How to get root rights to Xiaomi with Android 10: a complete guide to unlock the bootloader

Getting root rights on Xiaomi smartphones with Android 10 (MIUI 11/12) is a more difficult task than on older versions of the OS. The company is actively tightening security policies, blocking vulnerabilities that previously allowed to bypass the protection of the bootloader.

In this article, we will discuss the legal way to unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool, install custom recovery (TWRP), and Magisk firmware for root. We will pay special attention to typical errors, such as blocking the Mi Account or “soft-brick” after a failed firmware. If your Xiaomi runs Android 10, but the version of MIUI is newer than 12.5, some of the steps may not work (more on this below).

⚠️ Warning: The process of unlocking the bootloader resets the device to factory settings. All data (photos, messages, apps) will be permanently deleted. Create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset or third-party tools like Swift Backup (requires root).

Preparation of the device: compatibility and permissions check

Before you start unlocking, make sure your Xiaomi model supports official bootloader unlocking.The list of compatible devices is regularly updated, but in 2026 most Android 10 smartphones (released before 2021) have the process available. Exceptions are devices for the Chinese market (China ROM), where unlocking is often blocked at the firmware level.

Check out the MIUI version and regional firmware:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the lines MIUI version and Region (should be Global, EEA or Russia).
3. If MIUI is newer than 12.5.4, you may need to roll back to an older firmware via Fastboot.

Also mandatory:

• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 60% (better to 100%).
• 🔑 Link your Mi Account to your device (unblocking is impossible without it).
• 📱 Turn on Debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers.
• 🖥️ Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on PC (needed for fastboot and adb).

2 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

The official Mi Unlock Tool is the only legal way to unlock a bootloader on Xiaomi, which requires confirmation through Mi Account and can take up to 72 hours (if the account is new).

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website (version must be no older than 2023).

2. Launch the tool on behalf of the administrator and log in under the same account that is linked to the phone.

3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode:

- Turn off the device.

- Press Volume Down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.

4. Press "Unlock" in the program. If you see the message "Couldn't unlock. Wait for 72 hours," you'll have to wait.

⚠️ Note: If you unlock an error "Current account is not bound to this device", then the Mi Account account is not tied to the phone:

Link Mi Account to your device|Download Mi Unlock Tool (Last version)|Install Android SDK Platform-Tools|Enable debugging on USB and OEM-unlock|Charge the phone to 100%-->

Installation of TWRP Recovery (Castom Recovery)

Once the bootloader is unlocked, you need to flash TWRP, an alternative recovery that will allow you to install modified firmware and get root. For Android 10, it is important to use specialized TWRP builds, since universal versions may not support data encryption (FBE).

Instructions:

1. Download the correct version TWRP for your model from twrp.me or thematic forums (for example, XDA For the Redmi Note 8 Pro, it's gonna be a file. twrp-3.7.0_begonia.img, for Mi 9T — twrp-3.6.2_davinci.img.

2. Rename the file to recovery.img and place it in the folder with the platform-tools.

3. Squeeze TWRP via fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img


fastboot boot recovery.img

4. Don't exit TWRP after download! immediately go to Magisk firmware (step 4), or stock recovery will overwrite TWRP.

⚠️ Critical error: If after the firmware TWRP The phone is loaded into stock recovery or issuing "OrangeFox/TWRP Not installed, that means:

You used the wrong version of TWRP (check FBE support).

The bootloader has not been fully unlocked (repeat step 2).

The device has anti-Rollback protection (relevant to the Mi 9/10).

4. Magisk firmware for root rights

Magisk is a versatile root tool that bypasses SafetyNet checks and allows you to use banking applications. For Android 10, Xiaomi recommends Magisk v25.2 or later.

Step-by-step installation:

1. Download the latest version of Magisk from GitHub (Magisk-v26.4.zip file).

2. Move it. ZIP-File on the phone (can be done via adb push) Magisk-v26.4.zip /sdcard/).

3.At TWRP:

- Click Install → select Magisk-v26.4.zip.

- Swipe for confirmation.

After installation, press Reboot System.

4. Check root:

Install Magisk Manager (download APK from GitHub).

Open the app and make sure that the status of Root: Yes.

⚠️ Warning: If after the reboot the phone is stuck on the logo MI, signifier:

You stitched Magisk over the stock boot.img without patching (you had to first remove boot.img from the firmware and patch it through Magisk Manager).

- The device has a DM-Verity check (solution - flashwire) disable_dm-verity_forceencrypt.zip after Magisk).

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If banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) refuse to work, turn on Magisk option and add applications to the hide list. Also check the passage of SafetyNet through the SafetyNet Test application (must be ctsProfile: true).

5. Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the correct following of the instructions, users often encounter problems, and below is a table of the most common errors and how to fix them:

If your device is hit by a bootloop (cyclic reboot), try:

• 🔄 Load in TWRP sniff disable_dm-verity_forceencrypt.zip.
• 📱 Swipe stock firmware through Mi Flash (select the clean all and lock option if you want to return the warranty).
• 🔧 Use OrangeFox Recovery instead of using it TWRP (better FBE new-device).

6. Alternative methods (if the official method does not work)

Some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi 10 or POCO X3 with Android 10) may have official unlock blocked, with workarounds that involve risks:

Method 1: Exploit through ADB (for old firmware)

• It runs on MIUI to 12.0.3.
• Requires enabled USB debugging and superuser rights via a temporary exploit (e.g., DirtyCOW).
• Instructions: XDA Developers.

Method 2: Firmware through EDL (Emergency mode)

• Suitable for devices with a locked bootloader, but requires an authorized Xiaomi account for EDL.
• It is used for Mi Flash Pro or QFil.
• Risk: If you do the wrong thing, your phone can turn into a hard-brick.

⚠️ Warning: Use of informal methods (e.g. through EDL) It may lead to a blockage. IMEI Xiaomi is actively fighting against such methods, so check the relevance of information on forums before using it.

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If your Xiaomi model is released after 2021, it is likely that unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool will not be possible without waiting 7-30 days, in which case the only legal option is to contact the service center for official unlocking (paid).

7.What to do after getting root?

Now that you have root rights, you can customize the device completely. Here are some useful things to do:

1. Optimization of productivity

• 🚀 Uninstall unwanted system applications via Titanium Backup or adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 packet.
• ⚡ Install the kernel with support CPU Undervolting (e.g. FrancoKernel for Snapdragon).
• 🎮 Activate Force. GPU Rendering in the developer settings to speed up animation.

2. Backup and restoration

• 💾 Use Swift Backup to Create App Backups + Data (requires root).
• 📱 Create a complete image of the system through TWRP (Backup → System Image).

3. Additional modules for Magisk

• 🔊 ViPER4Android — sound-improvement.
• 📶 Network Signal Guru – Manual Network Configuration 4G/5G.
• 🔒 App Systemizer – Transfer applications to /system save space.

⚠️ Note: After rooting, some functions may stop working:

Google Pay and other payment systems (solved through MagiskHide).

- Encryption of the device (if used) disable_forceencrypt).

Automatic MIUI updates (you need to download firmware manually).

FAQ: Frequent questions about root on Xiaomi with Android 10