How to completely remove root access on Xiaomi Android smartphones: 3 proven ways

Root rights on Xiaomi give users full control of the system, but often cause problems, from denial of warranty service to unstable firmware. If you decide to return the smartphone to a factory state - for example, to sell, update MIUI or fix errors - it is important to remove root access correctly to avoid soft breezes or lock the bootloader. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including the official Mi Unlock Tool, rollback through Magisk and radical method with a full reset.

The root removal process depends on how you got it: through the bootloader unlock and the TWRP firmware, or with tools like KingRoot. Some methods take 5 minutes, others require flashing and can erase all data. We'll detail each option, specify the risks and give checklists to prepare. And if you're in doubt whether you need this procedure, at the end of the article there's an FAQ with answers to frequent questions.

โš ๏ธ Critical Warning: Root removal on Xiaomi Redmi, POCO or Mi with a locked bootloader may make it impossible to turn on the device.Always check the bootloader status through the fastboot oem device-info command before you start manipulating the device.

1.Preparation: What to do before root removal

Before you start turning down root, follow a few mandatory steps that will prevent data loss and help restore the smartphone if something goes wrong.

First, back up all the important data. Removing root may require factory resetting, which erases:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Contacts (unless synced with Google or Mi Account)
  • ๐Ÿ“ท Photos and videos in internal memory
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Game saving (if not linked to an account)
  • ๐Ÿ“ Notes and documents in applications such as Mi Notes

For backup, use the built-in Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ Backup or third-party utilities like Swift Backup (requires root). If you have TWRP installed, make a full /data partition backup via recovery.

Second, check the status of the bootloader. With the Unlocked bootloader, it is easier to remove the root than on the blocked one.

  1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
  2. Connect the device to the PC and execute the command: fastboot oem device-info
  3. Find the line Device unlocked: true/false.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the bootloader is blocked (false), and the root was obtained through vulnerabilities (for example, DirtyCOW), use only the method with full flashing through the Mi Flash Tool.

Third, charge the battery to at least 60 percent, interrupting the process due to a discharge can make the phone unfit to turn on.

  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Windows computer 7/10/11 (For the Mi Unlock Tool)
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Original. USB-cable (do not use cheap Chinese cords!)
  • ๐Ÿ“ฅ The latest firmware version for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website)

2. Method 1: Root removal via Magisk (the safest method)

If you get root access with Magisk (the most popular method for Xiaomi), you can delete it through the same application, which does not require unlocking the bootloader and saves all the data.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Magisk Manager app (if not, download the latest version from GitHub).
  2. Go to the Installation section โ†’ Delete (Uninstall).
  3. Select the option "Complete Uninstall".
  4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After the reboot, check root status with the Root Checker app. If access is disabled but artifacts remain (for example, the Magisk app is not deleted), follow the additional steps:

  • ๐Ÿ” Delete the folder. /magisk in the root directory through the file manager with root access.
  • ๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Clear the cache in Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Magisk โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Clear the cache.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reset the device.

Download the latest version of Magisk Manager|Data backup |Data backup |Data backup |Data charge >50%|Check the availability of superuser rights in Root Checker-->

โš ๏ธ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10 pro POCO F3) After removing Magisk, a modified boot partition may remain. OTA-In this case, you will need to reflash the original boot.img fastboot.

Method 2: Officially Delete via Mi Unlock Tool

This is a good method if you unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool and want to get everything back to factory status. It erases all data, but it's guaranteed to delete the root and lock the bootloader back.

Step-by-step:

  1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool (official version only!).
  2. Sign in to your Mi Account (it should be tied to your phone!).
  3. Turn off your phone and enter Fastboot mode (Loudness down + Power).
  4. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool.
  5. Press Unlock and wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).
  6. After the reboot, the phone will be completely โ€œcleanโ€ โ€“ without root, with a locked bootloader and stock firmware.

โš ๏ธ Note: Xiaomi can block an account for 72 hours if you often unlock/block the bootloader, and after this procedure, you can not immediately unlock the bootloader again - you will have to wait 7 days (on new models) or 30 days (on old ones, for example, Mi 8).

If after using the Mi Unlock Tool, the phone does not turn on or hovers on the Mi logo, follow the following steps:

  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Connect your phone to charge for 30 minutes (sometimes helps with battery drain in the process).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Try logging into Fastboot and repeating the procedure.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฅ If nothing helps, run the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions in the next section).

Yeah, for custom firmware installation.|Yeah, root only.|No, I'm afraid I'll lose my guarantee.|I tried it, but it didn't work.-->

Method 4: Complete flashing through the Mi Flash Tool (radical method)

If previous methods failed or you want to ensure that you remove all traces of modifications, including modified system partitions, use the Mi Flash Tool, which is suitable for bricks (not included phones) and devices with serious errors after a failed rooting.

What you need:

  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Computer with Windows and Xiaomi drivers (download here).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฆ Stock firmware for your model in.tgz format (choose Global or EEA, Not China!).
  • ๐Ÿ”ง The Mi Flash Tool.

Instructions:

  1. Unpack the downloaded firmware into a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\ROM).
  2. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot (Loudness Down + Power).
  3. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
  4. Click Select and point the way to the firmware folder.
  5. Select Clean All (full reset) or Clean All and Lock (reset + lock bootloader).
  6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-15 minutes).

โš ๏ธ Warning: Clean all and lock mode will block the bootloader, and it will be possible to unlock it again only through the 7-30 If you plan to get root again in the future, choose Clean all.

Once you've run the firmware, the phone will turn on as new, with stock MIUI, no root, no data, and if you have an anti-rollback error, you're trying to flash an older version of MIUI than the one you installed, in which case, download a newer firmware.

What to do if the Mi Flash Tool is a "Couldn't load device" error
The error is usually due to the lack of drivers or conflict with the antivirus. Try: 1. Disable the antivirus (for example, Avast or Kaspersky can block the utility). 2. Install the drivers manually through Device Manager (look for the device with an exclamation mark in the "Other Devices" section). 3. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. 4. Try another one USB-Port (preferably 2.0, not 3.0).

5. Check: How to make sure root is completely removed

After using any of the methods, you need to check if root access is disabled. Here are 4 ways to diagnose:

1. Root Checker appendix

  • Download Root Checker from Google Play.
  • If you see a message Root access is not properly installed, root is removed.

2. ADB Command Line

  1. Connect your phone to a PC with USB debugging enabled.
  2. Execute the command: adb shell su
  3. If the error is allowed denied, root is not available.

3. Verification of system files

  • Open the file manager and check if there are /su, /magisk or busybox folders.
  • If they are left, remove them manually (temporary root access is required).

4.OTA Update Test

  • Go to Settings โ†’ About the phone โ†’ System update.
  • If the updates are downloaded and installed without errors, root is removed successfully.

If at least one test shows root, repeat the removal procedure or use another method (e.g., complete flashing).

Possible problems and solutions

When you remove root on Xiaomi, users often encounter common errors, and we have collected the most common ways to correct them:

Problem.Probable causeDecision
The phone will not turn on after root removalBoot-partition or incompatible firmware damagedSwitch to stock boot.img via fastboot flash boot.img
Error "Custom ROM detected" when updatingRemains of modified system filesComplete reset via Mi Flash Tool with Clean All option
Mi Unlock Tool says "Couldn't unlock"Itโ€™s been 72 hours since the last release.Wait 3 days or use another Mi Account
Magisk remains a SuperSU after removalConflict between different rooting methodsRemove SuperSU through its settings, then repeat the deletion of Magisk

โš ๏ธ Warning: If after all the manipulations, the phone is still identified as rooted (for example, banking applications do not work), check for the following artifacts:

  • ๐Ÿ” File. /system/bin/su or /system/xbin/su
  • ๐Ÿ“ The notes in /system/build.prop (Look for lines from ro.debuggable=1)
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Remains of Magisk modules in /data/adb/modules

Remove them manually or perform a complete flashing.

7. How to avoid problems in the future

If you plan to get root on Xiaomi again, follow these rules to make it easy to remove in the future:

  • ๐Ÿ”“ Use only Magisk instead of outdated methods like KingRoot or SuperSU.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฆ Make a stock backup. boot.img before modifications (useful for restoration).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Do not install custom cores or firmware unless you are sure of their compatibility.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Check root status regularly through Root Checker, especially before updates.

Also remember that new Xiaomi models (released after 2022) make it more difficult to unlock the bootloader. The company tightens security policies, so before any manipulation with root, carefully read the current guides on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums.

๐Ÿ’ก

Removing root on Xiaomi is not just a rollback of superuser rights, but a complex procedure that must take into account the status of the bootloader, the version of MIUI and the method of obtaining root.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing root on Xiaomi

โ“ Can I remove root without a computer?
Yes, if the root was obtained through Magisk. Simply uninstall the Magisk Manager app and perform a full reset to Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Restore and Reset. However, this method does not guarantee that all traces of modifications in system partitions will be removed.
โ“ Why Bank Apps Don't Work After Root Removal?
Banking applications (like SberBank or Tinkoff) check not only for root, but also for SafetyNet status. If it doesn't pass, try: Install MagiskHide Props Config and hide root; clear the bank's application data and reinstall it; check if there are any modified system files left.
โ“ What to do if the root phone stopped updating after removal?
This means that the system partition has been changed. Solutions: Swipe the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean all option. Delete the file /system/etc/recovery-resource.dat (if modified). Manually install the update through Settings โ†’ System Update โ†’ Three dots โ†’ Select the update file.
โ“ Can I return the warranty after root removal?
Technically, yes, if the bootloader is locked and the firmware is stock. However, Xiaomi can check the device logs and deny warranties if it finds traces of rooting. For reliability: Use the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean all and lock option. Don't mention root when you call the service center. If the phone was a brick, it's better not to risk it and not to give it up under warranty.
โ“ How to remove root on Xiaomi with a blocked bootloader?
If the bootloader is locked (Device unlocked: false) and the root was obtained through exploits (for example, on older models like Redmi). 4X), The only reliable way is to completely flash through the Mi Flash Tool in mode EDL (For this, download the.tgz firmware for your model. Connect the phone in mode. EDL (You usually need a special cable or testpoint. โš ๏ธ On new models (Xiaomi 12, Redmi Note 11 and newer) firmware in mode EDL requires authorization of the Mi Account associated with the device.