How to enable root access on Xiaomi: a complete guide to unlock the bootloader

Getting root rights on Xiaomi smartphones opens up access to hidden Android features, but it requires caution: wrong actions can turn the device into a “brick.” In 2026, the process was complicated by the tightening of the MIUI security policy, but it remained possible for both new models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13) and devices on MIUI 14/15. This article covers all the steps from unlocking the bootloader to installing Magisk or SuperSU, given the latest changes in Xiaomi policy.

It is important to understand that from 2023, Xiaomi will block the unlocking of the bootloader for devices purchased in official stores of the Russian Federation and the EEU, if they are linked to the Mi Account with the Russian region, bypassing this restriction requires creating an account in another region (for example, Mi Account for Hong Kong or India) or using alternative methods.

What is root access and why it is needed on Xiaomi

Root rights give the user full control of the Android operating system, and on Xiaomi smartphones, this allows:

📱 Remove embedded applications (bloatware) such as Mi Browser, Mi Music or GetApps that cannot be uninstalled by standard means.
⚡ Optimize productivity: disable unnecessary services MIUI, Overclock the processor (if supported by the kernel) or limit background activity of applications.
🔧 Install modified firmware (custom) ROM), LineageOS or Pixel Experience, for example, to get a “pure” Android without a shell MIUI.
🛠️ Use powerful tools like Titanium Backup to back up all data (including app settings) or AdAway to system-block ads.

However, there is a downside: obtaining root rights cancels the warranty (if the device is warranty), and can also lead to:

🚨 Security breach: Some banking applications (such as SberBank Online or Tinkoff) refuse to work on rooted devices due to the risk of data interception.
🔄 Unstable operation: Incorrectly installed Magisk modules or conflicting modifications can cause accidental system reboots or “outages.
📵 Poose. OTA-Updates: After receiving root rights to update MIUI «In the air” will become inaccessible – you will have to install them manually.

⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 12C POCO M6 Pro) unlocking the loader may result in loss IMEI (This will make it impossible to call and use the mobile Internet.Be sure to back up the partition before the procedure. NVRAM!

Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone to unlock the loader

Before you start unlocking, you need to follow a few critical steps, and skipping any of them can lead to locking the device or the inability to complete the process.

First, check your device's model and its compatibility with unlock.

Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and press 7 times on the line "Version" MIUI», activate the developer mode.
Go back to Settings → Additional → For developers, and find the item “Unlock Mi Status.” If it says “Device unlocked”, then the bootloader is already unlocked (which is unlikely for new devices).
Check out support for your model on the official Mi Unlock website, for example, Xiaomi 13T and newer may require additional steps.

Next, prepare the necessary tools:

Create a Mi Account (preferably not from Russia/EAEU)|Install Mi Unlock Tool (last version)|Connect your smartphone to your PC with the original cable|Enable debugging on USB unlock OEM|Disable all antiviruses on PCs (they can block drivers)-->

Pay special attention to your Mi Account. If your smartphone is linked to an account in a Russian region, unlocking will be blocked.

🌍 Create a new Mi Account with the region of Hong Kong, India or Europe (but not the EAEU!). VPN.
📱 If the device is already tied to the “wrong” account, reset to factory settings and log in to a new account when you first turn on.

⚠️ Xiaomi may block accounts created using the VPN, If you find suspicious activity, it is recommended to register via mobile data (not Wi-Fi) and avoid frequent changes in the region.

Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

Since 2026, Xiaomi has tightened its unlocking rules, requiring a 72-hour waiting period after linking your account to your device, which means that even if you have completed all the preparations, you will have to wait 3 days before unlocking.

Step-by-step:

Link your Mi Account to your device: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Security. Click Add Account and Device (or similar). Confirm the link via SMS or email.

Connect your smartphone to your PC:

Install Xiaomi drivers (download from the official website).
Turn on your phone USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking in the developer menu.
Launch the Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator.
Start the unlocking process: 1. Sign in to Mi Unlock Tool under the same account as your phone. 2. Follow the program instructions (the smartphone will reboot to fastboot mode). 3. Wait for a message about a successful unlock (usually takes 10-30 seconds).

If the program produces an error such as “Couldn’t unlock” or “Current account is different from the account info on the device” it means:

🔹 Account is not linked to device (check step 1).
🔹 It hasn't been 72 hours since the tie-up.
🔹 The device does not support unlocking (relevant for some Poco and Black Shark models).

What if the Mi Unlock Tool can’t see the device?

1. Check if the drivers are installed ADB Fastboot (can be downloaded via Android Studio). 2. Try another one. USB-cable (original, without damage). 3. Disable the driver signature in Windows (to do this, type in the command line on behalf of the administrator: bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on, then restart the PC). 4. If you use Linux/macOS, Run Mi Unlock Tool via Wine, but it doesn’t guarantee success).

📊 What method of unlocking the bootloader you tried?

Official (Mi Unlock Tool)

Informal (EDL, exploit)

I haven't tried it yet.

Another method

Unofficial Unlocking Methods (EDL, Exploits)

If the official method has not worked (for example, because of regional constraints), alternative methods can be used, which are more risky, but sometimes the only possible ones.

The most common options are:

Method	Suitable for	Risks.	Difficulty
EDL (Emergency Download Mode)	Devices on Qualcomm (e.g. Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+)	High risk of bricking requires an authorized Xiaomi account	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Exploit via fastboot	Older models (Redmi 4X, Mi A1) or devices with vulnerabilities in the bootloader	May cause data loss, not working on new firmware	⭐⭐⭐
Paid services	All models, including new ones (Xiaomi 14)	Risk of fraud, the cost from 500 to 3000 rubles	⭐

Let’s take a closer look at the EDL method, as it is the most versatile for Qualcomm devices:

Download the necessary tools: Mi Flash Tool (official firmware utility);.tgz firmware for your model (can be found on Xiaomi Firmware Updater); Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver (manually installed through Device Manager).

Put the device in EDL mode:

1. Turn off the smartphone.


2. Press the Volume Up + Volume Down buttons and connect to the PC.




3. Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 appears in Device Manager.

Swipe the device through the Mi Flash Tool:

Select the downloaded firmware in.tgz format.
In the utility settings, select Clean All and Lock mode (this will delete all data, but unlock the bootloader).
Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Use EDL-mode on devices with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi) 10A POCO M5) requires a special cable MTK Auth Bypass and can lead to loss IMEI. For these models, it is better to use the official method or contact the service center.

💡

If the device doesn’t turn on after running through EDL, try pressing the power button for 30+ seconds. If that doesn’t help, you’ll need to run the firmware via fastboot using the fastboot flash all command (but that will delete all data).

Install Magisk and obtain root rights

Once the bootloader is successfully unlocked, you can start getting root rights, and the most reliable way is to use Magisk, which allows you to hide root from applications (such as banking) and update the firmware without losing root access.

Step-by-step:

Download the latest version of Magisk: Official repository: GitHub Magisk. For MIUI 14/15, Magisk 26.4+ is recommended.

Download the firmware for your model:

Use Xiaomi Firmware Updater or SourceForge.
Choose a firmware labeled Fastboot (not Recovery!).
Remove boot.img from firmware: 1. Unpack the downloaded archive with firmware. 2. Find boot.img file in the image folder. 3. Copy it to your smartphone.
Install Magisk through patching boot.img: 1. Install. APK-Magisk file on a smartphone. 2. Open Magisk and press "Install" → "Select and Patch a File". 3. Choose copied boot.img And wait for the file to be created. magisk_patched.img. 4. Copy the patched file back to the PC.
Sweep the patchy boot.img fastboot: 1. Reboot your smartphone in fastboot mode: adb reboot bootloader 2. The Boot: Fastboot Flash Boot magisk_patched.img 3. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot
Go back to the main menu and select DenyList (formerly MagiskHide).
Add to the list of applications that need to hide root (for example, Sberbank Online, Google Pay, Pokémon GO).
Install Universal SafetyNet Fix via Magisk → Modules → Install from storage.
Reset the device.

