How to go to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi: all the ways for Redmi, POCO and Mi

Recovery Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a service environment that allows you to perform critical operations: factory reset, custom firmware installation, cache cleaning or even device recovery after crashes. Without access, you can not unlock the bootloader, flash TWRP or fix software errors when the phone does not boot in normal mode.

However, the keyboards and methods for entering Recovery on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices are different depending on the model and firmware version (MIUI or HyperOS), and in this article we will discuss all the current ways to log in to Recovery – from standard to alternative (via ADB, Fastboot and even without physical buttons), and explain why sometimes instead of the native Recovery, you see the Mi Bunny logo with an error.

What is Recovery Mode and Why You Need It on Xiaomi

Recovery Mode is an isolated environment built into the firmware of a smartphone that works independently of the main operating system and allows:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (useful when selling a phone or after a virus attack).
• 📦 Install official / custom firmware (via.zip files).
• 🧹 Clear cache (accelerates the system if the phone brakes).
• 🔓 Unlock the boot loader (necessary for installation) TWRP magisk).
• 🛠️ Restore the system after a failed update or failure.

Xiaomi smartphones use two types of Recovery:

1. Stock (Mi Recovery) - an official solution with limited functionality (only reset, clear cache and install updates via update.zip).
2. Custom (TWRP, OrangeFox) - an extended version with support for backups, root rights and installation of unofficial firmware.

It’s important to understand that if you plan to stitch your phone or get root, stock Recovery won’t work – you’ll need to unlock the bootloader first and install TWRP.

Method 1: Enter through hardware buttons (the most versatile)

It's a basic method that works on 90% of Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, Mi 11/12/13 and older devices.The algorithm is the same, but there are nuances for phones with Snapdragon and Mediatek.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone (press the power button and select Turn it off or hold it for 10-15 seconds before vibration).
2. Hold the combination: 🔘 Power button + Loudness up (for most models). 🔘 Power button + Loudness down (on some old Redmis) 4/5 mi A1/A2).

10-15 seconds

Mi

If the phone vibrates but doesn’t load into Recovery, release the buttons and try again.

Newer models (such as the Xiaomi 13T or POCO F5 Pro) can run Fastboot Mode instead of Recovery.

⚠️ Note: If you see a Fastboot with a picture of a hare (Mi Bunny) after holding the buttons, then the bootloader is blocked. To log into Recovery, first unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Method 2: Login via ADB (if the phone is switched on)

If the hardware buttons don't work (e.g., the power button broke) or you prefer the software method, you can log in to Recovery via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 🔌 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📶 Working USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission (on the smartphone screen).
2. Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with adb:
3. Enter the command to reboot in Recovery:
4. If the phone has rebooted to normal mode, repeat the command or use an alternative method (see below).

If the adb reboot recovery command doesn’t work (for example, on HyperOS), try:

adb shell reboot --bootloader


fastboot reboot recovery

💡

If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try reinstalling the drivers via Mi USB Driver or using a USB 2.0 port (on some PCs, USB 3.0 causes conflicts).

Method 3: Sign in via Fastboot (if ADB is not working)

If your phone doesn’t respond to ADB or you don’t have USB debugging enabled, you can log in to Recovery via Fastboot Mode, a method that even works for “bricks” (devices that don’t boot into the system).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button + volume down to enter the Fastboot (a hare will appear with the inscription FASTBOOT).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with fastboot.
4. Enter the command:
5. If FAILED (remote: 'unknown command') is found, the bootloader is locked and unlocking is required.

On some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) instead of Recovery, the phone can boot again in Fastboot.

• 🔧 Use the command fastboot oem edl to move to EDL Mode (requires an authorized Mi Account).
• 🔄 Try the fastboot continue combination and then repeat fastboot reboot recovery.

Method 4: Sign in via Mi Flash Tool (for locked devices)

If the bootloader is locked and the standard methods don't work, you can use the Mi Flash Tool, Xiaomi's official firmware utility, which allows you to force the phone to restart to EDL Mode and from there to Recovery.

Algorithm:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Turn off the phone and press the power button + volume down to log in to Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open MiFlash.
4. Press Refresh – the device must be determined as COM-port.
5. Select from the Advanced → Reboot to Recovery menu.

If the Mi Flash Tool does not see the device:

• 🔌 Try using it. EDL Authorizer for authorization of Mi Account.
• 🔄 Reinstall Qualcomm drivers (for Snapdragon processors) or Mediatek (for Snapdragon processors) Helio/Dimensity).

⚠️ Note: Using the Mi Flash Tool without an authorized Xiaomi account may result in a device being locked (this device is locked error.

Table: Button combinations for different Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi smartphones use the same combinations to enter Recovery, and here are the latest data for the popular series (2020-2026).

If your model isn’t in the table, try the universal combination: hold the power button and volume up 15-20 seconds until the Recovery menu or Mi logo appears.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you try to log in to Recovery, users often face problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

1.The phone vibrates but doesn't load into Recovery

Reasons:

• 🔋 Battery discharge (less than 20%) Charge your phone to at least 30%.
• 🔄 Wrong button combination. Check the table above.
• 🔒 Locked bootloader. Unlocking is required via Mi Unlock Tool.

2. there is a "No command" error or a recumbent android with an exclamation mark

This means that the stock Recovery is damaged or missing.Solutions:

• 🔄 Press the power button. + Volume up for 10 seconds to restart Recovery.
• 📱 Install firmware via Fastboot with the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🛠️ Sweat down custom Recovery (TWRP) Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp.img.

3.The phone is loaded into Fastboot instead of Recovery

Typical situation for new models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12)

• 🔧 Enter the command in Fastboot:
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-14 days).

💡

If the phone is loading into Fastboot instead of Recovery, it's a sure sign of a locked bootloader.Without unlocking, Recovery login will be impossible.

How to unlock the bootloader to access Recovery

On all Xiaomi smartphones (except POCO F1 and some global versions), the bootloader is locked by default.

• ❌ You can't install it. TWRP custom-made.
• ❌ Recovery entry may be limited (Mi Bunny will appear with an error).
• ❌ Fastboot Flash teams will not work.

To unlock the loader:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone (Settings → Xiaomi Account).
2. Enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking (Settings → For Developers).
3. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and log in.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and follow the program instructions.
5. Wait 7-14 days (the wait period depends on the model).

After unlocking:

• ✅ You can stitch it. TWRP Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp.img.
• ✅ Recovery Entry Will Work Without Restrictions.
• ✅ It will be available to install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.).

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the phone! Backup important files in advance. Also on some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) after unlocking, Widevine may stop working. L1 (Streaming quality down on Netflix, Disney+).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions