Is Rooting Redmi Note 12s Worth It? Expert Analysis

Based on your concerns as a beginner using NFS payment services and wanting gesture controls on third-party launchers, rooting your Redmi Note 12s carries significant risks that likely outweigh the benefits. While rooting with Magisk could potentially enable gesture controls on custom launchers, it would compromise your device’s security, void warranty, and likely disable NFC payment functionality that depends on the device’s secure bootloader.

Contents

• Understanding Rooting and Your Redmi Note 12s
• Key Risks for Beginners
• NFS Payment Services and Security Concerns
• Gesture Controls with Custom Launchers
• Alternatives to Rooting
• Making Your Decision

Understanding Rooting and Your Redmi Note 12s

Rooting your Redmi Note 12s involves gaining administrative (superuser) access to the Android operating system, essentially unlocking the device’s full potential but also removing many of the security protections built into the system. For Xiaomi devices like the Redmi Note 12s, the process typically requires unlocking the bootloader through Mi Unlock, which automatically wipes all data from your device.

The Redmi Note 12s runs on Xiaomi’s MIUI interface, which is based on Android and includes various manufacturer-specific features and optimizations. When you root, you’re essentially bypassing many of these built-in protections and potentially destabilizing the carefully tuned software experience that Xiaomi has designed for optimal performance on this hardware.

Rooting isn’t inherently illegal, but it does void your device warranty and may violate terms of service for certain apps and services. For a beginner, the process can be particularly challenging, as it requires following precise instructions, downloading specific files, and potentially dealing with unexpected errors that could render your device temporarily unusable.

Key Risks for Beginners

As someone new to rooting, you should be aware of several significant risks that could affect your daily phone usage:

Bricking Your Device
The most feared consequence is “bricking” your phone, rendering it as useful as a brick. This happens when the rooting process fails midway or when you install incompatible software. While modern devices have safeguards, the risk is never zero, and recovery can be complex.

Security Vulnerabilities
Rooting removes the security sandbox that protects your apps from each other and from malicious software. Malicious apps could potentially access sensitive data that would normally be protected, including your personal photos, messages, and login credentials.

System Instability
You may experience more frequent app crashes, unexpected reboots, or poor performance. Custom ROMs and modifications aren’t always perfectly optimized for your specific hardware, leading to a less smooth experience than the original MIUI.

Software Updates
Rooted devices cannot receive official over-the-air updates from Xiaomi. You’ll need to manually update, which requires technical knowledge and carries its own risks. This means you’ll miss out on security patches, new features, and performance improvements.

Data Loss
The bootloader unlocking process required for rooting wipes all data from your device. You’ll need to back up everything before starting, and even with careful preparation, there’s always a risk of data loss during the process.

NFS Payment Services and Security Concerns

Your concern about NFS payment services is particularly important. NFC (Near Field Communication) payment services like Google Pay, Samsung Pay, or any banking apps rely on the device’s secure element and bootloader integrity to function. These services implement multiple layers of security to protect your financial information, and rooting compromises these protections.

When you root your Redmi Note 12s:

• NFC payment services typically detect rooted devices and refuse to work
• Banking apps may refuse to open or perform transactions
• Digital wallet services may disable themselves for security reasons
• Any app that handles sensitive financial information will likely detect the rooted status

Even if you try to hide the root status using Magisk Hide, many financial services are constantly updating their detection methods and may still identify your device as compromised. This creates a significant security risk and could potentially lead to:

• Account suspension or termination
• Loss of transaction history
• Inability to access your funds during critical moments
• Potential liability if unauthorized transactions occur

The security measures in place aren’t just inconvenient—they exist to protect both you and the service providers from fraud and theft. Bypassing these protections puts you at much greater risk.

Gesture Controls with Custom Launchers

Regarding your question about gesture controls on third-party launchers: yes, rooting your Redmi Note 12s with Magisk could potentially enable gesture controls on custom launchers, but with some important caveats.

Xiaomi’s MIUI interface includes gesture navigation features that are integrated deeply into the system software. When you switch to a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, or Launcher3, these gestures often don’t work because they require system-level permissions that launchers don’t have by default.

Rooting with Magisk gives you the ability to:

• Modify system files to enable gesture support
• Use Magisk modules specifically designed for gesture navigation
• Grant elevated permissions to third-party launchers

However, this isn’t always straightforward:

• You’ll need to find or create specific modules for your Redmi Note 12s model
• Different launchers may require different approaches
• System updates could break your gesture implementation
• Some gestures may not work as smoothly as they do in the MIUI interface

Popular launchers like Nova Launcher offer their own gesture systems that work without root, but these may not be as comprehensive or as well-integrated as Xiaomi’s native gesture support. Without root, you can still access many gesture features, but some advanced options may remain unavailable.

Alternatives to Rooting

Before committing to rooting, consider these alternatives that might address your needs without the associated risks:

Custom Launchers Without Root
Many modern launchers offer extensive customization options without requiring root access. Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and others provide:

• Home screen grid customization
• Icon packs and themes
• Gesture support (though limited compared to system-level gestures)
• App drawer organization
• Dock customization

Developer Options
Android’s built-in Developer Options include many advanced features that don’t require root:

• Animation speed adjustments
• USB debugging for advanced users
• Background process limits
• Window animation scale adjustments
• Hardware acceleration settings

Xiaomi’s Built-in Features
MIUI includes many customization options that you might not be aware of:

• Theme engine for complete UI customization
• Lock screen customization
• Notification panel controls
• Quick tile customization
• Home screen layout options

ADB and Fastboot
For advanced users, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows many operations without root:

• App backups and restores
• System file viewing and modification (limited)
• Screen recording and screenshots
• Logcat for debugging
• App installation from outside the Play Store

Making Your Decision

When deciding whether to root your Redmi Note 12s, weigh these factors carefully:

Your Technical Skills
As a beginner, consider whether you’re prepared for:

• Following complex technical instructions
• Troubleshooting potential issues
• Recovering from a soft brick
• Maintaining your rooted system over time

Your Usage Patterns
Think about how you use your phone daily:

• Do you rely heavily on NFC payments?
• Would you be devastated if your data was lost?
• How important is warranty protection to you?
• Are you comfortable with potentially unstable performance?

Your Priorities
What are you hoping to achieve by rooting?

• If it’s just gesture controls on a launcher, there may be easier solutions
• If you want complete system control, be prepared for the commitment
• If you want specific features that aren’t available otherwise, research thoroughly
• If you’re curious about the process, consider practicing on an older device first

Sources

1. Xiaomi Official Support - Bootloader Unlocking
2. Magisk Documentation - Root and Systemless Interface
3. Android Developers - Security Overview
4. Google Pay Security Requirements
5. XDA Developers - Rooting Guides and Community Support

Conclusion

After considering your concerns as a beginner using NFC payment services and wanting gesture controls on third-party launchers, I recommend against rooting your Redmi Note 12s at this time. The security risks to your financial data, the potential loss of NFC functionality, and the technical challenges for a beginner far outweigh the benefits of gesture controls on custom launchers.

Instead, explore the many customization options available without root through:

• Advanced third-party launchers that offer gesture support
• Xiaomi’s built-in theme and customization options
• Developer Options for system tweaks
• ADB for advanced operations without root

If you’re determined to explore rooting, consider practicing on an older device first or waiting until you’re more comfortable with Android system modifications. Remember that once you root, there’s no going back to a completely secure, warranty-protected device without potentially complex procedures.