You turned on your Xiaomi smartphone, and instead of the usual desktop, you had a cartoon bunny with a screwdriver and a wrench that was "fixing" something that says Repairing Android or Optimizing apps? Don't panic - it's not a virus or a display breakage. So the system signals critical errors in the work of the firmware or data partition that require automatic recovery.
This screen is part of an Android built-in mechanism called Fastboot Mode or Recovery Mode that is activated when boot crashes, most often after a failed update, reset, custom firmware installation, or physical memory damage, and 80 percent of the time, the bunny disappears after 5 to 30 minutes, but if it freezes, you have to intervene manually.
In this article, we will analyze all possible causes of the appearance of a bunny on Xiaomi, from simple (long-term optimization of applications) to serious (partition damage). /data), We'll also give you step-by-step instructions to exit recovery without losing data. 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4 mi 11/12, where the problem is most often encountered.
Why the bunny appears on the screen Xiaomi: 5 main reasons
The bunny screen is not a random bug, but a system's response to specific problems.
- 🔄 Interrupted Software Update: If during the installation of firmware through the Ota Updater or Mi Flash Tool smartphone is discharged, overheated or was forced to restart, the system may be “stuck” in recovery mode.
- 🧹 Factory reset. After a hard reset (Wipe Data), sometimes there is a partition mounting error. /data, And the bunny appears at the first load.
- 🛠️ Install custom Recovery.Pattempt to install TWRP OrangeFox on a blocked bootloader often leads to a recovery cycle.
- 💥 File system damage: Smartphone crash, power surge, or memory wear (eMMC/UF) This can lead to errors in reading critical files.
- 🔋 If the battery is down to 0% and the smartphone has been off for a long time, a system integrity check can be started when the charge is connected.
On Xiaomi models with Qualcomm processors (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO F3), the bunny often appears due to a conflict between the MIUI version and the bootloader. And on devices with MediaTek (such as the Redmi 9A), the problem is usually associated with damage to the md1img partition responsible for the modem.
Xiaomi Bunny: Is it dangerous for your phone?
By itself, the screen with a bunny does not damage the hardware, but a long stay in this mode can lead to:
- ⚡ Accelerated battery discharge (recovery process consumes up to 15-20% charge per hour).
- 🔥 Processor overheating if the recovery cycle repeats indefinitely.
- 📉 Data loss if the system decides to format the partition /data.
⚠️ Note: If the bunny appears after each switch off / turn on the smartphone - this is a sign of hardware damage to memory (for example, detachment of the eMMC chip.
On the other hand, a single appearance of a bunny after updating or resetting settings is normal behavior. The system automatically checks the integrity of files and restores damaged links. On the new Xiaomi 13/14 models, this process takes no more than 5-10 minutes thanks to the optimized DM-Verity algorithm.
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If the bunny appeared after installing the update via Ota Updater, wait 20-30 minutes. If the screen does not change, force the smartphone to restart by holding the power button for 15-20 seconds.
How long can an Android bunny “fix”?
The recovery time depends on the cause of the failure and the model of the smartphone.
| The cause of the bunny | Time to recover | User actions |
|---|---|---|
| Optimizing applications after updating | 5-15 minutes | Wait, don't interrupt. |
| Reset to factory settings | 10–25 minutes | Wait if the process doesn't hang. |
| Damage to /data section | 30+ minutes or infinitely | Forced reboot in Fastboot |
| Firmware and bootloader conflict | An endless cycle | Flashing through the Mi Flash Tool |
On older models (Redmi 4X, Mi A1), the process can take an hour due to the slow memory of eMMC 5.0. On new flagships (Xiaomi 12T, 13 Ultra) with UFS 3.1, recovery takes no more than 10 minutes.
⚠️ Warning: If the bunny is fixing Android for longer than 40 minutes and the progress indicator is not moving, it's a sign of freezing.
How to remove a bunny from the screen Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
If the bunny is getting stuck or appears cyclically, follow this algorithm (from simple to complex):
- Forced reboot Press the power button for 15 to 20 seconds until the screen goes out. Then turn the smartphone back on. 30 percent of the time, that's enough.
- Download Safe Mode When you turn on, press the volume button until the Safe Mode message appears. In this mode, all third-party applications are disabled - if the bunny has disappeared, the problem is in one of them.
- Cache reset via Recovery Turn off your smartphone, then press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode. Select Wipe Cache and confirm the action.
- Fastboot Flashing If previous steps didn’t help, you’ll need to flash your smartphone through the Mi Flash Tool (instruction below).
Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website
Install Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers (depending on the processor)
Connect your smartphone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clamp Power + Volume down)
Disable the antivirus (it can block the Mi Flash Tool)
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For models with a locked bootloader, you must obtain permission through the Mi Unlock Tool before you run the firmware, which takes up to 72 hours (according to Xiaomi rules).
What if the Mi Flash Tool is an anti-rollback error?
Reflashing Xiaomi via Fastboot: a detailed guide
If the bunny comes from a damaged firmware, the only reliable way is to completely flash it through the Fastboot.
- 🖥️ Windows computer 7/10/11 (on Mac/Linux Mi Flash Tool is not working).
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
- 📱 Firmware in.tgz format for your model (download from the official website).
Step-by-step:
- Download and install Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers (depending on your smartphone’s processor).
- Unpack firmware Remove the.tgz archive to a short-cut folder (e.g, C:\MIUI\). There's gotta be a file inside. flash_all.bat.
- Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode Turn off your phone, then press Power + Volume down until an image of a hare labeled Fastboot appears.
- Launch Mi Flash Tool Open the program on behalf of the administrator, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder. Then click Refresh - your smartphone should appear in the list of devices.
- Select firmware type At the bottom of the window, select one of the options: clean all - deletes all data, but saves unlocking the bootloader. clean all and lock - full reset + lock the bootloader (recommended for error elimination).
Then press Flash and wait for completion (5-10 minutes).
Once the firmware is successful, the smartphone will automatically restart. The first launch can take up to 15 minutes - that's normal.
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If the bunny reappears after the firmware, then the problem is in the hardware (memory, motherboard), in which case a diagnosis is required at the service center.
Frequent Xiaomi Recovery Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even following the instructions, users often make mistakes that make the problem worse.
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Couldn't mount /data | Data section damaged | In Recovery, select Wipe Data, then reflash |
| Device is locked | bootloader locked | Unlock through Mi Unlock Tool (account binding required) |
| Anti-rollback check fail | Attempt to roll back on old firmware | I want to see a new version of MIUI. |
| The bunny appears after each reboot | Damaged boot or recovery section | Switch through EDL Mode (authorization required) |
On models POCO (for example, POCO X3 Pro) Invalid image format error occurs frequently when running through Fastboot. POCO It uses modified images of vendor and dtbo. The solution is to download firmware specifically for your submodel (for example, POCO X3 Pro Vayu).
⚠️ Warning: Never interrupt the firmware process through the Mi Flash Tool, even if it is getting stuck 40-50%, which can cause a device to fail (totally.
Hardware causes of the appearance of a bunny: when you need a workshop
If all the software methods have been tried, but the bunny keeps coming, the problem is probably hardware.
- 💾 Detachment of a memory chip (eMMC or UFS). Symptoms: Bunny appears after heating the smartphone, the system brakes.
- 🔌 Damage to the contacts on the motherboard, such as oxidation of the tracks after moisture is injected.
- ⚡ Power controller malfunction, causing unstable voltage on the memory chip, causing data to be read with errors.
- 🔋 Battery failure: If the battery is inflated, it can push the motherboard, causing short circuits.
It is almost impossible to diagnose hardware problems at home – special equipment is required (for example, a DC Power Supply to check the current consumption or a microscope to inspect the board).
- Replacement of the eMMC chip – 3000-8000 ₽.
- Supplier UFS — 5 000–12 000 ₽.
- Repair of contact fees - 2000-6000 ₽.
On Xiaomi models with Qualcomm Snapdragon (for example, Mi 11) more often fails UFS 3.1, and on budget smartphones (Redmi 9A) – eMMC 5.1. If the smartphone is older than 3-4 years, repair may not be cost-effective.