How to get Root rights to Xiaomi Mi 5s: a detailed guide

Owners of the flagship smartphone Xiaomi Mi 5s often face the limitations of the standard shell MIUI, which blocks access to system files and prohibits the removal of embedded software. Obtaining Root rights opens up limitless possibilities for customization of the interface, installing specialized modules and deep optimization of the Snapdragon 821 processor. This is not just a way to remove unnecessary applications, but also the ability to extend the life of a new device.

The procedure requires care, because it involves interfering with boot memory, and any error in the firmware of the backpack or kernel can lead to data loss or software failure, but with a clear algorithm of actions, you can safely activate administrator rights and install a modern Magisk manager that hides the fact of the modification of the system from banking applications.

Preparation of the device and necessary tools

Before you start any manipulations, you need to make sure that your device is fully ready for the procedure. 5s with a charged battery (at least 60%) and original USB-A cable that can transmit data, not just charge the battery, and using cheap cables often causes a connection to break at a critical moment, which can be fatal for the loader.

On a Windows computer, you need to install the current ADB and Fastboot drivers. Without them, the computer will not see the smartphone in debugging mode. It is also worth downloading an archive with a TWRP recovery image specially adapted under the code name capricorn (as in the technical documentation it is Mi 5s). The wrong version of the recovery may not start or damage the disk markup.

An important step is to create a full backup of all important data. The process of unlocking the bootloader, which is a mandatory first step, will completely clear the internal memory of the device. Save contacts, photos and documents to the cloud or to an external medium so that they do not lose them irretrievably.

⚠️ Attention! Unlocking the bootloader officially erases all data from the device.

You'll also need a Mi Account and a linked phone number to work with, and you won't be able to unlock the bootloader officially without authorization in the Mi Account system, and check that the developer's settings activate Factory Unlock and the anchor status is displayed correctly.

Unlock the bootloader with the Mi Unlock Tool

The first and most important step is to unlock the bootloader. The standard MIUI firmware has protection that prevents changes to the system partition. The official Mi Unlock Tool is used to bypass this protection, which you need to download from the developer's website.

Turn on the smartphone mode debugging USB. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the build number MIUI seven times. After you appear, "You became a developer", go to the advanced settings and activate the switch "Debug by USB". You also need to turn on the option "Factory unlock".

Turn your phone into Fastboot mode. Turn off the device and press the power and volume buttons at the same time. The android repair fox or FASTBOOT will appear on the screen. Connect your smartphone to your PC and launch the Mi Unlock Tool. If done correctly, the program will determine the device and show the lock status.

Press the Unblock button. The system will alert you to the risks again. If the account is recently attached, you may need to wait 7 to 360 hours (3 to 15 days) This is a Xiaomi security measure that you can’t bypass software — you just have to wait for the timer to expire, periodically checking the status in the application.

Installation of custom TWRP Recovery

Once successfully unlocked, the standard recovery menu is replaced with custom. For the Xiaomi Mi 5s, the gold standard is TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), which allows you to install modified firmware, make full partition backups and, of course, install superuser rights.

Download the current.img image file for the capricorn model. Put it in the ADB tool folder on your computer. Open the command line in this folder and enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

If a device with device status appears on the list, you can move on to the next stage.

Put your smartphone in Fastboot mode (press Power + Vol-).

fastboot boot twrp-capricorn.img

This command will temporarily load the recavities without installing them, and it's a safe way to test the file's health, and if you have a touch-controlled TWRP menu on your smartphone, it's a good fit and not corrupted.

Inside TWRP, go to Install. Press the "Install Image" button at the bottom of the screen, select the downloaded.img file and specify the Recovery section. Once you confirm the installation with a swipe, the recoveries will be written to memory. Now, with each reboot, you will have access to an expanded menu.

Getting Root rights through Magisk Manager

The current standard for obtaining administrator rights is Magisk. Unlike the old methods (SuperSU), Magisk works systemlessly, which allows you to hide the presence of root rights from applications with SafetyNet protection, such as Google Pay or bank clients.

Download the latest version of Magisk installer in.apk format and rename the file extension to.zip. Upload this file to the phone's internal memory. Go to the previously installed TWRP recovery. If the system requests a password or pattern and you don't remember it, you may have to reset because the data partition is encrypted.

From the TWRP menu, select "Install," find the magisk.zip file, and confirm the swipe installation. The process will take a few seconds. Once complete, click "Reboot System." When you first download Android will cache the applications, it may take longer than usual.

Once you boot, look for the Magisk icon in the application menu. Open it. If the version (like 23.0 or later) is displayed in the top row and the "Magisk" is "Installed," then root access is successful. Now you can manage the rights for each application separately.

⚠️ Attention! Do not delete the Magisk app after installation. It is necessary for access control and hiding the root from other programs.

License Check and Basic Setup

To make sure the procedure is successful, download the Root Checker utility from Play Market. Run the test. If you see a green screen with a congratulations, it sees the rights of the superuser. In addition, Magisk itself must request confirmation of the rights for the applications when it launches.

For comfortable use, you should configure Magisk. Go to the app settings (cogs) and activate the "Zygisk" (if used) and "DenyList" (failure list).

You can now use the following options that were not available before:

• 🚀 Installation of modules for changing fonts, animations and system libraries.
• 🔋 Deeply adjusting energy saving through removal of system services.
• 🛡️ Full control of the file system with partition access /data.
• 📱 Use of specialized backups like Titanium Backup.

But remember, with more rights comes greater risks. Deleting critical system files can lead to a bootloop. TWRP before installing any mods or modules.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

Unforeseen situations can occur during the Xiaomi Mi 5s modification process. One of the common problems is the loss of the sensor after TWRP firmware. This is due to the fact that the stock loader cannot work correctly with the custom recovery on some versions of Android. The solution is to firmware a compatible kernel or use a special version of TWRP marked as "Sensor Fix".

Another common error is "Error 1" or "Status 7" when installing Magisk in TWRP. This means that the Android version or type of processor architecture doesn't match the file you're using. Make sure you're downloading files specifically for capricorn (Mi 5s) and not for gemini (Mi 5s) or scorpio (Mi 5s Plus), as they have different hardware platforms.

If the phone is no longer on and does not respond to buttons, try going into EDL (Emergency Download Mode). For the Xiaomi Mi 5s, this often requires disassembling the case and closing contacts on the board, or using a special ADB command if the bootloader is still available. In EDL mode, the device can be restored through the Mi Flash Tool utility by returning the stock firmware.

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Keep the serial number and IMEI of the device in a safe place. In case of serious failures, sometimes you need to flash these identifiers, and without their knowledge, it will be extremely difficult to restore normal network operation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Getting Root rights to the Xiaomi Mi 5s is a powerful tool for extending the life of a smartphone, but it requires responsibility.Always have stock firmware on hand to roll back changes in case of critical errors.