Safe Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a diagnostic tool that helps identify problems caused by third-party apps or conflicts in the system. In this mode, the device boots with a minimum set of drivers and services, disabling all user programs. This is especially useful if your Redmi, POCO or Black Shark has started to slow down, spontaneously restart or issue errors like com.android.phone stopped.
Unlike standard mode, where all installed applications are active, Safe Mode blocks the autoboot of third-party software, which allows you to accurately determine the source of the problem, for example, if the phone is stable in safe mode, the problem lies in one of the applications you installed. If errors persist, it is the MIUI firmware or hardware components that are to blame.
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to go to safe mode on Xiaomi, including methods for locked devices, as well as how to exit Safe Mode and what to do if the phone is stuck in this state. All instructions are relevant for models 2018-2026 based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.
1. Standard method: via the off menu
It’s the simplest and most versatile method that works on most Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and other models with a physical or touch power button.Suitable for devices that turn on and respond to taps.
Algorithm of action:
- 🔘 Press and hold the Power button until the turn off menu appears.
- 👆 In the window that appears, tap and hold your finger on the option to Turn off (or turn off power).
- ✅ After 2-3 seconds, a proposal will appear to go to Safe Mode - confirm the choice by pressing OK.
- 🔄 The phone will automatically reboot and boot into Safe Mode (at the bottom of the screen will be the inscription Safe Mode).
If you have MIUI 14 or HyperOS, the menu interface may be slightly different, but the principle remains the same. On some models (for example, Black Shark 5), instead of holding the button, you may need to press it twice in a row at a small interval.
⚠️ Note: On devices with an unlocked bootloader, this method may not work.
2. Hardware method: button combination when booting
This method is useful if the phone does not respond to the sensor, hovers on the MI logo or does not allow you to open the shutdown menu. Suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the old (Redmi 4X, Mi A1) and new (Xiaomi 14, POCO F6).
Instructions:
- 🔌 Turn off the phone (if it freezes – hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
- 🔘 Press and hold the power button until the logo appears. MI (or POCO/Black Shark).
- 👆 As soon as the logo appears, release the power button and immediately press Volume down (-).
- 🔄 Keep Volume Down until the system is fully loaded (usually 10-20 seconds).
A successful transition to Safe Mode will confirm the inscription in the lower left corner of the screen. If you have a Fastboot or Recovery menu instead, you have held the volume button for too long.
Turn off the phone from charging.
Make sure the battery is at least 30% charged.
Prepare. SIM-Mi card or account to be unlocked (if there is a lock)
Do not interrupt the process until full loading-->
3. via Recovery Mode (for power users)
If the standard methods don't work, you can activate Safe Mode via Recovery, which is a method that requires caution, as incorrect actions can lead to resetting, suitable for devices with MIUI Recovery or TWRP.
Step-by-step:
- 🔌 Turn off the phone.
- 🔘 Squeeze the power at the same time + Loudness up (+) Hold for 5-10 seconds until the Recovery menu appears.
- 📱 V MIUI Recovery select the language (if required) then go to Advanced options → Enter safe mode.
- ✅ Confirm the choice and wait for the reboot.
On devices with TWRP The path may be different: Reboot → Safe Mode. If there is no such item, use it. ADB-The team (described in the following section).
⚠️ Warning: In Recovery, do not press Wipe Data or Factory Reset – this will lead to a complete cleanup of the phone.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
4. With the help of ADB-teams (for PCs)
This is suitable for those who have access to a computer and have enabled debugging on a USB smartphone, a method that is universal for all Xiaomi models, but requires pre-configuration.
What you need:
- 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
- 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock Developer Settings, then turn on Debugging by USB).
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
Instructions:
- Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
- Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB:
cd C:\platform-tools- Enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesIf the device appears in the list, do:
adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETEDadb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.android.settings/.SafeModeUIOnce the commands are executed, the phone will restart in Safe Mode. If there is a device unauthorized error, check the debugging permissions on the phone or reinstall the drivers.
💡
If ADB does not recognize the device, try switching the USB connection mode on your phone from Charging to File Transfer (MTP) or PTP.
5. For locked phones (if you don't know the pattern lock)
If you forget your password or pattern lock and your phone is locked, switching to Safe Mode can help bypass locking without resetting data.This method only works on devices with MIUI prior to version 12.5. On newer firmware (MIUI 13+ and HyperOS), it may not work due to enhanced security.
How to proceed:
- 🔌 Turn off the phone (hold power) + Volume up 10 seconds).
- 🔘 Press the power and the volume up (+), to enter the Recovery.
- 📱 In the Recovery menu, select Reboot to Safe Mode (if there is no such item, see the method with the Recovery menu). ADB).
- 🔓 After downloading in Safe Mode, try unlocking the screen with a standard swipe (sometimes the pattern lock is reset).
If this method doesn’t work, you only have to reset hard via Wipe Data to Recovery, but it will delete all the data. Devices with a linked Mi Account will need to enter a username and password to unlock after reset.
💡
Starting with MIUI 13, the Safe Mode pattern lock is officially blocked, and the only legal way to unlock is to reset to factory settings or use the Mi Account.
How to get out of Safe Mode on Xiaomi
Quitting Safe Mode is usually automatic after a reboot, but sometimes the phone can get stuck in this mode.
| Problem. | Decision |
|---|---|
| The phone does not leave Safe Mode after restarting | Hold the Power button for 10 seconds to force shutdown, then turn it back on. |
| Unfortunately, System UI has stopped | Remove the System UI app cache in settings (Settings → Apps → Show Everything → System UI → Storage → Clear the cache). |
| Safe Mode is activated spontaneously | Check the Volume Down button - it may be clamped or damaged. Also remove newly installed apps. |
| The sensor is not working in Safe Mode. | Connect your mouse over OTG or use hardware buttons to reboot. |
If none of these methods worked and the phone is constantly loading into Safe Mode, this may indicate firmware damage or hardware failure (such as sticking the volume button), in which case it is recommended to flash the device through Fastboot or contact the service center.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When using Safe Mode, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:
- 🚫 Unable to log in to Safe Mode: Check if the battery is discharged (minimum 30% charge). Make sure the Power and Volume buttons work (try dusting them out (POCO X3, Redmi 9 instead of Volume down, keep Volume up.
On devices with an unlocked bootloader, Safe Mode may not work smoothly, in which case it is recommended to temporarily lock the bootloader through fastboot oem lock (but this will delete all data!).