How to Remove Fastboot on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Redmi, POCO, and Mi

Fastboot mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a low-level firmware and diagnostic tool, but sometimes the device gets stuck in it after a failed update, reset or improperly shut down. If your Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Mi 11 shows a black screen labeled FASTBOOT and a white rabbit in its hat, do not panic: in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved without contacting the service center.

In this article, we will look at all the working ways to exit Fastboot, from the elementary (button reboot) to the advanced (firmware through the Mi Flash Tool). Special attention will be paid to saving user data: you will learn when it can be saved and when you have to do a complete reset. The instructions are relevant for all Xiaomi devices, including models from 2020-2026.

1.What is Fastboot and why does the smartphone get stuck in it

Fastboot Mode (not to be confused with Recovery Mode) is an Android bootloader protocol that allows you to:

• 🔄 Install custom firmware (Custom) ROM)
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (Bootloader)
• 📥 Restore official software through the Mi Flash Tool
• 🛠 Diagnose hardware problems

The smartphone can “hang” in the Fastboot for the following reasons:

• ⚡ Interrupted update (for example, the battery sat down or the user forced the device to turn off).
• 🔧 Unlocking the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool.
• 📉 Failure of firmware when installing custom Recovery (TWRP).
• 🔋 Critical battery discharge during work with the loader.
• 🖥 Driver conflict when connecting to a PC (relevant for firmware via fastboot).

It’s important to understand that if a smartphone is regularly loaded into the Fastboot (for example, after each reboot), the problem may lie in a damaged boot boot boot boot boot or partition, in which case you will need to flash it.

Method 1: Forced reboot (without data loss)

The simplest method, which works in 60% of cases, is forced exit from Fastboot using hardware buttons. It does not delete user data and works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 10C, POCO F4 and Mi 13.

Instructions:

1. Hold the Power button for 15-20 seconds until the screen goes out.
2. If the screen is turned off, release the button and wait for the automatic reboot (it can take up to 1 minute).
3. If the smartphone is booted again in Fastboot, repeat step 1, but hold the button for up to 30 seconds.

On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) helps the combination:

Hold the Power + Volume button Up 10-15 seconds

Why does it work? Forced power outage resets the bootloader's temporary data, and the system tries to start as normal, and if the method doesn't work, move on to the next method.

3. Method 2: Download to Recovery Mode and reset cache

If the forced reboot fails, try booting into Recovery Mode and clearing the cache, which helps when the problem is caused by corrupted temporary system files.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off your smartphone (hold power until the screen is turned off).
2. Hold on to the combination: Power button + Volume Up until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.

From the Recovery menu (English or Chinese) select:

• 🧹 Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (cleaning the cache)
• 🔄 Reboot → Reboot to System (Reboot to System)

If after cleaning the cache, the smartphone is loaded again in Fastboot, try resetting to factory settings (Wipe Data), but note: this will delete all data (photos, applications, accounts).

Method 3: Firmware via Mi Flash Tool (for power users)

If the first two methods don’t work, you’ll need to reflash your smartphone through the Mi Flash Tool, which is guaranteed to eliminate the hanging in the Fastboot, but requires a computer and basic firmware knowledge.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11 (on macOS/Linux Mi Flash Tool is not working).
• 🔌 Cable USB (Preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 📁 Official firmware for your model (download from the official website).
• 🛠 Mi Flash Tool Programming.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Xiaomi drivers (if there are none, download here).
2. Unpack the firmware archive (.tgz or.zip format) into a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
4. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode to your PC (the screen should display a rabbit and the inscription FASTBOOT).
5. In the program, press Refresh – the device must be determined as COM-port.
6. Select firmware mode: Clean all - complete cleaning (deletes all data); Clean all and lock - cleaning + lock bootloader (for official firmware); Save user data - data storage (does not work on all models).

Flash

Important: if the firmware is interrupted, the smartphone can turn into a brick (it will not turn on at all). USB-cable and do not pull the power cord during the process!

💡

Before you run your firmware, check the Bootloader version of your model. If it's locked and you're trying to install custom firmware, the device will lock. Use only official Xiaomi ROMs for your model.

5. Method 4: Unlock the bootloader (if the Fastboot appears after the firmware)

If the smartphone loads into Fastboot after installing custom firmware or unofficial Recovery, the problem may be in the locked bootloader, in which case you will need to unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Conditions for unlocking:

• 📱 Device linked to Mi Account (requires confirmation of the SMS/email).
• 🕒 At least 7 days have passed since the account was linked (Xiaomi rule for new devices).
• 🔌 On the smartphone included debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to activate the developer mode).

Instructions:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it on PC.
2. Launch the program and log in under the same Mi Account as on your smartphone.
3. Connect the device in Fastboot mode (screen with a rabbit).
4. Press Unlock and wait until it is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).
5. After unlocking the smartphone will automatically restart.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the device! Also, it voids the warranty (if it is still valid).

6. Method 5: Checking hardware problems

If none of the software methods worked, the reason for the freeze in the Fastboot can be a hardware malfunction.

• 🔋 Faulty battery (if the charge is below 10%, the smartphone may not come out of the Fastboot).
• 🔌 Damaged. USB-port (especially if the problem occurs after connecting to a PC).
• 🖥 Oxidation or dumping of memory chips (often after falling or getting moisture).
• 🔧 Faulty power button (if it is stuck or does not fix the presses).

How to diagnose:

If you suspect a hardware malfunction but do not have experience in electronics repair, it is not recommended to disassemble the smartphone yourself.

💡

If the smartphone is charged, but does not leave the Fastboot even after firmware is installed, there is a 90% probability that the problem is in the hardware (memory, motherboard).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users make the problem worse by making common mistakes when working with Fastboot.

⚠️ Note: Never use firmware from other Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 firmware for the first time). POCO X3)! This will result in a complete loss of the device ("hard brick").

Top.-5 mistake:

• 🚫 Interrupting the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (even if the process is “hang” by 99%, wait until the completion of the process!).
• 🚫 Using unofficial firmware without unlocking the bootloader.
• 🚫 Connecting to the PC through USB-Hub (to be connected directly to the port) USB 2.0).
• 🚫 Ignoring battery charge requirements (minimum 30% for firmware).
• 🚫 Installation of old versions MIUI for new models (e.g, MIUI 12 on the Redmi Note 12, which requires MIUI 14+).

If you’ve already made one of these mistakes and your smartphone has stopped responding to buttons, try an emergency reset:

1. Turn off the battery for 10 minutes (if it is removable).


2. Connect the charger and hold the Power button for 30 seconds.




3. If the screen remains black, contact the service.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions