How to open Recovery Menu on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

The Recovery Mode menu on Xiaomi smartphones is a hidden tool that allows you to perform critical operations: factory reset, custom firmware installation or system recovery after crashes. However, logging into this menu often causes difficulties for users due to the variety of models (Redmi, POCO, Black Shark) and versions of MIUI. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to open recoveries on Xiaomi devices, including methods for locked phones and devices with damaged screens.

It is important to understand that the procedure for logging into Recovery may vary depending on the generation of the smartphone. For example, older models (Redmi 4X, Mi A1) use a combination with a Menu button, which is not available on new devices. and flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Black Shark 5 Pro) may require unlocking the bootloader. We will look at universal methods and nuances for specific lines.

1. Standard method: combination of power and volume buttons

This is the most common method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi devices (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11).

1. Turn off the smartphone (if it freezes – hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Hold and hold the combination: 🔋 Power button + 🔊 Loudness up (for most models). 🔋 Power button + 🔊 Loudness down (on some) POCO and Black Shark).

Mi

Recovery

If nothing happens after 15 seconds of holding, try an alternative combination: on some devices (e.g. Redmi 9A), you first need to press the volume up, and then power without releasing the first button.

Make sure your phone is off | Check battery power (minimum 30%) |Use the original cable (if you connect to a PC)|Use all accessories (cases, headphones)

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⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader, the standard Recovery may not open, in which case the system will prompt you to connect to the Mi Unlock Tool to unlock.

2. Entrance through ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If the hardware buttons don't work (for example, after a phone drops), you can log in to Recovery via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional settings → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-Cable (use the original Xiaomi cable!).
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed. If not, install the Mi PC Suite drivers.)

adb reboot recovery

Once the command is executed, the phone will automatically reboot in the recovery menu, which is suitable for devices with the bootloader unlocked and debugging enabled.

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If the adb reboot recovery command doesn’t work, try adb reboot bootloader and then select Recovery Mode from the Fastboot menu using volume buttons.

3. Features for different Xiaomi models

The manufacturer regularly changes the ways to enter Recovery for new lines. Below are the current data for the popular series (2020-2026):

On devices with AMOLED-Recovery menus can be delayed by the power optimization (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) and if the screen stays black for more than 20 seconds, try connecting the phone to charge and try again.

Redmi Note 10/11/12|POCO X3/X4/X5|Xiaomi 12/13/14|Black Shark| Another model

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4.Recovery login on locked phone

If you have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code and your smartphone is locked, Recovery Mode is the only way to reset your password without losing data (provided you have Mi Account sync enabled:

1. Turn off the phone (hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Click the combination for your model (see table above).
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Yes.

Once reset, the phone will require you to enter data from the Mi Account associated with the device, without which you cannot unlock the phone, which is a measure of protection against theft. If you do not remember your username / password, restore access through account.xiaomi.com.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ and the enabled Find Device function after reset may require confirmation via SMS email, even if you know your Mi Account.

5. Alternative methods: Fastboot and third-party utilities

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to damaged buttons), you can use Fastboot Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold it. 🔋 + 🔊Down to the screen with a hare in a hat-eared (Fastboot).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type a command:

fastboot reboot recovery

Utilities like MiFlash or OrangeFox Recovery are also suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader, but their use requires experience and can lead to a phone blink if you do not do it correctly.

6. Common mistakes and their solutions

When you try to log in to Recovery, users face typical problems. Here's how to solve them:

• 🔄 Phone vibrates but doesn't load in Recovery: Check if battery is discharged (plug charge for 10 minutes, 🔋 + 🔊Down).
• 🚫 The words "No command" appear: Press and hold. 🔋 + 🔊Up 10 seconds, that's going to force you to update the menu. If it doesn't work, run the stock Recovery through the Fastboot.
• 🔒 Requires password after reset: Enter the data from the Mi Account associated with the phone. If you forgot your account, restore it through the official website.

On devices with damaged screen (no touch response) use:

• 🔊 Volume up/down - moving by point.
• 🔋 Power button - confirmation of choice.

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If the phone doesn't respond to any button combination, check the integrity of the button plume or contact a service center. Self-repair can exacerbate the problem.

7 Security: What You Can and Can't Do in Recovery

The recovery menu is a great option, but doing the wrong thing can cause data loss or your phone to fail.

• ✅ You can: Reset your phone's Wipe Data. Install official updates via Apply update from ADB. Verify the integrity of the system (Verify).
• ❌ You can't: Uninstall partitions (Mount or Format) without understanding the consequences; install unofficial firmware without unlocking the bootloader; interrupt the reset or update process (brick risk!).

On devices with MIUI 13/14, the Recovery menu has the option Reboot to Bootloader — it allows you to quickly navigate to Fastboot without turning off your phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Recovery on Xiaomi