Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones running MIUI shells or the new HyperOS are complex computing systems. Sometimes users face situations where the device starts to work incorrectly: intrusive banner ads appear, apps spontaneously close, or the phone stops responding to touch, in which cases, a standard reboot often does not help eliminate deep-seated software conflicts.
To diagnose and fix these problems, there is a special diagnostic tool called Safe Mode, which is the state of the Android operating system, where only the system applications and services necessary for the basic operation of the phone are loaded, and third-party programs installed by a user from Google Play or other sources are completely disabled in this mode and cannot be started.
That's why enabling safe mode on Xiaomi is the first step in finding the causes of unstable work of the gadget. If in this mode the phone is stable and fast, then the problem lies in one of the installed applications. This allows you to methodically software without resorting to a radical reset of all data to factory settings.
What is a Safe Mode and Why You Need It
Safe Mode is a diagnostic environment built into the Android operating system kernel, which blocks all executable files that are not part of the factory firmware from running, creating a sterile environment to determine whether the device’s hardware or third-party software is causing the failure.
The main purpose of using this mode on Xiaomi smartphones is to detect malware, often called viruses, or conflicting applications. For example, if you installed a new launcher or antivirus, after which the phone began to run out in a couple of hours, it is in safe mode that you can confirm this, and the system in this state consumes minimal CPU and RAM resources.
In addition, this mode is indispensable when the system interface is completely blocked by a virus-encryptor or advertising module that does not allow you to click on the screen. In safe mode, such modules are not activated, which gives the user access to settings to remove the problematic application. MIUI and HyperOS retain the full functionality of the system menus, allowing for deep cleaning.
⚠️ Warning: While in safe mode, you will not be able to use most of the usual functions: messengers, social networks, games and banking applications. Do not be afraid if after turning on the icons of your programs will become translucent or disappear from the desktop – this is the standard behavior of the system.
It's important to understand that Safe Mode doesn't delete your data, contacts, or photos, it only temporarily changes the operating system's boot algorithm, and once you've left that mode, all your apps will return to their normal places and will work as normal unless you force them to be deleted during the diagnostic.
Preparation of the smartphone before entering the diagnostic mode
Before you go to the direct activation of the diagnostic mode, you need to perform a number of preparatory actions, which will help to avoid loss of unsaved data and prevent interruption of the process due to battery discharge. Although entering safe mode is safe, unforeseen circumstances can occur when working with any operating system.
First of all, make sure that your Xiaomi battery is at least 50-60%.The diagnostic process can take a long time, especially if you need to test various system features or remove several heavy applications.Suddenly turning off your phone while running in this mode can damage system files.
It is also recommended to close all active background processes before restarting. Although the system will unload third-party applications itself, pre-cleaning RAM through the multitasking menu will help the system move to a diagnostic state faster.
☑️ Preparation for safe regime
If you have two-factor authentication or biometric protection enabled, make sure you remember your primary screen unlock password. In Safe Mode, fingerprint scanners and facial recognition may not work properly or be completely disabled for security reasons, so enter PIN-The code or pattern lock will be the only way to access the.
Method 1: Classical method through the menu
The most common and versatile way to enable safe mode on Xiaomi phones with MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS shells is to use the standard shutdown menu.This method does not require physical buttons in good condition (except for the power button) and works even if the touchscreen is partially unresponsive.
To start, press and hold the side lock button until the graphic menu appears on the screen. In this menu, you will see two main buttons: "Stop" and "Reset." You need to press the "Stop" button and hold your finger on it for 2-3 seconds, without letting go until an additional pop-up appears.
The window that appears will suggest you go to Safe Mode, and the text usually reads, "Go to Safe Mode? All third-party apps will be disabled." Press OK or Confirm. After that, the device will start rebooting, and the lock screen or in the corner of the desktop will appear the inscription "Safe Mode".
If you didn't work the first time and the phone just turned off, repeat the procedure, but try holding the "Switch off" button a little longer. On some versions of MIUI firmware, the sensitivity of long pressing may differ, the main thing is not to release the screen until the system request appears.
What to do if the menu does not appear?
Method 2: Using physical volume buttons
In cases where the touch screen does not respond to touch due to system freeze or damage, or the classic method does not work, you can use a combination of physical buttons. This method is more “hardware” and works at the level of the Android bootloader, so it is effective even in severe software interface failures.
