How to turn on Xiaomi device in safe mode: all ways

Safe Mode on Xiaomi devices is a diagnostic tool that helps identify problems caused by third-party apps or conflicts in the system. When a smartphone or TV starts to slow down, spontaneously restart or issue errors, switching to this mode allows you to download only the basic components of MIUI or Android TV, disabling all user programs. This is especially useful if you suspect that a virus, incorrect update or “curve” application has disrupted the stability of the work.

Unlike Factory Reset, Safe Mode doesn’t delete your data, but temporarily blocks all of your installed programs from running, making it the perfect first step for diagnosis before drastic measures. In this article, we’ll look at how to activate Safe Mode on Redmi, POCO, Mi and Mi TVs, and what to do if the device is stuck in this mode or doesn’t respond to standard commands.

Why do you need a safe mode on Xiaomi?

The main purpose of Safe Mode is to isolate system processes from user processes.

• 🔍 Identify viruses or malware that masquerade as legitimate applications, and in safe mode, they don't run, and you can remove them.
• 🛠️ Resolve application conflicts, such as when two software programs are trying to manage the same resource (camera, microphone) at the same time, GPS).
• 📱 If errors persist in Safe Mode, it is more likely to be a matter of hardware (for example, a faulty memory or processor).
• 🔄 Restore after a failed upgrade when the system boots but is unstable.

For example, if your Redmi Note 12 starts to warm up and discharge in an hour, and in safe mode the temperature normalizes, the problem is exactly in one of the installed applications, the same applies to spontaneous reboots or “offs” of the MIUI interface.

⚠️ Warning: In Safe Mode, all widgets, live wallpaper and some system features (such as Game Turbo or Second Space) are turned off. Don't be alarmed if the interface looks "cut off" - that's okay.

How to turn on safe mode on Xiaomi smartphone (Redmi, POCO, Mi)

The way Safe Mode is activated depends on the model and version of MIUI. We will look at the universal methods that work on most devices, including Redmi 10/11/12, POCO F4/F5, Mi 11/12/13 and others.

Method 1: Through Power and Volume buttons

This is the most reliable way, which works even if the screen does not respond to touch:

1. Turn off your smartphone (clip Power + Volume up for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Hold the Power button until the Xiaomi logo appears.
3. Once the logo disappears without letting go of Power, pinch and hold Volume down.
4. Hold both buttons until you see the words "Safe Mode" in the lower left corner of the screen.

If you don't do it the first time, repeat the steps by holding the buttons longer. Some models (such as the POCO X3) may need to keep the Loudness down immediately after the logo appears, without waiting for it to disappear.

Xiaomi logo appeared and disappeared | Screen blinked |In the lower left corner the inscription "Safe Mode" |All applications except system hidden-->

Method 2: Using the off menu (for MIUI 12 and later)

If your smartphone responds to touch, you can use the software method:

1. Press the power button until the shutdown menu appears.
2. Press and hold your finger on the “Switch Off” option (or “Reboot” on some models).
3. In 2-3 seconds, you'll be prompted to switch to Safe Mode. Confirm your choice.

This method doesn't work on all firmware, so if nothing happens after holding, use the first method.

Method 3: Through ADB (for advanced users)

If you have access to the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can enable Safe Mode by:

adb shell settings put global safe_mode 1


adb reboot

Once you restart, the device will be in safe mode. To return normal mode, use:

adb shell settings put global safe_mode 0


adb reboot

⚠️ Note: This method requires the included debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer options. Do not use it if you are not sure of your actions.

How to turn on Safe Mode on Xiaomi TV (Mi TV)

Mi TVs (including Mi TV 4/5, Mi TV Q1/Q2, Redmi Smart TV) also support Safe Mode, but the activation process is different from smartphones. The main difficulty is the lack of physical volume buttons, so you will have to use a remote or combinations on the TV itself.

Method 1: Through buttons on the TV

If the remote is not working or lost:

1. Find the Power button on the back of the TV (usually next to HDMI ports).
2. Hold it for 10-15 seconds until the TV is turned off.
3. Turn on the TV again by holding the Power button on the remote (or TV).
4. Once the Mi TV logo appears, press and hold Volume down on the remote until you see the message "Safe Mode".

Some models (such as the Mi TV P1) may need to keep Volume down + Menu at the same time.

Method 2: Service menu (for experienced users)

If the standard method does not work, you can try to activate Safe Mode through the service menu:

1. Turn off the TV.
2. On the remote, pinch sequentially: Menu → Back → Up → Down → Up → Down → Up → Up → Up → Up.
3. Keep it OK until the service menu appears.
4. Go to the Safe Mode section and activate it.

⚠️ Warning: Unknown settings in the service menu can disrupt the TV. Only change the settings you are sure of.

Mi TV 4/4A/4C|Mi TV 5/5X|Redmi Smart TV|Mi TV Q1/Q2|Mi TV P1/P1E|Other-->

How to get out of Safe Mode on Xiaomi

Turning off Safe Mode is usually automatic after a reboot, but sometimes the device can get stuck in this mode.

Method 1: Standard Resetting

Just restart the device:

• On your smartphone: press Power → select “Reboot”.
• On TV: Click Power on the remote → "Reboot".

After turning on, check if the "Safe Mode" label has disappeared.

Method 2: Forced shutdown

If the reboot didn't help:

1. Turn off the device completely (clip Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Extract. SIM-card and memory card (if any).
3. Turn on the cardless device – sometimes they can block the exit from Safe Mode.

Method 3: Resetting settings (extreme case)

If nothing works, it could be the system firmware that's damaged.

1. Make a backup of the data through Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. Perform reset to factory settings: Settings → About phone → Reset settings.

On Xiaomi TVs, factory reset erases all installed apps, but does not affect files on the device. USB-accumulator.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after successful activation of Safe Mode, problems can occur.

If your device is behaving outside the box (e.g., POCO F3 doesn’t respond to buttons or Mi TV A2 shows artifacts), it could be a hardware fault, in which case Safe Mode won’t help – it requires a diagnosis at the service center.

💡

If Safe Mode is missing, check if it's turned off by the system. Go to Settings → Sound and manually turn the volume on.

What if Safe Mode doesn’t work?

If problems persist even in safe mode, this indicates:

• 🔋 Hardware malfunctions (e.g., memory or processor defects).
• 🔄 Damage to system files (reflashing required).
• 🦠 A deeply embedded virus that masquerades as systemic processes.

Further action:

1. Fastboot or Recovery (see instructions for your model at 4PDA or Xiaomi Community).
2. Check the hardware status with diagnostic codes: To check the screen: ##289## For sensor test: ##2664###

Xiaomi service center

⚠️ Warning: If problems come back after you quit Safe Mode, it's likely one of the newly installed apps is to blame).

💡

Safe mode is a diagnostic tool, not a treatment tool, and if it doesn't solve a problem, the causes go deeper than the application conflict.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Safe Mode on Xiaomi