Reboot Menu on Xiaomi: how to open on a locked and unlocked smartphone

The Reboot Menu on Xiaomi smartphones is a hidden tool that allows you to choose the device boot mode: the regular system, Recovery (for reset or firmware) or Fastboot (for unlocking the bootloader or custom firmware). However, the manufacturer does not always provide direct access to this menu, especially on new models with a locked bootloader. Why is it important? Without access to Reboot Menu, you will not be able to reset the factory settings if the phone does not turn on, or install custom software.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to open the reboot menu on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from standard button combinations to hidden commands through ADB and terminal. We will focus on the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and Android (10 to 14), as well as the problems that users face after updates. If your smartphone “blinks” or requires a reset, but does not respond to buttons, here you will find a solution.

What is Reboot Menu and Why You Need It

Reboot Menu is an interface that appears when you turn on your smartphone and lets you select boot mode. On Xiaomi, it can look different:

• 🔄 Normal boot is standard launch MIUI.
• 🛠️ Recovery Mode is a recovery mode for resetting, installing updates, or firmware via ZIP- files.
• 🔓 Fastboot Mode is a mode for unlocking a bootloader, firmware through the Mi Flash Tool, or customized recesses (TWRP).
• 🚫 EDL Mode (hidden) – Emergency mode for recovery of bricks (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

Without access to this menu, you will not be able to:

• 🔧 Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
• 🔄 Perform a reset if the phone doesn't boot (for example, after a failed upgrade).
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader to obtain root rights.
• 📱 Restore the device after a software failure ("brick").

On older models (Redmi Note 3/4, Mi 5), the menu opened with the power + volume button holding, but since 2019 Xiaomi has begun blocking this functionality on new devices (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F4) to prevent unauthorized firmware.

Method 1: Standard button combination (for unlocked bootloaders)

If your smartphone bootloader is already unlocked (check through fastboot oem device-info), the easiest way to open Reboot Menu is to use hardware buttons, a method that works on most Xiaomi devices until 2022, as well as some new models with custom firmware.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone (hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up and hold for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons - the menu with the choice of modes should open.

If instead of a menu, the smartphone immediately loads into Fastboot or Recovery, then:

• 🔹 The bootloader is locked (you need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool).
• 🔹 Unofficial firmware is installed without menu support (reflash boot.img required).
• 🔹 The device activates the Anti-Rollback feature (e.g., on the Redmi Note 9 Pro) to block alternative modes.

Exceptions: On some models (e.g., the POCO F3 or Xiaomi 12T), the button combination may not work due to hardware limitations.

Method 2: ADB commands for devices with debugging enabled

If your smartphone has USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI → 7 taps to unlock Developer Settings), you can open Reboot Menu via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works even on locked bootloaders, but requires pre-configuration.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (use the original cable!).
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
3. Enter the command to reboot in Reboot Menu: adb shell reboot bootloader or to go directly to Recovery: adb shell reboot recovery

If the team is not working, try alternatives:

• 🔹 adb reboot bootloader - reboot in Fastboot.
• 🔹 adb shell su -c "reboot bootloader" - if root rights are available.
• 🔹 adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.REBOOT -e reason recovery — for some firmware.

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If ADB does not recognize the device, install Mi PC Suite drivers or manually update the driver through Device Manager (select Android ADB Interface).

Limitations:

• ❌ It doesn't work if the debugging is USB switched off.
• ❌ On some firmware MIUI, adb commands are blocked by security policies.
• ❌ Requires pre-activation of OEM Unlock in the developer settings (on new devices).

Method 3: Hidden engineering codes (for MIUI 12–14)

On devices with MIUI 12 and later, Xiaomi has added hidden codes to access service features, including Reboot Menu.These codes work without root rights, but may vary depending on the firmware region.

Active codes (2026):

How to use:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code (as in dialing).
3. If the code is working, select the reboot mode you want.

⚠️ Warning: Some codes may not work properly on global firmware (MIUI Global). For example, code ##3644633## on POCO F4 GT with European firmware causes a network reset instead of a reboot menu. Before using, check the code on forums (e.g., 4PDA or XDA Developers).

Method 4: Through the terminal (for root devices)

If you have root rights (like Magisk), you can open Reboot Menu directly from the terminal, which is universal and works on any firmware, including custom (LineageOS, ArrowOS).

Instructions:

1. Install a terminal (e.g., Termux or MT Manager).
2. Enter the command to reboot in the menu: su echo 1 > /sys/power/reboot_reason reboot
3. Or use the direct command for Fastboot: su reboot bootloader

Alternative teams:

• 🔹 Reboot Recovery is a reboot recovery.
• 🔹 reboot edl – emergency mode (requires Xiaomi authorization).
• 🔹 setprop sys.powerctl reboot, recovery — for some custom firmware.

⚠️ Warning: On Anti-Rollback devices (e.g., Redmi Note 8 Pro), a forced reboot to EDL without authorization can result in a complete lockdown (requires an official service center).

Method 5: Bypassing locks on new models (2022–2026)

On Xiaomi smartphones after 2022 (for example, Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13), the manufacturer completely removed access to the Reboot Menu through the buttons.

Method 1: Through Fastboot with Unlocked Booter

1. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (hold Power + Volume down when turned on).
2. Enter the command to force the menu to open: fastboot oem reboot-recovery

Method 2: Install a patch through Magisk

• 🔹 Install the MIUI Reboot Menu Enabler module from the Magisk repository.
• 🔹 Reboot the device – the menu will be available through button retention.

Method 3: Using TestPoint (to unlock EDL)

If the device is “bricked” and does not respond to buttons, you can use the hardware method:

1. Take apart the smartphone and find TestPoint (the point for forced transition to EDL).
2. Close the contacts with a screwdriver, while connecting the USB- cable to the PC.
3. Use the Mi Flash Tool to restore the firmware.

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On newer devices (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12), standard ways to open Reboot Menu are blocked. Use ADB or Fastboot with the bootloader unlocked.

⚠️ Warning: TestPoint requires disassembly of the device and may result in loss of warranty. On some models (e.g., POCO F5), the dot is hidden under a protective film — carefully remove it so as not to damage the board.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to open Reboot Menu, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common errors and solutions:

If none of these methods worked, check:

• 🔹 Firmware version: Additional patches may be required on MIUI 14.
• 🔹 bootloader status: A blocked bootloader restricts access to Fastboot and Recovery.
• 🔹 Anti-Rollback: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro), the firmware rollback blocks the menu.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions