Recovery Mode on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO 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: the combination of buttons does not work, the device is getting stuck on the Mi logo, instead of the standard recovery opens Fastboot. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of rebooting in Recovery – from classic to hidden, and explain why some methods may not work on your model.
It’s important to understand that Xiaomi uses two types of backup: stock MIUI Recovery (with limited functionality) and custom TWRP (for advanced users). The type of recovery depends not only on the set of options available, but also on the way you sign in. For example, on new devices with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13), some methods simply won’t work without first unlocking. We took these nuances into account and collected instructions that cover 95% of the brand models, including the old (Redmi 4X) and flagships of 2026.
1. Classic method: combination of power and volume buttons
The most versatile method that works on 80% of Xiaomi devices is the hardware button combination. However, even here there are pitfalls: some models have different pressing order, and new smartphones (such as Xiaomi 14) may require pre-disabling Fastboot in the developer settings.
Instructions:
- 🔋 Turn off the smartphone (if it freezes – press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
- 🔕 Press the power button. + Volume up at the same time.
- 🕒 Hold for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo or Recovery menu appears.
- 📱 If there is an Android robot with an exclamation mark – press Volume up + Food again.
⚠️ Attention: On models POCO F5, Redmi K60 And a newer one might trigger Fastboot instead of Recovery, in which case, try an alternative combination: Power. + Volume down, and after the Fastboot menu appears, select Recovery Mode using volume buttons.
2. Sign in via Fastboot menu: if buttons don't work
If the standard combination brings you to Fastboot (a black screen with a rabbit and FASTBOOT label), don't panic.This is the standard behavior of many new Xiaomi devices, and from this menu you can easily jump to Recovery.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone and pinch Power + Volume down to get into the Fastboot.
- Use the Volume Down button to select Recovery Mode.
- Confirm the choice of the power button.
- If an Android robot with an exclamation point appears, press Power + Volume up for 1-2 seconds.
🔹 Why is this happening? MIUI 12, Xiaomi has changed the logic of downloading: now Fastboot is given priority, and Recovery becomes a secondary mode.This is done to protect against accidental resets, but makes life difficult for those who want to clear the cache or install the update manually.
Turn off your smartphone (not reboot!)
Check the battery power (minimum 30%)
Disconnect all cables (USB, headphones)
Make sure the buttons don't stick-->
3.Reboot to Recovery via ADB (for advanced users)
If the hardware buttons don’t work (for example, the volume button broke), you can log into Recovery via ADB, a debugging tool for Android, which requires USB debugging and a computer enabled, but is guaranteed to work on any Xiaomi device.
Instructions:
- Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm access to debugging on your phone screen.
- Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:
adb devices(The name of your device should appear.)
adb reboot recovery⚠️ Note: If after the command adb reboot recovery device reboots to normal mode, then your model Xiaomi blocked transition to Recovery through the ADB. This is typical for devices with a locked boot loader (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro).+). In this case, use the button method or Fastboot.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
4. Enter Recovery via Mi Flash Tool (for locked devices)
On new Xiaomi smartphones (for example, Xiaomi 13T, Redmi K70) with a locked bootloader, standard methods may not work, in which case the official Mi Flash Tool utility, which allows you to forcibly restart the device in Recovery even without unlocking, will help.
Algorithm of action:
- 💻 Download and install the Mi Flash Tool from Xiaomi’s official website.
- 🔌 Connect the switched off smartphone to the PC in Fastboot mode (clip the power supply) + Loudness down).
- 🖱️ In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh – the device must be determined.
- 🔄 Select from the Advanced menu → Reboot to Recovery.
On devices with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 processor (such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra), this method may not work due to the enhanced bootloader protection, in which case you will need to officially unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.
5. Alternative methods: through the terminal and applications
If you have root access or unlocked bootloader, you can use terminal commands or third-party apps to reboot in Recovery.
Method 1. Through the terminal (root required):
su
reboot recoveryMethod 2: Applications from the Play Market:
- 📱 Quick Reboot – allows you to restart in Recovery with one tap (requires root).
- 🔧 Boot Droid – supports Xiaomi and allows you to choose boot mode.
- 🔄 Reboot Menu – Adds Recovery to the Power Menu.
⚠️ Note: apps without root may not work on new Xiaomi models due to restrictions MIUI. For example, on POCO X6 Pro, they just reboot the phone to normal mode.
💡
If you reboot frequently in Recovery, add the Activities widget (from Play Market) to the home screen.It lets you create a shortcut to run com.android.recovery directly without button combinations.
6 Problem Solving: What to Do If Recovery Doesn't Open
Sometimes users find that instead of Recovery, the smartphone is loaded into the Fastboot, turned off or hangs on the logo.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery is replaced by Fastboot | Blocked bootloader or incorrect combination of buttons | Use Power + Volume Down, then in Fastboot select Recovery Mode |
| The device vibrates and turns off. | Battery discharged (less than 10%) | Charge your smartphone to at least 30% and try again |
| Appears Android robot with exclamation mark | Stock Recovery Requires Confirmation | Press Power + Volume Up for 1-2 Seconds |
| Recovery does not respond to buttons | Recovery partition damaged or buttons faulty | Recovery via Fastboot or use ADB |
🔹 Special case: If after a failed firmware Recovery became a brick (device does not turn on), you will need to reflash it through Fastboot using the command:
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
fastboot reboot recovery(where twrp.img is a custom recap file for your model).
💡
On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70), standard Recovery may not be available; instead, a Fastboot with limited options is used, in which case the bootloader will need to be unlocked to reset or firmware.
7 Security: What You Can and Can't Do in Recovery
Recovery Mode is a powerful tool, but doing the wrong thing can turn a smartphone into a brick.
- ✅ We can:
- ❌ No:
🔹 Tips for beginners: If you are not sure about your actions, make a backup through TWRP (if it is installed) or at least copy important files to the PC before resetting. MIUI Recovery does not have a backup option, so use it. ADB pull:
adb pull /sdcard/ your folder on pc