Fastboot on Xiaomi: how to get out of mode and bring your phone back to life

Xiaomi’s Fastboot mode is an engineering tool that allows you to flash through a device, unlock a bootloader or restore a system. However, many users experience a phone that hangs on a black screen with the FASTBOOT label and the rabbit logo in its earpiece, for reasons that may be different: an accidental button press, an interrupted update, a failed firmware, or even a bug in the system.

If your Redmi, Poco or Mi doesn't get out of this mode, don't panic: 90% of the time, you can fix the problem without going to the service center. In this article, we'll go through all the working methods, from the elementary to the advanced, including ADB commands and manual flashing. Importantly, the methods differ depending on whether the bootloader is unlocked on your device. We'll give you the nuances for each case.

Before proceeding, check: 1. Battery level (must be at least 30%, otherwise the risk of bricks). 2. USB-cables (cheap cables often don't transmit data) 3. MIUI (firmware-wise).

If the phone reacts to the connection to the PC (vibrates or makes sound), the chances of a successful exit from the Fastboot are much higher.

1. Simple restart: button combinations

The fastest way is to force a reboot. Most Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 10/11, Poco X3/X4, Mi 11/12) run the following combination:

• 🔄 Press the power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out. Then release and wait for the standard download.
• 🔧 If it doesn’t work: press the power button. + 8 to 10 seconds of volume increase, and this will force the device to turn off.
• 📱 On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 or Redmi) K50) You may need to pinch the power. + volume-reducing.

If you reboot your phone and it gets back into Fastboot, the problem goes deeper, maybe the firmware is damaged or you set up auto-start in this mode, so move on to the following methods.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with a locked bootloader (most new Xiaomi out of the box), a forced exit from the Fastboot can result in a factory reset.If there is important data on the phone, try no-reset methods first (Sections 3 and 4).

2. Exit via Mi Flash Tool (official method)

If the phone doesn’t respond to buttons or returns cyclically to Fastboot, you’ll need to connect to your PC and use the proprietary Mi Flash Tool.This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader (if the lock is active, first perform section 5).

Download the utility from the official Xiaomi website (link: miuidownload) and follow the instructions:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers (unless Windows picks them up automatically).
2. Download Fastboot firmware for your model (for example, for Redmi Note). 12 It's gonna be a file of sorts. tucana_global_images_....tgz).
3. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\rom).
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode to your PC (should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008).
5. In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select, specify the firmware folder, then select Clean All (saves data) or Clean All and Lock (full reset + bootloader lock).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically reboot to standard mode, and if the process is interrupted with an anti-rollback error, you are trying to install an older version of MIUI than the one on the device, in which case download a newer firmware.

3. ADB and Fastboot commands: for advanced users

If you have experience with ADB and Fastboot, you can exit mode using the command line, which works even on devices with a locked bootloader, but requires pre-configuring ADB on a PC.

First, install Google’s Platform Tools (you can download it here).

1. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode to your PC.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with the platform-tools:

cd C:\platform-tools

1. Check if the device is determined:

fastboot devices

If you have a serial number in your answer, you can go on. If you don't, check the drivers or the cable.

1. Run the command to reboot:

fastboot reboot

If your phone is still returning to Fastboot, try resetting the fastboot settings:

fastboot erase config


fastboot reboot

On some models (such as the Poco F3 or Redmi K40) the team helps:

fastboot set_active a


fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: The fastboot erase config command will reset some system settings, but will not delete user data. However, if the phone loads into Recovery after it, you may need to reset to factory settings.

4.Reset via Recovery Mode (if Fastboot cycles)

If the phone gets back into the Fastboot after the reboot, the system configuration may be damaged, and then the Recovery Mode reset will help.

1. Turn off the phone (clip the power + volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press the power + volume up and hold until the MI logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. From the menu, select Wipe Data (data reset) or Wipe & Reset (newer models).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

On some devices (such as Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the Recovery menu may be in Chinese.

• 📱 First line (with phone icon) - reboot.
• 🗑️ The second line is data reset (Wipe Data).
• 🔧 The third line is the connection with PC (Connect with MIAssistant).

After reset, the phone should boot in standard mode, and if that doesn’t work, it’s just flashing (section 2) or unlocking the bootloader (section 5).

💡

If the sensor doesn’t work in Recovery Mode, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to confirm the choice.

5. Unlock the bootloader (if Fastboot - due to locking)

On new Xiaomi devices (released after 2021), the bootloader is locked by default. If you accidentally hit the Fastboot and can't get out, the system may be waiting to unlock. The official way is through the Mi Unlock Tool utility, but it requires:

• 📱 Linked Mi Account to the device (must be confirmed in settings).
• 🕒 Expectations 7-15 days after first binding (on new models).
• 💻 Windows computer and stable Internet.

Instructions:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi website (link).
2. Log in to your Mi Account on your PC and phone (if it has ever downloaded).
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode to your PC.
4. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, press Unlock and follow the instructions.

If the utility gives you a Couldn't unlock or Device not connected error, check:

• 🔌 Cable and port USB.
• 🔄 The version of the utility (must be the last one).
• ⏳ 168 hours have passed since the account was linked (for new models).

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically restart. If unlocking doesn't work, only the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (Section 2) remains.

💡

Unlocking the bootloader erases all data from the phone! Before the procedure, make a backup if the phone has ever booted.

6. Hardware problems: when nothing helps

If none of the methods worked, the problem may be in the hardware:

If you suspect a hardware malfunction, don’t try to stitch the phone again, which can make the problem worse, and in such cases, the best option is to contact a Xiaomi service center or a proven smartphone repairman.

The cost of repair depends on the model and nature of the breakdown:

• 🔧 Replacement of the charging connector: from 1000 to 2,500 rubles.
• 🔋 Battery replacement: from 1,500 to 4,000 rubles (depending on model).
• 🛠️ Interpling of chips: from 3000 to 10 000 rubles.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Fastboot on Xiaomi