Safe Mode on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is a diagnostic tool that helps identify problems caused by third-party apps or conflicts in the system. In this mode, the device boots with a minimum set of drivers and services, disabling all user programs. If the phone starts to slow down, spontaneously restart or issue errors, the first thing to do is check its performance in Safe Mode.
Unlike Factory Reset, Safe Mode doesn’t delete your data, but it allows you to temporarily deactivate all installed applications. This is especially useful if you suspect viral activity, program conflict, or malfunction after a MIUI update. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to enable Safe Mode on Xiaomi devices, from the classic button method to advanced commands via ADB.
Important: the procedure may vary slightly depending on the model and version of MIUI (for example, the POCO F5 and Redmi Note 12 algorithm is identical, and on the old Mi A1/A2 with pure Android - different).
What is a Safe Mode on Xiaomi and Why You Need It
Safe Mode is a diagnostic Android mode in which:
- 🔹 Only system applications and services are downloaded (all third-party programs are disabled).
- 🔹 Widgets, live wallpaper and user interface settings are turned off.
- 🔹 Background processes are suspended, except for critical processes (e.g., phone calls).
- 🔹 At the bottom of the screen, the watermark "Safe Mode" is displayed (in English - Safe Mode).
The main reasons why Xiaomi users activate this mode:
- 🐢 The phone slows down or freezes after installing a new app.
- 🔄 Spontaneous reboots or departures from system menus.
- 📱 The screen does not respond to touch (touchscreen works intermittently).
- 🚨 Suspicion of a virus or malware.
- 🔧 Need to debug after a failed update MIUI.
If the problem disappears in safe mode, one of the installed applications is to blame. If the problem persists, the cause lies in a system failure (damaged firmware, hardware malfunction).
Method 1: Classical Power Button Method (works on 90% of models)
This is the most versatile method that is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, including new models from 2023-2026 (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+, POCO X6 Pro, etc.).
1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds)
2. Wait for the screen to be completely turned off
3. Press the Power button and hold it.
4.As soon as the MI logo appears, release Power and immediately press Volume Down
5. Keep Volume Down until the download is complete-->
If done correctly, the bottom left corner of the screen will show the message Safe mode. On some models (for example, Redmi 10C or POCO M4 Pro) instead of the English inscription can display a shield icon or exclamation point.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and newer button holding time Down Volume increased to 15-20 seconds. If released earlier, the phone will boot in normal mode.
To get out of Safe Mode, simply restart your phone in the standard way.All changes made to Safe Mode (such as uninstalling apps) will be saved.
Method 2: Using the off menu (for MIUI 12 and later)
If your smartphone is stable and you can access the power menu, this method will be easier:
- Press the power button for 2-3 seconds until the menu appears.
- Press and hold your finger on the “Switch Off” option.
- After 3-5 seconds, a pop-up window will appear with a suggestion to switch to safe mode.
- Confirm your choice by pressing "OK."
This method works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, including Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F4. On older versions of MIUI (up to 11 inclusive), this option may not be available.
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If the off menu doesn't appear, check the power button settings in Settings → Special Options → Power button. The function may be disabled.
Method 3: Through ADB (for advanced users)
If standard methods fail (e.g., on custom firmware or after a failed update), you can enable Safe Mode via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method requires a computer and pre-activate Debugging over USB.
Instructions:
- Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
- Connect your phone to your computer via USB and allow debugging (the phone will have a request).
- Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with adb.exe.
- Enter the command: adb shell settings put global sys.boot_completed 0 Next: Adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED
- Reboot your phone with the command: adb reboot
Once you restart, the device will automatically enter Safe Mode, and to return to normal mode, just reboot through the power menu.
⚠️ Attention: If debugging is USB If it's not activated in advance, it won't work. If you're locked or "brick" devices, use the emergency method.
Method 4: Emergency switching on (if the phone doesn't boot)
If Xiaomi doesn’t turn on at all (hangs on the MI logo or cyclically reboots), try the following algorithm:
- Turn off the phone (if it is getting stuck – press Power + Volume up for 15 seconds).
- Press Power + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Fastboot menu appears.
- With the help of volume buttons, select the item "Recovery Mode" and confirm the choice with the Power button.
- In the Recovery menu, look for the option “Reboot to Safe Mode” (on some firmware it is hidden – see spoiler below).
Where to find Safe Mode in Recovery?
If the Recovery menu is not available or the phone does not respond to buttons, the only option is firmware via Fastboot (see the instructions in the section "What to do if nothing helps").
Typical problems and their solutions
Even after successfully logging into Safe Mode, users face difficulties.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone does not leave Safe Mode after restarting | Failure of the button Loudness down (stuck) | Try physically brushing the button or rebooting through ADB with the adb reboot command. |
| Safe Mode does not have a camera or mobile network | Limitation of system drivers in diagnostic mode | That's okay -- Safe Mode has some modules disabled. Check it as normal. |
| The "Safe mode" sign remains after the release. | Incomplete reboot or conflict with Magisk/TWRP | Perform a full reboot (Power → Reboot) or re-flash boot.img. |
| You can’t log in to Safe Mode on the POCO X3 Pro. | Features of firmware (blocked Fastboot) | Use ADB or roll back to stock MIUI via the Mi Flash Tool. |
If you have a problem after you leave Safe Mode, try:
- 📱 Remove the latest installed applications (especially optimizers, launchers or games).
- 🔄 Reset the settings to factory (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).
- 🛠️ Flash the device through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions in the next section).
Method 5: Flashing as an extreme measure
If the phone doesn’t leave the reboot cycle or Safe Mode becomes the only working mode, the cause may be a corrupted firmware (for example, after a failed OTA update or rooting), in which case only a complete flashing through Fastboot will help.
This will require:
- 💻 Computer with Xiaomi and Mi Flash Tool drivers installed.
- 🔗 Official firmware for your model (you can download it on the Xiaomi website).
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
Step-by-step:
- Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
- Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot.
- Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
- Select the firmware folder and click "Refresh" (should be determined) COM-port).
- At the bottom, select "Clean all" and click "Flash".
It takes 5-10 minutes, and when it's done, it automatically restarts as normal, and if there's been a software failure, it's fixed.
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Fastboot flashing removes all data from internal memory (photos, contacts, messages) and pre-extract the memory card and back up important files via TWRP (if installed).