How to run Safe Mode on Xiaomi: All working methods

Safe Mode on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is a diagnostic tool that helps identify problems caused by third-party applications, viruses or system process conflicts. 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 show suspicious activity, turning on Safe Mode is often the first step to solving the problem.

Unlike standard mode, you won’t see desktop widgets, won’t be able to run most installed apps (except system ones), and the status bar will say “Safe Mode.” This isn’t a factory reset, but a temporary state that’s easy to disable by rebooting. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to activate Safe Mode on Xiaomi in 2026, including methods for devices with damaged screens or broken buttons.

Why do you need a safe mode on Xiaomi?

Safe Mode's primary goal is to isolate problematic software, and here are typical scenarios where it will come in handy:

• 🔍 Virus diagnostics: if the antivirus has detected suspicious activity but cannot remove the threat in normal mode.
• 🐢 Hangovers and lags: the phone became slow to work after installing a new app.
• 🔄 Cyclical reboot: The device is constantly restarted and does not boot normally.
• 📱 Application conflicts: one of the installed applications blocks the system (for example, a launcher or optimizer).
• 🔧 Removal of system applications: some programs (e.g, MIUI-Services can only be uninstalled in Safe Mode.

It is important to understand that Safe Mode does not fix hardware problems (such as a motherboard breakage or battery damage).If the phone does not turn on even in safe mode, the reason is likely to be hardware and will require repair.

⚠️ Warning: All features related to biometrics (Face Unlock, fingerprint) may be disabled in Safe Mode, mobile payments (Google Pay, Mi Pay) and some system services may also not work.

Method 1: through hardware buttons (for all Xiaomi models)

It is a versatile method that works even if the screen is not responsive to touch or the phone is getting stuck on the MI logo. Suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, including the old models on MIUI 8-14 and the new ones on HyperOS.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press and hold the power button.
3. When the MI or POCO logo appears on the screen, immediately press and hold the Volume Down button.
4. Do not release both buttons until you see the “Safe Mode” sign in the lower left corner of the screen.

If nothing happens,

• 🔋 Check the battery charge (minimum 5-10 required%).
• 🔌 Connect the charger and try again.
• 🕒 Hold the buttons longer (up to 20-30 seconds) – on some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3) loading takes longer.

On some devices (such as Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50), instead of holding Volume Down, you need to quickly press it several times when the logo appears.

Method 2: via the off menu (for MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS)

If the phone turns on and responds to touch, you can run Safe Mode through the standard menu, which is easier, but it doesn’t work on all firmware (for example, on MIUI 11 and older, it may not be).

Step-by-step:

1. Press and hold the power button until the turn off menu appears.
2. Tap and hold the “Switch Off” (or “Switch Off”) option for 3-5 seconds.
3. A pop-up will appear, suggesting that you go to Safe Mode. Click OK.
4. The phone will reboot and enter Safe Mode.

If the off menu does not appear:

• 📱 Check if a third-party launcher is blocking it (like Nova Launcher or a third-party launcher). POCO Launcher).
• 🔄 Try restarting your phone and trying again.
• ⚙️ On some firmware (HyperOS) you need to first click “Switch off”, then “Reboot”, and in the next window the option will appear Safe Mode.

⚠️ Note: On devices with bootloader unlocked or custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), the off menu may look different.

Method 3: via ADB (for advanced users)

If the first two methods didn’t work (for example, because of a damaged screen or faulty buttons), you can turn on Safe Mode via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a computer and pre-configure debugging over USB.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB in the phone settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the computer and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (CMD) or terminal on your computer.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
4. Safe Mode: Adb shell settings put global boot_safe_mode 1
5. Reboot your phone with the command: adb reboot

Once you restart, the device will automatically enter Safe Mode, and to exit it, repeat the command by replacing 1 with 0, or simply restart the phone manually.

How to get out of Safe Mode on Xiaomi?

Turning off Safe Mode is usually easy, but sometimes users find the phone "stuck" in this mode.

• 🔄 Simple reboot: Hold the power button and select Reboot. 90% of the time, that's enough.
• 📱 Forced Shutdown: Press the power button for 15-20 seconds until the screen goes out, then turn the phone on again.
• 🔋 Battery extraction (only for removable battery models, such as Redmi) 4A or Redmi 3S).
• 🖥️ Through ADB (If the phone does not go out of mode after restarting: adb shell settings put global boot_safe_mode 0

If the phone is turned on again in Safe Mode after the restart, this may indicate:

• 🛠️ Damage to system files (reflashing required).
• 📦 Conflict with an application that automatically starts when booting (check autoboot in settings).
• 🔌 Problems with the volume button (if it stuck in the pressed state).

💡

If the phone is cycling back to Safe Mode, try booting into Recovery (hold Power + Volume Up when turned on) and do a cache reset (Wipe Cache Partition).

What to do if the safe mode is not turned on?

If none of these methods worked, the reasons may be as follows:

On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the Safe Mode turn on algorithm may differ.

1. Connect the phone to the charger.
2. Hold the Power + Volume Up for 10-15 seconds until the Recovery menu appears.
3. Select the option “Reboot to Safe Mode” (if any).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn't even turn on in Safe Mode, don't try to disassemble it yourself - this could lead to a loss of warranty.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When using Safe Mode, users often make mistakes that can make the problem worse.

• 🔋 Battery discharge during diagnosis: If the phone turns off in Safe Mode, it could cause the bootloader to crash.Always check the charge level before turning on.
• 📲 Removal of system applications: even critical services can be uninstalled in safe mode MIUI (This will cause the phone to fail.
• 🔄 Interrupting the process: If you have to turn off the phone while booting in Safe Mode (for example, due to a freeze), this can cause a reboot loop.
• 🔌 Use of non-original cables: when connecting to ADB Cheap cables can interrupt the connection, leading to failures.

To avoid problems:

• 📌 Before logging into Safe Mode, record or take a picture of your current settings (especially if you plan to remove apps).
• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 30%.
• 📱 Do not install or delete programs in Safe Mode unless you are sure of their purpose.

💡

Safe Mode is a diagnostic tool, not a constant mode of operation. Don't use it longer than necessary to solve a problem.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions