Many Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone users decide to get extended access rights (Root) to fine-tune the system, but over time they face the need to return the device to its original state, most often due to the fact that banking applications stop working, games with anticheat block the launch, or the owner simply plans to sell the gadget. The process of removing the rights of a superuser does not always boil down to a single “delete” button, especially if the system partition has been changed or a custom recapver has been installed.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current methods to safely remove Root on Xiaomi, from the regular functions of rights managers to complete flashing of the device through the computer. You will learn what nuances Mi Unlock hides, why simply removing the SuperSU application may not be enough, and how to guarantee to start Google Pay or Mir Pay after cleaning the system.
Before any manipulation of system files, you need to make sure that the battery is at least 60%, and all important data is copied to an external medium or to the cloud. Even with proven methods, there is a minimal risk of software failure, so backup is a must. We will consider scenarios for both those who have only Magisk installed, and for users with an unlocked bootloader and a modified recovery partition.
Checking for Root-Rights and Preparing the Device
Before you start deleting, you need to determine exactly which tool grants superuser rights on your device. In most modern cases, Xiaomi smartphones use Magisk, which is embedded in the boot section, or the classic SuperSU, which works through modification of system files. To check, you can use specialized detector applications such as Root Checker, or just try to open the terminal and enter the su command.
If you type a command and ask for a confirmation of access or a command line with a grille symbol (#) appears, then the rights are active. It is also worth checking for hidden managers, since some shells can mask them as system processes. Visually, there may be icons called "Superuser", "Magisk" or "SuperSU" in the application menu.
An important stage of preparation is unlocking the bootloader if it has not already been produced, although it is often already open to remove the Root. However, if you plan to return the stock firmware, having an unlocked bootloader may require additional steps to lock it, which is not possible without the official Mi Unlock utility. USB, if you plan to use ADB-team.
⚠️ Note: If you use a smartphone for corporate purposes or if it has critical applications with high security requirements, removing Root can cause a certificate conflict. IT-security policy.
Remember that the process of deleting rights can affect the operation of the custom kernel or system modifications, such as the Xposed Framework. If such components are installed, they must be deactivated or removed first to avoid cyclical restart (bootloop) after clearing the rights of the superuser.
Remove Root through Magisk App
The most common way to get rights in the modern Android ecosystem is to use the Magisk manager. Its main advantage is the system-less approach, which allows you to remove rights simply by restoring the original boot images. If your Xiaomi has Magisk installed, the removal process is as simple as possible and does not require a connection to a computer.
To start, open the Magisk app on the home screen. In the center of the interface, you'll see a button that says "Uninstall." Click on it and the system will offer two options: "Complete Uninstall" and "Restore Stock Images." For a guaranteed result on Xiaomi, you'll better choose a complete deletion that will automatically clear all the implemented modifications.
Once confirmed, an automatic process will begin, which will take from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, the device can flash the screen several times or emit an audible signal, the phone will automatically restart after the procedure is completed, if the application icon disappears after turning on, and the "Special features" item for Magisk disappears from the settings menu, then the procedure was successful.
What if Magisk is not removed?
It is worth noting that Magisk can also hide its rights from certain applications through the "Magisk Hide" or "DenyList" function. However, if your goal is to completely remove Root for selling a phone or returning a warranty, simple concealment is not enough.
Clearing rights through the SuperSU app
For older Xiaomi models such as the Redmi Note 3 or Mi 5, as well as on Android devices below 10, the classic SuperSU manager is often used. Unlike Magisk, this tool makes changes directly to the system partition, so removing it requires a special “Full Unroot” procedure that automatically restores the original system files.
Launch the SuperSU app and go to the Settings tab. Scroll down to the bottom where you will find the Cleanup section. Select Full Unroot. The system will give a warning that SuperSU will be removed and the Root rights lost. Confirm the action by clicking Continue.
It will take some time for the app to replace the modified su binary files with the original stock versions. Once completed, the phone will suggest rebooting. It is important not to interrupt this process and wait for the system to be fully turned on. If after the reboot, the SuperSU application disappeared from the menu and the Root Checker test shows no rights, the operation is successful.
- 📱 Make sure you have access to Wi-Fi, as in some cases SuperSU may try to download the original files to replace them.
- 🔋 Do not allow battery discharge below 40% during system file replacement to avoid damage to the boot sector.
- 🔄 If after removing SuperSU, the phone goes into an endless reboot, you will need to flash through Fastboot.
In the rare cases where the standard procedure does not work due to conflicts with other modifications, you can try manually removing files through the file manager with Root rights, but this requires high qualification. For most Xiaomi users, the built-in full deletion feature in SuperSU is the most secure and effective method of returning the system to normal state.
Complete reset via Recovery and Flashing
If the removal through the applications did not work, or if the device has deep system modifications, the only reliable way to remove Root is a complete flashing stock shell MIUI. This method guarantees 100% clearing of all partitions of foreign code and returns the phone to the state "like from the store."
There are two main ways to run firmware: through Recovery (no PC, but requires a downloaded zip archive) and through Fastboot (from a PC, requires an unlocked bootloader for complete cleanup).The cleanest option is to use Fastboot mode and the Mi Flash Tool utility, which completely erases the userdata and system partitions, replacing them with the original ones.
☑️ Preparation for flashing
To use Recovery, download the Recovery version of the firmware (.zip extension) for your model. Rename the file to update.zip and place it at the root of internal memory. Then go to Recovery mode (clutching the volume button up and power), select the language and click "Wipe Data/Factory Reset" and then "Install update.zip".
Once the installation is complete and the first boot is done, the system will be completely clean. All Root rights, custom recaps (if the firmware is stock), and modifications will be removed. This method also solves the problems with system upgrades over the air (OTA), which often occur on modified devices.
| Method | Difficulty | Data retention | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magisk Uninstall | Low. | Yes. | Tall. |
| SuperSU Full Unroot | Low. | Yes. | Medium |
| Reset to Recovery | Medium | No. | Tall. |
| Fastboot (Mi Flash) | Tall. | No. | Maximum |
Recovery of the bootloader and work with Mi Unlock
One of the consequences of getting Root rights on Xiaomi is often unlocked bootloader, as evidenced by the words "Unlocked" when the device is turned on. For a complete restoration of the phone, especially before sale, many users tend to lock the bootloader back, but this can only be done with the official Mi Unlock utility and only on stock firmware.
If you try to lock the bootloader (fastboot oem lock) with a modified system or custom Recovery, the phone will go into a hard bootloop or stop booting at all, so locking the bootloader is the final step, which is performed strictly after the official firmware has been successfully installed and the system is validated.
To lock the bootloader, run the Mi Unlock Tool on your PC, log in to your Mi Account (the same one on your phone) and connect the device in Fastboot mode (clamping volume down and power). If the system is clean, the Lock button will be active. The process will take a few minutes, after which the phone will reboot and the "Unlocked" will disappear.
⚠️ Warning: Locking the bootloader on the modified firmware device will result in a hard brick. MIUI/HyperOS unchanged.
Keep in mind that once the bootloader is locked, it will only be possible to re-unblock it after 7 days (168 hours) of waiting from the moment the account is tied in the developer settings. This is a Xiaomi security limitation that you need to consider if you plan to experiment with the system in the future.
Solving problems with banking applications after removal
Even after successfully removing Root rights, some banking apps on Xiaomi may still refuse to work, claiming that the device is compromised, either because the system may still have traces of previous modifications, or because Google Play Protect’s trusted devices may have past tampering tags on their list.
First you need to clear the cache and data of the Google Play Services and Google Play Store applications. → Annexes → All applications, search Google services and select Clear Data, and check if there are any files left in the folders from Magisk or SuperSU. /data/adb/ or /system/bin/.
If the problem persists, try to remove and reinstall the problematic banking app. In some cases, resetting the network settings or even completely resetting the phone to factory settings (Factory Reset) through the recovery menu helps, which is guaranteed to remove all user configurations that could trigger the bank's protection.
- 🏦 Make sure that the bank’s application does not include debugging on USB as the required safety parameter.
- 📉 Check out Android: Some old banking apps don’t work on newer versions of Android without updates.
- 🔐 Use Google Pay only with certified firmware versions, as having custom Recovery can block NFC-payment.
It's important to understand that modern bank security systems use not only Root testing, but also analysis of bootloader integrity and the presence of modifications in the kernel, so simply installing an application again may not help if there are modification artifacts left in the back of the system.
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If the banking app still doesn’t work, try installing an older version. APK-File from a verified resource, as newer versions may have more stringent security checks.