How to Get into Safe Mode on Xiaomi

Smartphones running MIUI or HyperOS shells are highly customized and functional, but sometimes the system starts to work unstable, and the cause of failures can be conflicts of recently installed programs, errors in system processes or even malicious software. In such situations, a standard restart of the device does not always help to fix the malfunction, and the user needs a deeper diagnostic method.

To solve these problems, the Android operating system provides Safe Mode, a state of the smartphone in which the operating system loads only with basic, preinstalled applications and services. All third-party programs that you downloaded from the Play Market store or installed from APK-files in this mode are blocked and do not start automatically.

Using this tool allows you to determine exactly whether a particular application is responsible for the unstable operation. If in safe mode your Xiaomi works perfectly smoothly, does not freeze or warm up, then the problem lies in third-party software, which is an indispensable stage of diagnosis before trying to completely reset the settings or reflash the device.

Why you should run your smartphone in Safe Mode

The main purpose of this transition is to isolate system processes from the influence of user applications. Often, after updating a program or installing a new widget, the phone begins to quickly discharge, spontaneously reboot or freeze on the boot screen. Safe mode allows you to turn off all this “load” leaving only a clean MIUI shell.

In addition, this method is critical if your device has infected a miner virus or ad virus that blocks access to settings or constantly opens advertising windows. In the normal state, it is impossible to remove such an application, since it immediately restarts the process after trying to delete. In the diagnostic mode, the malicious code is not activated, which gives you complete above the system.

⚠️ Warning: While in safe mode, you will not be able to use the usual messengers, social networks and games. Do not be afraid if after turning on you do not find the icons WhatsApp or Telegram on the desktop - this is normal behavior of the system.

It’s also worth noting that this mode is not only useful for treatment, but also for testing. If you’re planning to install a critical update or change system settings, checking in the clean state will help make sure that the basic functions of the phone are working correctly, especially for owners of devices with modified firmware.

Preparation of the device before diagnosis

Before you start rebooting into a special mode, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps, which will help to avoid losing important data and make the process more understandable. First of all, make sure that the battery charge of your smartphone is at least 40-50%. Although the mode does not require much power, a sudden shutdown during diagnosis can lead to file system errors.

The second important step is to save current data. Although logging into secure mode doesn’t delete your photos, contacts or correspondence, the risk of an accidental reset is always there, especially if you decide to delete system files. It is recommended to make a backup through the cloud service Xiaomi Cloud or Google Drive. USB cables, if not used for charging.

Remember or write down the names of the apps you've installed recently, especially if the problems start right after they start, which will make it much easier to find the culprit of the instability when you're in diagnostic mode. If you've installed programs from unknown sources, prepare to remove them immediately.

Classic way to turn on via the food menu

The most common and secure method of logging into Safe Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is to use the standard shutdown menu, which works on the vast majority of models, including the Redmi Note, Poco and the flagship Mi series.

To start, press and hold the power button until the options menu appears on the screen. Usually there are "Switch off," "Reset" and "Flight Mode" buttons, you need to find the "Switch off" button (power icon) and not just press it, but pinch your finger on this icon on the screen. Hold your finger for about 2-3 seconds.

After a long press, the system will ask for confirmation of the transition to Safe Mode. The screen will appear a pop-up with the text "Go to Safe Mode?" and two select buttons. Press "OK" or "Confirm." The smartphone will start to reboot, and you will see the Mi or Poco logo. During the boot process, the screen may appear saying "Safe Mode".

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If the confirmation menu didn't appear the first time, try pressing and holding the "Switch off" icon a little longer or, conversely, doing it faster, sometimes taking several attempts to activate the hidden menu.

When you load the system, you'll notice the bottom of the screen, and it should show you a translucent "Safe Mode" or "Safe Mode," which signals that all third-party apps are disabled, and you can start diagnosing, and if it's written, it means that the manipulations have been successful.

Alternative methods for different versions of MIUI

Interfaces can vary between versions of the MIUI shell, and sometimes the classic long-pressed off-button method doesn't work or works differently. Some system modifications, especially on older devices or custom firmware, require physical volume control buttons, which is similar to a Recovery login, but has its own features.

To take advantage of this, turn off your smartphone completely first. Then press both the power button and the volume button ("Loud down"). Keep both buttons clamped. When the manufacturer's logo appears, release the power button, but continue holding the volume button until the Android logo or desktop appears.

It is worth noting that on many modern Xiaomi models, pressing the volume button at start can lead to hitting the Fastboot or Recovery menu instead of safe mode. So this method should only be used if the software method through the screen does not work. Be careful: if you are on the menu with a black screen and text in English (Fastboot), just press the power button for 10 seconds to force the reboot.

Another advanced way for power users is to use USB debugging and a computer, so you can force the adb reboot safe command to reboot your device in the right mode, and you can connect your phone to a PC with ADB drivers installed and type a command into the terminal, which is the most reliable method if the phone's touch screen doesn't respond because of a crash.

Diagnostics and removal of problematic applications

Once you successfully log in to Safe Mode, you'll see a clean desktop. Now your task is to identify the application causing the conflict. Remember when you installed the program that started the problem. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps and look carefully at the list. Look for programs with suspicious names or those that you don't remember.

If you're not sure which app is to blame, try removing the last installed programs one at a time. After deleting each application, it's advisable to restart the phone (it will come out of Safe Mode) and check it as normal. If the problem has disappeared, the culprit is found. If not, go back to Safe Mode and delete the next program.

⚠️ Note: In Safe Mode, you cannot remove system applications labeled Defender, Security, or System Services, and removing these components may cause your phone to fail (bootloop).

It also recommends checking your phone with the built-in Security antivirus, running a system scan. Since third-party viruses are not active, the antivirus can find and neutralize malicious files that normally might resist deletion, a great way to smoke out hidden threats.

How to get out of Safe Mode on Xiaomi

Many users, having successfully solved the problem, are faced with the question: how to return to normal? Fortunately, exiting Safe Mode is as simple as possible and does not require complex manipulations. The most important thing is not to panic if after a normal reboot the phone again boots in safe mode.

The most standard way to exit is to simply reboot the device, press and hold the power button, select Turn off or Reboot. Importantly, you don't have to keep your finger on the off button as you would when you log in. Just press once to confirm. Once you restart, the system should boot normally with all your apps.

If the “Safe Mode” label is left after the reboot, try the following algorithm:

• 🔄 Turn off your phone completely and wait. 10-15 seconds.
• 📱 Turn on the device without pressing any volume buttons.
• 🔍 Make sure there are no active notifications on the debugging mode in the notification curtain or on the screen.
• 🔋 Check if the volume button is physically stuck (sometimes the case may press it).

In rare cases, when the software output does not help, you may need to reset your settings, but this should only be resorted to as a last resort. Usually, it is enough to simply turn off and turn on the phone 2-3 times in a row, so that the system “resets” the flag of safe boot.

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In 99% of cases, to exit safe mode, it is enough to perform a normal smartphone restart without clamping the volume buttons.