Xiaomi smartphone owners sooner or later face the need to install custom recovery — TWRP. This menu allows you to flash informal firmware, make backups of the system (nandroid backup), get root rights and even restore the “bricks” after unsuccessful experiments. But the entry to TWRP on Xiaomi is different from the standard process on other Android devices due to the blocked bootloader.
In this article, you will find the most current ways to log into TWRP for Xiaomi 2026, including the Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5, Mi 14 and others. We will analyze two scenarios: when the TWRP is already installed (input through hardware buttons) and when it needs to be flashed from scratch (with unlocking the bootloader), focusing on the typical errors that cause the device to not load into recovery, and how to get around them.
What is TWRP and why is it necessary for Xiaomi?
TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a custom recovery menu with touch controls that replaces the standard recovery menu from Xiaomi. It gives the user full control over the system partition, which is impossible through the regular Mi Recovery tools.
The main features of TWRP on Xiaomi:
- 📦 Installation of informal firmware (Custom) ROM): LineageOS, Pixel Experience, ArrowOS and others.
- 🔧 Getting root rights through Magisk or SuperSU.
- 💾 Creating and restoring complete backups of the system.
- 🔄 Cleaning partitions (Dalvik Cache, Data, System) before firmware.
- 🛠️ Restore the device after a soft brick (for example, after a failed update).
Without TWRP, you’re limited to Mi Recovery, which can only reset to factory settings and install official firmware via update.zip. For example, to flash Global ROM to the Chinese version of Xiaomi, you’ll have to use TWRP or Fastboot.
⚠️ Attention: Installation TWRP Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the device, and it can also lead to a loss of warranty (if the device is purchased from official Xiaomi stores). 11T Pro) after unlocking the bootloader stops working Widevine L1, What reduces the quality of streaming on Netflix and Disney+ before 480p.
Preparation for TWRP installation: unlocking the bootloader
Before you sign in to TWRP, you need to install it, which requires you to unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi, which is officially supported by the company, but has a number of limitations:
- 🔓 Unlocking is possible only through the Mi Account linked to the device.
- ⏳ Waiting for confirmation can take anywhere from 72 hours to 360 hours (15 days) – depending on the model and region.
- 📱 On certain devices (e.g, POCO F4 GT) Additional confirmation is required through SMS.
- 🚫 After unlocking all data on the phone will be erased.
Step-by-step instructions for unlocking:
- Link Mi Account to your device: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sync and enable all options.
- Activate USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to become a developer), then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
- Download Mi Unlock Tool (official utility from Xiaomi).
- Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power).
- Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your Mi Account and follow the instructions. If the message "Couldn't unlock" appears, you have not passed 72/360 hours of waiting.
Link Mi Account to your device
Enable debugging over USB
Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website
Connect your phone to Fastboot mode
Wait for the end of the waiting timer (72-360 hours)
-->
On some models (for example, Redmi K50 or Xiaomi 12T) after unlocking the bootloader, additional authorization may be required via SMS. If the utility gives an error "Current account is different from the account info on the device", check that the phone and Mi Unlock Tool use the same account.
How to Sign In to TWRP on Xiaomi
If TWRP is already installed on your Xiaomi, you can log in in several ways, and the choice of method depends on the state of the device (on/off) and the tools available.
1. Enter through hardware buttons (the most reliable way)
This method works on 99% of Xiaomi models, including Redmi, POCO and Mi.
- Turn off the phone (if it's getting stuck, press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
- Click the combination: Volume up + Power - for most models (Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5). Volume up + Volume down + Power - for some flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Mi Mix 4).
Mi
Nutrition
Loudness up
If the standard Mi Recovery appears instead of TWRP, then the custom recovery is not installed or overwritten by the official firmware, in which case you need to flash the TWRP again (instruction in the next section).
2. Entry via ADB command (if phone is on)
If the device is working but you need to restart to TWRP without turning off, use ADB:
adb reboot recoveryBefore doing so, make sure that:
- 🔌 Debugging is on. USB (Settings → For developers).
- 🖥️ Drivers installed ADB and Fastboot on PC.
- 📱 The phone is connected to the computer and access is allowed USB (There will be a request on the screen).
If the command does not work and the phone restarts to normal mode, then TWRP is not installed or blocked by MIUI. In this case, only firmware through Fastboot will help.
3. Fastboot login (if TWRP is installed but not launched)
If you try to log in to recovery, your phone loads into Mi Recovery or freezes on the logo, try force-loading TWRP via Fastboot:
fastboot boot twrp.imgWhere twrp.img is a recovery image file for your model, this method temporarily loads TWRP without constant firmware, which is useful for testing or one-time operations (such as backup).
Hardware buttons
ADB Team Team
Fastboot
Another way.
-->
How to install TWRP on Xiaomi via Fastboot
If you don't have TWRP on your device, you need to flash it.
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
- 📱 Unlocked bootloader (see section above).
- 🔧 Utilities. ADB and Fastboot (download from Android site).
- 📄 File. twrp.img For your model (download only from the official website) TWRP or trusted sources, for example, XDA Developers).
Step-by-step:
- Download the correct version TWRP For example, for your model, for the Redmi Note. 12 Pro+ It'll be a file. twrp-3.7.0_12-v7.0_A14-redwood.img. Don't use images from other devices, it'll lead to a brick".
- Place the twrp.img file in the folder with the platform-tools (where adb.exe and fastboot.exe lie).
- Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
- Connect the device to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices If the device is displayed (for example, 1234abcd fastboot), you can continue.
- Please. TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img For some models (e.g, POCO F3) Additional commands are required: fastboot flash recovery_ramdisk twrp.img
- Recovery: Fastboot Reboot Recovery
If you still load your phone into Mi Recovery after TWRP, MIUI overwrites recovery when you boot.
- Download and stitch disable_force_encrypt.zip or no_verity_opt_encrypt.zip through TWRP (If you can get in at least once).
- Or disable signature verification in Fastboot: fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img (the vbmeta.img file can be extracted from the official firmware).
What if the phone does not turn on after TWRP firmware?
Typical TWRP login errors and their solutions
Even after successfully installing TWRP, users often encounter problems when trying to log in, and here are the most common errors and ways to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone is loaded into Mi Recovery instead of TWRP | MIUI overwrites recovery when downloading | Sweep disable_force_encrypt.zip or disable vbmeta |
| Hanging on the Mi logo after entering recovery | Incompatible version of TWRP or damaged image | Switch another version of TWRP or official firmware through Fastboot |
| The error "No OS installed" in TWRP | /data partition damaged or encryption enabled | Format Data into TWRP (carefully! this will delete all data) |
| TWRP asks for password when downloading | Encryption FBE (File-Based Encryption) | Enter a password from the lock screen or format Data |
| Error "Failed to mount /data" | A damaged partition or incompatible version of TWRP | Switch another version of TWRP or use Fastboot to restore |
If, after formatting Data into TWRP, the phone stopped booting, don't panic. That's normal behavior - just run any working firmware through TWRP or Fastboot.
⚠️ Note: On devices with Dynamic Partition (e.g. Xiaomi) 12/13, Redmi Note 11/12) data formatting TWRP This can cause partition markup to be lost, and you need to restore the partition table via Fastboot using the command: fastboot flash dtbo. dtbo.img (file dtbo.img It comes from official firmware).
How to Update TWRP to Xiaomi
Over time, new versions of TWRP are coming out with support for fresh MIUI firmware and bug fixes.
- Download the current twrp.img for your model.
- Move the file to your phone or SD-map.
- Download to the current version of TWRP.
- Select Install → Install Image and point the way to the new twrp.img.
- Select the Recovery section and confirm the firmware.
- Reboot to recovery to check out the new version.
If TWRP stops working after the update, then the new version is incompatible with your firmware.
- Reverse to the previous version of TWRP.
- Or, run the official firmware through Fastboot and then re-install TWRP.
💡
Before the update TWRP Backup the current recovery! TWRP Choose Backup → Recovery and save the image to SD-This will help you roll back quickly if the new version is not working.
How to avoid the brick when working with TWRP
Mistakes in TWRP can turn your Xiaomi into a brick. Here are the key rules to avoid problems:
- 🔍 Always check for compatibility. TWRP Like your model, TWRP Redmi Note 12 Pro is not suitable for Redmi Note 12 Pro+.
- 📡 Do not interrupt the firmware or backup process. If the battery runs out during the operation, the device may stop turning on.
- 🔄 Before experimenting with firmware, make a full backup in TWRP (Choose all sections: Boot, System, Data, Vendor).
- 🔒 Do not delete files manually in the section /system — This may result in the inability to load.
- 📥 Download firmware and modules only from verified sources (XDA, Official LineageOS, Pixel Experience Websites).
If the device has turned into a brick, try the following steps:
- Press Volume Down + Power for 15-20 seconds for forced reboot.
- If the phone is detected in Fastboot, run the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
- If the device doesn’t respond, try EDL (Qualcomm Emergency Firmware) mode, but you’ll need an authorized Xiaomi account or boxing.
💡
The most common reason for a brick is to firmware an incompatible TWRP or remove critical partitions (modem, boot). Always check the recovery version and backup!