How to Root Xiaomi Mi3: Full Step-by-Step Guide

Rooting your Xiaomi Mi3 gives you full administrative control over the Android system, allowing you to remove bloatware, install root-only apps, flash custom ROMs, and tweak performance or battery life. This guide walks you through the entire process using the standard fastboot method, which is the most reliable for this device. Before you start, back up all important data, charge your phone above 70%, and ensure you have a Windows PC (or a Mac/Linux with fastboot installed) and a USB cable.

What You’ll Need

• Xiaomi Mi3 (model: 2013022 for China, 2013061 for India – both work with this method)
• Unlocked bootloader (required – see Step 1)
• ADB and Fastboot tools installed on your computer (download the official platform-tools from Google)
• Mi3 USB drivers installed on your PC
• A custom recovery image (e.g., TWRP) compatible with Mi3
• Magisk ZIP package (latest stable version)
• USB debugging enabled on your phone
• A stable USB cable and a Windows/Mac/Linux computer

Step-by-Step

1. Unlock the bootloader (if not already done). Go to Settings > About Phone and tap “MIUI version� 7 times to enable Developer Options. Then go to Settings > Additional Settings > Developer Options and enable “OEM Unlocking� and “USB Debugging�. Apply for bootloader unlock on Xiaomi’s official unlock page, download the Mi Unlock tool, and follow its instructions. This wipes your data, so back up first.
2. Install ADB and Fastboot. Download the platform-tools zip from the Android developer site, extract it to a folder like C:\adb. On Windows, add that folder to your PATH or use it directly in Command Prompt. Verify by opening Command Prompt and typing adb version.
3. Install Mi3 USB drivers. Download the official Xiaomi USB driver package and install it. On Windows, you may need to manually update the driver via Device Manager when the phone is in fastboot mode.
4. Enable USB debugging and connect. On your phone, go to Developer Options and ensure USB Debugging is on. Connect the phone to your PC. When prompted, allow the RSA key fingerprint.
5. Boot into fastboot mode. With the phone off, press and hold Volume Down + Power simultaneously for about 5 seconds until the fastboot logo (a rabbit with a robot) appears. Alternatively, from the command prompt type adb reboot bootloader.
6. Verify fastboot connection. In Command Prompt, type fastboot devices. You should see your device listed (e.g., “1234567890 fastbootâ€�). If not, reinstall drivers.
7. Flash a custom recovery (TWRP). Download a TWRP image file (e.g., twrp-3.x.x-x-aries.img – aries is the codename for Mi3). Place it in your adb folder. Type fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-aries.img. Then type fastboot boot twrp-3.x.x-x-aries.img to boot into TWRP temporarily (this avoids overwriting the stock recovery if you need it).
8. Boot into TWRP. If you used the fastboot boot command, your phone will restart into TWRP. If not, after flashing, unplug the phone, remove the battery (if removable – Mi3 has a non-removable battery, so instead hold Volume Up + Power), and boot into recovery manually.
9. Backup your current ROM (optional but recommended). In TWRP, tap “Backup�, select System, Data, Boot, and swipe to back up. Store the backup on an external SD or transfer to PC later.
10. Copy Magisk ZIP to your phone. While in TWRP, connect your phone to PC via USB. TWRP should show a “Mount� option – enable MTP. Copy the Magisk ZIP file to the internal storage.
11. Install Magisk. In TWRP, tap “Install�, navigate to the Magisk ZIP, select it, and swipe to confirm flash. Wait for the process to finish.
12. Wipe cache/dalvik. After flashing, go to “Wipe�, select “Dalvik Cache� and “Cache�, and swipe to wipe. This prevents boot loops.
13. Reboot system. Tap “Reboot� > “System�. The first boot may take up to 10 minutes – be patient.
14. Verify root. After booting, install the Magisk Manager app (if not already installed) or download the Magisk APK from the official GitHub. Open it – it should show “Installed� with a version number. You can also use a root checker app.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping bootloader unlock: Flashing TWRP or Magisk on a locked bootloader will fail or cause a brick. Always unlock first.
• Using wrong TWRP image: Mi3 has two variants (China/India) but both use the same codename “ariesâ€�. Still, ensure you download from a trusted source and match the model.
• Not enabling USB debugging: ADB commands won’t work without it.
• Flashing Magisk on stock recovery: You must use a custom recovery; stock MIUI recovery will not install Magisk properly.
• Wiping data after flashing Magisk: This can cause boot loops. Only wipe cache/dalvik.
• Using an old version of Magisk: Always use the latest stable release to avoid compatibility issues with Android version.

Tips

• Use a USB 2.0 port on your PC for more stable fastboot communication.
• Keep a backup of your stock boot and system images – you can restore them to unroot later.
• After rooting, use Magisk’s “Hideâ€� feature (now called DenyList) for apps that detect root, like banking apps.
• If you plan to install custom ROMs, root is not always necessary – many ROMs come pre-rooted.
• Always read the XDA forum thread for your specific device for any model-specific quirks.

Troubleshooting

Device not detected in fastboot: Reinstall drivers, try a different USB port, or use the original cable. On Windows, open Device Manager, find the device with a yellow exclamation, and manually install the driver.

Fastboot command hangs or says “waiting for device�: Ensure you are in fastboot mode (not ADB mode). The screen should show the fastboot logo. If not, reboot into fastboot again.

Boot loop after flashing Magisk: Boot back into TWRP (Volume Up + Power), wipe cache and dalvik again. If still stuck, restore your backup from TWRP. If no backup, flash the stock boot image via fastboot.

Magisk Manager shows “Not installed�: Re-flash Magisk via TWRP, ensuring you have the correct ZIP and that the flash completed without errors. Also check that your bootloader is unlocked.

Phone stuck on MIUI logo: This usually means a bad flash. Boot into TWRP and reflash Magisk, or restore backup. If you can’t access TWRP, reflash TWRP via fastboot.

USB debugging not working: Re-enable it, and on the phone, when the RSA prompt appears, check “Always allow from this computer�. Also try toggling USB debugging off and on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does rooting void my warranty?

Yes, rooting typically voids the manufacturer warranty. However, you can unroot by restoring the stock system and boot images, which may restore warranty status depending on the service center.

Will I still get OTA updates after rooting?

No, OTA updates will fail because the system partition is modified. You’ll need to download full ROM zips and flash them manually, then re-root.

Can I unroot later?

Yes. Open Magisk Manager, go to “Uninstall�, and choose “Complete Uninstall�. This restores the stock boot image. Alternatively, flash the stock boot.img via fastboot.

Is it safe to root my Mi3?

If you follow the steps correctly, rooting is safe. The main risks are bricking if you flash wrong files or skip steps. Always have a backup.

What Android version is my Mi3 on?

The Mi3 originally shipped with Android 4.4, but you can install custom ROMs up to Android 7 or 8. Rooting works on any version as long as you use a compatible Magisk version.

Do I need a PC to root?

Yes, the fastboot method requires a PC. There is no reliable one-click root app for the Mi3.

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