How to Include Super User on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Obtaining superuser rights, or root access, on Xiaomi smartphones is a step that opens up completely new horizons for the device owner to manage the system. The standard MIUI or HyperOS interface provides a wide range of functionality, but it still restricts access to system files and critical settings. It is root rights that allow you to remove pre-installed system debris, change the frequency of the processor to improve performance or install specialized applications for deep customization.

However, the process of activating the superuser mode on Xiaomi devices is significantly different from unlocking other Android smartphones. Here you need to go through the official procedure of unlocking the bootloader, which requires time and care. Without prior unlocking the bootloader (Unlock Bootloader), installing superuser rights on Xiaomi is impossible in any software way. It is important to understand that any manipulation of the system partition carries risks, so preparation should be approached with the most responsibly.

In this guide, we will take a detailed look at each step, from applying to Mi Community to the final installation of Magisk. You will learn about the necessary tools, the features of working with ADB and Fastboot, as well as how to minimize the likelihood of turning a smartphone into a “brick”.

What do superuser rights give and is it worth the risk?

Before you get into the technical details, you need to be clear about why you need root access on Xiaomi. For the average user who just calls, sits on social networks and takes photos, standard rights are usually enough. But for enthusiasts and those who want to get the most out of iron, the possibilities are endless.

First of all, it's full control of the file system, you can remove the system applications that the manufacturer has sewn into the firmware that can't be removed by standard methods, and powerful tools for working with RAM and cache are also available to speed up the device.

⚠️ Warning: Obtaining superuser rights automatically voids the device warranty in most service centers, and some banking apps and services like Google Pay may stop working properly without additional manipulations to hide the root.

Here are the main benefits you get:

• 🚀 Ability to overclock the processor and graphics accelerator to increase FPS play.
• 🗑️ Complete removal of system debris and advertising services MIUI.
• 🎨 Deep customization of the interface, not available through standard themes.
• 📱 Installation of specialized modules through Magisk to change the behavior of the system.

But there's a downside to this: In addition to losing the warranty, there's a risk of malfunctioning the system if you do something wrong, and an error in editing system files can lead to a cyclical bootloop, so make sure you have a full backup of your important data before you start.

Preparation of the device and necessary tools

90% of the success of the operation depends on proper preparation. Don't try to get root rights to Xiaomi "on the fly", without first setting up the environment. You need a computer running Windows (macOS and Linux process can be different and difficult), serviceable USB-cable and stable internet connection.

The first step is to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and click 7 times in a row on the MIUI Version (or OS Version). After that, a new section will appear in the menu "Additional" or "Extended Settings", where you need to find "Developers".

Within the developer menu, you need to activate a few critical settings, and without them, you can't do any further steps.

List of necessary settings:

• 🔌 Debugging by USB — Allows the computer to communicate with the phone through ADB.
• 🔓 Factory unlocking (OEM Unlocking – Allows unlocking of the bootloader.
• 📶 USB-Configuration – Select Charging or File Transfer (MTP)".

Also on the device must be installed Mi Account, and in the settings SIM-Mobile Internet must be enabled (Wi-Fi should be turned off when linked to the system to accurately identify the SIM card). Linking an account to the unlock device can take from 7 to 168 hours (from a week to two), this is protection against theft of devices.

Unlocking the bootloader (Unlock Bootloader)

This is the most difficult and longest phase. Xiaomi has made it difficult to access the bootloader to protect users and protect its ecosystem. To unlock, you will need the official Mi Unlock Tool utility, which you need to download from the official website miui.com/unlock.

After waiting for the binding date (status is displayed in the "Factory Unlock" menu on the phone), you can start. Turn off your smartphone and enter Fastboot mode, holding the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously, and a hare in a hat that says FASTBOOT will appear on the screen.

Connect your phone to your computer and start the Mi Unlock Tool. Sign in to the same Mi Account that's linked to your phone. The program will check the status of the device. If the wait period has expired, the Unlock button will become active.

⚠️ Warning: The process of unlocking the bootloader will completely remove all data from the internal drive of the smartphone.

Once confirmed, the software will start the process. The smartphone will reboot, and the progress bar will show the status. At the end, you will see a message about the successful unlock. From that point on, the bootloader is open, and you can write modified system images to it.

Install Magisk and get Root rights

Now that the bootloader is unlocked, we need the tool itself to manage the rights of the superuser. The gold standard today is Magisk. It works on a systemless root principle, meaning it doesn't make changes to the system partition directly, which allows you to bypass some security checks.

First, we'll get the exact firmware version of your phone. Go to Settings → About your phone and see the build number. You'll need to download an exact copy of your firmware (Fastboot ROM) for your model. Then you'll need to extract the boot.img file from the firmware archive.

Install the Magisk app (APK-Open it, click "Install" next to Magisk and select "Select and patch file." boot.img. The program will create a patched file with a prefix magisk_ bootloader.

Copy the patched file back to your computer. Put your phone in Fastboot mode. + Power. Open the command line (CMD) PowerShell on your computer in the tool folder ADB/Fastboot And put in a command:

fastboot flash boot magisk_boot.img

After successful firmware, enter the command fastboot reboot. After downloading the smartphone, the Magisk application will appear in the system, which will confirm the presence of superuser rights.

💡

Use Fastboot ROM for your regional firmware version. Using global firmware for a Chinese device (or vice versa) can cause the camera or NFC to fail.

Comparison of methods for obtaining access rights

There are several approaches to modifying the system, but not all of them are equally effective and safe for Xiaomi.

As you can see from the table, Magisk remains the most balanced solution, allowing you to hide root from banking applications through the function of "Zygisk" and "DenyList", which is critical for everyday use.

Alternative methods, such as direct modification of the system partition, on modern versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14) almost do not work due to the protection mechanisms Verified Boot.

💡

Magisk is the only way to get root rights to modern Xiaomi, ensuring compatibility with banking applications.

Possible problems and solutions

It can be difficult to get a firmware and superuser rights, and one of the most common problems is a brick or a bootloop, and if you have a boot.img phone hanging on the MI or Xiaomi logo after you have installed it, don't panic.

In most cases, it helps to return to the factory boot image. To do this, you need to re-enter Fastboot mode and flash the original (not patched) boot.img Team: fastboot flash boot original_boot.img. This will bring the phone back to root status.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone has stopped responding to buttons and the computer can’t see it even in recovery mode, you may need to use the Mi Flash tool in Clean All mode or service intervention (EDL mode).

Users also often find that the camera or NFC stops working after getting root, because some system checks block access to hardware modules when the bootloader is changed, the solution is to install fix modules in Magisk itself or flash the stock firmware clean.

Another common mistake is using incompatible versions of Magisk. Always download the app only from the official repository on GitHub. Third-party builds may contain malicious code or be unstable.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions