What to do if Fastboot came out Xiaomi: the full guide

The situation when instead of the usual desktop on the screen of a smartphone Xiaomi or Redmi appears the image of a hare repairing an android, often catches the user by surprise. This is the Fastboot mode, designed for low-level firmware of the device, but in everyday life it most often means a malfunction of the operating system or accidental pressing of buttons. Many owners of gadgets panic, believing that their phone is broken or has been subjected to a virus attack, but in the vast majority of cases the problem is solved by simple actions.

Despite the frightening appearance and obscure labels, this mode is a regular feature of the Snapdragon and MediaTek processors used in the brand’s devices. Understanding the causes of this situation allows you not only to quickly bring the phone back to life, but also to avoid further errors that can lead to more serious consequences, such as complete loss of data or locking the bootloader. Below we will discuss in detail the algorithms for various scenarios.

Why the smartphone has switched to Fastboot mode

There are several main reasons why a device may be in this state: the most common and common of these is mechanical impact. Pockets of jeans, bags or cases with a bad fit can cause buttons to be pinched simultaneously for a long time. Physical damage to buttons, such as sticking after falling or getting moisture, is also a common factor that makes the system think that the user wants to enter boot mode.

A more complex scenario involves software errors: a failure when updating the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, an interrupted process of installing a security patch, or a conflict of system files can lead to the phone not being able to start as usual and go to Bootloader. Sometimes the cause is incorrectly installed applications that have received superuser rights, or attempts to independently flash the device without proper preparation.

⚠️ Warning: If your phone gets into water or has been hit hard before the hare appears, don't try to charge it or plug it into a computer. moisture inside the case can cause a short circuit when the voltage is applied.

Also worth mentioning are memory problems: If the internal storage of the device is critically filled or has broken sectors, the bootloader may not find the necessary files to start Android and switch to emergency mode. In rare cases, the cause is a malfunction of the volume button plume, which constantly sends a signal to press the key.

The easiest way to exit: a combination of buttons

In 90% of cases, you don't need a computer connection or special skills to exit fast boot mode, you just have to force the device to restart, you have to press the power button and hold it for a long time, usually it takes 10 to 20 seconds, but on some models with MIUI, the time can be extended.

If holding only the power button doesn't help, you should use a key combination. Press the power button and one of the volume buttons at the same time (most often the top, but sometimes the bottom one is required). Hold them until the screen goes out and the Mi or Redmi logo appears. This method simulates the extraction of the battery, which allows you to reset temporary errors in RAM.

It's important to keep the buttons on when the screen is gone. Wait for the manufacturer's logo to appear. If you release the buttons too early, the phone can go back to Fastboot mode. On models with non-removable batteries, this is the only safe way to reset hardware that doesn't require opening the case.

💡

If the buttons are tight or catch, try gently massage the area around them or slightly tap the body in the area of the buttons to release the sticking mechanism before trying to reboot.

Using the Mi Flash Tool to exit Fastboot

If a more serious and simple reboot fails to work, or the phone cycles back to the hare, you will need to intervene via a PC. The official Mi Flash Tool utility allows you not only to flash the devices, but also just check their condition. You will need a computer running Windows, the original USB-cable and installed Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers.

Once the phone is connected to your computer in Fastboot mode, the device manager should display a device called Android Bootloader Interface. If the drivers are installed correctly, Mi Flash will see the phone. In some versions of the utility or through the command line, you can send a command to exit the mode, although this method is more often used to check the connection before firmware.

For advanced users, there is a method of using ADB and Fastboot commands. If the computer sees the device, you can open the command line and type in the command to reboot. This requires pre-installing the Android SDK platform tools.

fastboot reboot

Executing this command sends a signal to the bootloader that the fast boot mode should be shut down and the system should try to start normally. If the command does not execute or writes waiting for device, then the drivers are installed incorrectly or the cable is damaged.

💡

Successful execution of the command fastboot reboot is a sign that the hardware of the phone is working, and the problem lies solely in the software failure of the bootloader.

Table: Device statuses in Fastboot and their value

When you connect to a computer or in the Fastboot interface, you can see different labels, and understanding their meaning helps to diagnose the state of the device. Below is a table of basic statuses.

LOCKED status means that the phone's software is protected from unauthorized changes. Unless you've been specifically unlocking the bootloader, it should be that way. FASTBOOTD status indicates that the device is in Fastboot mode running from a running operating system, which often happens when update errors occur.

If UNLOCKED is written in red or orange, it may indicate that the bootloader has been unlocked before, in which case a warning may appear when you download it, which must be confirmed by the power button, and if the phone is getting stuck at this stage, system partitions may be damaged.

Exit through Recovery Mode (Recovery Mode)

If standard methods don't work, you can try switching to Recovery, a special diagnostic mode built into the phone's memory regardless of the main operating system. To get there from Fastboot, you usually need to hold a combination of power and volume buttons (most often Volume Down + Power) until the logo appears, and then release power while keeping volume, or vice versa, depending on the model.

In the Recovery menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up-down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find Reboot and select Reboot to System, which will force the main Android bootloader to start.

⚠️ Note: In the Recovery menu, categorically avoid Wipe Data or Factory Reset unless you have a backup of the data.This action will completely remove all photos, contacts and apps from your phone.

Sometimes the phone can get stuck in a reboot cycle between Recovery and Fastboot. In this case, while in the Recovery menu, it is worth trying to select Wipe Cache if it is available.This will not delete personal data, but can eliminate temporary file errors that interfere with normal start-up.

When it is necessary to re-flash the device

When none of these methods work, it indicates critical damage to the system files, and if the phone shows the rabbit over and over again after the reboot, the partition with the operating system is damaged, and in this case the only way out is to completely reflash the device with the data cleanup.

This will require you to download the official firmware for your particular model from MIUI bootloader. It is important to choose either Recovery (if the bootloader is locked) or Fastboot (if unlocked, but it is more difficult).

Before starting the procedure, make sure that the battery is charged at least 60%. Interrupting the firmware process due to battery discharge can lead to the fact that the phone turns into a “brick”, which can only be restored in a service center using programmers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)