You turned on Xiaomi, but instead of your desktop, you saw a black screen with a green Android robot and the inscription FASTBOOT? Don't panic - this is not a breakdown, but a special engineering mode that is used to firmware, unlock the bootloader or restore the system. However, for the average user, getting into the Fastboot often comes as a surprise, especially if the phone gets stuck in this state after a failed update or accidentally pressing buttons.
In this article, we’ll explain why Xiaomi (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark models) can boot into Fastboot, how to safely exit mode without losing data, and what to do if standard methods don’t work. You’ll also learn what actions are strictly forbidden in this state so as not to turn a temporary problem into a brick.
Why Xiaomi is loading into Fastboot: the main reasons
Fastboot mode is activated not by accident, most often it happens because:
- 🔄 Failed software updates - interrupted firmware through MIUI Updater or Custom Recovery (TWRP).
- 🔧 Errors when unlocking the bootloader – if the process was interrupted or broken (for example, through the Mi Unlock Tool).
- 📱 Failure of the loader - after a fall, overheating or a sharp power outage.
- 🎯 Accidentally pressing a combination of buttons – for example, Volume down + Power on-set.
- 🔋 Battery problems – if the voltage has dropped below a critical level during booting.
On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi Note 12 4G, POCO M5), the Fastboot mode may look different — instead of a green robot, you will see the inscription BROM MODE. This is the analogue of Fastboot for MTK chips, and the ways to exit it are slightly different.
Updates MIUI|Unlock the loader|Accidental button pressing|Falls/blows|Other causes-->
If the phone got into Fastboot after trying to flash custom firmware (such as Pixel Experience or LineageOS), there is a high risk that the system is damaged, in which case exiting the mode may require flashing through the Mi Flash Tool.
How to get out of Fastboot on Xiaomi: standard ways
Most of the time, you can leave Fastboot mode without connecting to a PC. Try these methods in order:
- Press the Power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out. Then let go and turn on the phone normally. Some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro) may need to hold the button for up to 20 seconds.
- Press Volume Up + Power for 5-7 seconds. If the phone vibrates, let go. This will force the normal boot.
- Connect the original cable and power supply, then repeat step 1. Sometimes a low battery charge blocks the exit from the Fastboot.
If the phone responds to presses (vibrates, the screen blinks), but stays in Fastboot, try connecting it to your PC and use the command:
fastboot rebootDisable the USB cable (if connected)
Check the battery power (minimum 30%)
Use the original buttons (not the cover!)
Repeat the attempt 2-3 times with an interval of 10 seconds-->
Attention! On devices with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi 10A, POCO C50), fastboot reboot may not work.
fastboot oem rebootWhat to do if Xiaomi does not leave Fastboot: advanced methods
If the standard methods didn't work, the problem is more serious, maybe the bootloader or the system is damaged, and then you need one of the following actions:
| Method | When to apply | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| Firmware via Mi Flash Tool | Phone does not respond to buttons, got stuck in Fastboot after update | Loss of data, blocking of Mi Account (if the bootloader is not unlocked) |
| Resetting through recovery | The system boots but cycles back to Fastboot | Deletion of user data (photos, applications) |
| Flashing through EDL | The device is not defined in Fastboot (black screen) | Requires an authorized Xiaomi account, the risk of a “brick” |
| Update through OTA-packet | The phone boots into the system but periodically drops into the Fastboot | Minimum but requires a stable internet |
To use the Mi Flash Tool, you will need:
- 🖥️ Windows PC 7/10/11 (drivers for Xiaomi installed).
- 📁 Official firmware for your model (download from Xiaomi website).
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
- 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if you are running the unofficial version).
Step-by-step:
- Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic (for example, C:\MIUI\).
- Open the Mi Flash Tool (you can download from the official source).
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode to your PC.
- In the program, click Select, specify the folder with the firmware, then Refresh → Flash.
- Choose Clean All (full reset) or Clean All and Lock (reset + lock bootloader).
What if the Mi Flash Tool can't see the phone?
If you are flashing a device with a locked bootloader (such as the Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11 Pro+), select the Clean all and lock option, otherwise the phone may turn into a brick after rebooting.
Features of exiting Fastboot on MediaTek (BROM Mode)
Devices on MediaTek (e.g. Redmi 9A, POCO M4 Pro) use BROM mode instead of Fastboot. It looks like a black screen with or without red labeling.
- Turn off the phone from the PC and charging.
- Press Volume up + Volume down + Power for 10 seconds.
- If the phone vibrates, release the buttons. It has to reboot.
If this doesn’t work, use the SP Flash Tool:
- 📌 Download the firmware for your model (.scatter format).
- 🖥️ Install MediaTek drivers (for example, MTK USB Driver).
- 🔌 Connect the phone to the PC.
- 📂 V SP Flash Tool download the scatter file and click Download.
Attention! Firmware via SP Flash Tool on MediaTek devices can cause you to lose your IMEI if you choose the wrong settings. Always make sure that the firmware file list only shows the necessary partitions (e.g. system, boot, but not nvram or nvdata).
Frequent errors when leaving Fastboot and how to avoid them
Many users make the problem worse by making these mistakes:
- ❌ Interrupting the firmware -- if it's 99 percent dead, don't turn off the cable. Wait 10 to 15 minutes.
- ❌ Use of informal firmware - custom ROM (For example, Havoc-OS requires an unlocked boot loader.
- ❌ Firmware through inappropriate tools, such as Mi Flash Tool for MediaTek or vice versa.
- ❌ Ignoring the version MIUI — firmware Global ROM china-device ROM cause error.
If the phone loads again in Fastboot after firmware, check:
- 🔍 Compatible with model firmware (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro has versions for India, Global, China).
- 🔐 bootloader status (locked/unlocked) – you can find out by the command: fastboot oem device-info
- 📡 Version MIUI — If you are running the old version over the new one, there may be conflicts.
💡
If the phone doesn't turn on after the firmware, try to pinch Volume Up + Power for 30 seconds. Sometimes this resets the "stuck" bootloader.
How to Prevent Fastboot from Coming in the Future
To avoid repeated problems with Fastboot, follow these guidelines:
- 🔄 Update. MIUI Only through official channels - Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 🔋 Do not interrupt charging / firmware – if the battery runs below 30%, the risk of failure increases.
- 🔧 Do not experiment with the bootloader without understanding the process (unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool requires a wait of 7-15 days).
- 📱 Use cases without buttons – accidentally pressing Volume down + Power can launch a Fastboot.
- 🛡️ Create backups before firmware (for example, through TWRP or adb backup).
If you often flash through your device, install TWRP Recovery, which will allow you to restore the system from the backup without resorting to Fastboot. However, remember that on new Xiaomi models (for example, Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70), installing custom recovery can block access to banking applications due to the SafetyNet trigger.
💡
If the phone is regularly loaded spontaneously into the Fastboot, this may indicate a hardware malfunction (for example, oxidation of the contacts of the power button).