How to restart Xiaomi smartphone in Fastboot mode: 5 working ways

Fastboot mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a special state of the device that allows you to perform low-level operations: firmware, unlock the bootloader, restore the system or test hardware components. Unlike a normal reboot, logging into Fastboot requires certain actions, and improper manipulations can lead to locking the device or loss of data. This article will help you understand how to safely put Redmi, POCO or Mi into Fastboot mode, even if the smartphone does not respond to buttons or freezes on the logo.

We’ll look at all the current methods, from standard key combinations to commands via ADB, and we’ll look at common errors and their solutions. Instructions are suitable for most models released after 2018, including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5 and others. If your device does not respond to standard methods, at the end of the article you will find alternative options.

What is Fastboot and Why You Need It on Xiaomi

Fastboot is a protocol integrated into an Android bootloader that allows you to interact with the device via a computer. Unlike Recovery Mode, where you control a sensor or buttons, Fastboot requires a USB connection and the use of the command line.

The main tasks for which this regime is used are:

• 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader before firmware custom software.
• 📥 Install official or custom firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔧 System Recovery after a crash or “brick” (when the smartphone does not boot).
• 📡 Testing of hardware components (e.g., checking the display or battery).
• ⚙️ Changing partition markup (for example, to increase system partition).

It’s important to understand that Fastboot is not the same as EDL Mode, which is used to restore devices with a damaged bootloader and requires authorized access from Xiaomi. In most cases, Fastboot features are enough for routine tasks.

⚠️ Note: Log in to Fastboot on devices with a locked bootloader (bootloader) will not allow you to flash custom software. First you will need official unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Method 1: Standard button combination (for a working smartphone)

This is the easiest method that works on most Xiaomi models if the device is switched on and responsive to taps.Instructions are suitable for Redmi, POCO and Mi series released after 2016.

Sequence of action:

1. Turn off your smartphone (press the power button and select Turn off).
2. Press and hold the power button + Volume Down button.
3. Hold both buttons for 10-15 seconds until the Mi Bunny logo appears on the screen in an ooshanky cap with the words FASTBOOT.

If the screen is black, try repeating the procedure by holding the buttons for longer (up to 20 seconds). On some models (such as the POCO F3 or Redmi K40), you may need to first press the Volume Down and then the power button.

On the Fastboot screen you will see the following information:

• 📱 The device model (e.g., surya for POCO X3).
• 🔋 Charging status (if the cable is connected).
• 🔒 bootloader status (Locked or Unlocked).
• 📊 Firmware version (e.g, V14.0.4.0.TKHCNXM).

⚠️ Note: If this device is locked on the screen, it means that the bootloader is locked.

Method 2: Reboot to Fastboot via Recovery Menu

If the standard button combination fails (for example, because of a damaged volume button), you can log into the Fastboot via the Recovery Mode menu, which works even on devices with a damaged screen if the sensor is functional.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the power button + Volume Up button before the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when the Recovery menu appears (usually in English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons to navigate and select Reboot to Fastboot (or similar, such as Enter Fastboot).
5. Confirm the choice of the power button.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global), the Recovery menu may be in Chinese. In this case, look for characters (which means "Fastboot"). If the menu is in English but there is no Reboot to Fastboot item, try Reboot → Fastboot.

The advantage of this method is that it does not require a connection to a PC and works even when the volume buttons are damaged (if the sensor in Recovery is functioning), however, on some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T), the Recovery menu can be disabled by the manufacturer.

Method 3: ADB commands to reboot in Fastboot

If the smartphone is turned on but you prefer to control it via a computer, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method is suitable for power users and requires pre-configuration.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 The original cable. USB Type-C (or Micro-USB) for older models).
• 📦 Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
• ☑️ Included debugging by USB developer-setting.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and allow debugging over USB (a request will appear on the device screen).
2. Open the command prompt (CMD on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices In response, the serial number of your device should appear.
4. Run the reboot command in Fastboot: adb reboot bootloader

If the command is successful, the smartphone will automatically reboot to Fastboot mode. This method is especially convenient if the device buttons are faulty or you plan to switch between modes often (for example, when testing firmware).

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If the adb device command doesn’t show your device, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers or using another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

Some firmware (e.g. MIUI EU) may require proof of debugging permission each time you connect. If you see an unauthorized message in the adb device output, check the smartphone screen, and you may expect a permission request.

Method 4: Emergency entrance to the Fastboot when getting stuck or "brick"

If Xiaomi’s smartphone is stuck on the Mi logo, stops responding to buttons, or has gone into a “bootloop,” standard methods may not work, in which case forced logging into the Fastboot via a keyboard combination or charging connection will help.

Options for action:

• 🔄 Hard reset: Press the power button for 20-30 seconds until the device shuts down. Then try the standard Power combination. + Volume Down.
• 🔌 Charging Connection: Some models (e.g. Redmi 9) automatically load into Fastboot if you hold Volume Down while connecting the power cable.
• 🔧 Disassembly of the device (extreme): If the buttons don't work, you can close the contacts of the Volume Down button on the board, while connecting the cable!

If the smartphone does not respond to any combinations, but when connected to the computer is defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, this means that it is in EDL mode. In this case, you will need authorized access to the firmware through Mi Flash Pro to restore it.

⚠️ Warning: Forcing a Fastboot login on a battery that is damaged (blown or discharged below 5%) can cause a total loss of performance.Be sure to charge at least 20 times before manipulation%.

Method 5: Reboot to Fastboot via Mi Flash Tool (for firmware)

If you plan to flash your smartphone through the Mi Flash Tool, the program can itself put the device in Fastboot mode. This method is convenient if you want to install a new firmware at the same time.

Instructions:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi).
2. Connect the switched off smartphone to the computer.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool and press the Refresh button. COM-port.
4. If the smartphone is not detected, press the Power + Volume Down for 10 seconds, then release.

The advantage of this method is that the Mi Flash Tool itself checks the integrity of the connection and offers to update the drivers if they are missing, however, the utility works only with official Xiaomi firmware in the format.tgz or.zip.

If the program is unable to find a fastboot device, try:

• 🔌 Use the other USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• 🔄 Reinstall Xiaomi drivers manually through Device Manager.
• 📥 Download the latest version of the Mi Flash Tool from the official website.

Table: Common errors when logging into Fastboot and their solutions

If your problem is not listed in the table, check the FAQ section at the end of the article or contact the Xiaomi service center with an error code (if it appears on the screen).

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Before any manipulations in the Fastboot, make sure the battery is at least 30% charged.Discharge during firmware can lead to irreversible damage to the system.

What to do after logging into Fastboot: the main commands

When the smartphone is in Fastboot mode, it can only be controlled via a computer using commands. Here are the basic operations that are available to the user:

Baseline teams:

• 🔄 Reboot to normal mode: fastboot reboot
• 📱 Recovery: Fastboot Reboot Recovery
• 📋 View the information about the device: fastboot getvar all

Commands for unlocking and firmware:

• 🔓 bootloader status check: fastboot oem device-info (look for Device unlocked line: true/false)
• 📥 Image firmware boot.img: fastboot flash boot boot.img
• 🧹 Complete data cleanup (reset to factory): fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache

For the firmware of the full package MIUI via Fastboot, use the script flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for macOS/Linux), which comes with the official firmware.

⚠️ Attention: the command fastboot oem unlock on modern Xiaomi devices does not work without prior unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's Fastboot mode