How to log into Boot Menu on Xiaomi devices: all the ways and nuances

Boot Menu (or Fastboot Mode) on Xiaomi devices is a skill for advanced users who want to flash a smartphone, unlock a bootloader or restore the system after a crash. However, the process of logging into this menu varies depending on the type of device: smartphones (Redmi, POCO, Mi) and Mi TVs use different combinations of buttons and approaches. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, including hardware and software methods, and explain why sometimes Boot Menu is blocked by the system.

It's important to understand that Boot Menu is not the same as Recovery Mode. The first is for low-level bootloader operations, the second is for resetting or installing updates. If you're looking for a way to reset your phone to factory settings, you need Recovery, not Fastboot. We'll clarify the difference later.

This article is relevant for Xiaomi devices from 2018 to 2026, including models based on Qualcomm Snapdragon and MediaTek. If your device is older, some button combinations may not work due to a change in the company’s security policy.

What is Boot Menu and why is it necessary?

Boot Menu (or Fastboot Mode) is a special boot mode that allows you to interact with the device at the firmware level through the computer.

• 🔓 Unlock bootloader (required for custom firmware installation).
• 📥 Sweep official or unofficial images through fastboot.
• 🔄 Restore the device after a "brick" (software failure).
• 📊 Check the status of hardware components (e.g., via fastboot devices or fastboot getvar all commands).

Distinguished from Recovery Mode:

• 🔧 Recovery is a graphical interface for resetting, updating, or backup.
• 💻 Fastboot is a console mode that requires PC connection and commands.

Without Boot Menu, it is impossible to unlock the bootloader on new Xiaomi devices – the company has introduced a mandatory binding Mi Account for this operation, and this mode is often required when installing TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery.

⚠️ Warning: Logining to Fastboot Mode on a locked bootloader does not give full access to the firmware. Unlocking will require official permission from Xiaomi via the en.miui.com/unlock website.

How to log into Boot Menu on Xiaomi smartphones

On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, there are two main ways to get into Fastboot Mode: through hardware buttons and using ADB commands.

Method 1: Button combination (for switched off device)

This is the most versatile way, running on 90% of Xiaomi devices.

1. Turn off the smartphone (if it freezes – hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press and hold the power button + Volume Down button.
3. Hold both buttons until the Fastboot logo (the Android robot with an open case or the FASTBOOT label) appears on the screen.

On some models (such as the POCO F3 or Redmi Note 10 Pro), you may need to press the Volume Down first, then the power button. If the combination does not work, try an alternative option:

• 📱 For older models (until 2019): Power + Volume Up.
• 🔄 For new flagships (Xiaomi 13, 14): first Volume Up + Power, then quickly release Volume Up and hold power only.

If the screen is black, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge (must be at least 30%).
• 🔌 Connect the charger - sometimes it helps.
• 🛠️ Button damage (especially after falls)

Disconnect the smartphone from PC and charging |

Check the battery charge (minimum 30%) |

Make sure the buttons are not stuck |

Use the original cable (if you connect to a PC)-->

Method 2: ADB commands (for the device on)

If the smartphone is turned on, but you want to reboot to Fastboot without using buttons, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔌 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📡 Cable connections (Wi-Fi ADB does not support rebooting in Fastboot).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow debugging.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type:

adb devices

(Your device should appear on the list.)

adb reboot bootloader

The smartphone will automatically reboot in Fastboot Mode.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with a locked bootloader, the adb reboot bootloader command may not work, the system will return the error not allowed in locked state.

How to Sign In to Boot Menu on Mi TVs

The process of logging into Fastboot Mode on Xiaomi Mi TVs (series 4A, 4S, 5X, etc.) is different from smartphones. There are no physical volume buttons, so it uses:

• 🎮 Remote DU (in rare cases).
• 🖥️ Connect to a PC via ADB.
• 🔧 Hardware button on the body (if any).

The main way:

1. Turn off the TV for 10 seconds.
2. Press and hold the power button on the TV body (usually located on the side or bottom).
3. Without releasing the button, connect the TV to the outlet.
4. Hold the button until the Fastboot logo appears on the screen (usually 10-15 seconds).

On new models (Mi TV Q1, Q2), the hardware button may not be available.

• 🔌 Connect the TV to your PC via port USB (OTG).
• 📡 Use ADB (as for smartphones), but pre-enable debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About TV → Software Version (click 7 times) → For developers → Debugging by USB).

On Xiaomi TVs 2022-2026, entry into the Fastboot via the remote control is impossible - this is a manufacturer's restriction.

Table: Button combinations for popular Xiaomi models

If your model is not listed in the table, try the universal Power + Volume Down combination. On devices with MediaTek (such as Redmi 9A), you may need to hold the buttons longer (up to 20 seconds).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the right button press, you may not be able to log into Boot Menu, so let's look at the typical problems and how to fix them.

1.The device does not respond to the button combination

Possible causes:

• 🔋 Battery discharge (less than 5%) Connect charging and try again.
• 🛠️ Damaged buttons, see if they're responding normally.
• 🔒 Locked bootloader on new devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14) Requires unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool.

2.The Mi logo appears but does not load the Fastboot

This is typical of devices with damaged firmware.

• 🔄 Try to clamp Power + Volume Up + Volume Down at the same time (works on some models).
• 📡 Connect the device to your PC and check if it is defined in Device Manager as Android Bootloader Interface.
• 🔧 If the device is not detected, the USB- port or cable may have been damaged.

3. "This device is locked" error in Fastboot

This sign means that the bootloader is locked.

• 🔓 Unlock bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (Mi Account binding required).
• ⏳ New devices (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12) will need to wait 7 to 14 days after unlocking (Xiaomi limit).

⚠️ Warning: If you see this device is corrupted, it means that the firmware has been damaged. You can only restore the device via the Mi Flash Tool with the official Fastboot ROM image.

Boot Menu vs Recovery Mode: What's the difference?

Many users confuse Fastboot Mode and Recovery Mode, although these are two different modes with different capabilities.

When to use Recovery Mode:

• 🔄 To reset to factory settings (Wipe Data).
• 📥 To install official updates via Apply update from ADB.
• 📊 To create a backup (Backup)

When you need Fastboot Mode:

• 🔓 To unlock the bootloader.
• 📦 For firmware via Mi Flash Tool or fastboot.
• 🛠️ For recovery from a "brick" (if Recovery is not available).

💡

If you just need to reset or install an update, use Recovery Mode. Fastboot Mode is only required for low-level firmware operations.

Additional Fastboot commands for Xiaomi

Once you log in to Fastboot Mode, you can use useful diagnostic or unlock commands.

• 📋 Fastboot devices – Check the connection of the device.
• 🔍 fastboot getvar all – output device information (serial number, bootloader status).
• 🔓 fastboot oem unlock - unlock the bootloader (requires a tied Mi Account).
• 📥 fastboot flash boot [name file.img] is the boot partition firmware.
• 🔄 Fastboot Reboot Recovery is a reboot in Recovery Mode.

Example of checking the status of the loader:

fastboot oem device-info

If you see Device unlocked: false in the answer, the bootloader is locked.

To install the full Fastboot ROM image, use:

fastboot flash all [name file.zip]

But remember: this will delete all data on the device!

💡

Before you run your firmware through fastboot, always check the device model with the command fastboot getvar product. Installing firmware from another model will lead to a "brick"!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Boot Menu on Xiaomi