“Hare fixes Android” on Xiaomi: what it means and how to fix the error

You turned on the Xiaomi smartphone, and instead of the usual logo on the screen appeared a picture of a hare in a hat-earshank with a screwdriver and the inscription “Hare fixes Android”? It’s not a virus or a screen breakage – this is one of the recovery modes that users often confuse with “brick”. The image with the hare signals that the device is stuck in the Fastboot or EDL-without your intervention, it will not be loaded.

In 90% of cases, the problem is solved without visiting the service center — just follow a few steps from this instruction. We will analyze all the possible causes of the appearance of the hare (from a failed update to a firmware failure), and also give step-by-step algorithms for the Redmi, POCO and Mi models — from simple restart to flashing through the Mi Flash Tool. Importantly, if the screen flashes a red or orange indicator under the picture of a hare, this is a sign of a critical error of the bootloader — then additional actions will be required.

Why the Hare Appears on Xiaomi’s Screen: 5 Main Reasons

The hare image is not a random bug, but part of Xiaomi's proprietary interface for recovery modes, replacing the standard black screen of the Fastboot to let the user know that the phone is not broken, but waiting for commands. Here are the most common scenarios that lead to the appearance of a hare:

• 🔄 Interrupted software update: if during the installation of the update via Ota Updater or Mi Flash smartphone turned off (battery, disconnected from the device) USB), The system can "hang" in recovery mode.
• 🛠️ Failed firmware: attempt to install custom software (for example, LineageOS) or firmware from another model through TWRP Often leads to a loader conflict.
• 🔋 Battery discharge: If the charge level is below 5%, the smartphone can automatically switch to Fastboot to prevent file system damage.
• 🔑 Locking the bootloader: after resetting the settings or manually disabling OEM Unlock in the developer settings, the bootloader can “lock” and require unlocking.
• 🤖 Firmware failure: rarely, but it happens that critical partitions (boot, recovery) are damaged due to physical memory defects or device crash.

If the hare appeared after mechanical impact (hit, fall, moisture), the problem can be hardware, for example, a dump of a memory chip. In this case, software methods will not help, and you have to carry the phone to the service. To rule out this option, try to connect the smartphone to the PC: if the computer does not see it even in the Fastboot, this is a bad sign.

How to get out of the mode “Hare fixes Android”: quick ways

Before you start to make complex manipulations, try simple methods that work in 70% of cases:

1. Hard reset: press the power button for 15 to 20 seconds. If the hare is gone, the problem was temporary. If not, move on to the next step.
2. Charging connection: Even if the battery shows charge, connect the original cable to the charger for 30 minutes.Sometimes the smartphone can't get out of the Fastboot due to insufficient voltage.
3. Button combination: Press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds, and this force the device to restart to normal mode.

If these actions did not help, then the problem is deeper — most likely, the bootloader or firmware is damaged, in which case you will need to connect to a PC and use specialized tools (Mi Flash Tool, ADB, Fastboot).

Instructions for recovery via Fastboot (if the hare flashes)

If the screen with a hare flashes periodically indicator (usually red or orange), it means that the smartphone is in Fastboot mode and ready to receive commands.

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website. Choose the version of Fastboot (file with the extension.tgz or.zip).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\proshivka).
3. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (the hare on the screen).
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
5. Select firmware mode: 🔄 Clean All – Complete Flashing (deletes all data). 🔄 Clean All and Lock – the same, but with a bootloader lock (you need if the phone was unlocked). 🔄 Save User Data: An attempt to save user files (not always working).

Flash

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart, and if the process is interrupted with an anti-rollback error, you are trying to install an older version of the software than the one before the failure, in which case you need to download a newer firmware or use it. EDL-regime (below).

Unlocking the loader if the hare appeared after the reset

If the image with the hare appeared after resetting to factory settings or disabling OEM Unlock, the problem is the blocked bootloader. Xiaomi blocks it by default for safety, and after some operations (for example, reset via recovery), it is required to re-unblock. Here is how to do this:

1. Get permission to unlock: Go to Mi Unlock. Sign in with the same Mi Account you have on your phone. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it on your PC.

Connect the phone.

Fastboot

Launch the Mi Unlock Tool

After unlocking.

Mi Flash Tool

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader erases all data on the phone, including photos and apps. If the device had important files, try extracting them through the phone first ADB (If the phone is installed in Fastboot).

If the Mi Unlock Tool is running a "Couldn't unlock" error, check:

• 🔗 Is the phone connected to the port with the original cable? USB 2.0.
• 🔗 Is the antivirus disabled (it can block the utility).
• 🔗 Is your Mi Account linked to your phone (check your Xiaomi account settings).

Recovery through EDL-Mode (if Fastboot is not working)

If the phone doesn't respond to Fastboot commands (not defined in the Mi Flash Tool, the indicator under the hare does not blink), then the bootloader or firmware at a low level is damaged. EDL-Emergency Download Mode, which allows you to flash your phone even with a dead boot partition.

This will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Internet disabled (to avoid blocking your Mi Account).
• 🔌 Authorized EDL-cable (or homemade, with closed contacts) GND and EDL).
• 📦 Firmware in.mbn format (can be extracted from Fastboot archive).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Pro or QFil (for Qualcomm).

The process of firmware through EDL is more complicated than through Fastboot, and requires strict compliance with instructions. Errors can lead to a complete loss of IMEI or “bricking” of the device. If you are not sure about your actions, you better contact the service.

💡

Before you run through EDL, be sure to check the model of the phone's processor (Snapdragon or MediaTek) - the choice of utility depends on this. You can find out the chipset using the smartphone model on the GSMArena website.

What to do if nothing helps: hardware causes

If all the software methods have been tried and the hare is still fixing Android, the problem may be in the hardware.

• 🔋 Battery malfunction: If the battery is swelling or does not hold charge, the phone can reboot cyclically in the Fastboot.
• 💾 Memory chip damage: eMMC contacts fall off or overheat when falling or overheating. UFS. In this case, only rationing will help.
• 🔌 Problems with USB-port: if the phone is not detected on the PC, it is possible that the connector contacts or charging controller are damaged.
• 🌡️ Overheating of the processor: if before the appearance of the hare the phone was very warm, the protective mechanism that blocked the boot could work.

To diagnose hardware problems, try:

1. Connect the phone to another power supply (exclude charging problem).
2. Light a flashlight on a screen in a dark room - if the image is barely visible, the problem is in the backlight or plume.
3. Touch the case: If it is hot, the processor or battery may have failed.

⚠️ Note: If the phone doesn’t turn on at all (even the hare doesn’t appear), don’t try to sew it through. EDL It's not diagnosed, and in 50 percent of cases, it leads to total loss. IMEI and the need to replace the motherboard.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the hare on Xiaomi