How to go to Recovery mode on Xiaomi: all the ways and nuances

Recovery Mode on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is a utility tool that allows you to perform critical operations: resetting to factory settings, installing firmware via fastboot, cleaning the cache or even restoring the device after crashes. However, logging into this mode often raises questions among users, especially if the phone is locked, does not respond to the sensor or even “bricked” after a failed update.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to transition to Recovery Mode, from standard keyboard combinations to alternative methods for devices with a damaged screen or a locked bootloader. We’ll focus on the nuances for different generations of Xiaomi smartphones (from old models on MIUI 8 to new ones on HyperOS), and also analyze the typical errors that can occur when you try to sign in. If you’re looking for a way to bring your phone back to life or just want to prepare for possible problems, this guide is for you.

What is Recovery Mode and Why You Need It on Xiaomi

Recovery is an isolated environment embedded in the firmware of a smartphone that works independently of the main operating system.

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (if the phone is slowing down or not turning on).
• 📦 Installation of official/custom firmware through ADB Sideload or fastboot.
• 🧹 Cache cleaners (such as Dalvik-cache or system cache) that can solve lag problems.
• 🛠️ Recovery after crashes (for example, if the phone is stuck on the logo) MI).
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (some models require a transition to Fastboot Mode from Recovery).

Xiaomi smartphones use two types of Recovery:

1. Stock (MIUI Recovery) - limited in function, with support for Chinese / English languages.
2. Custom (TWRP, OrangeFox) - extended, with support for the Russian language and additional options (for example, NANDroid backup).

It is important to understand that on new Xiaomi models (released after 2022), stock Recovery often blocks installation of unofficial firmware due to security policy.This means that custom manipulation may require pre-unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Standard way to log in to Recovery Mode (for a working phone)

If your Xiaomi smartphone is turned on and responsive to taps, the easiest way to upgrade to Recovery is to use hardware buttons.This method works on 90% of models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T and older devices.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button and select Turn off).
2. Press the combination: Power button + Volume Up button.

10-15 seconds

MI

MIUI Recovery

Fastboot

Some models (such as the Redmi 9A or POCO M3) may require additional pressing of the Volume Down button after the logo appears. If the phone simply turns on as normal after holding the buttons, try:

• 🔋 Disable the charger (sometimes it interferes with the recognition of the combination).
• 🕒 Hold the buttons longer (up to 20 seconds).
• 🔄 Try an alternative combination: Power + Volume Up + Volume Down (works on some older models).

⚠️ Note: If after several attempts the phone still turns on in normal mode, the Volume Up button may be damaged. ADB (described below) or connect the device to a PC for diagnosis.

How to log in to Recovery if your phone is locked or unresponsive to the screen

If your Xiaomi is locked (forgot your pattern lock/PIN), the screen is not working, or the phone is stuck on the logo, the standard button combination may not work.

Method 1: ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

This method only works if you have previously activated Developer Mode and enabled USB Debugging in your settings. If so, follow the instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
2. Open the command prompt (CMD) or terminal on your computer.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices If the device is recognized (its serial number appears), proceed to the next step.
4. Run the command to reboot in Recovery: adb reboot recovery

If the team doesn’t work, try:

adb shell reboot recovery

⚠️ Note: New Xiaomi models (such as the Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13) may require proof of debugging permission on the phone itself. If the screen doesn’t work, this method won’t work – use a hardware combination or Fastboot.

Method 2: Fastboot Mode (if ADB is not working)

If debugging is disabled by USB, but the phone somehow reacts to the buttons, you can first go to Fastboot Mode, and from there to Recovery.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Down for 10-15 seconds until the hare appears in the hat-eared hat (Fastboot logo).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line.
4. Enter the command: fastboot reboot recovery

If you reboot your phone to Fastboot after this command, you may have the Recovery on your device damaged or locked, and you will need to flash it through the Mi Flash Tool.

Features of the entrance to Recovery on different models Xiaomi

Despite the general logic, some Xiaomi models have nuances when entering Recovery, and the table below shows the current combinations for popular devices:

If your model is not in the table, try the standard Power + Volume Up combination. On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), a menu with a choice of mode may appear after holding the buttons - select Recovery Mode using the volume buttons and confirm with the power button.

1. Turn off the phone.

2. clamp Power + Volume Up for 5 seconds, then release Power, continuing to hold Volume Up for another 10 seconds.

This often helps bypass the locking of Recovery login on new firmware.-->

What to do if Recovery Mode does not open

If you fail to log in to Recovery after multiple attempts, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔋 Battery discharge (less than 5%) Even if the phone shows charge, try holding it on charge for 30 minutes.
• 🔧 Damaged Recovery (for example, after a failed firmware) Solution is to flash stock Recovery through Fastboot.
• 🔒 Locked bootloader (on new models) Requires unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool.
• 🎛️ Hardware malfunction (buttons or motherboards not working) Diagnosed only at the service center.

Algorithm for problems:

1. Check the battery charge (plug in for 1 hour).
2. Try all possible button combinations (see the table above).
3. If the phone is rebooted in Fastboot, use the command: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img (where recovery.img is a stock Recovery file for your model, which can be downloaded from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website).
4. If nothing helps, run the full firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (instruction below).

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) Trying to flash custom Recovery without unlocking will lead to a hard brick (complete loss of performance). Before any manipulations, check the status of the bootloader with the command: fastboot getvar unlocked If the answer is unlocked: no, first unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.

How to Get Out of Recovery Mode on Xiaomi

The way out of recovery mode depends on what you’ve been doing inside it:

• 🔄 If you just came to see – select Reboot or Reboot system now (manage volume buttons, choose power button).
• 🧹 If you have reset (Wipe data), the phone will restart automatically after the process is completed.
• 🚨 If the phone is stuck in Recovery: Press the power button for 15-20 seconds to force a reboot. If it doesn't work, remove the battery (if it's removable) or wait until the phone runs out.

Some models (such as the POCO F3 or Redmi K40) may have a No OS installed error after resetting via Recovery, which means that the firmware is damaged and you will need to reinstall it via Fastboot.

💡

If the phone doesn’t turn on for more than 10 minutes after leaving Recovery, don’t panic – the first start after reset can take up to 30 minutes (especially on older models with eMMC memory).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When working with Recovery Mode on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems.

If you see E: Unknown command [log] or E: Failed to mount /sdcard, this is usually not critical and does not interfere with the basic Recovery features.However, if E: Error in /tmp/sideload/package.zip appears when you try installing firmware, check:

• Integrity of the firmware file (download again from the official source).
• Firmware signature (new models require an authorized MIUI).
• Free space in memory (needs at least 2 GB).