How to check the presence of root rights on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

Getting root rights on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones opens up access to hidden Android features, but at the same time it deprives you of guarantees and increases security risks. Many users forget whether they have been rooting before - especially if the phone was bought by hand or was sewn for a long time. This article will help determine unequivocally whether your Xiaomi device has superuser rights, even if you are not a technical specialist.

We'll look at all the current verification methods in 2026, including visual cues, customized apps, ADB commands, and hidden MIUI settings. Separately, we'll look at cases where root rights may be hidden (for example, after using Magisk Hide), and explain why some methods give false positive results. If you plan to sell a phone or install banking applications, this information is critical.

1. Visual signs of root rights to Xiaomi

Before you get into the technical details, check the device for obvious signs of root access, which does not give a 100% guarantee, but allows you to suspect changes in the system:

  • 🔧 SuperSU or Magisk Manager app is in the app menu. Even if the icon is hidden, check the list of all installed programs in Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  • 📱 A modified firmware message when booting. A warning may appear on the lock screen or when activated, "Your device has been unlocked" or "Orange State."
  • 🔄 Having a customized Recovery (TWRP) Press Volume up + Power when your phone is off — if you see a color interface with touch control instead of the standard MIUI Recovery menu, that's a sure sign.
  • 🚫 No OTA- updates. The system can block automatic updates MIUI if changes are detected in system partitions.

Note: on the new Xiaomi 13/14 and Redmi Note 12 models with MIUI 14+, visual features can be hidden even with root rights thanks to Magisk Delta technology and the Universal SafetyNet Fix module.

⚠️ Warning: Some viruses disguise themselves as root-rights management applications (e.g., KingRoot or iRoot). If you find suspicious software, check the device immediately with Dr.Web or Malwarebytes antivirus.

📊 Is your Xiaomi smartphone root-righted yet?
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2. Checking through applications (the most reliable way)

Specialized tools allow you to determine the presence of root rights with an accuracy of up to 99%. We recommend using three applications for cross-checking, since some methods of cloaking (for example, Magisk Hide) can deceive individual programs.

Install from Google Play or download APK from official sites:

  1. Root Checker (from joeykrim) is a classic open source application.
  2. Magisk App (official) – if installed, Magisk will show version and status.
  3. Termux – for manual checks through commands (instruction below).

How to check in Root Checker:

  1. Open the app and press "Verify Root".
  2. If you see the message "Congratulations! Root access is properly installed on this device!"
  3. Note the “Superuser response” line, which should indicate the rights manager used (MagiskSU, SuperSU, etc.).

For the Magisk App:

  • If the application is launched and shows a version (for example, Magisk v26.4) – root rights are definitely there.
  • If the error “Magisk is not installed” is triggered at launch, there are no rights or they are hidden (additional verification is needed).

☑️ Preparation for verification through annexes

Done: 0 / 4

Manual check through the terminal (for experienced users)

If you prefer not to install additional apps, you can check the root rights through the built-in terminal or Termux.This method works even if the root is hidden from standard checks.

Instructions for Termux:

  1. Install Termux from F-Droid (the version from Google Play is outdated).
  2. Enter the command: su -v If you see the superuser version (e.g. 3.5.0) in the answer, you have rights.
  3. Try to execute the command on behalf of the root: su -c whoami If root answer - access confirmed.

Alternatively, using ADB (computer required):

  1. Connect your phone to a PC with USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times press) → Additional → For developers → USB debugging).
  2. In the command line of the PC, run: adb shell su -v
Team team.Expected results (there is root)Expected results (no root)
su -vSU version (e.g. 3.5.0)su: not found or allowed denied
su -c iduid=0(root) gid=0(root)su: permission denied
which suThe path to binarnic (e.g. /system/bin/su)Empty line
ls -l /system/bin/suInformation about file with rights -rwsr-sr-xNo such file or directory

⚠️ Warning: On devices with MIUI 14+ and Android 13/14 kernel, the su command may not work even if you have root rights due to changes in SELinux policy, in which case you can use Magisk App verification or specialized modules like RootValidator.

4.Verification through hidden MIUI settings

Xiaomi adds hidden diagnostic tools to MIUI firmware that can indirectly indicate root rights, which are not 100% guaranteed, but are useful for additional verification.

Method 1: Testing menu

  1. Open the phone app and type in: ##4636###
  2. Go to the phone information section.
  3. Scroll down to the "Fingerprint" or "Device Status" block.
  4. If you see the status of "Unlocked" or "Custom" - a high probability of root rights.

Method 2: Checking firmware integrity

  1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
  2. Click 10 times on the line with the MIUI version until the message “You are a developer!” appears.
  3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
  4. Find the item "Unlock bootloader status." If it says "Unlocked" - this is an indirect sign of possible root rights (although the unlocked bootloader itself is not equivalent to root).
What does the status of Orange State mean?
This is a modified bootloader warning that appears on the bootloader screen after unlocking the bootloader or installing a custom recover. Orange State itself does not confirm root rights, but indicates changes in system partitions that often precede receiving the root. On some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T), this warning can be removed through the official Mi Unlock application, but this does not affect the root access status.

5. How to check hidden root rights (Magisk Hide, DenyList)

Modern methods of obtaining root rights (for example, through Magisk) allow you to hide them from most checks using the Magisk Hide or DenyList function. This makes detection difficult, but there are ways to get around the cloaking.

Method 1: Checking with SafetyNet

Many banking applications and games (such as Pokémon GO) use the SafetyNet Attestation API to verify the integrity of the device, and if SafetyNet fails, it indirectly indicates that the system has been modified:

  1. You can also use YASNAC (Yet Another SafetyNet Attestation Checker) for your application.
  2. Press Run Test.
  3. If ctsProfile or basicIntegrity shows false, the device is modified.

Method 2: Checking the process list

Even if Magisk Hide is active, some system processes may give you root rights:

  1. Install Termux and execute: ps -A | grep -i "magisk\|su\|root"
  2. If there are processes in the output like magiskd, su daemon or adb root, there are rights.

Method 3: Verification of partition mounting /system

On root-right devices, the /system partition is usually mounted in rw (read-write) rather than ro (read-only):

  1. In Termux, run: mount | grep system
  2. If the output has a string with rw, it is a sign of a modified system.

💡

If you sell a phone and want to hide the root rights, it is not enough to simply remove Magisk. You also need to restore the original boot image through Fastboot and return the bootloader status to Locked. On new Xiaomi models (for example, the 13 Pro), this can only be done through an official service center with loss of all data.

6. Frequent errors and false positives

Not all test methods give an accurate result, and here are the most common cases where tests can be wrong:

  • 🔴 False positive: Some custom firmware (like LineageOS) emulate root access without real rights. Viruses can substitute su and id responses.
  • 🟢 False negative: Active Magisk Hide hides the root from most checks. On MIUI 14+, some commands (su -v) may not work due to changes in SELinux. If the root rights are obtained through KSU (Magisk's alternative), standard checks will not detect them.

How to avoid mistakes:

  1. Use at least 3 different verification methods (e.g. Root Checker + Termux + SafetyNet).
  2. Before checking, turn off Magisk Hide in the Magisk App settings (if installed).
  3. Make sure that your device does not have active VPNs or antiviruses blocking access to system commands.

⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS devices (the new shell from Xiaomi that replaced MIUI), some traditional root-rights verification methods may not work, in which case it is recommended to use the Magisk App or developer-rights verification via ADB.

💡

If you plan to use banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) or security games (Pokémon GO, Genshin Impact), having root rights - even hidden ones - can lead to account locking.Be sure to delete the root and restore the original boot image before installing such applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about root rights verification on Xiaomi

Can I check root rights without installing additional apps?
Yes, but with limitations. You can: Try commands via Termux (installed without root); check for visual features (e.g., "Unlocked" message when downloaded); use ADB from your computer (only USB debugging is required); however, for 100% accuracy, it is better to use specialized utilities like Root Checker.
Why does Root Checker show that root rights are not available and Magisk App is running?
This is a typical situation where: Magisk Hide is active (hidden from most checks). An alternative rights manager (like KSU) is used that Root Checker doesn't recognize. Magisk is installed, but MagiskSU itself is disabled in the settings. In this case, trust Magisk App — if it shows version and status, there are root rights.
How to remove root rights if they are found?
The process depends on how you get the root rights: For Magisk: Open Magisk App. Go to Settings → Delete. Select "Full Delete" and restart the device. For SuperSU: Open SuperSU. Go to Settings → Complete Deletion of ROOT. For custom firmware: Refuse the device to the official MIUI via Fastboot. After removing the root rights, be sure to reset to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset), as residual files can cause errors in the application.
Can root rights appear on their own (without my involvement)?
Technically, this is unlikely, but it is possible in three cases: Buying a used phone. The previous owner may have obtained the root rights and not reported it. A virus attack. Some malware (such as Triada or Zygote) can exploit vulnerabilities to gain root access without the user's knowledge. An error in the OTA- update. In rare cases, an incorrect update to the MIUI can cause a "break" of access rights, which is superficially similar to the root (though it is not).
How to check root rights on Xiaomi with HyperOS?
HyperOS (a new system from Xiaomi) makes it harder to detect root rights because of: Modified SELinux (enforcing by default); lack of support for some old commands (su -v may not work); Integrated Anti-Rollback (Xiaomi Anti-Rollback); Recommended methods for HyperOS: Use the Magisk App (if installed). Check through ADB with the command: adb shell "echo $(id)" If the answer has uid=0 - there are rights. Install Termux and check for processes: ps -ef | grep magisk