Safe Mode on Xiaomi: How to turn it on and why it is necessary

Safe Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a diagnostic tool that helps identify problems caused by third-party apps or conflicts in the system. When a device is unstable — for example, constantly restarting, slowing down or emitting errors — switching to this mode allows you to download a clean version of Android without third-party programs. This makes it easier to find the cause of the failure: if the problem in Safe Mode disappears, one of the installed applications is to blame.

Enable Safe Mode on Xiaomi (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark models) in several ways – through hardware buttons, turn off menus or even with ADB. However, not all methods work on newer versions of MIUI (for example, MIUI 14/15), where the manufacturer simplified the interface. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including nuances for specific models, and explain how to properly exit the mode and what to do if the smartphone is stuck in it.

Why you need a safe mode on Xiaomi

Safe Mode's primary job is to diagnose software failures, and here are the typical situations where it will come in handy:

• 🔄 The smartphone spontaneously restarts or turns off for no reason.
• 🐢 The device is very slow, despite the sufficient amount of RAM.
• 🚫 Application errors appear (e.g., "Application is stopped").
• 📱 The screen does not respond to touch or is delayed.
• 🔋 The battery goes down quickly, although there are no energy-intensive processes in the settings.

In safe mode, the following shall be switched off:

• 📱 All third-party applications (only system applications remain).
• 🔧 Widgets and background processes from third-party programs.
• 🎛️ Some user settings (e.g., modified interface settings).

If the problem has disappeared in Safe Mode, it is caused by one of the installed applications, and if it is not, it is the system itself (MIUI or Android), and it may need to be reset to factory settings or flash it.

Method 1: Enable via power and volume buttons

It’s a versatile method that works on most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13 and others.

Algorithm of action:

1. Turn off your smartphone (press the power button and select Turn off).
2. After completely switching off, press and hold the Power button.
3. As soon as the Xiaomi logo (or Redmi/POCO) appears on the screen, 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 done correctly, the watermark Safe Mode will appear at the bottom of the screen, and you can now release the buttons.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F4) Holding the volume button may not work, in which case try an alternative way through the shutdown menu.

Method 2: Activate through the off menu

This method is simpler than the previous one and does not require remembering button combinations. It works on most devices with MIUI 12 and later, but may not be available on some budget models (for example, the Redmi A1 or the POCO C40).

Step-by-step:

1. Press and hold the Power button until the Off menu appears.
2. In the menu, tap and hold your finger on the Turn Off option (or Reboot if you have one).
3. After 2-3 seconds, a pop-up window will appear with a suggestion to switch to safe mode.
4. Confirm the action by pressing OK.

The smartphone will automatically reboot and enter Safe Mode, which is the safest way to do so because it doesn't require manipulation of hardware buttons.

Method 3: Through a reboot notification (for MIUI 13/14)

Newer versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 13) have introduced an alternative way to go to safe mode via a reboot notification, which doesn’t work on all models, but can be useful if standard methods don’t work.

How to do this:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap the version number 7-10 times to activate the developer mode.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable the option to debug over USB.
3. Now restart the device in the standard way (via the power menu).
4. During the reboot (when the screen goes out), quickly press and hold the Volume Down button until the MIUI logo appears.
5. Release the button – the device must boot into Safe Mode.

This is less reliable than the previous ones, and it may not work the first time, so if nothing happens, repeat the steps or try another method.

Method 4: With ADB (for power users)

If the hardware buttons don't work or the smartphone is frozen, you can turn on Safe Mode via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires a computer and basic command-line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included Debugging by USB developer-setting.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is recognized, you will see its serial number.
3. Run the command to reboot in Safe Mode: adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED -a android.intent.action.SAFE_BOOT_COMPLETED
4. If the command fails, try the alternative: adb shell settings put global. safe_mode 1 Then restart the device with the command: adb reboot

After the reboot, the smartphone should enter Safe Mode. If this does not happen, check if debugging is enabled over USB, and repeat the steps.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause data loss if you type in the wrong commands. Don't experiment with other parameters unless you're sure they work.

How to get out of Safe Mode on Xiaomi

Exiting Safe Mode is usually automatic the next time you restart, but if your smartphone stays in this mode, try the following:

If your smartphone is constantly loading into Safe Mode, it may indicate:

• 🔋 A damaged volume button (the system “thinks” it is clamped down).
• 📱 Failure in system settings (will help reset via Recovery).
• 🛠️ Firmware problems (reflashing required).

💡

If your smartphone is stuck in Safe Mode because of a damaged volume button, try tapping it gently or using alcohol to clean the contacts.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When trying to turn on Safe Mode, users often face problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

1.The smartphone does not respond to the button combination

• 🔋 Check the battery charge (should be at least 20-30%).
• 🔌 Turn off all cables (charging, headphones, OTG).
• 🔄 Try another combination (e.g., food). + Volume up).

2.The MIUI logo appears, but Safe Mode is not included

• 🕒 Hold the volume button longer (up to 10-15 seconds).
• 🔧 Try the method through the off menu.
• 📱 If the device is new (such as Xiaomi 14), it is possible that the manufacturer has disabled this feature – use it. ADB.

3 Some functions are not working in Safe Mode

• 📵 This is normal: many system services are disabled in Safe Mode (e.g. Google Play Services).
• 🔒 If the lock screen is not working, try entering the password blindly or connect the device to the PC to unlock.

4 After the release of Safe Mode problems remained

• 📱 It's probably the system, not the applications. Try resetting to the factory.
• 🔄 If your smartphone is slowing down, check it for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web.

💡

If the safe mode is not enabled by either method, it may indicate a hardware fault (e.g., a damaged motherboard) or a lockdown by the manufacturer (on some models for the Chinese market).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Safe Mode on Xiaomi