How to go to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

Recovery Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a service environment that allows you to perform critical operations: factory reset, firmware installation, cache cleaning, or even system recovery after crashes. Without access to this menu, you can not solve most software problems, from freezes to bricks after a failed update. However, the way you log in to Recovery depends on the device model, the version of MIUI and even the type of bootloader.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of transitioning to Recovery, from the classic button combination to advanced tools like ADB and Mi Flash Tool. We will pay special attention to the nuances for new models (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13), where the manufacturer has changed the login logic, and also warn about the risks that are often missed in standard instructions. If your phone does not respond to buttons or gives an error when booting, here you will find a solution.

What is Recovery Mode and Why You Need It

Recovery Mode is an isolated environment built into Xiaomi firmware that works independently of the main operating system. It runs before Android boots and allows you to:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (useful when selling a phone or after a virus attack).
• 📦 Install official / custom firmware through.zip files.
• 🧹 Clear the cache (Dalvik/ART, system cache) to eliminate lags.
• 🛠️ Restore backups via Mi Backup or TWRP.
• 🔧 Diagnose hardware problems (such as a memory test or display test).

Xiaomi smartphones use two types of Recovery:

1. Stock (Mi Recovery) - a simplified menu from the manufacturer with basic functions, suitable for resetting or installing official firmware.
2. Custom (TWRP, OrangeFox) - an extended version with support for backups, root rights and informal firmware. Requires unlocking the bootloader.

It is important to understand that the entry into Recovery on new Xiaomi models (released after 2022) can be blocked by the security system if the bootloader has not previously been unlocked through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Method 1: Enter through hardware buttons (for all models)

The most versatile method is using a physical button combination, which works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark, but there are nuances for different generations:

Turn off the phone (press the power button and select "Switch off").

Wait 10-15 seconds until the device is completely shut down.

Make sure that the battery is at least 30% (the risk of shutdown during operations).

Unplug all cables (USB, headphones).-->

Instructions for most models (until 2021):

1. Press and hold the power button + Volume Up button.
2. Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi or Redmi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when you see the Recovery menu (usually with an image of an Android robot and the inscription No command).
4. If a No command message appears, press and hold the power button, then once press the volume increase - this will open the full menu.

For new models (Xiaomi 12/13/14, Redmi Note 11/12/13):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power + increase the volume and hold until vibration (usually 5-7 seconds).
3. Once the phone vibrates, release the power button, but keep holding Volume Up until the menu appears.

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5 Or Xiaomi Pad 6) long-term button retention can lead to Fastboot Mode instead of Recovery. FASTBOOT and image of a rabbit – release the buttons and try again, holding them for a short time (3-5 seconds).

Method 2: Sign in via ADB (for advanced users)

If the hardware buttons don't work or you prefer the software method, you can go to Recovery via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 Included debugging by USB in the phone settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50%.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
2. Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and check the connection: Adb devices must show the serial number of your device.
3. Enter the command to reboot in Recovery: adb reboot recovery

If the team doesn’t work, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect. USB-cable (sometimes it helps to change the port).
• 🔧 Update the drivers ADB via PC Suite.
• 📱 Include in the developer settings the option Debugging by USB (security parameters) and Allow unlocking OEM.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader, the adb reboot recovery command may redirect you to Fastboot instead of Recovery.This is normal behavior - in which case use the method with hardware buttons or unlock the bootloader officially.

adb kill-server

adb start-server

Method 3: Through the Mi Flash Tool (for "bricks")

If the phone doesn’t turn on at all (called a “brick”) but responds to a PC connection (e.g., defined as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008), you can try logging into Recovery via the Mi Flash Tool.

• 🧱 Devices with damaged firmware.
• 🔄 Phones stuck on Mi logo.
• 📱 Appliances that do not respond to buttons.

Instructions:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the official tool from Xiaomi).
2. Connect the phone to the PC, holding the volume down (Volume Down) + power for 10 seconds. The device must be determined as COM-port.
3. In the Mi Flash Tool, click Refresh – if your phone is found, select Advanced → Reboot to Recovery from the menu.

If the Mi Flash Tool does not see the device:

On devices with a MediaTek processor (such as Redmi 10A or POCO C50), an additional MTK VCOM driver is required to log in to Recovery via the Mi Flash Tool, which is often blocked by antivirus software.

Method 4: Through the MIUI menu (no buttons)

If the phone turns on but the buttons don't work (for example, after a fall), you can try logging into Recovery through the system menu. MIUI 12–14:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.
4. Activate the option of Extended Reboot.
5. Now, when holding the power button in the off menu, the Recovery option will appear - select it.

If there is no Extended Reset:

• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (in older builds this option may not be available).
• 🔧 Use it. ADB (described in Method 2).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the option appears after the reboot.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global Stable for Xiaomi 11T) Recovery may not be available in the reboot menu due to security policy, in which case use a button combination or ADB.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even following the instructions, users often encounter problems when logging in to Recovery. Consider typical scenarios and how to fix them:

1.The phone vibrates but doesn't load into Recovery

Reason: Newer models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) are protected against accidental entry.

• 🔋 Connect your phone to charge for 10 minutes, then repeat the button combination.
• 🔄 Try to hold the power buttons. + Reduce volume (sometimes this will reset the blockage).
• 📱 If the phone has been previously rooted, the recovery partition may have been damaged – flashing through Fastboot is required.

2.Fastboot Menu Appears Instead of Recovery

Reason: On some devices (e.g. POCO X5), prolonged button retention leads to a Fastboot.

• 🕒 Hold the buttons no longer than 5 seconds.
• 🔧 In Fastboot, type the command: fastboot reboot recovery
• 📲 If it doesn’t help, check if the bootloader is unlocked (via fastboot oem device-info).

3. Recovery asks for password (after sales mode)

Reason: Devices with a Mi Account connection (e.g., after a Find Device reset) may have a password request.

• 🔑 Enter your Mi Account password (same as for the Xiaomi cloud).
• 📧 If you forget your password, restore it through the official website.
• 🚫 If the phone is bought from hands and tied to someone else’s account, contact Xiaomi with a check to buy.

💡

On devices with MIUI 14 and later, the password from Recovery may be different from the password for unlocking the screen.

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

Recovery mode provides a lot of opportunities, but the wrong actions can lead to data loss or firmware damage.

• ✅ We can: 🧹 Cleaning cache (Wipe cache partition) is safe and helps eliminate lags. 🔄 Reset to factory settings (Wipe) data/factory reset) if you have kept backup copies. 📥 Install official firmware through Apply update from ADB.
• ❌ No: 🚫 Install firmware from other models (even if they are similar"). 🔧 Modify boot or system partitions without unlocking the bootloader. 🗑️ Manually format partitions (such as userdata) if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Be especially careful with the menu items:

• Wipe all data deletes all user data, including photos and apps.
• Mount/system – can cause a failure if the process is interrupted.
• Apply update from SD card – check the integrity of the firmware file before installing.

If you plan to install custom firmware (TWRP, LineageOS), you must:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Make a backup through adb backup or Mi backup.
3. Check firmware compatibility with your model on the XDA Developers forum.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions