How to reboot Xiaomi Mi 3: from the basic reset to system recovery

Why Xiaomi Mi 3 might require a reboot

The Xiaomi Mi 3, launched in 2013, was one of the first flagships to gain popularity through a combination of performance and affordable price. However, as you age, the device begins to show typical problems of aging technology: interface freezes, spontaneous reboots or a complete refusal to respond to pressing. 90% of these symptoms are solved by the right reboot – but it is not always clear which method to use.

This article covers all the current ways to reboot the Mi 3 (codenamed cancro), including software and hardware methods, and we will understand when a simple restart is enough, and when you need to reset to factory settings or even flash through Fastboot. Special attention is paid to the nuances associated with the outdated version MIUI and the hardware limitations of the model.

Important: Xiaomi Mi 3 has two modifications - Mi 3W (with Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor) and Mi 3TD (based on Tegra 4).Reboot methods are the same for both versions, but some button combinations may differ in retention time.

If your smartphone responds to touch but is unstable (e.g., slowing down or not opening apps), try software reboot first.

Instructions:

📱 Hold the power button (on the right side of the face) for 2-3 seconds.
🔄 In the menu that appears, select Reboot (or Restart in English firmware).
⏳ Wait until the process is complete (usually takes up to 30 seconds).

If the menu doesn't appear, the touch screen may be locked.

Connect the device to charge for 5-10 minutes (sometimes a discharged battery blocks the reaction to the buttons).
Try holding the power button for 10-15 seconds, this will force the phone to turn off.
After vibration, release the button and turn on the device with a short press.

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If the Mi 3 brakes again after the reboot, check the space in memory. On this device, it is critical to leave at least 1 GB of free space for stable operation.

Method 2: Hard Reset via buttons

When the Xiaomi Mi 3 freezes completely (black screen, no charging or touch response), a hardware reset is required, a technique that simulates battery extraction that cannot be done physically due to a fixed battery.

Step-by-step:

Turn off the charger (if connected).
Press the buttons at the same time: 🔘 Meals (right) 🔽 Volume up (left)

10-15 seconds

Release the buttons – the device will start loading in normal mode.

If the screen is black for more than 20 seconds:

⚡ Check the battery (plug it into charging for 15-20 minutes, then try again).
🔌 Try another charger – the original Xiaomi power supply on 2A.
🔧 You may need to disassemble to check the battery plume (relevant for physical damage).

What to do if the buttons don’t work?

If the physical power or volume buttons are damaged, the only way to reboot the device is to connect it to the PC and use the command. ADB: adb reboot This requires the enabled mode Debugging by USB (adjusting to the settings → If the debugging was not activated in advance, you will need to repair the buttons or firmware through the EDL-The service (only in the service center).

Method 3: Reset to factory settings via Recovery

If the Mi 3 is turned on but not working properly (e.g., cyclically reboots or gives out application errors), resetting via Recovery will help.This method deletes all user data, so pre-extract SD-map SIM-map.

How to start Mi Recovery:

Turn off the phone (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
Hold the combination: 🔘 Nutrition 🔽 Loudness up

Mi Bunny

From the Recovery menu (English or Chinese) select:

🧹 «Wipe & Reset» → «Wipe All Data (complete reset).
⚙️ «Reboot» → «Reboot to System (reboot after reset).

Disable Google Account (if factory protection is enabled) FRP)|Save important data on the PC|Charge the battery to at least 50%|Prepare original USB-cable for firmware (in case of errors)

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Note: on Xiaomi Mi 3 with MIUI firmware below version 7, a reset via Recovery can lead to a bootloader lock. If after the procedure the phone requires authorization to the Mi Account and you do not remember it, you will need to unlock through the official Mi Unlock tool.

Method 4: Reboot through ADB (for advanced users)

If you have access to Debugging over USB and your computer, you can reboot the Mi 3 over Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method is useful when the sensor is working, but system settings are not available.

Conditions required:

🖥️ Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB PC-only.
🔌 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer menu).
📶 Original. USB-cable (not all cables support data transmission).

Commands for reset:

adb devices # Checking the connection of the device


adb shell reboot # Standard Reboot




adb shell reboot recovery #Reboot in Recovery




adb shell reboot bootloader #Reboot in Fastboot

If the device is not defined in adb devices:

🔄 Reinstall drivers via Mi Phone Manager.
🔌 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
📱 On the phone in the menu For developers, turn on “Debugging by” USB (charging)».

📊 What Reset Method Do You Use More Often?

Through the food menu.

Power buttons + volume

Recovery Mode

ADB/Fastboot

I never reboot.

Method 5: Emergency Reboot via Fastboot

When Mi 3 doesn't boot even to Recovery, Fastboot mode remains, which requires a PC and allows you to reflash the device or reset settings at a low level.

How to log in to Fastboot:

Turn off the phone (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
Hold it: 🔘 Nutrition 🔽 Loudness down

Fastboot

Further action:

Purpose	Team team.	Note
Reboot to the system	fastboot reboot	If the system is damaged, it can get stuck.
Cache dumping	fastboot erase cache	It helps with update errors.
Flip-flashing	fastboot flash system system.img	It requires a formal firmware for cancro.
Unlocking the loader	fastboot oem unlock	I need a link to the Mi Account.

Warning: the wrong commands in Fastboot can turn the Mi 3 into a brick. If you are not sure of the action, contact the service center. For firmware, use only official images from the Xiaomi site (choose the version for cancro).

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Fastboot is the last chance to bring the phone back to life if other methods have failed, but without experience, it's best to trust the professionals: a mistake in the teams can lead to loss of IMEI or damage to the EFS partition.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after a successful reboot, the Xiaomi Mi 3 may show abnormal behavior, and let’s look at typical problems and ways to fix them.

1. Cyclical reboot (bootloop)

🔧 Reason: System partition damaged after failed update.
🛠️ Solution: flash your phone through Fastboot with official firmware (see method 5).

2. Hanging on the Mi logo

🔧 Cause: Core conflict or incompatible firmware.
🛠️ Solution: Recovery (Wipe Cache Partition) or reflash boot.img.

3. Not activated after discharge

🔧 Reason: Power controller blocks charging at deep discharge.
🛠️ Solution: connect to the original RAM for 1-2 hours, then try forced reboot (method 2).

4.Requires a password after reset (FRP)

🔧 Reason: Google's factory protection is activated (on the MIUI 6 and above).
🛠️ Solution: enter the last used account or reset FRP Fastboot (Fastboot erase frp).

How to avoid bootloop after updating?

Before upgrading Mi 3 via OTA: 1. Back up to Settings → Additional → Backup. 2. Make sure you have at least 2GB of storage available. 3. Connect to stable Wi-Fi (non-mobile internet). 4. Charge the battery to 100%. If the phone freezes after the upgrade, immediately restart to Recovery and clear the cache.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

My Xiaomi Mi 3 doesn't respond to buttons and doesn't charge.

Probably the problem with the hardware: 🔋 Check the battery – after 5-7 years of operation, it can swell and disconnect from the controller. 🔌 Try charging from another device (e.g., from the Redmi Note 3 – they have the same connector). 🔧 If the phone is warming up when connected to the RAM, perhaps a short circuit on the board needs repair. In 30% of cases, it helps to "warm up" the battery with a hairdryer (at minimum temperature) and then charge it.

Can I reboot the Mi 3 without a power button?

Yes, but you will need to: connect the phone to a PC with Xiaomi drivers installed. use the adb reboot command (if debugging is enabled). Or disassemble the device and briefly disable the battery (risky!). If debugging is not activated, only repair the button or firmware through EDL (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

After resetting, Mi 3 asks for an old Mi Account.

This is a Mi Account lock that appears if: The phone was tied to a Xiaomi account. Recovery or Fastboot reset. Official ways of bypassing: Enter the original account details. Contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership (check, box). Unofficial methods (risky): Firmware through EDL Removing the persist partition. Using exploits to MIUI 7-8 (e.g. Mi Account Bypass Tool). ⚠️ Warning: Unofficial methods can lead to loss IMEI or lock-in.

How often should you reboot the Xiaomi Mi 3 for stable performance?

Recommendations depend on the use: 📱 Daily use: Reboot once every 2-3 days (helps clear RAM). 🎮 Games/heavy apps: Reboot after each game session (prevents overheating). 🔋 Battery savings: reboot before bedtime - this resets the background processes that consume charge. On the Mi 3 with 2 GB of RAM, rebooting is especially important: MIUI tends to “hunk” memory over time.

Can I upgrade MIUI to Xiaomi Mi 3 in 2026?

Official support for Mi 3 discontinued 2017 year (last version — MIUI 9 Android-based 6.0). However, there are options: 🔄 Castom firmware: LineageOS 14.1 (Android 7.1) Pixel Experience (requires an unlocked bootloader). ⚠️ Risks: Camera malfunction, Wi-Fi issues (due to outdated Tegra drivers) 4/Snapdragon 800). 🛠️ Recommendation: If the phone is used as a "bell ringer", it is better to stay on the last official firmware. TWRP Recovery for cancro. Sweep through firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).