In 2021, the Xiaomi ecosystem reached new heights, but the standard shell MIUI still limits the capabilities of advanced users. Getting root rights remains the only way to fully unleash the potential of your smartphone, whether it is the Redmi Note 10 or the flagship Mi 11.
Current methods of obtaining administrator rights are radically different from those used five years ago: old utilities like KingRoot or OneClickRoot no longer work on new versions of Android and may contain malicious code. The only current and safe method in 2021 is to use the Magisk utility for a boot image patch.
You're going through a couple of steps: unlocking the bootloader, installing drivers, and modifying the system partition, and it's a very careful process, but it's worth it, and you'll have full control of the device, the ability to do full backups through TWRP, and install modules that change the way the kernel works.
Preparation of the device and unlocking the loader
Before you start modifying the system, you need to do basic training. Without an unlocked bootloader, you can not make changes to the system partition. Xiaomi specifically implements this protection, so the first step is official unlocking through the Mi Unlock service.
You will need to create or use an existing Mi Account and link it to your device. In your smartphone settings, go to the About Phone menu and click on the MIUI build number several times to activate the developer mode. Then, in advanced settings, enable Debugging over USB and Allow Unlock.
⚠️ Attention: The bootloader unlock procedure will result in the complete removal of all data from the internal drive. Be sure to back up important photos, contacts and documents before starting the process.
Once an account is tied, the company often sets a wait time of 168 hours (7 days) or even 360 hours for new devices in 2021, and trying to unlock ahead of time will lead to an error.
☑️ Checklist of preparations for unlocking
To unlock yourself, download the official Mi Unlock Tool to your Windows computer. Launch the program, log in to your account and put your smartphone into Fastboot mode, clamping down volume and power buttons at the same time. Connect the cable and press Unlock button.
Necessary software and drivers for PC
The success of the operation depends on 90% of the correct preparation of the workplace. You will need a computer running Windows, as most tools for Xiaomi are optimized for this platform. macOS and Linux require additional dances with a drum and do not guarantee stability.
It is critical to install the right ADB and Fastboot drivers. Without them, your computer will not see your smartphone in the right mode. You will also need to download the firmware image that matches the version installed on your phone right now. Using firmware from another version of MIUI can lead to a bootloop (cyclical reboot).
- 📦 Mi Flash Tool – official firmware utility, may be needed to return to the stock.
- 🔧 Platform-tools (ADB/Fastboot) — A basic set of tools from Google to interact with Android.
- 🛡️ Magisk Manager (apk) is the main tool for root rights and module management.
- 💻 USB-cable – use only original or quality cable with data transmission support.
Download the full version of the firmware (Recovery ROM) for your model from the official website or proven resources like xiaomiui.net. The file should have the extension.zip. Inside the archive, we will be interested in the file payload.bin or the finished image boot.img, if it is available in unpacked form.
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Use it. USB-ports on the back of the system unit (direct to the motherboard), as the ports of the front panel or USB-Hubs often cause connection errors when firmware.
Removing and patching the Boot image
The most critical step is to create a modified boot image, so we need to take the original boot.img from the firmware and apply a patch to it through the Magisk app, and that adds the necessary superuser rights without compromising the integrity of the rest of the system.
If you downloaded the firmware archive in.zip format, you need to extract the boot.img file from it. In newer versions of MIUI, this file can be packaged inside payload.bin. You can use the Payload Dumper utility on your PC to extract it, or find a ready-made boot.img on 4PDA or XDA forums specifically for your firmware version.
Tap boot.img to your smartphone. Install the downloaded Magisk Manager (.apk file) and launch it. In the main menu, click Set next to Magisk. In the window that appears, select the Select and Pattom file method and select the previously saved boot.img.
The patching process will take a few seconds, and when it's done, a new file will appear in the Download folder, like, a name. magisk_patched_[random].Copy this file back to your computer in a tool pack ADB. This is the file we're going to upload to the phone.
What if Magisk doesn't see boot.img?
Firmware of modified image via Fastboot
Now you have to replace the standard bootloader with a modified one, and you have to put the phone into Fastboot mode, turn the phone off completely, then press the volume button, and then hold it, plug it in. USB-The screen will show a picture of a hare in a hat-eared, repairing an android.
Open the command prompt (cmd) or PowerShell in the folder where the tools lie ADB yours magisk_patched.img. Make sure the computer sees the device by entering a command:
fastboot devicesIf you get a serial number, you're connected, and then you're going to type in a command to firmware the image, and you're going to notice that the boot section is being stitched in.
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched_[random].imgAfter the process is successfully completed (the Finished will appear with runtime), enter the command to reboot:
fastboot rebootThe first download can take longer than usual, from 1 to 3 minutes. Don't panic if the screen is lit for a long time by the Mi or Redmi logo.
License check and installation of modules
Once you boot, look for the Magisk icon in the app menu, and if it appears, it's a success. Go to the app, where the version number should show up, and next to it, you should see a green tick or "Installed."
Now you can check for root rights with third-party utilities like Root Checker, but Magisk itself is the best indicator. Magisk's settings recommend turning on Zygisk (in newer versions) or MagiskHide to hide the rights from banking apps and games.
| Function | Description | Status in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Superuser | Granting rights to applications | It's working. |
| MagiskHide | Hiding the Root from Banks | Requires customization |
| Modules | Installation of system modules | It's actively developing. |
| DenyList | List of exceptions for Zygisk | Basic protection |
Possible problems and methods of solving them
Xiaomi devices have their own characteristics, and errors can occur at different stages, and users often experience problems when they are firmware or after the first download.
⚠️ Warning: If your phone goes into an endless bootloop after you have firmware, don’t hold the power button for hours. press the volume button up (or down, depending on the model) and plug in the cable to go into Recovery or Fastboot mode to flash the stock image.
One of the common problems is a broken fingerprint or camera malfunction, which happens if boot.img doesn't match the version of the rest of the system, so you need to find the exact copy of the firmware that was there before the modification, and reflash the clean boot.img, resetting the root rights.
Also worth mentioning is the Widevine L1 issue. Once the bootloader is unlocked, the DRM level often drops to L3, which causes Netflix and other services to stop showing HD-quality content. Unfortunately, on modern Snapdragon and MediaTek processors, this is a hardware limitation, and it is almost impossible to return the L1 by unlocking the bootloader.
- 📱 Network is not working – check if you have flashed an image from another regional version (Global instead of the image). CN).
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The most common mistake is the use of boot.img from OTA-Update instead of full firmware. Always use the full Recovery image ROM extract boot.img.
Safety and Return to Factory Settings
Having root rights reduces overall device security as applications gain access to secure memory areas. Be careful what programs you grant superuser rights. Update Magisk to the latest version regularly to close vulnerabilities.
If you decide to give up root rights, the return process is simple. Open Magisk, click Remove Magisk and select Complete Delete. The phone will reboot and the root rights will disappear. However, the bootloader will remain unlocked unless you lock it back through Mi Unlock (which is recommended only on stock firmware).
To return to the full state of "out of the box" use Recovery mode (volume button up + power when the phone is turned off). Select Wipe Data, and then, if it does not help, reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode.