How to open Recovery Mode on Xiaomi: all ways to reset and firmware

Recovery Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a utility tool that allows you to perform critical operations from resets to factory settings to custom firmware installation. However, entering this mode is often difficult for users, especially if the device is locked or does not respond to touch. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to log into Recovery on Xiaomi in 2026, including methods for devices with a locked bootloader, as well as solutions for common errors such as “No command” or “Fastboot instead of Recovery”.

It is important to understand that the procedure may differ depending on the model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13, etc.), the firmware version (MIUI 14/HyperOS) and bootloader status. For example, on new HyperOS devices, the standard button combination may not work due to the changed boot logic. We will look at universal methods, as well as nuances for specific lines.

If you’ve never worked with Recovery, start with the Preparation section – wrong actions can lead to a device blink (total inoperability). For power users, immediately move on to ways through ADB or Fastboot that circumvent the limitations of the standard menu.

What is Recovery Mode and Why You Need It on Xiaomi

Recovery Mode (or "recovery mode") is an isolated environment built into the firmware of a smartphone that is launched before the main system boots. On Xiaomi, it is used to:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (if the phone is not switched on or locked).
• 📦 Installation of official/custom firmware through ZIP-file.
• 🔧 Cache cleaning (Wipe Cache Partition) to eliminate lags.
• 🔐 Unlock the bootloader (in combination with Fastboot).
• 🛠️ Recovery after a crash (for example, after a failed update).

Xiaomi smartphones use two types of Recovery:

1. Stock (MIUI Recovery) - a limited menu with basic functions (reset, clear cache) suitable for most users.
2. Custom (TWRP, OrangeFox) - Extended mode with support for backups, root rights and installation of unofficial firmware. Requires unlocking the bootloader.

Since 2023, Xiaomi has been replacing standard Recovery with Mi Recovery 4.0 (HyperOS), which has an updated interface and additional diagnostic options, but the functionality for firmware via ZIP is still missing – this will require TWRP.

⚠️ Note: Recovery login on locked bootloader devices (Redmi 12, POCO M6 Pro et al. can lead to an automatic reboot in Fastboot. This is normal behavior - to work with Recovery you will need to unlock.

Preparing a smartphone before entering Recovery

Before you open Recovery Mode, follow the mandatory steps:

Charge your phone at least 50% (risk of shutting down during surgery)

Turn off all cables (USB, headphones, memory cards)

Make sure there are no important unsaved data on your phone (reset will delete everything)

Download the official firmware (if you plan to reflash) from the MIUI Download website

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If you are going to install custom firmware or TWRP, additionally:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires Mi Account binding and waiting) 7-14 days).
• 💻 Install Android SDK Platform-Tools for working with ADB/Fastboot.
• 📡 Put the debugging on. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).

For HyperOS devices (Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70 and later), standard Recovery may not be available, instead using Fastboot with limited options, in which case a full Recovery will require a TWRP installation.

Redmi Note 12/13

POCO X5/X6

Mi 11/12/13

Redmi 10/9 Series Series

Xiaomi 13T/14

Another model-->

Method 1: Enter Recovery via hardware buttons (for all models)

This is the most versatile method that works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, including Redmi, POCO and Mi.

1. Turn off the phone (clip Power + Volume up for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Click the combination: For most models: Power + Volume up (hold 10-15 seconds). For older devices (Redmi 4X, Mi A1): Power + Volume up + Volume down.

Mi

POCO

Nutrition

Loudness up

If instead of Recovery you were in Fastboot (black screen with a rabbit and a sign). FASTBOOT), So the bootloader is locked:

• 🔄 Try re-entering Recovery by holding the buttons longer (20)+ seconds).
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (see section below).
• 💻 Use it. ADB Fastboot for forced entry (method 3).

On some devices (POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 Turbo), the Recovery menu may be in Chinese. To switch to English, select the last item on the list (usually English or ).

💡

If the phone doesn’t respond to buttons, plug it into charging for 10 minutes — sometimes a dead battery blocks the Recovery entrance.

Method 2: Login through ADB (for unlocked devices)

The ADB method is suitable if you have USB debugging enabled and your phone is turned on, and it is the most reliable method for HyperOS devices where standard button combinations may not work.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (original!).
2. Open the command prompt (CMD) in the platform-tools folder (where the ADB is installed).
3. Enter the commands in order: adb devices (should display your device) adb reboot recovery

If the adb reboot recovery command restarts your phone to Fastboot, use an alternative:

adb shell


su




reboot recovery

(requires root rights)

HyperOS devices may require pre-unlocking the bootloader, even if debugging is enabled. ADB can't see the device:

• 🔌 Check the cable and port USB (Try another port on the PC).
• 🔄 Reinstall Xiaomi drivers via Mi PC Suite.
• 📱 Enable File Transfer (MTP) in the notification curtain when connected.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ And the adb reboot recovery command can automatically transfer the phone to Fastboot if the bootloader is locked.

Method 3: Forced login via Fastboot (for blocked downloaders)

If standard methods don’t work because of a locked bootloader, you can use Fastboot to force boot into Recovery.This method requires a PC and installed Fastboot drivers.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to your PC and open the CMD in the platform-tools folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the device).
4. Download to Recovery forcefully: fastboot boot recovery.img (where recovery.img is a custom Recovery file, such as TWRP).

If you don’t have a recovery.img file, you can try the standard command:

fastboot oem reboot-recovery

However, on new devices (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12), this command may not work without unlocking the bootloader.

For devices with HyperOS, an alternative option:

fastboot reboot recovery


fastboot oem reboot-recovery2

Method 4: Entering through the Mi Flash Tool (for firmware)

Mi Flash Tool is Xiaomi's official firmware tool for devices, and can also be used to force you to sign in to Recovery if other methods don't work.

• 📱 Devices with damaged firmware ("bricks").
• 🔄 Smartphones that don’t respond to buttons.
• 📦 Installation of official firmware through Fastboot.

Instructions:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Download the official firmware for your model (select the Fastboot version).
3. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot.
4. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. Press Refresh – the program must detect the device.
6. Select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.
7. During the firmware process, the device will automatically restart to Recovery to install updates.

If you just need to log in to Recovery without firmware, use the Mi Flash Tool to reboot:

1. Select Advanced → Reboot to Recovery.
2. Confirm the action - the phone will restart in the desired mode.

⚠️ Note: Firmware via Mi Flash Tool removes all data from the device. If you need to save files, pre-create a backup through ADB pull TWRP (if established).

Common mistakes and their solutions

When logging into Recovery Mode, users often encounter errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If after logging in to Recovery, the phone is stuck on the Mi logo:

• 🔄 Hold on to power 20.+ second-on-seconds.
• 📴 Extract. SIM-Memory card and card (they may conflict with Recovery).
• 🔧 Try another method of entry (for example, through a ADB).

On HyperOS devices, there may be an E:Unknown command [log] error. It's not critical, just ignore it and keep going.

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If Recovery doesn't run either way, the boot partition is likely damaged, and only the firmware through Fastboot or the service center will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Recovery on Xiaomi