How to turn on Xiaomi phone in Safe Mode: 3 working ways (2026)

Safe Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a diagnostic tool that allows you to boot a device with a minimum set of system applications and drivers. In this mode, all third-party programs are turned off, which helps to identify the causes of failures, from sudden reboots to performance problems. If your Redmi, POCO or Mi began to slow down, overheat or issue errors, safe mode is the first step for diagnosis.

Unlike standard mode, it doesn't run user apps, widgets, or some system services, making it ideal for checking if a malfunction is caused by a software failure or hardware failure, for example, if the phone is stable in safe mode, the problem lies in one of the installed applications, and if errors persist, it's firmware, hardware, or corrupted system files.

In this article, you will find the most current ways to start safe mode for all modern Xiaomi models (including devices on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS), as well as tips for exiting it and analyzing the diagnostic results.

What is a Safe Mode on Xiaomi and Why You Need It

Safe Mode is a simplified Android mode where only the basic system components are loaded. The screen at the bottom usually displays a watermark “Safe Mode” or “Safe Mode”, and all third-party applications (including launchers, antiviruses and optimizers) are temporarily disabled.

The main objectives of the regime are:

• 🔍 Diagnosing failures: determining whether the problem is caused by an application or a system error.
• 🛠️ Malware Removal: If the phone is infected with a virus that blocks access to settings.
• 📱 Recovery after a failed update: when MIUI HyperOS is not working smoothly.
• 🔄 Resetting: Preparing for a hard reset if the phone doesn't respond to commands.

For example, if after installing a new application Xiaomi began to spontaneously reboot, Safe mode will help remove it without the risk of re-failure. Or if the screen began to flicker after the update – in Safe Mode you can roll back the firmware through Settings → About the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Google Play, banking apps, instant messengers and most camera features are not working in Safe Mode, and mobile network or Wi-Fi may not be available (depending on the model).

Method 1: Enabling Safe Mode via Power buttons (for all models)

It’s a versatile method that works on 99% of Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and older models, and works even if the phone is getting stuck or unresponsive to touch.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your phone (press the power button and select “Switch off”). If the device is getting stuck, hold the power button for 10-15 seconds to force it to shut down.
2. After completely switching off (screen and backlight), 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 the volume button until the boot is complete. The text "Safe Mode" should appear on the lock screen or desktop.

If you have a model with touch buttons (such as the Redmi 10 or POCO M4 Pro), use a physical volume button – touch keys do not work when turned off.

Make sure the screen is labeled "Safe Mode" | Check that all third-party apps are hidden | Open the app menus - only system ones should be displayed | Try to start the camera (can work with restrictions)

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On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5), you need to hold the volume button immediately after pressing the power, without waiting for the logo.

Method 2: Activate via the off menu (for MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS)

If the phone turns on and reacts to touch, you can use a software method, which is suitable for devices on MIUI 12 and later, as well as for HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70).

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 “Switch off” (or “Switch off power”) option for about 3-5 seconds.
3. A dialog box will appear to suggest that you go to Safe Mode. Click OK.
4. The phone will reboot and enter Safe Mode.

On some firmware (e.g. global versions of MIUI), instead of holding down the "Stop" button, you may need to press it twice quickly. If nothing happens, try an alternative button method (Method 1).

Method 3: Forced login via ADB (for advanced users)

If the phone doesn’t respond to buttons or menus but connects to a computer, you can activate Safe Mode via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires pre-configuring debugging over USB and is suitable for models with an unlocked bootloader.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).


2. Enter a command to check the connection:




adb devices




(Serial number of the device must be displayed).




3. Run a command to reboot to Safe Mode:




adb shell reboot safe




4.The phone will reboot and enter Safe Mode.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell setprop persist.sys.safemode 1


adb reboot

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Incorrect commands can cause resets or damage to the system. If you are not sure, use Method 1 or 2.

How to get out of Safe Mode on Xiaomi

When you leave Safe Mode, you usually exit automatically the next time you restart, but if your phone stays in that mode after you restart, do one of the following:

If the phone is constantly booting in safe mode, this may indicate:

• 🔋 Damaged battery (phone thinks volume button is clamped).
• 🛠️ Failure of the volume reduction button (sticking or oxidation).
• 📱 Firmware failure (reflashing through Fastboot is required).

💡

If your phone brakes again after you exit Safe Mode, check the app autoload in Settings → Battery → Autostart. Disable unnecessary programs to resolve conflicts.

What to do if the safe mode is not turned on

If neither of these methods worked, the problem could be a hardware or software malfunction.

1.The phone does not respond to the buttons

Possible causes:

• 🔋 Battery discharged (plug in charge for 10-15 minutes, then try again).
• 💧 Get moisture (switch off power, dry 24)+ hour).
• 🔧 Power or volume button damaged (repair required).

2. Hanging on the Xiaomi logo

If the phone turns on but doesn’t load beyond the logo (even in Safe Mode), try:

• 🔄 Hard reset: Hold the power button + Volume increase 10-15 seconds to log in to Recovery Mode.
• 📥 Flashing: via Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool (instructions on the official website of Xiaomi).

3. "No Command" error in Recovery

If, after pressing the buttons, a recumbent android appears with an exclamation mark:

• 🔧 Press the power button. + increase volume for 10 seconds, then release and immediately press the volume button once.
• 📱 Select from the Wipe menu data/factory Reset (resulting in loss of data!).

💡

If the phone is not in safe mode by any means, the firmware or hardware (buttons, motherboard) is likely to be damaged, in which case only the service center will help.

Results analysis: What to do after diagnosis

After successfully logging into Safe Mode, analyze the behavior of your phone:

If you find out that a particular application is to blame but can’t remove it (for example, it’s system-based), try:

• 📵 Disable it through Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Shut down.
• 🔄 Reverse updates (if it is system software, such as Google Play Services).
• 🛡️ Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) to get around restrictions.

For a deep diagnosis of hardware problems (such as overheating or battery discharge), use Xiaomi’s hidden tests:

1. Open the Phone app.


2 Enter the code ##4636##




3. Select "Battery Information" or "Equipment Testing".

Frequent questions about safe mode on Xiaomi