Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are built on the Android operating system, which has a hidden service section known as Recovery Mode. This mode is minimalist software stitched into the device’s memory while in the factory, and allows you to perform critical operations with the system when the main interface is not loaded or requires deep cleaning.
Owners often face the challenge of being on this menu when they experience update errors, have a cyclical reboot, or want to completely clean the device before selling. Understanding how to make a shaomi recovery is a basic skill for any advanced user, as it is the key to restoring the device to critical situations.
There are two main types of recovery: standard (Stock Recovery) and custom (TWRP), but in this article we will focus on working with stock mode, which is available on any device without the need to obtain superuser rights.
What is Recovery Mode and Why You Need It
Recovery mode is an operating system-independent environment that starts before the MIUI or HyperOS interface is loaded, and its main task is to provide the user with access to low-level file system and memory partition management functions of the smartphone.
Recovery Mode is required in cases where the phone has “got into a bootloop” (infinitely restarts), does not respond to the sensor after updating, or requires complete cleaning before flashing, in which all third-party applications and services are disabled, which eliminates software conflicts that block normal operation.
⚠️ Attention: All actions in the recovery menu are performed at your own risk. Incorrect use of reset functions can lead to complete loss of personal data without the possibility of their recovery.
The standard menu is limited, but it's sufficient for most maintenance tasks. You can clear the cache, reset the settings to the factory or just reboot the device. For more complex manipulations, such as installing custom firmware, usually you need an extended version of the menu, but the standard tool is reliable and stable.
What is the difference between Stock Recovery and TWRP?
Preparation of the device before entering the recovery mode
Before you try to log into the recavator menu, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps to avoid potential errors or interruption of the process. First of all, make sure that the battery charge is at least 50-60%, as resetting or flashing procedures can be energy-intensive.
If you have physical access to your smartphone files and it is even partially functional, we strongly advise you to back up important contacts, photos and documents.
☑️ Preparation for the procedure
It is also recommended to remove the microSD card and SIM-This will prevent accidental damage to the card file system or conflicts when restarting the system, especially if you plan to reset the device before factory settings.
It is important to know the password from your Mi Account and Google account. Once you have done a Wipe reset, the system will require authorization to these accounts for security reasons (FRP - Factory Reset Protection).
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Take a picture of the screen with the account settings before reset, which will help to avoid the situation when you forget the login or password from the Google account associated with the device.
How to log in to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi and Redmi
There are several proven methods to go into recovery mode, and the most common and versatile way involves using a combination of physical buttons on a device that is off, which works on most models, including the Redmi Note, Xiaomi Mi, and POCO series.
To enter through the buttons, you need to turn off the smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up and Power button. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, then release the power button, but continue to keep the volume until the menu appears.
⚠️ Note: Some models with high refresh rate screens or specific firmware may not show menus the first time. If the download went the usual way, repeat the procedure by changing the timing of the button presses.
An alternative way to log in is available if the phone is switched on and working normally. You can use system settings or ADB commands. To access through settings, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and click on the kernel version several times, although this method more often opens the developer menu than the Recovery.
A more advanced method is to use USB debugging and a computer, and if your phone has USB debugging enabled, plug it into your PC and type a command into your console:
adb reboot recoveryThis command will force the device to restart immediately in the desired mode, bypassing the need to manipulate the buttons. This is especially convenient if the volume button is faulty or stuck.
Navigation and Recovery Menu Items
The interface of the stock Recovery on Xiaomi devices looks ascetic: a black background and a list of items, often in English or Chinese. Up/Down) to move through the list and power button to confirm the choice.
Depending on the firmware region (Global, China, EEA), the menu can be in different languages. In the Chinese version (CN Recovery), the items are arranged in a certain order, which is important to know so as not to click too much. The main commands include reboot, clean up data and connect to the PC.
| Menu item (En/Ru) | Function | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| Reboot / Reboot | The usual exit and launch of Android | No. |
| Wipe Data / Clearing the Data | Full reset to factory settings | High (all removed) |
| Connect with MIAssistant | Connection mode to PC for firmware | No (safe) |
| View Log / View Logs | Technical error information | No. |
The Wipe Data item is a special focus, and it usually hides a submenu inside it where you need to select Wipe All Data for full formatting, and the system will ask you to confirm the action, often requiring you to press Confirm or select the appropriate item again.
Completely reset (Hard Reset) through Recovery
The Full Reset procedure, or Hard Reset, is the most radical method of software-based resuscitation of the phone, which returns the device to the state it was in right after it left the assembly line, removing all user data, applications and settings.
To perform the reset, log into the recapable menu as described above. With the volume buttons, select Wipe Data (or the second item on the Chinese menu) and press the power button. In the next screen, select Wipe All Data and confirm the action.
⚠️ Warning: The cleaning process can take 2 to 10 minutes, at which time the screen may display a progress bar or just a logo.
Once the cleanup is complete, the system will automatically return to the main recavator menu, and then select Reboot (the first item on the list) and then Reboot to System, and the first boot will begin, which will last longer than usual.
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Hard Reset via Recovery is the only solution if the phone is locked with a forgotten pattern lock, but it doesn’t remove the Google account lock (FRP).
Problem Solving: What to Do When Recovery Doesn't Start
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the button combination does not work and the phone simply turns on as normal, which can be caused by features of fast boot or software failure.
Try to change the sequence of actions: first press the volume button, and then, without letting it go, connect a USB cable from the charger or computer. On some Redmi and POCO models, it is through the cable connection with the button pressed.
If the menu appears but crashes or the phone reboots, the recovery section may be damaged, in which case the only way out is often to flash the device through Fastboot mode using the computer and the Mi Flash Tool utility, since software can not restore the recovers from the inside of the system.
It's also worth checking the integrity of the physical buttons, and if the volume button doesn't click or it crashes, you can't go into mode the standard way. ADB-commands, if the phone was pre-enabled debugging USB.