How to turn on the BIOS on Xiaomi phone: all the ways for Redmi, POCO and Mi

What is the BIOS on Xiaomi smartphones and why you need it

When it comes to BIOS on Xiaomi phones, users often confuse the concept with traditional BIOS on PCs. In fact, Android smartphones (including Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices) do not use the BIOS, but rather the bootloader mode (Bootloader) or EDL (Emergency Download Mode) modes, which perform similar functions: they allow you to manage low-level device settings, sew custom recovery, unlock the bootloader or restore the “bricks”.

The main reasons why users may need access to these modes are:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience)
• 🛠️ Restoration of the “brick” after a failed firmware or reset
• 🔄 Retraction to the previous version MIUI when there is a problem with updating
• 📱 Installation TWRP backup

It is important to understand that on most modern Xiaomi smartphones (released after 2019), EDL mode is blocked by default, and its activation requires an authorized Mi Account with a connection to the device or special equipment (for example, EDL cable).

Method 1: Standard login to Fastboot Mode (analogue to BIOS)

The easiest and safest way to get into the bootloader menu on Xiaomi is to use Fastboot mode, which is similar to the BIOS on a PC and allows you to perform basic operations with the firmware.

1. Turn off the phone (hold the power button and select Turn off)
2. Hold the keyboard: 📱 For most models: Power button + Loudness down 🎮 For some gaming smartphones (such as Black Shark): Power button + Loudness up

Mi Bunny

FASTBOOT

In this mode, you can:

• 🔧 Swipe the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (Mi Account binding is required)
• 📡 Install custom recovery (TWRP)

Turn off the phone completely.

Connect USB-plug-in

Install ADB/Fastboot drivers

Download the Mi Flash Tool (for firmware)

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⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Or the Redmi Note 11 Pro.+) If the standard method does not work, try holding the buttons longer (up to 15 seconds) or use an alternative combination. + Loudness up + Loudness down at the same time.

Method 2: Enter EDL (Emergency Boot)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is an analogue of the “emergency BIOS” on Qualcomm smartphones, which is used to restore a device when it is not turned on or detected in Fastboot. Unlike Fastboot, EDL works at the processor level and allows you to sew the device even with damaged firmware.

To enter the EDL:

1. Turn off the phone (if it is on, hold the power button for 10+ seconds)
2. Connect. USB-cable to PC (but not to phone!)
3. Press on the phone turned off Volume up + Volume down and, holding them, connect the cable to the device
4. The screen will remain black, but in Windows Device Manager will appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

New models (released after 2020) require authorization through Mi Account to work with EDL, without which the firmware will be blocked with an error SLA Auth or Firehose, and this restriction can only be circumvented by:

• 🔑 Official unlocker (request on the Xiaomi website)
• 💻 EDL-Cable with contact closure (risky!)
• 🛠️ Service center (for devices under warranty)

Method 3: Using ADB to transition to Fastboot

If the buttons on your Xiaomi don’t work (for example, after a drop or moisture), you can transfer the device to Fastboot via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

• 🔋 The phone is turned on and loaded into the system.
• 🔌 Debugging is on. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock Developer Settings)
• 💻 Drivers installed ADB PC-only

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Linux/macOS)
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
4. Transfer your phone to Fastboot by command: adb reboot bootloader

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If the adb device command doesn’t show your device, try reinstalling the driver or using the original device. USB-Xiaomi cables, cheap cables often don't support data transfer, only charging.

After completing the command, the phone will automatically restart to Fastboot mode, where you can perform further actions (unlock, firmware, etc.).

Method 4: Hardware reset (for locked devices)

If your Xiaomi is locked (for example, after repeatedly entering the wrong password or a firmware failure), standard ways of logging into Fastboot may not work, in which case hardware reset through test points will help.

Algorithm of action:

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-memory-card
2. Disassemble the body (on most models it is enough to remove the back cover)
3. Find test points on the motherboard (usually signed as EDL or TP): 📍 On the Redmi Note. 9/10: near-battery connector 📍 Nana POCO X3: under-screen 📍 On Mi. 11: under the graphite film near the processor

Close the points with tweezers or a screwdriver and connect USB-plug-in

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly closing test points can cause damage to the motherboard.On models with a Mediatek chip (e.g. Redmi Note) 8T) instead EDL mode BROM, Before disassembling, be sure to find a diagram of the locations of the points for your model!

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Hardware resetting through test points is a last resort, only use it if other methods have not worked, and you are ready for possible loss of warranty or failure of the device.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you try to log into a Fastboot or EDL, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If your device is not identified in EDL, but you are sure you are in this mode, try:

1. Reconnect. USB-cable to another port (preferably) USB 2.0)
2. Disable driver signature in Windows: bcdedit /set testsigning on (requires PC reboot)
3. Use another PC with Windows 10/11 (macOS/Linux may have problems with Qualcomm drivers)

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Before unlocking the bootloader, check if your model supports official unlocking. Some devices (such as the Xiaomi Mi A3 on Android One) have features in the unlocking process.

FAQ: Frequent questions about BIOS on Xiaomi