The modern Android operating system, especially in the shell of HyperOS or MIUI 15, provides users with tremendous opportunities, but standard access rights often limit deep system settings. Getting root permissions (superuser) opens the door to removing system debris, fine-tuning the processor and using specialized applications that are not available in normal mode. This is not just a way to “play” with the phone, but a necessary step for advanced users who want to squeeze the most out of their Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco device.
The process of obtaining administrator rights has become much more complicated in recent years due to the strengthening of security measures by the manufacturer, but it is still quite real if you follow a strict sequence of actions. USB-And so, critically, backups of all the critical data, and any interference in the system partition carries potential risks, so preparation is 90 percent of the success of the entire operation.
In this article, we will take a look at each step, from applying for an unlock to the final installation of Magisk. We will not use questionable “one-button” programs that often contain malicious code, but will look at the official and most secure method, current at the moment.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
Before you start modifying your system files, you need to create the right environment to work with. Without the preparatory steps, you will not be able to take any further steps or will cause errors early on. The first thing you need to do is make sure that your Xiaomi account has a phone number attached and you have signed in to the Mi Cloud.
On the smartphone, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI or HyperOS version number seven times. After the notification “You became a developer”, go back to the settings menu, find the Additional → For developers section and activate the Factory Unlock and Debug by USB.
☑️ Checklist for routing preparation
It is also critical to have a stable internet connection, as Xiaomi servers need to confirm your actions.If you plan to root a device that has recently been released, make sure you have access to a Wi-Fi network, as mobile internet may not miss an unlock request due to operator restrictions.
Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)
The most difficult and longest step is unlocking the bootloader, without which it is impossible to set superuser rights. Bootloader is a program that runs to the operating system and checks the integrity of its components. The manufacturer blocks it to prevent the installation of unofficial firmware, but we will remove this lock.
To do this, download the official Mi Unlock Tool utility to your computer. Launch it, log in to your account and put your smartphone into Fastboot mode (clamping the volume button and connecting the cable to your PC). In the program, click the Unlock button and the system will warn you that all data will be deleted.
⚠️ Warning: The process of unlocking the bootloader will automatically perform a full reset of the device (Wipe Data).All photos, contacts and applications will be deleted, so having a fresh backup is a must.
There's an important nuance that is often overlooked by beginners: Once a device is linked to an account in the developer menu, you may need to wait 7 to 168 hours (week to month) to protect against device theft. Only after this timer expires will Mi Unlock unlock the bootloader. Repeated attempts ahead of time will only reset the timer back.
If the timer has expired, the process will go well, and the phone will restart, and the download screen will show an open lock icon, which indicates success, and now your device is ready to install a custom recavator and obtain root rights.
Installation of custom Recovery (TWRP)
Xiaomi’s standard Recovery menu allows you to reset or update officially. TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project – Extended menu that allows you to work with the file system and install ZIP-archive.
You need to find a twrp.img image file that matches your smartphone model. The Redmi Note 10 version won't work for the Xiaomi 13, as partition markup and drivers differ. Download the file and put it in the ADB tool folder on your computer.
Then, connect your phone in Fastboot mode and open the command line on your PC. Enter the command to run the recovery firmware:
fastboot flash recovery twrp.imgHowever, modern Xiaomi devices with dynamic partitions often use the fastboot boot command to boot into TWRP once without firmware, or require specific procedures to prevent the stock recap from overwriting at the first boot.
After successfully recording or downloading, immediately press the Volume Up + Power button combination to enter the installed TWRP menu. If you simply reboot the device in the usual way, the stock system can automatically replace the TWRP back with the original recovery.
Magisk firmware to obtain Root rights
Magisk is now the de facto root access standard, and its main advantage is system seamlessness. Unlike the old (SuperSU) methods, Magisk does not modifies the system partition directly, but loads its modules when it boots, allowing it to bypass some security checks and even run banking applications.
To install you will need to download the current APK-Magisk file from the official GitHub repository. TWRP You may not have access to Google Play, copy the installer to the phone’s internal memory in advance, or connect the USB drive through the device. OTG. On the menu. TWRP Select Install, find the file and confirm the installation by swipe.
What are Magisk modules?
After installation, press the Reboot System button. The first download process can take more than usual - from 3 to 5 minutes. Don't panic if the screen is lit for a long time with the Xiaomi logo. After downloading, find a new Magisk icon in the application menu. Open it, and if the version number is displayed in the center of the screen, then root rights are active.
You can use specialized applications like Root Checker to verify that applications have access to a superuser, and you can now install root-enabled file managers like MT Manager or Solid Explorer to edit system files.
Comparison of methods for obtaining administrator rights
There are several approaches to modifying the system, and it is important to understand the differences in order to choose the best one for your tasks. Some methods are outdated and do not work on Android 13/14, others require complex configuration.
| Method | Difficulty | Security | Bank compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magisk | Medium | Tall. | Yeah (with adjustment) |
| KernelSU | Tall. | Very high. | Yeah (best) |
| SuperSU | Low. | Low (outdated) | No. |
| KingRoot | Low. | Critical | No. |
As you can see from the table, KernelSU is becoming more popular because it works at the core level, making it even less visible to security systems. However, it often requires a custom core or specific conditions to install, so Magisk remains a versatile solution for most users.
Using old utilities like KingRoot or OneClickRoot on modern Xiaomi devices is strongly discouraged. Not only do they not work on newer versions of Android, but they can install advertising software or leave backdoors in the system.
Problem Solving and Possible Errors
In the process of rooting, users often face typical problems, one of the most common is Bootloop (cyclic reboot). If the phone does not boot after installing Magisk, you need to log back into TWRP and select Wipe → Advanced Wipe, noting only Dalvik / ART Cache and Cache.
Another common mistake is the Mi Unlock Tool’s refusal to see the phone. In this case, make sure that the Xiaomi drivers are installed. USB Driver and Windows Device Manager defines the phone as Android Bootloader Interface, not as an unknown device. USB-cable USB 2.0.
⚠️ Note: If the phone is in the bootloom and TWRP It does not help, the only way out can be reflashing stock firmware through the mode EDL, which in some cases requires an authorized Mi Account or payment for service center services.
NFC and contactless payment issues after root are addressed through Magisk settings. Enable Zygisk in the app settings, then activate Enforce DenyList and select all banking apps and Google Pay/Wallet from the list.
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Save the original boot.img image of your current firmware before any manipulations, which will allow you to return the phone to its original state in the event of a critical error without losing the software-level warranty (although the physical warranty when opening the seals may be lost).
Impact of Root Rights on Guarantee and Security
While it is software-friendly to get the superuser rights back (shroud the bootloader and flash the stock firmware), service centers may be denied free repairs if they find traces of interference, such as the Knox that triggered it (on Samsung) or similar security flags.
From a security perspective, root access increases the vulnerability of the system, and a malicious application that has been granted super-user rights can do far more harm than in a normal environment, read SMS, intercept passwords, and secretly mine cryptocurrency.
It is therefore of the utmost importance:
- 📱 Do not provide root access to applications from unverified sources.
- 🔒 Update Magisk and Android Security System regularly.
- 🛡️ Use antivirus scanners that support root validation.
If you use your phone for mission-critical operations with large financial sums, it may be worth considering buying a second root-free device specifically for banking applications, which will share the risks and provide peace of mind.
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Root rights give you complete control of the device, but they take the manufacturer's responsibility for software failures away. The balance between functionality and security is the choice of each user.