How to get out of Fastboot on Xiaomi Mi 9: all working methods

Xiaomi Mi 9 (codenamed cepheus) is the 2019 flagship that still remains popular among Android enthusiasts. However, many users are faced with the unexpected transition of the smartphone to Fastboot Mode mode — a black screen with a white robot and the inscription FASTBOOT. This mode is designed to firmware and restore the system, but accidentally hitting it or hanging in it can cause panic. In this article, we will discuss why the Mi 9 loads into Fastboot, how to safely exit this mode and prevent repeated crashes.

It’s important to understand that Fastboot is not a bug, but a tool for developers. However, if a smartphone is stuck in this mode after a failed update, reset or manipulation with the bootloader, the correct algorithm of actions is required. We will look at both software and hardware solutions, including working with the Mi Flash Tool, ADB and physical buttons.

Why Xiaomi Mi 9 is loading in Fastboot Mode

There are several reasons why Mi 9 Fastboot will be in mode, and understanding them will help avoid repeated problems.

• 🔄 Failed software update: Interrupted firmware through Ota Updater or Mi Flash Tool often leads to a download cycle in Fastboot (MIUI Global) and Chinese (MIUI China) versions.
• 🔧 Unlock bootloader: If you used the Mi Unlock Tool to unlock the Bootloader but interrupted the process, the smartphone can “hang” in the Fastboot as a security measure.
• 📱 Hardware failures: A damaged Volume Down or Power button can simulate a boot press, forcibly putting the device into Fastboot mode.
• ⚡ Battery problems: Abrupt power outage during critical operations (such as resetting to factory settings) sometimes corrupts the boot partition, resulting in automatic booting in the Fastboot.

Separately, it is worth noting the feature of firmware based on Android 10+ for Xiaomi Mi 9: after unlocking the bootloader, the system can require confirmation through Fastboot at each turn on, if a custom recovery (for example, TWRP) is not installed.

Method 1: Exit from Fastboot with the help of buttons

The simplest method is hardware reset, which works if the smartphone responds to physical buttons, and the problem is not caused by firmware damage.

1. Hold the Power button for 15 to 20 seconds until the screen goes out. This will force the device to shut down.
2. After the shutdown vibration, wait 5 seconds, then press and hold the Power + Volume Up at the same time.
3. Hold the buttons until the Mi logo appears – this is a signal to switch to Recovery Mode.
4. In the recovery menu, select Reboot → System (use volume buttons for navigation and Power for confirmation).

If you do this, the phone is loaded back into Fastboot, the problem is deeper, maybe the boot partition is damaged or the boot boot boot boot protection is activated, in which case move on to the next way.

Make sure the battery is at least 30 times charged%|

Unplug all cables (USB, headphones) |

Check if the Volume Down| button is stuck

Prepare the charger in case of a long procedure-->

Method 2: Use the Mi Flash Tool (for unlocked Bootloader)

If the hardware reset doesn't work, you'll need to reflash your smartphone through the Mi Flash Tool. This method is only suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader. If Bootloader is locked, skip this section and go to method 3.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer running Windows 7/10/11 (64-bit).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (preferably from the set).
• 📁 Fastboot firmware ROM Xiaomi Mi 9 (download from the official website) MIUI Downloads).
• 🛠 Mi Flash Tool (last version).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Mi9_Fastboot).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers (if your computer does not recognize your device in Fastboot mode, download the drivers manually from the Xiaomi website).
3. Connect the Mi 9 to your PC, then press Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot.
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder. Select Clean All (full clean) or Clean All and Lock (clean + lock the bootloader).
5. Press Flash and wait for the process to complete (usually 5-10 minutes). USB-cable!

Warning: Firmware via the Mi Flash Tool erases all data on the device, including photos, contacts and apps. If your smartphone had important files, try extracting them first through ADB (Those 5).

Method 3: Unlock Bootloader with Mi Unlock Tool

If the Xiaomi Mi 9 is loaded into Fastboot due to a locked bootloader, an official unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool will be required.This process requires linking the Mi Account to the device and can take up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting if you do it for the first time.

Algorithm of action:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website and install it on PC.
2. Sign in to your Mi Account (it must be linked to the device before it gets into Fastboot).
3. Connect the Mi 9 in Fastboot mode to your PC.
4. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, wait for the device recognition and press Unlock.
5. If you receive a message about the need to wait, monitor the status in the application. Once unlocked, the smartphone will automatically restart.

Important: Once Bootloader is unlocked, all data on the device will be erased and Xiaomi’s warranty will be cancelled. Also note that some banking applications (such as Sberbank Online or Tinkoff) may block work on devices with the unlocked bootloader.

1. Reinstall Xiaomi drivers manually through Device Manager.

2. Use another USB-cable (preferably original).

3. Launch the tool on behalf of the administrator.

4. disable driver signature verification in Windows (to do this, restart your PC with the Shift key pressed and select Download with the signature check disabled).-->

Method 4: Manual control via Fastboot commands (ADB)

For power users, there is the ability to control the Mi 9 via fastboot commands, a method that is useful if you need to reboot the device to another mode or flash individual partitions without completely cleaning.

Tools required:

• 🖥 ADB Fastboot (download Platform Tools from Google).
• 🔌 USB-data-couple.
• 📄 Knowledge of the main fastboot teams.

Examples of commands (execute in CMD or PowerShell):

fastboot devices # Check the connection of the device


fastboot reboot #Reboot to normal mode




fastboot reboot recovery #Reboot in Recovery Mode




fastboot flash boot.img # Boot section firmware (boot.img file required)




Fastboot oem unlock # Unlock Bootloader (alternative to Mi Unlock Tool)

To firmware individual partitions (such as boot or recovery), first download the full Fastboot ROM firmware for Mi 9, then extract the desired.img files from it. For example, to flash only the boot partition:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot reboot

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Use fastboot commands only if you are sure of their purpose. Incorrect partition firmware (for example, persist or modem) can lead to loss of IMEI or broken communication.

Method 5: Retrieving data before resetting

If the Mi 9 has important data left and the smartphone only loads in Fastboot, you can try extracting files via ADB in Recovery mode.

• 🔓 You have a customized Recovery (for example, TWRP).
• 📁 Debugging is on. USB (USB Debugging) in the developer settings.

Instructions:

1. Transfer the device to Recovery Mode (Power + Volume Up buttons).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and type in cmd: adb devices If the device is displayed, do: adb pull /sdcard/ C:\Mi9_Backup This will copy all files from internal memory to disk. C:\.
3. If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try enabling MTP in the Recovery menu (if available).

Limitations:

• ❌ No TWRP or root rights access to data is limited.
• ❌ Not all files can be copied (e.g., application data from the datasets of the file). /data/data/).
• ❌ If internal memory is encrypted, a password from the device will be required.

Table: Comparison of exit methods from Fastboot to Xiaomi Mi 9

Prevention: How to avoid getting back into the Fastboot

To prevent Xiaomi Mi 9 from loading into Fastboot in the future, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Update correctly: Use only official firmware from Xiaomi and do not interrupt the upgrade process. Avoid switching between Global and China versions without completely resetting.
• 🔧 Backup before experiments: Before unlocking Bootloader or installing custom firmware, create backups through TWRP Mi Cloud.
• ⚡ Keep an eye on the charge: Do not allow battery discharge below 15% during critical operations (update, reset).
• 🛡 Use original accessories: Low quality USB-cables or chargers may cause power failures leading to firmware damage.

An important nuance for the Xiaomi Mi 9: once unlocked, the Bootloader system can automatically transition to Fastboot each time it is turned on, unless a custom recovery is installed. To avoid this, swipe TWRP or return to the drain Recovery.

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If you work with firmware often, install the Quick Reboot app from Google Play.It lets you reboot to Fastboot or Recovery in one tap, avoiding random button presses.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Fastboot on Xiaomi Mi 9