How to go to Recovery on Xiaomi: all the 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 unlocking the bootloader. However, entering this mode often causes difficulties for users, especially if the device is locked, does not respond to the sensor or does not turn on at all. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to reboot to the recovery for Xiaomi in 2026, including methods for devices with a locked bootloader, and also consider typical errors and their solutions.

It is important to understand that the procedure may differ depending on the model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, etc.), the firmware version (MIUI 14, HyperOS) and bootloader status. For example, on new HyperOS devices, the standard button combination may not work due to the changed boot logic, and we took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that cover 95% of cases.

1. Standard method: combination of power and volume buttons

The most common method is the use of hardware buttons, which works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models released after 2016, including the Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi 13T and POCO F5. The main advantage is that you do not need a PC connection or special software.

Algorithm of action:

• 🔋 Turn off your smartphone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
• 🎛️ Hold the power button. + Volume up at the same time.
• 📱 Keep the buttons pinched until the Mi logo appears (usually 5-10 seconds).
• 🛠️ Release the buttons when you see the Recovery menu (black screen with blue text).

If nothing happens after 15 seconds of retention, try an alternative combination: Power button + Volume down. On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi A1 or Mi 8 Lite), this combo calls Fastboot, not Recovery.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) The standard combination can run Mi Recovery 6.0, a simplified version without a number of features.

Turn off your phone (not reboot!)

Charge the battery at least 30%

Turn off all cables (USB, headphones)

Check the efficiency of the volume buttons-->

2. login via Fastboot (if buttons don't work)

If the hardware buttons are damaged or the smartphone does not respond to them, you can go to Recovery via Fastboot mode. This will require a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and the fastboot utility (part of the Android SDK Platform-Tools).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the switched off smartphone to the PC through USB-cable.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down for 5-7 seconds to enter the Fastboot (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with fastboot.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (serial number will appear), follow: fastboot boot recovery.img Note: the recovery.img file must be downloaded in advance for your model.

If you have an unlocked bootloader, you can use a universal command to reboot to standard recaveri:

fastboot reboot recovery

On locked devices, this command will redirect you to Mi Recovery with limited features.

3. Use of ADB (for enabled devices)

If the smartphone is turned on and you have USB debugging enabled, you can reboot to Recovery via ADB. This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).

Instructions:

• 🔗 Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow debugging (pop-up window on your phone).
• 🖥️ Open the command line and check the connection: Adb devices
• 🔄 Execute the reboot command: adb reboot recovery

If after the command the device is restarted to normal mode, it means:

• 🔒 bootloader is locked (unlocking is required via Mi Unlock Tool).
• 📱 Mi Recovery stock Recovery installed, which blocks access.
• 🛡️ Anti-Rollback protection is activated (on Xiaomi 2019 models)+ year-end).

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices, the adb reboot recovery command can call Mi Assistant instead of the classic recovery command. --reason=recovery

4.Reboot via Mi Flash Tool (for "bricks")

If the smartphone is not turned on at all ("brick"), but is determined by the PC in EDL mode (Emergency Download Mode), you can use the Mi Flash Tool. This method is suitable for recovering devices after a failed firmware or software failure.

Algorithm:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi).
2. Connect the smartphone to the PC, holding Volume up + Volume down (to log in to EDL).
3. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware (.tgz or.zip) for your model.
4. Press Refresh – the device must be determined as COM-port.
5. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

Once the firmware is successful, the smartphone will automatically reboot to Recovery to reset data, which removes all user data but restores the device to work.

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If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a “Couldn’t find phone” error, try installing the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver manually through Windows Device Manager.

5. Alternative methods for specific cases

Sometimes standard methods don't work because of firmware or hardware constraints, and consider the rare but effective options:

For HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13), the standard recovery has been replaced with Mi Assistant to access classic features (such as installation). ZIP-squashing), necessary:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install custom Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).

Redmi Note 10/11/12

POCO X3/X4/X5

Xiaomi 11/12/13/14

Redmi K40/K50/K60

Another model-->

6. Common mistakes and their solutions

When you try to log in to Recovery, users often face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

Error 1: The device reboots to normal mode instead of Recovery.

• 🔓 Reason: Blocked bootloader or activated anti-Rollback protection.
• 🔧 Solution: Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and wait 7–168 hours).

Error 2: This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device.

• 📉 Reason: Attempt to install firmware older than the current version (Anti-Rollback protection).
• 🔧 Solution: Download newer firmware or use the Mi Flash Tool with Clean All and Lock option.

Error 3: Touch buttons are not working in Recovery.

• 🖱️ Reason: In the Mi Recovery drain, control is carried out by the volume buttons (select) and power buttons (confirmation).
• 🔧 Solution: Use hardware buttons or install TWRP sensory-control.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices, trying to install firmware through Mi Recovery can lead to a "Signature verification failed" error, requiring either official firmware via the Mi Flash Tool or customized Recovery.

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If the smartphone is not included in Recovery in any way, most likely damaged the recovery partition in memory, in which case only firmware through Fastboot or EDL will help.

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

Recovery mode provides a lot of options, but careless actions can lead to data loss or “bricking” of the device.

Permitted:

• ✅ Reset to factory settings (Wipe Data) – if you sell a phone or fix software failures.
• ✅ Cache cleaning (Wipe Cache) - helps with lags and hangings.
• ✅ Install official firmware (.zip) via Apply update.

Forbidden:

• ❌ Remove system, vendor or boot partitions manually (leads to bricks).
• ❌ Install firmware from other models (even if they are similar»).
• ❌ Interrupt the firmware installation process (risk of damage to the boot sector).

If you are planning to experiment with firmware, in advance:

• 🔄 Make a backup through TWRP (backup).
• 📋 Save the file. persist.img (responsible IMEI and serial number).
• 🔑 Unlock the bootloader (otherwise you will not be able to return the stock firmware).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Recovery on Xiaomi