How to reboot Xiaomi A1: everything from soft reboot to reset via Fastboot

Xiaomi A1 (codenamed tissot) is the company’s first pure Android One smartphone, released in 2017. Despite its age, the device is still used by many users, but over the years, typical problems arise: random hanging, black screen after updating or inability to turn on. 80% of these problems are solved by the correct reboot – but not everyone knows that there are as many as 5 types of them.

In this article, you will find unique instructions for the Xiaomi A1 with its architecture (the Snapdragon 625 processor and the microUSB connector) that are not suitable for new models.

• 🔄 Soft reboot (when the phone responds to buttons)
• 🔋 Hard reset (if the screen is black or the device is completely frozen)
• ⚙️ Reset to factory settings via Recovery menu
• 💻 Reboot in Fastboot mode for firmware or unlocking
• 🛠️ Hardware reboot (if the power button is not working)

Important: Xiaomi A1 has a peculiarity – with prolonged button retention, Emergency Mode can accidentally activate.

1. Soft reboot – if the phone responds to commands

This is the most secure way, which does not affect the user's data, suitable if:

• 📱 The smartphone is slowing down or hanging
• 🔄 You need to restart the system after the update.
• 📶 Network or Bluetooth problems

The Xiaomi A1 has 3 soft reboot options:

1. Through the Power Menu: Press the Power button for 2-3 seconds until the menu appears. Select Reboot (or Restart in English firmware).
2. Through the notification panel: swipe down from the top edge of the screen, click on the icon ⚙️ Settings → «Reboot (not available on all versions) MIUI).
3. Voice command (if Google Assistant is enabled): Say “OK Google, restart your phone.”

⚠️ Warning: If after a soft reboot the phone loads longer than 5 minutes (the Xiaomi or Android One logo hangs without progress), this is a sign of damaged firmware.

2 Hard reboot – if the screen is black or the phone is getting stuck

This method forcibly cuts off the power of the device, which helps with:

• 🖥️ Hanging screen (does not respond to touch)
• 🔳 Black screen after falling or hitting
• 🔄 Infinite Boot (Bootloop)

Instructions for Xiaomi A1:

1. Hold the Power button for 10-15 seconds until the device vibrates and turns off.
2. Wait 30 seconds (this is important for resetting the RAM cache!).
3. Press Power briefly to turn on the phone.

🔹 What to do if it doesn’t work?

• 🔌 Connect the charger and try again (sometimes helps with a discharged battery).
• 🔊 Keep your food on. + Volume up at the same time for 20 seconds – it will force the power out.

Turn off all cables (charging, headphones)

Make sure the power button is not stuck

Check the battery charge (minimum 10%)

Wait 1 minute after switching off before turning on-->

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi A1 withholding food + Down volume of more than 10 seconds can be activated by Emergency Mode. To get out of it, restart the phone in the usual way.

3.Reboot to Recovery Mode – Reset to Factory Settings

If the phone turns on but is unstable (persistent errors, brakes, viruses), resetting via the Recovery menu will help.This method deletes all data (photos, contacts, applications), so first:

• 📱 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup
• 🔗 Synchronize your contacts with Google Account
• 📁 Save important files to your computer or cloud

Instructions for Xiaomi A1:

1. Turn off your phone (use a hard reboot if necessary).
2. Hold Power + Volume up until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. Use volume buttons for navigation and power for selection.
4. Select “Wipe Data” → “Wipe All Data” → Confirm the action.
5. After reset, select “Reboot” → “Reboot to System”.

🔹 What to do if Recovery does not open?

• 🔌 Check the battery charge (at least 30 is required%).
• 🔧 Try the combination of nutrition + Loudness up + Loudness down (sometimes triggered on older firmware versions).
• 💻 Use Fastboot mode to recover.

4.Reboot to Fastboot mode - for firmware or unlock

Fastboot is an engineering mode that allows you to flash through the device, unlock the bootloader or repair damaged partitions. On the Xiaomi A1, the entrance to the Fastboot is different from the new models!

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Keep Volume Down + Power until the Fastboot logo appears (Android robot with open belly).
3. Connect your phone to your computer via a microUSB cable.

🔹 What can you do in Fastboot?

• 🔓 Open the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock)
• 📥 Sweep recovery.img or boot.img
• 🔄 Restore the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool
• 📡 Check the state of the partitions (fastboot getvar all)

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi A1 When the bootloader is unlocked, all data, including internal memory, is erased (/data). Before the procedure, make a backup copy!

fastboot oem unlock


fastboot flash recovery recovery.img




fastboot reboot

🔹 Fastboot Errors and Their Solutions:

• FAILED (remote: unknown command) → Older version of fastboot. Update Android SDK Platform Tools.
• device not found → Check the drivers or cable (on Xiaomi) A1 Often the original cable from the kit helps).
• Critical partition flashing is not allowed → bootloader is locked. You need to first execute fastboot oem unlock.

1. Disable driver signatures in Windows.

2. Use a cable that supports data transmission (not all charging cables are suitable!).

3. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.-->

5. Hardware reboot - if the power button is not working

If the power button on Xiaomi A1 broke or stuck, you can restart the phone in alternative ways:

Method 1: ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

1. Connect the phone to the computer.
2. Open the command line and type: adb reboot

Method 2: Remove the battery (extreme case!)

On the Xiaomi A1, the battery is not removable, but you can gently attach the back cover with a plastic card and disconnect the battery plume for 10 seconds. The risk of damage is high!

Method 3: Use Volume + Volume Down

On some firmware versions, the Xiaomi A1 supports an alternative shutdown: hold both volume buttons for 15 seconds until the screen goes out.

💡

If the power button is not working and the ADB is not connected, the only safe way to reboot is to wait until the battery is completely drained (it can take up to 2 days).

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When rebooting the Xiaomi A1, users face typical problems, and we have collected the most common ways to fix them:

🔹 Xiaomi's Specific Problem A1: After a hard reboot, it may disappear. IMEI. This is due to damage to the nvram partition:

1. Download the nvram backup for tissot (model Xiaomi A1).
2. Sweat it through the SP Flash Tool in Download Only mode.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions