How to Get Recovery Mode on Xiaomi: 5 Proven Ways

Recovery Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a service environment that allows you to perform critical operations: factory resets, firmware installation, cache cleaning, or even system recovery after crashes. Without this tool, you can not solve many software problems, from the device freeze to the consequences of a failed update. However, logging into the recoveries on Redmi, POCO or Mi devices has its own characteristics - and they differ depending on the model, firmware version and even the state of the phone (it works or “brick”).

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to log into Recovery on Xiaomi in 2026, including methods for locked phones, devices with damaged screens and even those that do not respond to power buttons. We will focus on typical errors (for example, why the phone loads into Fastboot instead of Recovery) and how to avoid data loss when resetting. If you have never worked with a recovery or are afraid of breaking something, don’t worry: we will explain each step so that even a beginner can cope with risk-free.

What is Recovery Mode and Why You Need It on Xiaomi

Recovery mode is an isolated environment built into the firmware of the smartphone that starts before the main Android system loads. On Xiaomi devices, it comes in two types:

• 🔹 Stock Recovery (MI-Recovery) - the official version from Xiaomi with limited functionality. Allows you to reset the settings, to flash official updates through the update.zip and clear the cache.
• 🔹 Castomic Recovery (e.g, TWRP) — third-party firmware with advanced features: creation of backups, installation of unofficial firmware, root rights and modifications.

The main tasks for which you need Recovery Mode:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (if the phone is getting stuck, not turning on or sold).
• 📦 Manual installation of official updates (through update.zip), if OTA-update is not working.
• 🧹 Cache Cleaning (Wipe Cache Partition) to Remove Lags.
• 🔧 System Restore after a failed update or failure.
• 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader (in combination with Fastboot) for installing custom firmware.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi stock recavators do not support many of the features available in TWRP. For example, you can not flash informal firmware or make a full backup of the system through it. However, for basic operations (reset, clear cache), its capabilities are sufficient.

⚠️ Note: Signing into recavatories on Xiaomi with Mi Cloud Lock enabled can lock the device after a reset. If you don't remember the data from your Mi Account, don't reset - the phone will turn into a brick».

Method 1: Enter Recovery via hardware buttons (for working devices)

This is the most common method, which works on 99% of Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and older devices, Suitable if the phone turns on, but you need to go to the receptacles to reset or clean the cache.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone (press the power button and select Turn off).
2. Press the button combination: 📱 For most models: Volume up (+) + Nutrition. 📱 For older Xiaomi (until 2018): Volume up (+) + Loudness down (–) + Nutrition.

10-15 seconds

Mi

MI-Recovery

If after holding the buttons the phone loads into Fastboot (black screen with a rabbit and a sign). FASTBOOT), So you've been holding the buttons for too long, or the combination doesn't fit your model.

Turn off the phone completely (don't restart!)|Check the battery (minimum 30%)|Use the original buttons (not the case!)|Ready to hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) when holding up Loudness up + Power the phone can boot into the Fastboot. In this case, try the Volume Up combination. + Loudness down + Nutrition.

Method 2: Sign in via ADB (if the phone is on and connected to a PC)

If the hardware buttons don't work (e.g., the power button broke) or you prefer the software method, you can go to the receptacle via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires USB debugging enabled and a computer connection.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (not charging!).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission (pop-up on the smartphone screen).
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command: adb devices Make sure the device is defined (should appear a string with a serial number).
4. Run the command to reboot in Recavérie: adb reboot recovery

If the phone loads into Fastboot instead of Recovery after the command, try an alternative method:

adb shell reboot --bootloader


fastboot reboot recovery

This is a reliable way, but it requires some pre-setting, and if USB debugging isn't on, ADB won't work.

💡

If the adb device command doesn’t show your device, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers or using another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

Method 3: Sign in via Fastboot (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If the smartphone doesn’t respond to the power button or is stuck on the Mi logo but reacts to a PC connection (vibrates or is defined as Qualcomm HS-USB), you can go to the recavator via Fastboot.This method is also suitable if you accidentally booted into Fastboot instead of Recovery.

What do you need?

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔌 Working USB-cable.
• 📱 Fastboot (black screen with a rabbit).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC.
2. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot.
3. Check if the device is detected: fastboot devices must appear a string with a serial number.
4. Run the command to download to the recavers: fastboot reboot recovery

If the phone is loaded back into Fastboot after the command, the recaveri partition is damaged or missing, in which case you will have to restore it (more on this in the next section).

Power and volume buttons|ADB (PC)|Fastboot (if the phone is not turned on)|I don't know what that is.-->

Method 4: Log in to Recovery on a locked phone (without password)

If the phone is locked (forgot the pattern lock or PIN), but you need to reset the settings through the recavator, there are two options:

1. Standard reset (works if you don’t have a Mi Account attached).
2. Bypassing the lock (if Mi Cloud Lock is enabled).

Instructions for resetting without a Mi Account:

1. Enter the Recavéri (in any of the ways described above).
2. Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in older versions).
3. Confirm the reset (Confirm or Yes).
4. After the reboot, the phone will look like new.

If Mi Cloud Lock is enabled:

• 🔐 After the reset, the phone will require data input from the Mi Account that was tied.
• 📧 If you don’t remember your password, restore it through the official Xiaomi website.
• ⚠️ Without account data, it is impossible to unlock the phone - it is protection against theft.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) may require an unlock code to be reset via the recavers, even if the Mi Account was not tied.This code is generated by the system and usually comes to the email specified when setting up the phone.

Method 5: Recover damaged Recovery (if the phone doesn't boot)

If you try to log into a recovery, you see a black screen, the phone reboots, or you write No command, maybe the Recovery partition is corrupted, and you need to reflash it.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Fastboot and Xiaomi drivers.
• 📥 Official firmware for your model (download from Xiaomi website).
• 🔧 Unlocked loader (if you are stitching informal Recovery).

Instructions for firmware stock recaveri:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware (file with the extension.tgz or.zip).
2. Find the recovery.img file in the folder.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode to your PC.
4. Fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
5. Reboot the device in Recavator: fastboot reboot recovery

If you want to install a custom recap (TWRP), the process is similar but will require:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
• 📥 Download TWRP For your model from the official website.
• 🔧 Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp.img

💡

Custom Recovery firmware (TWRP) voids warranty and can lock the device if the bootloader is not unlocked. Use this method only if you understand the risks!

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with Recovery Mode on Xiaomi, users often face the same problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

Another common problem is that the phone is stuck in a recavery and doesn't respond to commands.

• 🔄 Forced reboot the device (clip the power for 20 seconds).
• 📱 If it doesn’t work, remove the battery (if removable) for 1 minute.
• 🔌 Connect to charging and repeat the entrance to the recaveri.

If you see an E:unknown command error when you try to flash update.zip, it means that the firmware file is corrupted or not intended for your model. Download the official firmware from Xiaomi and try again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Recovery Mode on Xiaomi