Getting root rights on Xiaomi smartphones opens up access to advanced system settings, but at the same time increases security risks and can deprive the device of warranty. However, before using the capabilities of the superuser, it is important to make sure that the rights are actually activated — especially if the phone was bought by hands or flashed by third parties. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to check root rights on devices running MIUI and custom firmware, and also tell you how to interpret the results and what to do if the verification fails.
It’s worth noting that verification methods may vary depending on the MIUI version (e.g. MIUI 12/13/14 or HyperOS), firmware type (official, global, Chinese), and even smartphone model (Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5, Xiaomi 13 Ultra).We’ve taken these nuances into account and put together universal solutions that work on most of the brand’s devices. If you’re just planning to get root rights, at the end of the article there’s an FAQ with answers to the ramifications and alternatives.
1. Verification through the Root Checker app
The most reliable and easy way to do this is to use specialized tools: Root Checker (or its analogues like Root Verifier) scans the system for su binary files and superuser rights, and checks whether they work correctly, and you can download it from Google Play or manually (the.apk file) from the official developer website.
Instructions for verification:
- 📱 Install Root Checker and open the app.
- 🔍 Press the Verify Root button (or similar in your version).
- ✅ If you see a message, Congratulations! Root access is properly installed. If not, you will see a notification that you have no root.
- 🛠️ In some cases, the app may request confirmation in the SuperSU or Magisk dialog box – allow access.
Some modified firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can block Root Checker, in which case try alternative methods in the following sections.
2. Commands via ADB (for power users)
If you have access to USB debugging (ADB), you can check root rights using the command line, which is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader, even if the GUI does not display obvious signs of root.
Step-by-step:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and activate USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
- Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:
adb shell
suIf the cursor changes to # (instead of $) after the su command, the root rights are active. If the message Permission denied appears, there are no rights.
For a deeper check, you can perform:
id
whoamiIf you have a root, you will see uid=0(root) in the output of the first command.
Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Enable debugging over USB on your phone | Download ADB Tools (platform-tools) | Connect your phone with the original cable-->
3. Check through Terminal Emulator
If ADB seems complicated, you can use the terminal directly on your smartphone. To do this, install the Terminal Emulator app (such as Termux or Simple Terminal) from Google Play.
Enter at the terminal:
suSystem response:
- ✅ If the cursor has changed to #, the root is.
- ❌ If it came up $ or an error message - no rights.
- 🔄 If the terminal requested confirmation of SuperSU/Magisk — After permission, the rights will be activated.
A critical nuance: on some MIUI firmware (especially Chinese), the terminal may not display the # symbol even if there are root, in which case check the output of the id command - if there is uid=0, there are rights.
4. Search for superuser files manually
Root rights to Xiaomi are usually managed through su binary files or Magisk modules. These can be found in system folders using any file manager with access to the root directory (for example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
Where to look:
| File/Folder | Way | What does it mean? |
|---|---|---|
| su | /system/bin/su or /system/xbin/su | Classic root-right binary (obsolete method) |
| magisk | /data/adb/magisk or /sbin/magisk | Installed by Magisk (modern method) |
| superuser.apk | /system/priv-app/Superuser | Outdated root management application (such as SuperSU) |
| init.d | /system/etc/init.d | Autoload scripts (indirect sign of root) |
⚠️ Note: If you don’t find these files but are sure that root should be, it’s possible that the rights are hidden or non-standard ways are used (for example, in firmware based on Android 12).+). This will only be done through the terminal or ADB.
5. Indirect signs of root rights
Sometimes root rights can be identified by the behavior of a system without even going into the technical details.
- 🔧 Apps like Magisk Manager, SuperSU or KingRoot appear on the menu.
- ⚙️ Ability to edit system files (for example, /system/build.prop) via file manager.
- 🚫 Refusal of banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff) or Google Pay with the error "Device is not certified".
- 🔄 Availability of the item "For developers" →"Root access" in settings (rarely, but occurs on some firmware).
- 📱 Message of modified status in Settings → The phone. → Status. MIUI (For example, "Unlocked" or "Orange State").
💡 Useful tip: If banking applications have stopped working, but you don't find root rights - it may be that the device has a Magisk Hide (root masking module). To detect it, check the list of modules in Magisk Manager or follow the command:
ls /data/adb/modules