How to safely exit Recovery Mode on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Recovery Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a service menu that allows you to perform critical operations, from resetting settings to installing custom firmware. However, many users face a situation where the phone spontaneously loads into this menu or “hangs” in it after a failed update, reset or manipulation with the firmware. If you saw Mi Recovery with items in English or Chinese on the screen and do not know how to return to normal work, this article will help you understand.

Compounding the problem, Recovery Mode often doesn’t have a touch screen, and only manages volume and power buttons. The wrong actions can result in complete data loss or “bricking” of the device when the smartphone stops turning on altogether. We’ve compiled all the proven ways to exit recovery mode, from the simplest to the most advanced, with different versions of MIUI and types of Recovery (stock and custom TWRP).

Why Xiaomi is loading into Recovery Mode?

Before you try to get off the recovery menu, it's important to understand why the smartphone got there.

• 🔄 Failed software update - interrupted firmware through OTA Mi Flash Tool often leads to a download cycle in Recovery.
• ⚡ Resetting – if the reset was initialized through the settings menu but did not end correctly.
• 🛠️ Manual switching on – random pressing of the button combination (volume)+ + Power supply) with the phone switched off.
• 📱 Firmware problems – corrupted system files or module conflict MIUI.
• 🔋 Battery discharge – if the charge has dropped below 5% during critical operations.

In 80% of cases, the problem is solved without a PC connection, but if a Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphone persistently returns to Recovery after each reboot, this is a signal of serious problems in the system partition, in which case you may need to flash through Fastboot.

Method 1: Standard output via Reboot System Now

If your Xiaomi booted into Recovery once (for example, after accidentally pressing buttons), the easiest way to get back on the system is to select Reboot System Now.

1. Use the Volume Down button to move the highlight to the Reboot System Now bar.
2. Press the power button to confirm the choice.
3. Wait for the reboot (can take up to 5 minutes).

If the smartphone comes back to Recovery after that, then the problem is deeper — maybe the boot partition is damaged or the core is missing.

Make sure battery power > 20% | Check if your phone is connected to your PC | Turn off the charger (if connected) | Remember the current menu item in case of a crash-->

Method 2: Hard Reset (Hard Reset)

If the standard reboot doesn't work, try force-activating the device and turning it on again, which works even when Recovery freezes:

1. Press the power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.
2. Wait 30 seconds (this is important – let the capacitors run out).
3. Press the power button once to turn on the smartphone.

If the phone then gets back into Recovery, it can't boot properly.

• 🗃️ Damaged system section;
• 🔄 Incompatible version MIUI;
• 🔐 Blocked loader (bootloader).

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If after a hard reboot, the Mi logo appears and the switch to Recovery again occurs, try connecting the smartphone to charge for 10-15 minutes before re-energizing.

Method 3: Reset to factory settings (Wipe Data)

If previous methods didn’t work, most likely, system files are corrupted, in which case a full reset via Recovery will help.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi has data encryption enabled (FBE), Resetting via Recovery may result in the inability to boot the system further, in which case you will need to flash through Fastboot.

Resetting instructions:

1. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in older versions).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation).
3. After the operation is completed, select Reboot System Now.

If the smartphone still loads into Recovery after reset, it means that the problem lies in the boot section or firmware is incompatible with your Xiaomi model, in which case only flashing through the Mi Flash Tool will help.

Method 4: Use ADB-Teams (for advanced teams)

If you have access to a PC and are installed ADB-Drivers, you can try to exit Recovery using the command line. This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader or custom Recovery (for example, TWRP).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is defined (should appear a string with a serial number).
3. Follow the reboot command: adb reboot If this doesn’t work, try: adb shell reboot -p (forced shutdown).

If the commands are not executed, it is possible that your Recovery has disabled ADB debugging. In this case, only physical battery shutdown (on models with a removable battery) or flashing will help.

Method 5: Fastboot Flashing (extreme case)

If none of the previous methods worked, the last option is to completely flash the device through Fastboot mode, which is guaranteed to bring the smartphone back to life, but requires:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers;
• 📥 Official firmware for your model (.tgz or.zip format);
• 🔓 Unlocked loader (if it was blocked).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool from Xiaomi’s official website and install it.
2. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and in the Mi Flash Tool press Refresh – the device must be determined.
5. Select a firmware folder and press Flash. Wait for completion (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot flashing erases all data, including internal memory (userdata).If your phone had important files, try extracting them first through the phone. ADB (If you have access to Recovery with support for adb pull).

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Fastboot flashing is the only reliable way to bring Xiaomi back to life, which is loaded into Recovery after each turn on, but this method requires an unlocked bootloader on most modern models (except for devices until 2016).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When using Recovery Mode, users often make mistakes that make the problem worse, and the most common ones are:

• 🔌 Interrupting the process – if you start resetting or firmware, do not disconnect the phone from the PC and do not remove the battery.
• ⚡ Use of informal firmware - installation of custom ROM without unlocking the bootloader or checking compatibility often leads to a "brick».
• 📱 Incorrect menu choice – for example, choosing an Apply update without a firmware file on your phone can erase system data.
• 🔋 Working with a discharged battery – if the charge is below 30%, the risk of failure during operations increases dramatically.

To minimize the risks, always:

• 📌 Make a backup of data before any firmware manipulations;
• 🔍 Check firmware compatibility with your Xiaomi model (for example, firmware for Redmi Note 10 is not suitable for your model). POCO X3);
• 🔒 Use only official tools (Mi Flash Tool, Mi Unlock).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions