Safe Mode on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: How to go and what to do next

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vince) is a popular 2017 smartphone that is still in use today, but even on proven devices, there are occasional crashes: the phone starts to slow down, spontaneously reboot or show app errors, and in 80% of these cases, Safe Mode, the diagnostic Android mode that only works system applications, helps.

In this article, you will find 3 proven ways to log into Safe Mode on Redmi 5 Plus, including methods for a freeze phone, as well as instructions for exiting mode and diagnosing malfunctions. We will break down the nuances of working with MIUI 9/10/11 and explain why sometimes standard button combinations do not work. If your smartphone becomes “glut” after installing a new application or update, this guide will help bring it back to life without resetting to factory settings.

What is Safe Mode and Why You Need It on Xiaomi

Safe Mode is the diagnostic mode of the Android operating system, where all third-party applications and services are disabled. In this state, the phone only works with pre-installed software, which allows:

🔍 Identify the cause of the failure (if the problem disappears in Safe Mode – one of the installed applications is to blame).
🦠 Remove viruses or malware that blocks normal operation.
🛠️ Fix errors after a failed update MIUI.
📱 Return system access if the phone is stuck on the logo or rebooted cyclically.

On Redmi 5 Plus, Safe Mode is activated with hardware buttons or through the Recovery Mode menu, the main difference from a full reset is to save all user data.

Function	Works at Safe Mode?	Note
Calls and SMS	✅ Yes.	Only through the standard phone app.
Wi-Fi and mobile Internet	✅ Yes.	They can be slower due to the optimisations.
Camera.	✅ Yes.	Basic functions only (without filters and additional modes).
Google Play and Third Party Apps	❌ No.	All programs installed by the user are disabled.
Fingerprint and Face Unlock	❌ No.	Only the pattern lock is used or PIN-code.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is stable after you log in to Safe Mode, the problem is in one of the installed applications, and memory optimizers, antiviruses or third-party launchers are most often to blame.

Method 1: Standard input via power buttons (for a working phone)

This is the easiest method that works on the Redmi 5 Plus with any version of MIUI (9 to 12.5).

Step-by-step:

Press and hold the power button until the turn off menu appears.
In the window that appears, tap and hold your finger on the “Switch off” (or “Switch off power”) option.
After 2-3 seconds, the sentence “Go to Safe Mode” will appear – confirm the choice by clicking “OK”.
The phone will reboot and the bottom left corner of the screen will be marked “Safe Mode”.

If the menu doesn’t appear or the phone doesn’t respond to the button holding, try an alternative:

🔄 Turn off the phone completely (hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
🔘 Turn it on by holding the power button + Increase the volume before the Redmi logo appears.
📱 Release the buttons when the Safe Mode sign appears on the screen.

Make sure the battery is over 30% |

Close all running applications |

Turn off the phone from charging (if connected)|

Prepare. PIN-code (if a pattern lock is used)-->

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmwares may not have a standard shutdown menu due to custom shells.If you have an alternative launcher installed (e.g. Nova Launcher or Nova Launcher). POCO Launcher, try to bring back the standard interface MIUI via display settings.

If the Redmi 5 Plus is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or doesn’t respond to clicks, you’ll need to enter Recovery Mode, which is also suitable if the standard button combination doesn’t work.

Instructions:

Turn off the phone forcefully: hold the power button for 15-20 seconds until vibration.
Press the buttons at the same time: Power + Volume Up Hold them until the Mi logo appears (usually 5-10 seconds).
Release the buttons when the Recovery Mode menu appears (English or Chinese).
Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select "Reboot to Safe Mode"** (or similar).
Confirm the reboot - the phone will start in safe mode.

If the Recovery menu doesn’t have a Safe Mode option, select “Reboot system now”** – sometimes the phone automatically boots in diagnostic mode after a cache reset.

What to do if you use Recovery Mode in Chinese?

Xiaomi's recovery menu often uses Chinese. To make no mistake: 1. The first item (with the character ) is "Reboot"** (Reboot). 2. The second item is "Data Cleanup"** (Wipe Data) - DO NOT choose it so as not to reset! 3. The third item is "Additional"**. 4. To log in to Safe Mode, select the first item and hold the power button for 3 seconds.

Important: Recovery Mode doesn't have touch gestures, just volume buttons to move and power buttons to confirm. If the menu doesn't show up, check if one of the buttons is stuck (especially after the phone falls).

This method is suitable if the physical buttons don't work or you prefer to control your phone via a computer.

💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.

Step-by-step:

Connect Redmi 5 Plus to your computer and confirm the debugging permission via USB.
Open the command prompt (cmd) in the ADB folder and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
Safe Mode: Adb shell settings put global safe_mode 1
Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After the reboot, the bottom left corner of the screen will show the message Safe Mode. To return the normal mode, repeat the command by replacing 1 with 0.

1. Reinstall Xiaomi drivers via Mi PC Suite.

2. Use another USB-cable (not all cables support data transmission).

3. Enable the debugging option in the developer settings USB (security parameters) and Unlocking OEM (if available).-->

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They require developer rights, unless you've previously included debugging. USB, This method won't work. Don't use it either. ADB to change system files – this can lead to a “brick”** (breakdown) of the phone.

Standard power buttons |

Through Recovery Mode|

Teams ADB|

Another way.|-->

How to get out of Safe Mode on Redmi 5 Plus

In most cases, the Safe Mode exit is automatically after the reboot, but sometimes the mode sticks and the phone continues to load in a diagnostic state.

🔄 Reboot: Press and hold the power button, select Reboot** (or Restart).

If the phone returns to Safe Mode after the reboot, it may indicate:

🔋 Volume button problems (sticking or mechanical damage).
🛠️ Damage to system files (resetting via Recovery will help).
🦠 Virus software that blocks normal booting (you need to flash your phone through the Mi Flash Tool).

💡

If the phone cycles back into Safe Mode after each reboot, it’s a sign of hardware failure (most often the volume button is to blame).

Diagnosing problems in safe mode

Once you've successfully logged in to Safe Mode, you can start looking for the cause of the crash.

Check your phone: If everything is stable in Safe Mode, the problem is in one of the installed applications.
Remove suspicious programs: 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management. 🔍 Sort the list by installation date (new apps are more likely to cause conflicts). 🗑️ Remove memory optimizers, antiviruses, launchers, and games installed before crashes occur.

Check out the system updates:

Settings → About the phone → System update

MIUI

Clear the cache:

Settings → Memory → Cleaning

If the problem persists even in Safe Mode, it may indicate:

Symptoms.	Possible cause	Decision
The phone slows down but doesn't overheat.	The /system or cache partition is damaged	Recovery Mode (Wipe Cache Partition)
Self-involved reboots	Failure of the battery or power controller	Replacement of the battery in the service center
The sensor or buttons are not working.	Damage to the plume or motherboard	Diagnostics in the service
There is an error com.android.phone	Failure of the communication module (IMEI or modem)	Fastboot flashing through Fastboot

⚠️ Warning: If the phone overheats, discharges quickly or issues errors such as Unfortunately, System UI has stopped is a sign of hardware malfunction, further manipulation of the software may aggravate the problem.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with Safe Mode on Redmi 5 Plus, users often face typical problems.

🔄 Phone doesn't leave Safe Mode after reboot: The reason is a sticky volume button. Try pressing it several times or blowing the connector with compressed air.
📱 No turn off menu appears when holding the power button: Possibly disabled feature in settings. check Settings → Lock screen and password → Menu food.
🔌 ADB Does not see the device: Make sure that debugging is enabled USB And you have the right drivers installed. Try another cable or port. USB.
🔋 Phone discharges in Safe Mode: This is normal - Diagnostic mode power optimisation is off. Charge the device to 50% before diagnosis.

What not to do in Safe Mode:

❌ Install new applications (they won’t work until they leave the mode).
❌ Reset settings via Recovery without backup.
❌ Change system files through Root rights (risk of bricking»).
❌ Connect your phone to untrusted PCs (in Safe Mode, malware protection is weakened).

💡

If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to back up your data via the Mi PC Suite before any manipulations in Safe Mode.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I use the Internet and calls in Safe Mode?

Yes, basic features (calls, SMS, mobile internet, and Wi-Fi) work, but may be limited, such as VPNs, some messengers, and social networks, if they are installed as separate apps, will not be available.

Why don’t apps work after you leave Safe Mode?

This is normal — in safe mode, all third-party programs are turned off, and their cache can reset, restart the phone again or reinstall problematic applications.

Can I update my MIUI to Safe Mode?

Technically, yes, but not recommended. Updating in diagnostic mode can lead to errors due to services disabled. Better log out of Safe Mode, then install the update.

Safe Mode is not included – what to do?

Try alternative methods: Hold Power + Turn Volume down when turned on. Connect your phone to charge and try again. If nothing works, run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (requires an unlocked bootloader).

How do I know if my phone is in Safe Mode?

Signs: In the lower left corner of the screen, the label is Safe Mode (or "Safe Mode"), there are no widgets and icons of third-party applications, only the standard keyboard and launcher work.