Rooting Xiaomi Phone: From Unlocking bootloader to Installing Magisk

Rooting a Xiaomi smartphone opens up hidden Android features, but turns the process into a mini-operation on the insides of the device. Without proper preparation, you risk getting a brick instead of a phone — especially if you’re talking about new models like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or Xiaomi 14 Ultra, where the manufacturer has tightened protection. This article will not just list the steps, but explain why each of them matters, what pitfalls are waiting on the way and how to get around them.

We will discuss two key steps: unlocking the bootloader (without it, it is impossible to root) and installing the superuser rights through Magisk. We will pay special attention to choosing the firmware - even experienced users make mistakes when downloading the wrong version for their model. And you will learn how to check whether you lose your warranty after rooting (spoiler: 90% of the time yes).

If you've never worked with ADB or Fastboot, don't worry: the manual is tailored for beginners, with explanations for each term. But remember: even following all the points doesn't guarantee 100% success - much depends on the specific model, version of MIUI and even the region of the phone purchase.

What Xiaomi Rooting Provides and Why It Is Needed

Root rights to Xiaomi are like a key to the server room: you get control of the system files that are usually hidden.

• 🔧 Remove embedded applications (bloat): even those programs that are not normally removed through the Apps menu, such as miui.analytics or com.xiaomi.midrop.
• ⚡ Optimizing performance: you can turn off unnecessary services MIUI, Eat the battery, or reassign buttons (for example, double tap the screen to call the camera).
• 📱 Install custom firmware: from LineageOS to Pixel Experience, which offer “clean” Android without shell MIUI.
• 🔒 Bypassing restrictions: for example, changing build.prop to trick applications that check the device model (relevant for banking applications or games).

But there is a downside: with root rights, you lose the ability to use Google Pay, banking applications with protection (Sberbank, Tinkoff), as well as some games like Pokémon GO or Genshin Impact will block entry. In addition, on models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and later rooting can lead to hardware locking of the NFC module – this is incorrigible without replacing the motherboard.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi phones purchased in China (C-suffix versions in the model, such as Redmi) K70E C), rooting automatically voids warranty and can block access to Chinese services like Mi Pay or Xiaomi Cloud.

Preparation of the phone: unlocking the loader

Without a bootloader, rooting is impossible. Xiaomi made it harder in 2023, and new models now require:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device (required to confirm your phone number!).
2. Wait 7 days after tethering – this rule applies to all phones on MIUI 14 and later.
3. Get permission through the official Mi Unlock app (download link only from en.miui.com/unlock).

Important: Mi Unlock often gives you a “Couldn’t unlock” error on Windows 11. The solution is to run it in Windows 10 compatibility mode or use a virtual machine. Also check that the phone’s settings have USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → USB debugging).

Create a backup copy of data (photos, contacts, SMS)

Charge your phone at least 60%

Install Xiaomi drivers for Fastboot (download from the official website)

Disable the antivirus (it can block Mi Unlock)

Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable (not USB-Type-C from charging)

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If after waiting 7 days Mi Unlock still refuses to unlock the bootloader, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone to Fastboot mode manually: Turn off the device, then press Volume down + 10 seconds power.
• 📱 Use a different Mi Account (sometimes helps you create a new one).
• 🖥️ Run Mi Unlock on behalf of the administrator.

Redmi Note 12/13 Series

Xiaomi 13/14 Series

POCO F5/X5

Redmi K60/K70

Another model

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Selection of firmware: official vs custom

Once you unlock the bootloader, you have to decide which firmware you're going to use.

For most users, the best option is the official firmware with the Magisk patch. It retains all the features of MIUI (including themes and gestures), but adds root access.

• 🌍 For global versions: https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index
• 🇨🇳 For the Chinese versions: https://new.c.mi.com/cn/miuidownload/index

Never use firmware from third-party sites like 4PDA or XDA, If you're not sure if they're authentic, they're the main source of viruses and bricks. MD5-hash of the file (instruction below).

Installation Magisk: step-by-step instructions

Now, to the rooting itself, you're going to need to:

• 📱 Phone with unlocked bootloader and enabled debugging USB.
• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Fastboot (you can download from Google Platform Tools).
• 📁 The latest version of Magisk (download only from the https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/releases).
• 🔧 Firmware for your model (see previous section).

Steps:

1. Copy the firmware file (.zip) and Magisk APK into your phone’s memory.
2. Install Magisk APK as a regular application (allow installation from unknown sources).
3. Open Magisk, press "Install» → «Select and Patch a File," select firmware file. Wait for the patch file to be created (magisk_patched.img).
4. Copy the patched file back to your computer.
5. Restart your phone to Fastboot mode (see above) and connect to your PC.
6. Open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools and execute: fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img fastboot reboot

After the reboot, check for root rights through the Magisk app or the command in the terminal:

su

If a request for superuser rights appears, the rooting was successful.

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If the phone is stuck with the MIUI logo after installing Magisk, try reflashing the original boot.img without a patch, and then repeat the process with another version of Magisk (for example, instead of stable, use canary).

Solving Typical Problems After Rooting

Even if it went smoothly, you might be surprised.

• 🚫 Google is not working. Pay/SberPay: Install MagiskHide Props Config and change the device’s fingerprint to a supported one (e.g. Google Pixel). 6).
• 📵 No network after firmware: Check that the firmware is suitable for your region. MIUI on a global phone – run modem and vendor from the global version.
• 🔋 Battery goes down fast: Turn off Magisk for apps like Mi Video or Mi Browser – they can constantly request root access.
• 🎮 Games fly out: Enable MagiskHide in Magisk Settings and add the game to the list of hidden apps.

If your fingerprint or face stop working after rooting, it means that the /data/system folder has been damaged, the solution is to reset the settings via TWRP (without losing data) or reflash the phone again.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with Dynamic RAM Expansion (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) rooting can lead to permanent reboots. Before the procedure, turn off this function in the settings: → Additionally. → Expansion of RAM.

How to hide root from apps (MagiskHide)

Many apps (banks, games, streaming services) block root-enabled devices, and Magisk has a MagiskHide feature (called Zygisk + DenyList in newer versions) to trick them.

1. Open Magisk, go to Settings and turn on Zygisk.
2. Return to the home screen and click DenyList (formerly MagiskHide).
3. Add to the list of applications that need to hide root (for example, Sberbank Online, Netflix).
4. Reboot the phone.

For banking applications, additional configuration may be needed:

• Install Universal SafetyNet Fix via Magisk → Modules.
• Check the SafetyNet status in the YASNAC application (must be ctsProfile: true).

If the app is still Detects root, try:

• 🔄 Rename Magisk via the Settings menu → Hide the Magisk app (for example, in Manager).
• 📱 Remove all Magisk modules and leave only SafetyNet Fix.
• 🔧 Manually change the property ro.build.tags through MagiskHide Props Config.

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Even with MagiskHide, some applications (such as Tinkoff or VTB Online) can block the login, in which case the only way out is to temporarily delete Magisk via Full Uninstall in the application settings.

How to get everything back: root removal and bootloader lock

If you decide to sell your phone or take it to a service, you need to remove the root rights.

1. Open Magisk, go to Settings and select Full Uninstall.
2. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
3. Fastboot command: fastboot flash all name firmware.zip
4. To block the bootloader back, use the command: fastboot oem lock Attention: this will erase all data on the phone!

Once the bootloader is locked, the phone will return to factory status and the service center will not be able to determine that it has been rooted, however, if you installed custom recovery (TWRP), it also needs to be removed, otherwise the next MIUI update may get the phone looped.

Check the lock status with the command:

fastboot oem device-info

The conclusion should be Device unlocked: false.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi rooting