How to remove safe mode on Xiaomi phone: a step-by-step guide

Safe Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a diagnostic tool that automatically disables all third-party applications and leaves only system services. It usually activates after an OS malfunction, an incorrect update or an application conflict. If your Redmi, Poco or another Xiaomi phone boots in this mode, do not panic: in 95% of cases, the problem can be solved independently without contacting the service center.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to get out of safe mode on devices with MIUI 12/13/14 (including HyperOS), and explain why a phone can get stuck in this mode. We’ll focus on the nuances for popular models: Redmi Note 12/13, Xiaomi 13/14, Poco X5/F5 and others. If the standard reboot didn’t help, we have backup methods using hardware buttons and even ADB.

Before you start, check that the “Safe Mode” notification should be displayed on the lock screen or at the bottom of the desktop. If it is not available, but the phone is not behaving stable, the problem may be another one, such as a virus or damage to system files.

1. Standard Reboot - The First Step

In 70% of cases, safe mode on Xiaomi is switched on accidentally (for example, after pressing the buttons when rebooting) and turned off with a simple restart.

• 🔄 Hold the power button for 10-15 seconds until the off menu appears.
• 🔃 Select “Reboot” (or “Restart”) and confirm the action.
• ⏳ Wait for a full reboot (can take up to 2 minutes on weak Redmi models) 9A).

Important: If the mode is activated again after the reboot, it means that the problem lies deeper — perhaps in a conflicting application or corrupted cache data, in which case move on to the following methods.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Poco) F4, Xiaomi 12T) You can ask for a pattern lock after you reboot, even if you didn't have one before. It's okay to type in any pattern and unlock the phone.

2. Forced shutdown through buttons (Hard Reset)

If your phone doesn't respond to the sensor or freezes in safe mode, use hardware reset, which works even when the screen is locked:

1. 📱 Turn off the phone with a long power button hold (20)+ seconds).
2. 🔘 After the vibration of the shutdown, press the power button. + volume up 10 seconds.
3. 🛠️ Release buttons when the Mi logo appears (without waiting for the Fastboot menu).

This way simulates a cold reset and resets the temporary session data, and if the mode is still active after that, the problem may be related to:

• 📦 A damaged application cache (clean in the next section).
• 🔄 Failed update MIUI (need to be reflashed).
• 🦠 A virus masquerading as a systemic process.

💡

If the phone is not turned off by long hold, remove SIM-card and memory card, then try again. Sometimes peripherals block the correct shutdown.

3.Cache clearing via Recovery Mode

If a safe mode appears in a cyclical fashion, the culprit is often a corrupted cache of system or user applications, and its cleaning does not delete personal data, but requires entering Recovery mode.

Instructions for Xiaomi with MIUI Recovery (not to be confused with Fastboot!):

1. 🔄 Turn off the phone.
2. 🔘 Press the power button. + Volume up, hold until the menu with Mi Bunny appears.
3. 🌐 Select the language (if you have a choice), then tap "Wipe & Reset".
4. 🧹 Select "Wipe Cache" (not "Wipe All Data"!).
5. ✅ Confirm the action and wait until the completion (it will take 1-3 minutes).
6. 🔃 Reboot your phone via Reboot".

On HyperOS models (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the path may be different: instead of “Wipe Cache”, look for “Clear Cache Partition”.

⚠️ Note: If there is no cache clearing point in the Recovery menu, your phone may be on custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS). ADB (Section 5) or contact the firmware developers.

4. Removal of conflicting applications

Safe mode is often activated due to a failure in the work of third-party programs, especially:

• 🛡️ Antiviruses (Dr.Web, Kaspersky, 360 Security).
• 🎮 Cheats for Games (GameGuardian, Lucky Patcher).
• 🔧 Optimizers (DU Speed Booster, Clean Master).
• 📱 Launchers (for example, Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher).

To remove them:

1. 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
2. 📊 Sort the list by installation date ("By time").
3. 🗑️ Remove suspicious programs (click on the app) → "Delete").
4. 🔃 Reboot the phone.

If you can’t log in because of the freeze, use Safe Mode as a tool to remove:

• 📱 This mode only displays system apps and those installed from Google Play.
• 🔍 Scroll through the list of apps – those that don’t show up in Safe Mode and are potential culprits.

Check the date of installation of suspicious programs|Make a backup copy of important data|Remove the latest apps first|Reboot your phone after each deletion-->

5. Disable Safe Mode via ADB (for Advanced)

If all previous methods have failed and the phone is still in Safe mode, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a computer and a little technical skill.

Step-by-step:

1. 💻 Install. ADB Tools on PC.
2. 📱 On the phone, turn on the debugging. USB: Go to Settings. → About the phone, tap 7 times on "Version." MIUI", to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, turn on "Debugging by" USB".

Xiaomi

Win + R → cmd

adb devices

If the device is displayed, enter:

adb shell settings put global safe_mode 0

adb reboot

Alternative command (if the first one fails):

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware (especially Chinese) ADB It can be blocked by default. In this case, before connecting to the PC, go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB → Allow debugging by USB and confirm the authorization.

6.Reset to factory settings (last chance)

If none of the methods worked, and the phone is constantly booting in safe mode, you'll have a full reset, which will delete all the data, so first:

• 📎 Extract. SIM-card and microSD (if any).
• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 50%.
• 📝 Write down your Mi Account details (mail and password) – they will be needed after the reset.

Instructions for resetting via Recovery:

1. 🔄 Turn off the phone.
2. 🔘 Press the power button. + Volume up, hold until Mi Bunny appears.
3. 🌐 Select a language (if available).
4. 🧹 Go to "Wipe & Reset" →"Wipe All Data (or "Factory Reset").
5. ✅ Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter a password from Mi Account).
6. ⏳ Wait until it is completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Important: On phones with HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14) you may need to:

• 📧 Confirmation of Mi Account through SMS email.
• 🔐 Entering the old pattern lock (if installed).
• 📡 Connecting to Wi-Fi for activation.

💡

Factory reset removes ALL data, including photos, contacts and messages. If the phone is synced to a Google Account or Mi Cloud, some of the data (contacts, calendar) can be restored after logging in.

7.If nothing worked: hardware problems

In rare cases, a safe regimen can be a symptom of a physical malfunction:

• 🔋 Faulty battery (blown, low voltage).
• 💾 Damaged memory (eMMC or UFS).
• 🔌 Oxidized contacts on the motherboard.
• 📱 Fall or impact that damages components.

Signs of hardware problem:

• 🔥 The phone is very warm even in safe mode.
• 🔋 Battery discharges in 1-2 hours without load.
• 📵 Frequent spontaneous reboots.
• 🎯 The sensor is delayed or "self-pressed.

In such cases:

1. 🛠️ Contact the authorized Xiaomi service center (list on the official website).
2. 📄 Keep a check or warranty card – repairs under warranty can be free.
3. ⚠️ Don’t try to disassemble the phone yourself – it will deprive you of the guarantee!

For diagnosis at home, you can use applications:

• 🔧 CPU-Z — temperature and processor load check.
• 📊 AIDA64 — memory-test.
• 🔋 AccuBattery – battery status analysis.

FAQ: Frequent questions about safe mode on Xiaomi