Recovery on Xiaomi: How to restore your smartphone via Fastboot and Mi Flash

Recovering a Xiaomi smartphone through Recovery mode is a must-have skill for users who have faced a brick, logo getting stuck, or the consequences of a failed firmware. Unlike standard Settings reset, full recovery requires working with Fastboot, unlocking the bootloader, and using proprietary tools like the Mi Flash Tool. This procedure can seem complicated, but when approached correctly, it saves the device even in the most neglected cases.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi Recovery comes in two types – stock (built into the system) and custom (for example, TWRP). The first option is suitable for basic reset, the second is for installing informal firmware. In this article, we will focus on official Fastboot recovery, as it guarantees stability and retains warranty. If your Redmi, POCO or Mi stopped booting, hung on MIUI or gives an error This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device – you are at the address.

What is Recovery Mode and When is It Needed

Recovery Mode is a separate boot environment built into your smartphone.

• 🔄 Reset the device to factory settings (Wipe Data).
• 📥 Install official or custom firmware.
• 🔧 Fix system errors without connecting to a PC.
• 🔒 Unlock the loader (if you have rights).

On Xiaomi, stock Recovery runs with a combination of buttons, but its functionality is limited, for example, it can not install firmware in.zip format - only through ADB Sideload or Mi Flash Tool.

• 🚨 Smartphone stuck on the logo MI or POCO and.
• 🐢 The system slows down, applications fly out, errors occur com.android.phone.
• 🔄 We need to revert to the previous version. MIUI after a failed update.
• 🔓 Requires to unlock the bootloader for installation TWRP or Global ROM.

⚠️ Warning: Recovery removes all data on the device, including photos, contacts and apps. If the smartphone is still on, back up via Settings → The phone. → Backup.

If the problem is more serious (for example, damaged partition system or boot), stock Recovery will not help — you will need firmware through Fastboot. This method is more difficult, but restores the device even when completely inoperable.

Preparation for Recovery: What You Will Need

Before you start Recovery, gather everything you need:

Pay special attention to the choice of firmware. For Xiaomi, there are three types:

• 🌍 Global ROM — Official firmware for the international market (supported by Google Services).
• 🇨🇳 China ROM — Chinese version without Google services (requires manual installation).
• 🛠️ Fastboot ROM — Full image of the system with the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Note: Install firmware not for your model (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro instead of Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) It will cause the device to fail completely. → The phone. → Model or box.

If you plan to unlock the bootloader, sign up for the Mi Unlock Tool in advance - the process takes up to 72 hours.

1. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Activate OEM Unlock in Settings → For Developers.
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.

Download the firmware for your model|Install the Mi Flash Tool|Connect the original USB-cable|Backup of data (if possible)|Register with Mi Unlock (when unlocked)-->

How to Sign In to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi

You can run Recovery Mode on Xiaomi in two ways: through hardware buttons or the ADB command. The first method works even on a broken device.

Method 1: Power and volume buttons

1. Turn off your smartphone (clip the power for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press Power + Volume up and hold for 5-10 seconds.
3. When the Mi logo appears, release the buttons and the Recovery menu will open.

Method 2: Through ADB (if the smartphone is turned on)

If the device is working, but you need to go to Recovery without restarting:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → cmd).
3. Enter the command: adb reboot recovery

In the stock Recovery Xiaomi available the following options (control – volume and power buttons):

• 📱 Reboot - reboot.
• 🗑️ Wipe Data – reset to factory settings (deletes all data!).
• 📦 Connect with MiAssistant – Connect to a PC for firmware.
• 🔧 Mount – partition mounting (for experienced users).

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If your smartphone doesn’t respond to buttons, try plugging it into charging for 10 to 15 minutes. A discharged battery can block the Recovery entrance.

Recovery through Fastboot: step-by-step instructions

If stock Recovery didn’t work (e.g., this device is locked), you’ll need firmware through Fastboot, a method that restores the system even on “bricks,” but requires an unlocked bootloader.

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader

Without this step, the Mi Flash Tool will not be able to flash the device.

1. Link your Mi Account to your device (in your account settings).
2. Enable OEM Unlock in Settings → For Developers.
3. Turn off your smartphone and press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (a rabbit will appear with the inscription Fastboot).
4. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool.
5. Sign in to your Mi Account and follow the program instructions (it may take 72 hours to wait).

Step 2: Firmware with the Mi Flash Tool

When the loader is unlocked:

1. Download Fastboot ROM for your model from the official website and unpack the archive.
2. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
3. Press Select and indicate the path to the unpacked firmware.
4. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode (rabbit on the screen).
5. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh – the device must be determined.
6. Choose the firmware method: 🔄 Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended for critical errors). 🗃️ Clean all and lock - cleaning + Loader lock (for sale of the device). 🛠️ Save user data – data retention is not always stable).

Flash

After successful firmware, the smartphone will restart. The first launch can take up to 10 minutes — that's normal.

Installation of custom Recovery (TWRP)

If you want to install informal firmware (for example, LineageOS) or get root rights, you will need custom Recovery – TWRP. This process is more risky, as it deprives you of warranties, but opens up additional opportunities.

Requirements for TWRP installation

• 🔓 Unlocked loader.
• 🖥️ Established ADB and Fastboot on PC.
• 📱 Charged battery (minimum 50%).
• 🔗 File. TWRP For your model (download only from the official website).

Installation instructions

1. Download the TWRP image in.img and rename it to twrp.img.
2. Place the file in a folder with ADB (e.g., C:\platform-tools).
3. Run the command line in this folder (Shift + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here).
4. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices (should appear serial number of the device).
5. TWRP command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
6. Reboot to TWRP: fastboot boot twrp.img

⚠️ Attention: After installation TWRP To return it, you can swipe the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean all and lock option.

In TWRP, you can:

• 📁 Install firmware in.zip format (for example, Magisk for root).
• 🔄 Make complete backups of the system (Nandroid Backup).
• 🧹 Clearing individual partitions (Dalvik Cache, Data).

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Installation TWRP Cancellation of the warranty and may cause problems with OTA-Use only if you are confident in your actions.

Common mistakes and their solutions

When you restore Xiaomi, users often face typical problems. Here's how to solve them:

If after firmware, the smartphone hung on the MI logo for more than 20 minutes:

1. Turn it off with a long press of power.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery.
3. Run Wipe Data (if it doesn’t help, re-sweep).

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If the Mi Flash Tool is 99% frozen, don't turn off the device! wait 10-15 minutes - sometimes the process is completed with a delay.

How to avoid the “brick” during recovery

The main reason Xiaomi has become a brick is because of incompatible firmware or interrupted process, to minimize the risks:

• 🔋 Always check the battery power (minimum 50%).
• 🔗 Use only original firmware from the official website.
• 🖥️ Do not interrupt the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (even if the process is long).
• 🔍 Before installation TWRP Check it for compatibility with your model at twrp.me.
• 📡 If you're passing through ADB Sideload, make sure the Internet connection is stable.

If the smartphone still became a “brick” (does not respond to buttons, is not determined by the PC), try:

1. Connect to charging for 1-2 hours – sometimes the battery is completely discharged.
2. Press Power + Loudness down for 30 seconds (forced reset).
3. Use Test Point (for power users) – closing contacts on the board for forced login to Fastboot.

In 90% of cases, the “brick” on Xiaomi is fixed via Fastboot. If the device is not detected even in the Mi Flash Tool, contact the service center - a hardware malfunction is possible.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Recovery on Xiaomi