How to open the Recovery menu on Xiaomi: a detailed guide with photos and videos

The Recovery Mode menu on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is a utility tool that allows you to perform critical operations: reset to factory settings, install firmware or restore the system after a crash. However, logging into this menu often causes difficulties for users, especially if the device is locked or does not respond to standard key combinations.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to open Recovery on Xiaomi devices, from the classic method with power and volume buttons to advanced options via ADB and Fastboot. We’ll focus on common bugs (for example, when the phone vibrates but does not load in the menu) and explain why new models with MIUI 14/15 may require unlocking the bootloader.

If you’re looking for a way to reset your password, delete your pattern lock, or flash custom firmware, here are the proven instructions for Xiaomi. And for those who are afraid of breaking your phone, we’ve prepared a unique model-specific method compatibility table (from the Redmi Note 4X to Xiaomi 14 Ultra).

What is Recovery Mode and Why You Need It on Xiaomi

The Recovery Menu is a separate micro OS built into the firmware of the smartphone, which works independently of the main Android system and allows you to:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (useful when selling a phone or after a virus attack).
• 📦 Install official / custom firmware through ZIP-file.
• 🔧 Clear cache (helps with hangings and app errors).
• 🛠️ Restore the system from a backup (if it was created in advance).
• 🔒 Bypass the screen lock (on some models without data loss).

Xiaomi smartphones use two types of Recovery:

1. Stock (MIUI Recovery) - a simplified menu from the manufacturer with basic functions (reset, clear cache).
2. Custom (TWRP, OrangeFox) - an extended menu with support for backups, root rights and installation of unofficial firmware.

Important: Stock Recovery on newer models (e.g. Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+) can require authorization through a Mi Account even to reset settings!

Method 1: Standard button input (for all models)

The most versatile method is the use of hardware keys, which works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, including older models like the Redmi 4A and new flagships like Xiaomi 14.

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume Up for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the combination: Power button + Volume button Hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo or Recovery menu appears.
3. If the phone vibrates but does not load into Recovery, release the buttons and try again with a different combination (see table below).

On some models (e.g., the POCO F5 or Redmi K60) an alternative combination may work:

Power button + Volume button

⚠️ Warning: If after holding the buttons, the phone loads into Fastboot Mode (black screen with a rabbit and a sign) FASTBOOT), So you've been holding the keys too long or using the wrong combination, and then just restart the device and try again.

Method 2: Sign in via ADB (for unlocked phones)

If the hardware buttons don't work (for example, the volume button broke), you can log in to Recovery via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 Included debugging by USB developer-setting.
• 🔓 Unlocked loader (on some models).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (original!).
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (should display the serial number of your device) adb reboot recovery

If the team doesn’t work, try:

adb shell reboot recovery

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ And the blocked bootloader command adb reboot recovery can redirect you to Fastboot instead of Recovery. In this case, you will first need to unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website.

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If ADB doesn’t see the device, try changing the USB connection mode in the phone’s notification curtain to File Transfer (MTP).

Method 3: Sign in via Fastboot (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If the smartphone does not respond to buttons or only loads in Fastboot Mode, you can go to Recovery via Fastboot commands.

• 📱 Phones with a broken screen (but a working one) USB-port).
• 🔄 Devices stuck on the Mi logo.
• 🔧 Models with a locked boot loader (but requires unlocking).

Step-by-step:

1. Download your phone to Fastboot: Turn off the device. Press Power + Volume down for 10 seconds.

Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line.

fastboot devices

fastboot reboot recovery

or (if it doesn't work):

fastboot oem reboot-recovery

On newer models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12), you may need to unlock the bootloader first with the command:

fastboot oem unlock

But remember: this wipes all the data from the device!

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow instructions correctly, users often face problems.

The problem with Mi Account locking deserves special attention. Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi added protection that requires entering a login and password even to reset through Recovery.

• 🌐 Through the official website account.xiaomi.com.
• 📧 By email or phone number attached.
• 📑 By backup codes (if saved).

⚠️ Note: If the phone is bought from hand and tied to someone else's Mi Account, it is impossible to unlock it without the previous owner's data (even at the service center.

How to use the Recovery Menu on Xiaomi

After successfully logging in to Recovery, you will see menus in English or Chinese (depending on the MIUI version), controlled by volume buttons (↑/↓ for navigation) and power button (Power to choose).

• 🔄 Reboot - Reboot the phone.
• 🧹 Wipe Data – reset to factory settings (deletes all data!).
• 🗑️ Wipe Cache – Cache Clearance (Secure for Data).
• 📦 Apply update – installing firmware with SD-card ADB.
• 🔧 Advanced – additional settings (for example, mounting a system partition).

The most requested operations:

1. Reset to factory settings (Wipe Data)

This paragraph deletes:

• All installed applications and their data.
• Photos, videos, music (if stored in the phone’s memory)
• Wi-Fi settings, Bluetooth, accounts.

To reset the phone:

1. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
2. Confirm the action (usually you need to enter yes or press the power button).
3. After completion, select Reboot.

2. Cache cleaning (Wipe Cache)

A safe procedure that helps with:

• Hanging and lagging.
• Application errors (e.g., "app stopped").
• Problems with MIUI update.

Instructions:

1. Choose Wipe Cache.
2. Confirm the cleanup.
3. Reboot the phone.

3. Installation of firmware (Apply Update)

You can use Recovery to flash:

• Official MIUI updates (.zip files from Xiaomi website)
• Custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) if TWRP is installed.

For installation:

1. Download the firmware and place it in the root SD-card.
2. In Recovery, select Apply update → Choose from SD card.
3. Find the firmware file and confirm the installation.

⚠️ Warning: Installing unofficial firmware may lead to blocking IMEI Sensor problems (for example, will not work) NFC Check compatibility on forums before you run the firmware. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

Frequent Questions and Answers (FAQ)

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If your Xiaomi isn’t loaded into Recovery by any means, it’s likely the hardware (buttons, motherboard) or locked bootloader that will only help with a service center or unlocking through official Xiaomi tools.

Recovery menu translation table (English) ↔ Chinese)

If your Recovery is in Chinese, use this table to navigate:

If there are other items in your Recovery, take a screenshot (if the phone reacts) and find a translation through Google Translate with the text recognition function in the photo.