systemless basis, meaning it doesn't change the system partition directly, but rather it modifies the boot image, which hides root rights from applications and security services.
To start, you need to download the current version of Magisk in APK format and rename the file extension to.zip. This file must be uploaded to the internal memory of the smartphone. Then, when you are in the TWRP menu, select "Install", find the downloaded archive and confirm the installation by swipe. After the process, click "Reboot System".
Once the operating system is loaded, the Magisk icon will appear in the application menu. When you run the application, you'll see the installation status. If the version number is displayed in the "Magisk" bar, then the root rights have been successfully obtained. You can now use the terminal to enter commands on behalf of the superuser or install modules that extend the functionality of the system.
| Component | Function | Post-installation status |
|---|---|---|
| Bootloader | Loading the OS | Unlocked (Unlocked) |
| Recovery | Recovery | TWRP (Custom) |
| System Partition | System files | Unchanged (Systemless) |
| Magisk SU | Management of rights | Active. |
Set up root rights hiding and work with modules
Administrator privileges often conflict with the security requirements of banking applications and gaming services, which scan the system for modifications and block the operation. Magisk provides tools to bypass these checks, but they need to be configured correctly.
In Magisk settings, you need to activate "Zygisk" and "Enforce DenyList" and then you need to find all banking apps, Google Pay, anti-cheat games, and tick them in front of them, and this will tell Magisk to hide root rights for these processes.
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After setting up DenyList, be sure to completely close the banking application (unload it from RAM) and run it again so that the changes take effect.
In addition to concealment, Magisk allows you to install modules, small add-ons that change the behavior of the system, for example, you can install a module to improve sound, change fonts or even emulate GPS. However, installing modules requires caution: an incompatible module can cause a cyclic restart (bootloop).
⚠️ Warning: Do not install modules from unverified sources. One faulty script can damage the boot partition, and you will have to refashion the device through the computer in Emergency Download mode (EDL).
Possible problems and ways to solve them
The firmware modification process is rarely perfectly smooth for all users, and you can face all kinds of difficulties, from the PC’s failure to see the device to firmware errors. One of the common problems is hanging on the Mi logo after installing Magisk. In this case, you need to log back into TWRP and clean the Dalvik/ART Cache cache, as well as Wipe Data (if the data is no longer important).
If your computer stopped seeing your phone in Fastboot mode, the problem lies in the drivers. Try reinstalling them through Windows Device Manager by selecting a device with a yellow exclamation point and updating the driver manually, pointing the way to the folder with Xiaomi or ADB drivers.
Another common mistake is "Verification failed" when trying to boot, which means that the integrity of the boot image is broken. The solution is one: reflash the original boot.img corresponding to your current firmware version via Fastboot command:
fastboot flash boot boot.img💡
The golden rule of the modifier is that you always have the original boot.img image of your current firmware on hand, and that’s the only way to get back to working order quickly if the Magisk experiments didn’t go according to plan.