Recovery on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide for Users in 2026

Recovery mode (or “recovery”) on Xiaomi smartphones is a hidden recovery environment that allows you to perform critical operations with the device, from resetting settings to install custom firmware. Without this tool, you can not solve many software problems — for example, restore the phone after a failed update or remove viruses that block the system. However, improper actions in the recovery can turn a smartphone into a “brick”, so it is important to understand its capabilities and limitations.

In this article, we will analyze all types of recovery on Xiaomi (stock). MI Recovery, TWRP Fastboot and how to enter them on different models (Redmi Note) 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 And we'll show you step-by-step instructions for key operations, from reset to firmware. MIUI 14/15 Problems that users face after updates 2023–2026 year-end.

What is Recovery on Xiaomi and Why You Need It

Recovery Mode is an isolated operating environment built into a smartphone at the firmware level, which works independently of the main Android system and allows:

• 🔄 Reset your settings to factory (useful when selling your phone or after a virus attack).
• 📦 Install official and custom firmware (e.g. Global) ROM China ROM).
• 🛠️ Restore the system after crashes (for example, if the phone does not turn on or hovers on the logo) MI).
• 🔐 Unlock the boot loader (necessary for installation) TWRP or LineageOS).

On Xiaomi smartphones, two types of recovery are used:

1. Stock-stock MI Recovery – official solution from Xiaomi with limited functionality (only reset and update via.zip files).
2. Castomy TWRP — third-party firmware with advanced features (backups, root, editing system files).

It's important: MI Recovery does not allow you to install unofficial firmware - this requires unlocking the bootloader and installing it. TWRP. However, after the updates MIUI 14+ Xiaomi tightened security policy, and unlocking has become more difficult (more about this in the section about Fastboot).

How to Sign In to Recovery on Xiaomi: 3 Ways to Work

Entering the recovery mode depends on the smartphone model and version MIUI. Below are the latest methods for 2020-2026 devices (including the Redmi Note 13, POCO F5, Xiaomi 14).

Method 1: Through Power and Volume buttons (for all models)

The most universal method works even if the phone does not turn on:

1. Turn off your smartphone (clip Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the menu. MI Recovery (in English or Chinese).

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi K50) The combination may be different. If it doesn't work, try eating. + Loudness down.

Method 2: Through the MIUI menu (if the phone is turned on)

If the smartphone works, but you need to go to the reclaimer to reset:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate USB Debugging and OEM Unblocking (if any).
5. Connect your phone to your PC, open Command Prompt and type: adb reboot recovery

Method 3: Through Fastboot (if the screen is not working)

If the sensor is not responsive, but the phone is determined by the PC:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer in Fastboot mode (clip the power supply) + Loudness down).
2. In the command line, do: fastboot reboot recovery

💡 Useful tip: If you enter the Recovery menu in Chinese, use Volume Up/Down for navigation and Power for selection.

Fastboot vs Recovery: What’s the difference and when to use what?

Many people confuse Recovery and Fastboot, although they are two different modes with different capabilities.

⚠️ Warning: After unlocking the bootloader via Fastboot (fastboot oem unlock command), the Xiaomi smartphone will perform a full data reset (Wipe Data.

Example: If you want to install TWRP, First you need to unlock the bootloader in Fastboot, and then flash the Recovery through the command:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img

After that, you can now load into TWRP and sew up custom firmware.

💡

Fastboot - for low-level operations (unlocking, kernel firmware), Recovery - for working with the system (reset, updates).

Stock functions MI Recovery: What to do without rooting

Official Recovery from Xiaomi (MI Recovery 4.0/5.0) It has a minimalist interface, but it covers the basic needs of the users. TWRP:

• 🔄 Wipe Data (Factory Reset) – Complete factory reset (deletes all data, including Mi Account accounts).
• 📥 Apply update from ADB — Installation of official firmware via sideload (adb sideload command) rom.zip).
• 📁 Apply update from SD card - update from the memory card (you need a file) update.zip root SD).
• 🔧 Reboot System – Reboot to normal mode.

📌 Restrictions of stock river:

• ❌ It is impossible to back up user data.
• ❌ Custom firmware is not supported (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• ❌ No access to the file system for manual editing.

Example of use: if after updating MIUI The phone is slowing down, you can reset it with Wipe Data:

1. Enter in. MI Recovery.
2. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
3. Confirm the action (you will need to enter a password if it was set).

Installation TWRP Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions 2026

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project is a custom recovery with advanced features: backups, Magisk installation (root), editing system files. MIUI 14/15 Xiaomi has made the installation process more complicated:

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader

Without this step, set up TWRP impossible:

1. Activate Developer Mode (as described above).
2. Enable OEM Unlock in the developer settings.
3. Link your Mi Account to your device (Settings) → Xiaomi account).
4. Connect your phone to your PC, go to Fastboot and execute: fastboot oem unlock
5. Confirm the unlock on the phone (data reset will happen automatically!).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi blocks unlocking on new devices (released after 2023) without binding to an account older than 7 days.If you see a Couldn't unlock error, wait a week and try again.

Step 2: Installation of TWRP

After unlocking:

1. Download the current version TWRP For your model from the official website](https://twrp.me).
2. Go to Fastboot and do: Fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0-alias.img (Replace alias with your model code, like vili for Xiaomi 11T).
3. Immediately after the firmware go to the Recovery team: fastboot reboot recovery (if you reboot into the system, the stock recaveri will reboot the system). TWRP!).

Step 3: Disabling the Check MIUI (prevent discharge TWRP)

In TWRP, do:

1. Go to Mount. → System.
2. Delete the file. /system/recovery-from-boot.p (He's regenerating the stock Recovery).
3. Slice Magisk for root rights (optional, but recommended).

💡

Before installation TWRP Check compatibility with your model in the forum [XDA Developers](https://forum.xda-developers.com). Some devices (e.g. Redmi Note) 12 Pro+) Recovery versions are required due to the modified boot section.

How to flash your phone through Recovery: official and custom firmware

Recovery mode allows you to install firmware in.zip format. Let's analyze both scenarios: update through the official update.zip and custom firmware installation (e.g. Pixel Experience).

Installation of official firmware (through MI Recovery)

If Xiaomi has released an update but it doesn't come by air:

1. Download. update.zip For your model from the official website](https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index).
2. Place the file in the root of the internal memory or on the SD-map.
3. Enter in. MI Recovery and select: For internal memory: Apply update from phone storage. SD-Maps: Apply update from SD card.

update.zip

⚠️ Note: If the firmware is intended for another regional version (e.g., you download Global) ROM In Chinese Redmi, the network may be blocked after installation.

Installation of custom firmware (through TWRP)

To install LineageOS, ArrowOS or other custom firmware:

1. Download firmware (.zip) and GApps (if you need Google services).
2. Move to the TWRP And make a backup. → System + Data).
3. Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark: Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache

Install → select zip

GApps

Magisk

Reboot System

💡 Tip: After installing custom firmware, Mi Account may not work, IR Blaster or camera. That's OK - custom firmware doesn't always support proprietary Xiaomi features.

Frequent Recovery Errors and How to Fix Them

Even experienced users face problems with recovery, and let’s take a look at the most common mistakes on Xiaomi and their solutions:

⚠️ Note: If the phone doesn't turn on after a bad firmware (black screen, no image vibration), don't try to flash it over Recovery again. EDL Mode (Emergency Mode) with Mi Flash Tool.

Example of recovery after the "brick":

1. Download Fastboot ROM firmware for your model.
2. Unpack it in a folder without any gaps in the way.
3. Connect your phone to Fastboot and do: fastboot flash all (or use the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Recovery on Xiaomi