To check if the cover-up is working, use the SafetyNet Test app (available on Google Play). If the test shows ctsProfile: true, then root is successfully hidden.

💡

If the application is still Detects root, try to install MagiskHide Props Config and manually change the device fingerprint to the standard one for your model.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem.	Possible cause	Decision
Mi Unlock Tool is a "Couldn't unlock" error	72 hours after the account was linked or the device is not supported	Wait 3 days or try alternative methods (EDL)
After the firmware Magisk device does not turn on	Incompatible version of boot.img or firmware error	Sweep through the original boot.img via fastboot, then repeat the process with the correct firmware.
Detecting root applications despite MagiskHide	Magisk is outdated or there is no SafetyNet Fix module	Update to Magisk and install Universal SafetyNet Fix + MagiskHide Props Config
Loss of network after unlocking (no IMEI)	NVRAM partition damage (relevant to MediaTek)	Restore the NVRAM backup or run the original firmware through the SP Flash Tool
OTG or camera after root is not working	Magisk module conflict or damage to the vendor partition	Turn off all Magisk modules and check it. If it doesn't work, check vendor.img.

If none of the solutions worked, try:

🔄 Return to stock firmware via Mi Flash Tool (selecting the clean all option).
📱 Contact the official Xiaomi forum or thematic chats (for example, 4PDA).
💻 Use alternative tools like OrangeFox Recovery or TWRP (If available to your model).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Can I get root on Xiaomi without unlocking the bootloader?

No, on modern Xiaomi devices (starting with MIUI 12), unlocking the bootloader is mandatory. There were exploits to bypass this limitation (like DirtyCOW), but they have long been closed. The only exception is devices with vulnerabilities in the firmware (like some Poco models on MIUI 10/11), but there are very few of them.

How to return the guarantee after obtaining root rights?

Technically, the warranty is cancelled when you unlock the bootloader, even if you return the loader to the drain state. However, in practice, Xiaomi service centers often do not check the bootloader status during warranty repairs (for example, when changing the screen or battery). To increase the chances: Sweep the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (clean all and lock option). Do the reset to factory settings. Do not mention the unlock when you contact the service. But remember: if the problem is related to the software part (for example, does not turn on after the firmware), warranty repair will be refused.

Which Xiaomi models can’t be unlocked in 2026?

The list of devices for which unlocking is officially blocked or severely restricted is: Xiaomi 13T Pro (requires an authorized EDL account); Xiaomi 14/14 Pro (unlocking is only possible through an official channel with a 72-hour delay); Redmi Note 12 Turbo (unlocking is disabled in some regions); Poco F5 / F5 Pro (requires firmware through EDL with authorization); Devices purchased from telecom operators (e.g. Redmi 10 2022 NFC from MTS or Beeline) often have a locked bootloader at the operator level. For these models, the only options are the use of paid flags (the use of new flags is unlikely).

How to update MIUI after obtaining root rights?

After the update "over the air» (OTA) It's going to be inaccessible. MIUI: Download the full firmware (Fastboot) ROM) For your model from the official website, unpack the archive and find the file. boot.img. Patch it with Magisk (as described above). Sweep the updated firmware through the Mi Flash Tool, but don't choose the clean all option (this will delete the data). Instead, use flash all except storage. boot.img Alternative: Use custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox) to install updates in.zip format.

Can I get a root on Xiaomi without a computer?

Theoretically, yes, but in practice, it's extremely difficult and risky. There are applications like KingRoot or Framaroot, but they don't: They don't work on MIUI 12+. They can contain malicious code. They often lead to soft bricks (the device turns on but doesn't load beyond the logo). The only way that's more or less reliable without a PC is to use TWRP (if it's available for your model) and Magisk.zip firmware through recovery. But installing TWRP still requires an unlocked bootloader, and you need a computer to unlock it.