The algorithm is to turn off Xiaomi's smartphone completely. Wait until the screen goes out and the vibration confirms the work is done. Then press and hold the on button. Once the Mi or Redmi logo appears on the screen, quickly press and hold the Volume Down button.
Hold the volume button until the operating system is loaded and the desktop appears. If done correctly, a translucent "Safe Mode" sign will appear in the lower left corner of the screen. Some models may need to hold both volume buttons simultaneously after the logo appears.
This method is particularly useful for models with custom launchers or modified firmware, where the standard menu can be changed, and it also helps if a virus blocks the ability to call the off menu.
| Activation method | Conditions required | Difficulty | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu food | Working touchscreen, charged battery | Low. | High (for MIUI 12+) |
| Volume buttons | Working physical buttons | Medium | High (universal) |
| ADB team | Computer, USB cable, debugging | Tall. | Maximum |
| Assistant applications | Installed annex | Low. | Medium |
Using ADB for Advanced Users
For users who are well versed in the technical aspects of Android, or in situations where buttons and screens do not respond, there is a method of entering commands through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) debugging bridge, which requires a computer with ADB drivers installed and a USB-connected smartphone cable.
Before you start, make sure that the phone has the USB Debugging option on it, which is hidden by default from the Developer Menu. To activate it, you need to quickly click 7 times on the build number in the About Phone section. Once you connect to your computer and log in, open the command prompt on your PC.
Enter the following command to reboot to Safe Mode:
adb reboot safe-modeThis command will force the device to restart in diagnostic mode, and you can use the adb reboot command to get the phone back to normal, which guarantees 100% results, since the command is executed at the system level before the user interface loads.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Incorrect commands can lead to unstable system operation. Make sure you are using the official version of the Android platform SDK Platform-Tools from a Verified Source.
The advantage of ADB is that it can automate the process and remotely control it if you're setting up devices en masse or doing deep testing, but for the average user, the first two will be much more convenient and faster.
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If you use ADB, save the reboot safe-mode command in a text file on your computer so you don't manually type it every time, saving time with frequent diagnosis.
Diagnostics and removal of problematic applications
Once you successfully enter safe mode, the most important step is to find the culprit for the unstable work. Since all third-party applications are disabled, the phone must work quickly and without errors. If the problem (such as advertising or heating) disappears, then the cause is precisely one of the software products you install.
Go to your phone's settings, select the Apps section, and sort the list by installation date or size. Analyze the list carefully. Often viruses disguise themselves as system processes but have strange names or no names at all (empty name).
To remove the suspicious application:
- 📱 Click on the problem app icon in the list.
- 🗑️ Select the “Delete” button at the bottom of the screen.
- ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window.
- 🔄 If the delete button is inactive (gray), then the application has device administrator rights – they must be withdrawn in the security settings.
In some cases, malware can block access to the delete menu. In safe mode, such lock is usually removed, but if this does not help, you can use the Special Opportunities or Security menu to find and neutralize the process. After removing all suspicious objects, restart the phone in the usual way.
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If after removing all newly installed apps, the problem persists even in Safe Mode, Android system files may have been corrupted or there is a hardware malfunction.
How to get out of Safe Mode on Xiaomi
The exit from diagnostic mode on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones is as simple as possible and usually does not require complex manipulations. The standard procedure involves a normal reboot of the device. The system automatically determines that the need for diagnosis has passed, and downloads all user applications in a normal manner.
Just press and hold the power button, select Reset or Turn off, and then turn the phone on again. No additional buttons need to be pressed when you turn on. If after reboot, the Safe Mode message remains in the corner of the screen, try the full discharge cycle: Turn off the phone, remove it. SIM-card and memory card (if any) then turn on the device.
In the rare cases where the phone gets stuck in safe mode due to a software failure, cleaning the cache of system services through the Recovery menu can help. However, in 99% of cases, a simple reboot is enough. Once you exit, check all important applications to make sure they function correctly.
If the phone continues to boot in safe mode after all attempts, this could indicate a volume button sticking (since the system thinks you’re keeping it clamped) or severe firmware damage requiring flashing through the computer.