Turning on a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone is usually easy: just press the power button and in a few seconds you will see the MIUI or HyperOS logo. However, users often face situations where the standard algorithm does not work. This can be the first launch of a new device after unpacking, restore the system after a crash or try to turn on a phone that is getting stuck on a black screen.
Understanding the processes inside the gadget at start-up will help avoid panic and missteps. The device bootloader checks the integrity of system files, and if it detects errors, it can block the login to the operating system. In this article, we will discuss all the steps of a proper start-up, from simple on-boarding to complex manipulations in Recovery mode.
If your device is running out, it's time. Connect the original power supply and leave the phone for at least 15 to 20 minutes, even if the screen doesn't light up right away. Modern deep-discharge lithium polymer batteries require a "push" of current before the power controller allows Android to start.
Initial activation and setup after purchase
When you pick up a new smartphone or device that has been completely reset, the process of first turning it on is called activation. After holding the power button and the logo appears, the system will prompt you to choose the interface language. At this stage, it is important to take your time and read the prompts on the screen carefully, since the future operation of the accounts depends on the correctness of the data input.
The key is to link Mi Account, which is not just registration, but the creation of a digital passport of a device that is necessary for cloud services, phone search in case of loss and data synchronization, and without confirmation of phone number and password, access to certain functions may be limited.
Once the language is selected, the system will offer to connect to a Wi-Fi network. This is a mandatory requirement for activating Google services and checking for security updates. If the network is not found, make sure the router is giving a signal at 2.4 GHz, as some budget models may not see 5 GHz networks in setup mode.
⚠️ Warning: Don't miss the upgrade phase when you first start up. Security patches released between the phone's production and purchase are critical to protecting personal data.
Then you go through the data copying phase, and you can move contacts, photos and apps from your old device over a cable or cloud, and it takes 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of information you have, and interrupting the transmission at this point can damage your contact database.
Actions when hanging on the logo (Bootloop)
A situation where the phone turns on, shows the Xiaomi or Android logo, and then the screen goes out and the cycle repeats, is called bootloop. This is a common problem that can be caused by an update failure, memory overflow, or application conflict. First of all, try a forced reboot.
This requires holding the power button for a long time, 10 to 20 seconds, some models require a combination of power buttons and volume up, and if the device vibrates and the screen goes out, release the buttons and wait for the normal boot, which resets the power controller's temporary errors.
Why does a cyclical reset occur?
If a simple reboot doesn't work, you'll need to log in to Recovery mode. Turn the device off completely. Then press the power button and the volume button at the same time. Hold them until the menu with a black background and orange or blue lines appears.
In this menu, you can navigate with volume buttons and you can choose with power buttons. You need Wipe Data. Note: this action will delete all user data, but it's often the only way to bring the phone back to life. After reset, select Reboot and then Reboot to System.
☑️ Actions when getting stuck
Use of Fastboot and Recovery Modes
Fastboot mode is designed to provide deep diagnostics and flashing through a computer, which can be accessed by a combination of power buttons and volume reduction when the phone is turned off, and the screen will show a picture of a rabbit fixing a robot and the words Fastboot.
This mode is useful if you want to reset the unlock password (requires a developer account) or restore the brick after a failed firmware. To work in this mode, the ADB and Fastboot drivers must be installed on the PC. The fastboot device command must display the device serial number in the command line.
| Regime. | Button combination | Appointment | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery | Food + Volume Up | Reset, update | High (at Wipe) |
| Fastboot | Food + Volume Down | Firmware, diagnostics. | Medium. |
| Safe Mode | Through the off menu | Virus search | No. |
Recovery mode also has two versions: Standard (Orange) and Engineering (Blue), Standard allows you to reset or upgrade over Wi-Fi. The engineering menu is used for complex recovery and requires specific knowledge. It is not recommended to try to log in unnecessarily.
⚠️ Attention: Fastboot mode discharges the battery faster than usual. If you are not performing firmware right now, it is better to exit the mode by holding the power button for 10 seconds.
Starting in Safe Mode (Safe Mode)
If the phone turns on but is unstable, apps are constantly crashing or the processor is warming up, it may be the fault of third-party software. Safe mode only loads system applications, allowing you to diagnose the problem. This is the equivalent of a clean boot in Windows.
To enter this mode on modern versions of MIUI, press and hold the turn off button on the home screen. When the turn off icon appears, press and hold your finger on it for a few seconds. A request to go to Safe Mode will appear. Confirm the action.
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If the phone is running perfectly in safe mode, then the problem is in one of the installed applications. Start removing recently downloaded programs one at a time, restarting to normal mode after each.
In Safe Mode, you'll see a corresponding icon in the corner of the screen, all third-party icons will be translucent or hidden, perfect for checking for viruses or conflicting widgets, and just reboot the device in the normal way to exit.
Heavy launchers or memory cleaners that conflict with Xiaomi’s system optimizer are common causes of failure, and removing them often solves the problem of perpetual boot.
Recovery after resetting settings
Once you run the Wipe Data command, the phone goes back to the "out of the box" state. The initial setup process will take some time, and it's important to understand that the first run after a reset can take longer than usual, up to 10-15 minutes, as the system re-indexes files and configures the ART runtime environment.
When you turn on, you'll need to enter a password from your previously linked Google account and your Mi Account, which is a FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security measure, and you won't be able to use your phone without that data, even if you're the legitimate owner of the phone, but you've forgotten your passwords.
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Always remember passwords from the main accounts. Resetting your phone without knowing credentials turns a modern device into a useless piece of plastic and glass.
If you plan to sell the device, the reset must be done before the new owner transfers the phone, otherwise the new owner will have to look for you to unlock. Make sure the Find Device feature is turned off in the settings before resetting.
Once you have successfully downloaded and entered your passwords, the system will offer to restore your backup. If you have used the Xiaomi or Google cloud, your contacts, notes and schedule will return automatically.
Typical Startup Errors and Their Solutions
One common error is the message “Android system is running with errors” or the constant appearance of a window asking you to send an error report, often due to a crowded app cache, which can be cleared through the settings menu, the “Memory” section, or through Recovery (Wipe Cache, if available).
Another problem is that the black screen is turned on, but the phone vibrates, which may indicate a malfunction of the display or the plume, you can check the work by calling the device from another phone, and if the beep is going, then the hardware is working, and the problem is software or in the matrix of the screen.
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In conclusion, running Android correctly on Xiaomi devices requires a consistent sequence of actions and understanding the basic principles of the system. In most cases, problems are solved by simply restarting or entering recovery mode. The main thing is not to panic and avoid rash actions, such as firmware with unproven methods without backup.