HyperOS & MIUI Ecosystem

How to Root Xiaomi, Redmi & POCO with Magisk

Master installation guide for Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO smartphones (POCO F6, F5, X6 Pro, X3 Pro, Xiaomi 14, 13, Redmi Note 13, 12, 11, 10, K70, K60) running HyperOS or MIUI. Learn how to navigate the official Mi Unlock Tool 168-hour countdown, extract stock boot images from Fastboot TGZ packages, and prevent DM-Verity bootloops.

Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO Technical Rooting Profile

Supported Brands: Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO, Black Shark.
Operating Systems: Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0 / 2.0 and MIUI 14 / 13 / 12.
Flashing Tool: Official Mi Unlock Tool (for unlocking) + standard Fastboot CLI (for flashing).
Target Partition: init_boot.img (devices launching on Android 13/14+) or boot.img (older devices).
Hardware Security: Relockable AVB 2.0; hardware warranty is respected in India and select international regions even after unlocking.

The Mi Unlock Tool 168-Hour Waiting Period Explained

Unlike Google Pixel or OnePlus devices which unlock instantly via Fastboot, Xiaomi enforces a server-side cryptographic token waiting period to prevent unauthorized retailer modification:

Mi Unlock Token Binding Process

# Prerequisites for Xiaomi Bootloader Unlocking: 1. Valid Mi Account logged into the device for at least 30 days. 2. Active SIM card with mobile data enabled (Wi-Fi MUST be turned off during binding!). 3. Developer Options -> "Mi Unlock Status" -> Tap "Add account and device". # The 168-Hour (7-Day) Countdown: When you connect to the official Mi Unlock Tool on your PC and click Unlock, Xiaomi's authentication servers will return: "Please unlock after 168 hours of using your device." * DO NOT log out of your Mi Account or factory reset during this 7-day period, or the countdown timer will reset to 0!

Step-by-Step Installation Walkthrough: Fastboot Method

Step 1: Complete Bootloader Unlocking

After the 168-hour countdown expires, power off your device.
Hold down Power + Volume Down to enter Fastboot Mode (the orange Fastboot logo or classic Mi bunny will appear).
Connect your phone to your PC, open Mi Unlock Tool, and click Unlock.
The tool will verify the server token and unlock the bootloader, wiping all user data.

Step 2: Obtain Stock Fastboot ROM (.tgz)

Always download the official Fastboot ROM (packaged as a .tgz archive), NOT a Recovery ROM (.zip). Extract the TGZ archive to reveal the images/ folder containing:

images/init_boot.img (for devices launched with Android 13/14+)
images/boot.img (for devices launched with Android 12 or earlier)
images/vbmeta.img (used for DM-Verity disabling if required)

Step 3: Patch Image via Magisk App

ADB Patching Commands

# 1. Install Magisk APK on phone $adb install -r Magisk-v30.7.apk # 2. Push stock boot or init_boot image to Download folder $adb push images/boot.img /sdcard/Download/ # 3. In Magisk App: Tap Install -> Select and Patch a File -> Choose boot.img # 4. Pull the patched image back to PC $adb pull /sdcard/Download/magisk_patched_*.img magisk_patched.img

Step 4: Flash in Fastboot Mode

Fastboot Terminal Commands

# Reboot device into Fastboot Mode (Power + Vol Down) $adb reboot bootloader # Optional safety flag on select Xiaomi devices to prevent DM-Verity bootloops: $fastboot flash --disable-verity --disable-verification vbmeta images/vbmeta.img # Flash patched Magisk image: $fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img # Reboot phone: $fastboot reboot

Xiaomi & POCO Troubleshooting & Error Recovery

My Xiaomi phone shows a black screen with "The system has been destroyed". How do I fix this?

This error indicates that Android Verified Boot (AVB) detected an altered boot partition with DM-Verity enforcement enabled. To fix it: reboot to Fastboot mode (hold Power + Vol Down), flash stock vbmeta.img with disabled verification flags (fastboot flash --disable-verity --disable-verification vbmeta vbmeta.img), then flash your stock boot.img.

Why does Mi Unlock Tool show "Account not bound" or fail to add device in HyperOS?