Many Xiaomi smartphone users are choosing to gain enhanced administrator rights for the sake of installing specific modules or deep customization of the system. However, over time, the need for such manipulation may disappear, and the presence of Root rights begins to cause more problems than convenience. Banking applications stop working, games with anticheat lock in, and the security system MIUI can behave unstable, at which point the question arises about how to safely and completely roll back changes.
The process of removing superuser rights is not as simple as installing them, and requires careful attention to detail. Wrong actions can lead to data loss or, in the worst case, software failure of the device. In this article, we will discuss in detail all methods of returning a smartphone to its original state, paying special attention to work with the bootloader and system files.
Before you take action, you need to understand the risks. Any interference with the system partition /system is a potential threat to the integrity of the operating system. Deleting critical system files with Root access without a backup can turn a smartphone into a brick without the possibility of recovery software. So be patient and follow the instructions carefully.
Why you should give up the Root rights to MIUI
Having superuser rights opens doors to the depths of Android, but it also violates security integrity. Modern banking applications like Sberbank Online or Tinkoff use security mechanisms like Google SafetyNet and the Play Integrity API. If the system detects modifications, the application simply refuses to run, blocking access to finance.
In addition to financial constraints, entertainment services suffer, and streaming platforms like Netflix or Kinopoisk can reduce the quality of playback to standard. 480p, so DRM-Protection requires a certified device, and many online anti-cheat games, such as, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact may not start or result in a player account being blocked for using third-party software.
⚠️ Attention: Root access automatically voids the manufacturer's warranty. When contacting the Xiaomi service center with a software problem, specialists will first check the status of the bootloader and system partition.
Another important aspect is stability: Third-party modules can conflict with MIUI updates, causing cyclical reboots or rapid battery drain. Removing administrator rights often returns the device to factory optimization and extends battery life.
Preparing a smartphone to remove the rights of a superuser
Before any manipulations begin, it is critical to back up your data completely, and even if the procedure seems safe, there is always a risk of losing photos, contacts and documents, and use the built-in Mi Cloud or third-party services like Google Drive to save important files.
You also need to charge the device to a minimum of 60%. The process of flashing or changing system files is energy intensive, and a sudden power outage at a critical moment can damage the boot partition. USB-cable and access to a stable internet connection.
Remember to disable all active modules in the rights manager, if any, which will reduce the likelihood of process conflict during the cleanup. If you used Magisk, go to its settings and perform a full uninstall procedure through the app menu before moving on to more radical methods.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
It's important to understand what kind of permissions you've used before, and the strategy for deleting them depends on that, and if you've obtained the rights through TWRP and the SuperSU installation, it's not enough to delete the application, but you'll still have the system files that have been changed.
Method 1: Disconnecting through the Magisk application
The most popular rights management tool in modern versions of Android is Magisk. If your smartphone is controlled through this tool, the removal procedure is as simple as possible by the developers. ADB.
Open the Magisk Manager app on your smartphone. In the main menu, look for the Uninstall button. When you click on it, the system will offer two options: "Full Deletion" and "Restore Stock Boot Image." To completely revoke the rights, select the first option.
Once confirmed, an automatic cleanup process will begin, the smartphone will reboot and all files associated with Root will be deleted from the system partition. If the process is successful, the application will disappear from the installed program list, and the rights of the superuser will no longer be determined.
What if Magisk is not removed?
It is worth noting that in some cases, MIUI antivirus systems can block the Magisk installer, which may require a temporary shutdown of real-time protection or a safe operation.
Method 2: Removal of SuperSU and other managers
If you use the outdated yet still-occurring SuperSU tool, the procedure will look different. Unlike Magisk, it often requires manual intervention or the use of a special unmounting script.
Go to the SuperSU app settings. Find the Settings section and scroll down to Full Unroot. Click on this button and confirm the action. The system will execute a script that will replace the modified su binary files with the original ones.
Once the process is complete, the device will restart. To check the result, you can download the Root Checker app from Google Play. If the rights are deleted correctly, the program will report that there is no Root access.
| Tool. | Difficulty in removal | The need for a PC | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magisk | Low. | No. | Minimum |
| SuperSU | Medium | No (usually) | Low. |
| Manual Binary | Tall. | Yes (ADB) | High-pitched |
| Total reset | Medium | No. | 100% (without backup) |
Binary files remain in the system, and any virus or malware can still take advantage of them.
Method 3: Recovery Reset and Firmware
If the software methods don't work or the system is unstable, the only reliable option is a complete reset or flashing. This is guaranteed to remove all traces of interference, but takes longer. Two modes are relevant for Xiaomi: Recovery and Fastboot.
The easiest way is to use the regular Recovery menu. Press the button combination Volume up + Power when the phone is turned off. In the menu that appears, select "Wipe Data" → "Wipe All Data." This will delete all user data and return the settings to the factory, but in rare cases, Root can remain if the bootloader itself is changed.
A more radical method is firmware via Fastboot. This will require a computer, the Mi Flash Tool utility and a.tgz stock firmware image. Put your phone into Fastboot mode (clamping Volume Down + Power), connect to your PC and run the firmware with the "Clean all" option.
⚠️ Note: When you run through Fastboot with the "Clean all" option, the bootloader unlock can only be reset when you flash it to a global version with a closed bootloader, if the region allows. In most cases, the firmware just clears the data, but does not block the bootloader back.
This is a nuclear option, and it eliminates any software errors that have accumulated over the time of using the modified system, and when it's done, it's like a new one from the store.
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Before you run the firmware, make sure to check if the firmware region corresponds to the region of your device.Firmware in Chinese to global (or vice versa) without changing the region can lead to IMEI blocking or loss of communication.
Locking the bootloader: a return to factory restrictions
Many users confuse deleting Root rights and blocking the bootloader. Deleting Magisk or SuperSU only blocks access to the file system, but the bootloader itself remains unlocked.
The only way to officially lock the bootloader back is by flashing the device through the Mi Flash Tool with the closed bootloader, which is not possible for all regions and models. It is often easier and safer to leave the bootloader unlocked, but without active Root rights, since Google SafetyNet now checks the integrity of the system, not the status of the bootloader.
Trying to lock the bootloader manually through fastboot oem lock commands on a modified system will result in a "brick..." Make sure the system is completely clear of modifications before trying to change the bootloader status.
You can check the status of the bootloader by pressing the buttons Volume down + Power. The screen in Fastboot mode will say "Unlocked" or "Locked." If it says "Unlocked" but Root is removed, for most tasks this is enough.
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Banking applications are more important than the status of the bootloader than the lack of Root rights and system integrity.