Fastboot Mode on Xiaomi: How to Enable, Use and Exit

You saw on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO screen a Fastboot with a rabbit in a hat and you don't know what to do? It's not a bug, it's a powerful tool for power users, it stitches devices through it, unlocks the bootloader, restores the system after crashes, but without the right actions, the phone can turn into a brick.

This article provides step-by-step instructions for beginners and advanced users: how to log into Fastboot on Xiaomi (including the 2023-2026 models), what buttons to press, how to exit mode and what to do if the smartphone is stuck on this screen.

What is Fastboot on Xiaomi and why is it needed?

Fastboot Mode (or Bootloader Mode) is a low-level interface that runs before Android boots.

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (required for installing custom firmware).
• 📥 Switch your device through fastboot flash (official and unofficial firmware).
• 🔄 Restore the system after critical failures (for example, if the phone does not turn on).
• 🛠️ Install TWRP or other custom recovery.
• 📡 Check the status of hardware components (e.g., fastboot getvar all).

On Xiaomi, this mode has a key difference from other brands: there is no graphic menu (like in Samsung Odin Mode or Huawei eRecovery). Instead, you see a static screen with a rabbit and the inscription FASTBOOT - control is only through commands from a computer or a combination of buttons.

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot entrance on Xiaomi models 12/13/14 series and Redmi Note 12/13 It automatically resets the bootloader’s unlock data if it was not confirmed via the Mi Unlock Tool, which means that after leaving the mode, the phone may require re-assigning the Mi Account.

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

There are three proven methods of activating the mode. Choose depending on the condition of the phone:

Method 1: Through a button combination (if the phone is turned off)

This is a one-stop method for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, including the new Xiaomi 14 and Redmi Note 13 Pro+:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button and select Turn off).
2. Press the Power button + Volume down at the same time.
3. Hold on for 8-10 seconds until the rabbit screen appears.

💡 In some models (for example, on some models, POCO F5) The combination may be different – try the food. + Increase the volume if the first option does not work.

Method 2: Restore Menu (if the phone is switched on)

If the smartphone is working, but you need to go to Fastboot for firmware:

1. Open Settings → About the phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to activate the Developer Mode.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to the PC, open the Command Prompt and type:

adb reboot bootloader

The phone will automatically reboot to Fastboot.

Method 3: Forced entry (if the phone is getting stuck)

If the device does not respond to buttons or is stuck on the MI logo:

1. Turn off the phone from charging.
2. Press the Power button + Volume increase for 15-20 seconds.
3. If the screen is gone, release the buttons and immediately press Power + Volume Reduction.

This method works even on “bricks” (for example, after a failed firmware).

Install ADB/Fastboot drivers on PC|

Download Mi Flash Tool (for official firmware)|

Check battery power (minimum 50%) |

Prepare. USB-cable (original or high quality)|

Disable antivirus (can block commands)-->

How to get out of Fastboot on Xiaomi: 4 methods

If you accidentally hit Fastboot mode or have completed firmware, use one of these methods:

⚠️ Note: On new models (Xiaomi) 13T, POCO X5 Pro) after leaving Fastboot, you may be asked to enter a password from your Mi Account, even if it was not there before. This is due to Xiaomi's security policy - unlocking the bootloader resets the device's binding to the account.

💡

If the phone doesn't leave the Fastboot after the fastboot reboot command, try entering fastboot continue.This command forcibly continues to boot the system, ignoring possible errors.

Unlock the bootloader via Fastboot on Xiaomi

Without unlocking the bootloader, you will not be able to flash custom firmware or TWRP. The process consists of two stages:

Step 1: Linking your Mi Account to your device

1. Log in to Fastboot (see section above).
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
3. Download the official Mi Unlock Tool utility and launch it.
4. Sign in with the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.

🔴 Xiaomi blocks unlocking for new accounts (created less than 7 days ago) and requires binding SIM-card to device for at least 72 hours, and this rule has been in effect since 2023.

Step 2: Direct Unlocking

1. In Mi Unlock Tool, press Unlock.
2. Confirm the action on the phone (if you receive a request).
3. Wait until the process is completed (usually 10–30 seconds).

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically restart and you can flash it through fastboot flash.

Xiaomi phone firmware via Fastboot

Fastboot firmware is the most reliable way to restore your phone after a crash or install a new version of MIUI.

• 🖥️ Windows computer (for Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cables (cheap cables can cause errors).
• 📁 Official firmware in.tgz format (download from the official website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\).
2. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
4. In the utility, click Select and specify the path to the folder with the firmware.
5. Select firmware mode: Clean all - full reset (recommended for critical errors); Clean all and lock - reset + lock bootloader (for sale of the phone); Save user data - data storage (not always stable).

Flash

⚠️ Note: Firmware via Mi Flash Tool on Xiaomi models 12S Ultra and newer require authorization in the developer account. Without it, the utility will give an error Flash is not allowed in EDL The solution is to use alternative tools like XiaomiTool. V2.

💡

Fastboot erases all data on your phone, including photos and apps. Always back up via adb backup or Mi Cloud before you start the process.

Frequent Fastboot Errors and How to Fix Them

Fastboot mode on Xiaomi is often accompanied by errors, especially on new models.

Error: "Fastboot not recognized" (computer can't see phone)

Causes and solutions:

• 🔌 No drivers: Install Android SDK Platform-Tools or Mi drivers manually through Device Manager.
• 🔄 Port port USB: Try another port (preferably) USB 2.0) or cable.
• 🛡️ Antivirus: Disable protection – it can block fastboot.
• 🔧 Debugging Mode: The phone should be enabled Developer Mode and Debugging USB.

Error: "Device is locked" (bootloader locked)

So what that means is you're trying to flash a phone with a locked bootloader.

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (see section above).
• 📱 Use the official firmware via the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All and Lock option.
• ⚠️ Risky: Put your phone on mode EDL (emergency firmware) using testpoints (requires disassembly of the device).

Error: "Invalid sparse file format" (damaged firmware file)

It occurs when you try to flash custom or damaged firmware.

• 📁 Download the firmware again (check the checksum) MD5).
• 🖥️ Use the Mi Flash Tool instead of manual fastboot flash commands.
• 🔧 Try flashing in parts (for example, first fastboot flash boot) boot.img, then the remaining sections).

Error: Phone stuck in Fastboot after firmware

If the phone returns to Fastboot after the fastboot reboot command:

• 🔄 Try the fastboot command to continue.
• 📵 Remove the battery (if possible) for 1 minute.
• 🔧 Select the phone again by selecting the Clean All option in the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🛠️ If nothing helps, move the device to EDL and run through QFil or Mi Flash Pro.

Fastboot vs Recovery Mode on Xiaomi: What’s the difference?

Many people confuse Fastboot and Recovery Mode, but these are two different modes with different features:

💡 When to use Fastboot?

• 🔧 For the firmware of official and unofficial images.
• 🔓 To unlock the loader.
• 🛠️ To recover your phone after a major crash (for example, if you don’t load even Recovery).

💡 When to use Recovery?

• 🔄 For resetting settings (Wipe Data).
• 📦 To install updates MIUI manually.
• 📱 To create/restore backups (if installed) TWRP).

On new Xiaomi models (Series 13/14), Recovery Mode is often replaced by MIUI Recovery, a simplified version without custom firmware, in which case the Fastboot remains the only way to deep customize.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions