Xiaomi Mi 10 is a flagship smartphone with powerful hardware and flexible MIUI firmware, but even it is not immune to accidental activation of Safe Mode.This mode blocks third-party applications, changes the interface and limits functionality, which can confuse inexperienced users. 80% of the problem is solved in 2 minutes, but sometimes requires deep manipulation of the system.
In this article, we have 5 proven ways to turn off Safe Mode on Mi 10 (relevant to all versions of MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS), including the rare cases when the mode turns on cyclically. Also, we will discuss the reasons for automatically activating Safe Mode after rebooting and how to prevent it. If your smartphone is stuck in Safe Mode after an update or reset, here you will find a solution.
What is Safe Mode on Xiaomi and Why it is Turned On
Safe Mode is an Android diagnostic mode that runs with a minimum set of system applications. On the Xiaomi Mi 10 screen, in this case, the inscription “Safe Mode” is displayed in the lower left corner, and all third-party programs (including launchers, widgets and services) are disabled.
The main reasons for activation:
- 🔄 Incorrect update MIUI — If the firmware is installed with errors, the system can automatically switch to Safe Mode each boot.
- 📱 Power button problems – hold the Power key for too long (over 10 seconds) or it stuck mechanically.
- 🤖 Application Conflict – A Virus That Has Been Harassed APK-A file or system software (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter) may initiate a mode.
- 🔋 Hardware failures – damage to the power connector or button controller (relevant after falls or moisture hits).
In most cases, Safe Mode is turned on once and disappears after the reboot, but if the mode appears cyclically, it is a signal of a serious problem that needs to be diagnosed.
Method 1: Standard Reboot (works 90% of the time)
The simplest method is a regular reboot, which helps if Safe Mode is turned on due to a temporary failure or accidental button pressing.
Instructions:
- Hold the Power button on the sidebar of the Mi 10 until the turn off menu appears.
- Click on “Reboot” (or “Restart” if the interface is in English).
- Wait for a full reboot (usually 30-60 seconds).
If after the reboot, the "Safe Mode" label disappears, the problem is solved. If not, move on to the next method.
Make sure battery power > 20% | Close all apps | Turn off the charger | Don't press buttons during reboot
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⚠️ Warning: If Safe Mode reappears after the reboot, don't try to reset immediately. First, check the power button to stick - press it carefully 10-15 times. If the key "fails" or makes unusual sounds, the problem can be mechanical.
Method 2: Forced shutdown via buttons (for hung devices)
If the Mi 10 doesn’t respond to a normal reboot or the menu doesn’t appear, use hardware reset, a technique that simulates battery extraction (which is not possible on modern smartphones).
How to do this:
- Hold the Power button for 15-20 seconds until the screen goes out and vibration starts.
- Release the button and wait for the automatic reboot (can take up to 2 minutes).
- If the smartphone does not turn on, connect it to charging for 10 minutes, then try again.
This method often helps if Safe Mode is caused by a system freeze after installing an application or updating. If the problem persists, go to software methods.
What to do if the power button does not work?
Method 3: Remove the problem application (if the cause was software)
If Safe Mode is activated after a particular application is installed, it must be removed.In Safe Mode, third-party programs are disabled, but system tools (such as Settings or Security) remain available.
Step-by-step:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the list, find the application that has been installed with Safe Mode (usually the last software installed).
- Click "Delete" (or "Deinstall").
- Reboot your smartphone.
If you're not sure which app is to blame, check the latest installed programs in Settings → Apps → Latest.
- 🛡️ Antivirus (360 Security, Clean Master)
- 🎮 GameGuardian, Lucky Patcher)
- 🔧 Optimizers and accelerators (DU Speed Booster)
- 📱 Launchers from third-party developers (Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher)
⚠️ Note: If deleting the application didn't help, check system updates. Go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest version MIUI. Sometimes Safe Mode is turned on because of bugs in the firmware that are fixed in new builds.
Method 4: Reset settings (if Safe Mode appears cyclically)
If previous methods failed and Safe Mode is turned on every boot, the cause may be damage to system files, in which case the factory reset will help.
Important: Back up your data before reset, as all files, apps, and settings will be deleted. Use Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
How to reset your settings:
- Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Select "Erase all data."
- Enter a password (if requested) and confirm the action.
- Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).
After resetting, the smartphone will restart as normal, and if Safe Mode reappears, it is a hardware problem (damaged the power connector, button, or motherboard).
| The reason for the cyclical Safe Mode | Decision | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| The system file is damaged. | Resetting or flashing | Medium |
| Conflict with the MIUI update | Reverse to the old version of the firmware | Tall. |
| Sticking the power button | Cleaning or replacing the button | Low. |
| Virus in the system section | Installation of clean firmware through Fastboot | Tall. |
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If you have Safe Mode left after reset, try flashing your smartphone through the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode. Download the official firmware for the Mi 10 (codename umi) from the Xiaomi Firmware website and follow the firmware instructions.
Method 5: Disable Safe Mode via ADB (for advanced users)
If standard methods don’t work and you don’t want to reset, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a PC and basic command line knowledge.
Instructions:
- Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
- Enable USB Debugging on Mi 10: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode) Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB (enable)
- Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB and confirm the debugging permission.
- Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) Enter: adb shell settings put global safe_mode 0
- Reboot your smartphone with the command: adb reboot
If the command is successful, Safe Mode should shut down. If not, try an alternative command:
adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED⚠️ Attention: Use ADB You may lose warranty if you modify system files, do not enter commands that you do not know the purpose of.
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ADB is a powerful tool, but it requires caution. Never use commands with rm or dd unless you understand what they are doing. An error can lead to a "brickle" of the smartphone.
What to do if nothing helps: hardware malfunctions
If all software methods are exhausted and Safe Mode is still activated, the problem is likely hardware.
- 🔌 Power connector damage – if the smartphone fell or got wet, the contacts could oxidize, leading to false signals about pressing buttons.
- 🔧 Power button malfunction – mechanical damage or wear of the micro-switch.
- 🔋 Battery problems – a bloated battery can put pressure on the motherboard, causing crashes.
- 📱 Damage to the motherboard – button controllers may suffer after falls or bumps.
Diagnosis:
- Try connecting another charger – if Safe Mode disappears, the problem is the power supply.
- Check the power button for sticking (press it several times - it should clearly return to its original position).
- Check the charging connector for oxidation or foreign objects.
If you have found a hardware malfunction, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center. Self-repair can aggravate the problem. The average cost of replacing the power button with the Mi 10 is 1,500-2,500 rubles (depending on the region).