Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI or Android One offer users several menu levels, from standard settings to hidden engineering modes. However, not everyone knows how to get into them, especially if it is a Recovery Mode or Fastboot for firmware or reset. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to log into the Xiaomi menu, including nuances for different models and versions of the software.
It’s important to understand that accessing some partitions (like Engineer Mode) may require additional rights or even unlocking the bootloader, and doing the wrong thing in Recovery or Fastboot can lead to a device brilliance, so if you’re a beginner, start with the basic settings and then move on to advanced features.
We'll look at this.
- 📱 Standard settings menu MIUI Where to look for key parameters
- 🔧 How to log in to Recovery Mode (including: TWRP)
- ⚡ How to activate Fastboot and why you need it
- 🔍 Hidden engineering menus and codes for diagnosis
- ⚠️ Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1. Xiaomi's standard settings menu: where to look
The basic settings menu in MIUI opens through the Settings icon** (cog) on the home screen or in the application menu. However, partition structure may vary depending on the shell version (e.g. MIUI 12 vs MIUI 14) and the smartphone model. Here are the key paths for popular options:
- 🛡️ Security: Settings → Passwords and security
On Android One smartphones (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A1/A2/A3) The menu is closer to "pure" Android, so the path to the same settings may be different. → System system → Reset.
⚠️ Attention: B MIUI Some settings are duplicated in Advanced Settings** (three-dot icon in the upper right corner of the main sections!
2. How to Sign In to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi
Recovery Mode is a special recovery mode that allows you to reset your smartphone to factory settings, install firmware or clear the cache. It is logged in through hardware buttons, but there are nuances for different models.
The standard method (for most models):
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power button + Volume Up button at the same time.
- Hold on for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
On some devices (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro or POCO F1), volume reduction can be used instead of volume increase. If the standard method did not work, try an alternative combination.
Turn off your phone completely (don't restart!)|Check your battery (minimum 30%)|Use the original cable when connecting to a PC|Do not hold the buttons longer than 15 seconds-->
What if the phone is not included in Recovery?
| Xiaomi model | Combination for Recovery | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi 9/9A/9C | Power + Volume Increase | Menu in Chinese (translation needed) |
| POCO X3/X3 Pro | Power + Volume Increase | Supports TWRP without locks |
| Mi 11/11 Pro | Power + Volume Increase | Requires unlocking the bootloader for TWRP |
| Black Shark 4/5 | Power + Both Volume buttons | The game models have a unique menu. |
3.Fastboot login: when you need it and how to activate it
Fastboot is a firmware mode that is used to install custom recovery (TWRP), unlock the bootloader or restore the "brick." Unlike Recovery, here management is carried out using commands on the PC via ADB.
How to log in to Fastboot:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power button + Volume down button.
- Hold until the screen with the hare in the hat-eared (Fastboot logo) appears.
At this point, the phone connects to the PC, and the next steps are performed via the command line. For example, to check the connection, type:
fastboot devices⚠️ Note: New Xiaomi models (released after 2021) have the bootloader locked by default.Fastboot will require official unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool!
1. Install the Mi Flash Tool drivers.
2. Use the original USB-cable.
3.Change port USB on PC (better to use) USB 2.0).-->
4. Hidden engineering menus and service codes
In addition to the standard settings, Xiaomi smartphones have hidden engineering menus for iron diagnostics, sensor testing and calibration, accessed through service codes or special combinations.
Popular engineering codes:
- 📞 ##4636## - battery information, networking and usage statistics
- 🔍 ##225## - Calendar and alarm clock checks
- 🎤 ##6484## - Test of microphone and speakers
- 📡 ##4634## - Information about SIM-map
To enter the full engineering menu (for example, for calibrating an accelerometer or a camera test), use:
##36446337##After entering the code, the EngineerMode menu will open, where you can test:
- 🔋 Battery condition (voltage, temperature)
- 📶 Signal. GPS Wi-Fi module
- 🎯 Precision of the gyroscope and compass
💡
Service codes only work on standard MIUI firmware. On custom builds (for example, LineageOS), they can be disabled.
5. Frequent problems and how to solve them
When trying to log into the Xiaomi menu, users often encounter common mistakes, and consider the most common and ways to fix them.
Problem 1: The phone is not included in Recovery, but simply turns on.
🔹 Reason: Wrong button combination or system freeze.
🔹 Decision:
- Try to hold the buttons longer (up to 15 seconds).
- Connect the charger and try again.
- If the phone has previously rotated, it is possible that the Recovery partition is damaged - you will need to flash it.
Problem 2: In Fastboot, the phone is not defined by the PC.
🔹 Reason: There are no drivers or problems with USB-port.
🔹 Decision:
- Install the Mi Flash Tool from Xiaomi’s official website.
- Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).
- Turn off driver signatures in Windows (use gpedit.msc for this).
Problem 3: The engineering menu does not open after you enter the code.
🔹 Reason: Codes disabled in custom firmware or blocked by operator.
🔹 Decision:
- Return to the standard MIUI via Fastboot.
- Check if an application is installed to block engineering menus (for example, Network Signal Guru).
6.Security: What can and cannot be done in hidden menus
Working with Recovery, Fastboot, or engineering menus requires caution, and errors can result in data loss, device blinking, or even warranty loss.
✅ What can I do:
- 🔄 Reset the cache (Wipe Cache) to speed up the system.
- 📥 Install official firmware through Fastboot.
- 🔍 Check the status of the battery and sensors in the engineering menu.
❌ What can not be done without experience:
- 🚫 Remove System or Boot Partitions in Fastboot.
- 🚫 Change the Baseband settings in the engineering menu.
- 🚫 Establishing informal TWRP New models without unlocking the loader.
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO C3) Incorrect actions in the engineering menu can lead to loss of IMEI! Recovering it without specialized equipment will be difficult.