How to Sign in to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi Redmi 9: All working methods

Why is Recovery on Redmi 9 different than other smartphones?

Recovery Mode on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a utility tool that lets you reset your settings to factory settings, install manual updates or fix critical system errors. However, many users have difficulty trying to get there. The Redmi 9 (like other models of the Redmi line based on MIUI) uses a modified recovery menu from Xiaomi, which is different from the standard Android Recovery.

The main problem is that on some versions of MIUI, Recovery is blocked by the system if the device was not unlocked through Mi Unlock, which is designed to protect data, but creates difficulties for users who want to simply reset the phone or reflash it. In this article, we will look at all the current ways to log into Recovery on Redmi 9, including bypassing possible restrictions.

It is important to understand that the procedure may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12/13/14) and the device modification (Redmi 9, 9A, 9C, 9T).If your smartphone is locked with a password and does not respond to commands, try methods without connecting to a PC first.

Method 1: Entering through hardware buttons (most reliable)

The classic method that works on 90% of Xiaomi devices is a combination of physical buttons. It does not require a connection to a computer and is suitable even if the phone does not turn on or hovers on the MI logo.

Instructions:

1. Turn off Redmi 9 completely. If it freezes, hold the power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.
2. Hold and hold at the same time: 🔘 The Volume Up button (Volume Up) 🔄 Power button (Power)

8-12 seconds

Mi

power-up

Volume Up

If instead of Recovery, the phone loads into Fastboot (a black screen with a rabbit and a sign). FASTBOOT), So you let go of the buttons too early. Try again, holding the Volume Up longer.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 9 firmware (especially Chinese) may instead open Mi Recovery 5.0 with limited features. If you see the words "This device is locked", then you need to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Method 2: Sign in via ADB (for power users)

If the hardware buttons are not working (for example, the volume button broke), you can log into Recovery via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a connection to a PC and enabled debugging over USB.

Preconditions:

• 🖥️ Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools on the computer.
• 🔌 Included debugging by USB in the phone settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📱 Phone is on and unlocked (not suitable for bricks").

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC via USB-cable (preferably original).
2. Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with adb (or add it to the environment variables).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Run the command to reboot in Recovery: adb reboot recovery

If after the command the phone restarts, but gets not in Recovery, and in normal mode, try an alternative method:

adb shell reboot --bootloader


fastboot reboot recovery

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 13+ The adb reboot recovery command may not work due to security limitations, in which case use a button combination or Fastboot.

Method 3: Sign in via Fastboot (if Recovery is blocked)

If you try to log in to Recovery and see a message saying "This device is locked," it means that the bootloader is locked and the standard methods will not work, in which case you can first boot into Fastboot and then go to Recovery through it.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold it together: 🔘 The volume button (Volume Down) 🔄 Power button (Power)

FASTBOOT

Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line.

fastboot reboot recovery

If this method didn’t work, then your Redmi 9 has custom Recovery installed (for example, TWRP), and you need another command to log in:

fastboot boot twrp.img

(where twrp.img is a Recovery firmware file that you need to pre-download for your model).

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

Even following the instructions, users often encounter problems when logging into Recovery, and let’s look at the most common errors and their solutions.

If none of the methods worked, your Redmi 9 may have custom Recovery installed (like OrangeFox or TWRP) that requires other button combinations.

• 🔄 Holding the Power + Volume Up + Volume Down at the same time.
• 🖥️ Use the command fastboot boot recovery.img (I need a firmware file).

💡

If the phone doesn't respond to the buttons, try holding it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes (turned off), sometimes helping to wake up the hung power chip.

What to do if Recovery is locked (This device is locked)

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi introduced additional protection to block Recovery access on locked bootloaders. If you see the message "This device is locked. Please unlock via Mi Unlock", then you need to:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool tool: 📥 Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website. 🔗 Link your Mi Account to your phone (Settings) → Mi Account). 🖥️ Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and follow the program instructions.

fastboot

Please note:

• ⏳ Unlocking process can take up to 72 hours (requires confirmation from Xiaomi servers).
• 🔄 Unlocking will reset all data on the phone!
• 📵 Some operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) block unlocking on firmware.

⚠️ Note: If you bought Redmi 9 with your hands and the previous owner did not unblock the Mi Account, unlocking may not be possible without its data.

How to get out of Recovery on Redmi 9?

If you’ve successfully logged into the recovery menu but don’t know how to get out of it, follow these steps:

• 🔙 In standard Mi Recovery, select Reboot. → Reboot to System (use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation).
• 🔄 If the phone is stuck in Recovery, hold the power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out, then turn it on normally.
• 🖥️ V TWRP Or custom Recovery select Reboot → System.

If the phone doesn't boot after leaving Recovery (hangs on the MI logo), it may have changed the system files.

1. Repeat the Recovery entrance.
2. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (this will reset all settings!).
3. Reset the device.

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on after resetting via Recovery, the firmware is likely damaged, in which case you'll need to reflash the device via Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions