How to exit the menu of factory settings on Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

You happen to be caught in the factory settings menu on a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone and you don't know how to get out of there? This is a situation that many users know: one wrong click in Recovery Mode or a combination of buttons when turned on can block access to the system. Unlike the standard MIUI interface, the factory menu does not have the usual "back" button, and the wrong actions here threaten to completely reset data or even "brick" the device.

In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to get out of the factory settings on Xiaomi devices – from simple (reboot) to advanced (working with Fastboot and ADB). Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for different models: why the Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5 2023-2026 algorithm may differ from the old Mi 9 or Redmi 4X.

1.What is the “factory settings” on Xiaomi and when they are needed

The factory settings menu (also known as Recovery Mode or Fastboot) is a service mode built into the firmware of all Xiaomi devices.

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (full data cleanup).
• 📥 Installation of official/custom firmware through MIUI recovery TWRP.
• 🛠️ Diagnostics and repairs (memory check, hardware component testing).
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (for advanced users).

In normal mode, you can only get here purposefully - through a combination of buttons when you turn on or a command in ADB. However, sometimes users find themselves in this menu by accident:

• 🤳 After a failed update MIUI OT.
• 🔋 When the battery is discharged up to 0% and subsequent inclusion.
• 🎮 Due to the “glitch” of physical buttons (for example, pinched Volume Up) + Power).
• 🖥️ After connecting to a PC with the Mi Flash Tool installed.

⚠️ Warning: If you see the words "No command" on Xiaomi's screen with the Android lying down, it's not factory settings, it's Stock Recovery. To activate the menu, press and hold the Power. + Volume Up 10 seconds.

Method 1: Standard output through reboot

The simplest method is a soft reboot, and it works if:

• 📱 The device responds to the buttons.
• 🔄 The menu is displayed on the screen. MIUI Recovery (blue background with icons).
• ⚡ Battery is at least 10 times charged%.

Instructions:

1. In the Recovery menu, select "Reboot" (or "Reboot" in Russian) using Volume Up/Down buttons.
2. Confirm the choice of the power button (Power).
3. If there is no Reboot, select Back and press Power again.

On newer models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the menu may look different, for example, instead of "Reboot" it will be "Restart system now".

Method 2: Forced reboot (Hard Reboot)

If your smartphone doesn’t respond to the sensor or buttons in the Recovery menu, try the forced rebuke, which works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, except for models with a non-removable battery and accidental shutdown protection (such as the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2).

How to do this:

1. Press the power button for 15-20 seconds.
2. If the screen is out but the device is not restarted, press the Power + Volume Down for 10 seconds.
3. Some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50) may require a combination of Power + Volume Up + Volume Down.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ and anti-Rollback protection (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra) forced reboot in the Fastboot menu can cause the bootloader to lock. If after the reboot you see the words "This device is locked" - see the section about Fastboot.

Make sure the battery is at least 5% charged.

Turn off the USB cable (if connected to a PC)

Remember the current state of the screen (photo on another phone)

Do not use combinations with Volume Up on locked devices.-->

Method 3: Exit via Fastboot (if stuck on a flashing robot)

If after the reboot you were in Fastboot Mode (black screen with a white rabbit in a hat-eared and inscription "FASTBOOT"), So the system has detected a problem in the bootloader.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or Platform Tools (for the purpose of the ADB).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC (if drivers are not installed, download Mi USB Driver).
3. Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools and type:

fastboot devices

If the device is determined (the serial number appears), enter:

fastboot reboot

If the team doesn’t work, try:

fastboot continue

5. Method 4: Exit through ADB (if Recovery doesn't respond)

If the smartphone is stuck in the Recovery menu (no buttons, but the screen is on), you can try rebooting it via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works even if the sensor is not responding.

Conditions:

• 🔧 On the smartphone was previously included debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 💻 Platform Tools are installed on PCs.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC.
2. Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools.
3. Enter:

adb devices

If the device is determined (a serial number will appear marked recovery), do:

adb reboot

If the team doesn’t work, try:

adb shell reboot -p

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ and adb reboot may not work with a blocked bootloader due to security limitations, in which case only a forced reboot will help (see Method 2).

💡

If USB debugging hasn’t been enabled before, but you have access to another Xiaomi smartphone, connect it to your PC and enable debugging via Settings → Additional → For developers. Then repeat the steps on the problem device – sometimes ADB recognizes devices in Recovery even without first setting up.

6. Method 5: Unlocking through Mi Account (if required by authorization)

New devices (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12, POCO X5) may request authorization to Mi Account when logging into Recovery or Fastboot, which is the accidental reset protection that MIUI 13+ added.

How to get around:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi in the Recovery menu ("Connect with Mi Assistant").
2. Enter the username and password from your Mi Account (the same one that is linked to the device).
3. If you do not remember the password, restore it through the official website.
4. After authorization, you will be able to select "Reboot".

If the authorization fails:

• 📶 Check Wi-Fi connection (in Recovery, the grid may not work stable).
• 🔄 Restart the device and try again.
• 📞 Contact Xiaomi Support (purchase confirmation required).

💡

Mi Account authorization in Recovery is not a bug, it’s a feature. Xiaomi added this protection after a wave of thefts and fraud with used smartphones. If you bought a device from hand and can’t log in, it’s a reason to doubt its legality.

7 What to do if nothing helps: extreme measures

If all methods are exhausted and the smartphone is still stuck in the factory settings, then radical methods remain.

• 📵 The device does not respond to all button combinations.
• 💻 PC does not see the smartphone or ADB, nor on Fastboot.
• 🔋 Battery discharged to 0% and not charged.

Options:

1. EDL (9008 Mode): Requires a special cable or test point on the board, needs skills with the Mi Flash Tool and official firmware. Risk: if you make a mistake, the device will become a brick.
2. Contact the service center: Xiaomi official centers can restore the device under warranty (if there were no root licenses). ₽ model-wise.

Replacement of fees (in extreme cases):

• It is relevant if the problem is a hardware failure (for example, a damaged memory chip).
• Price: 30% of the cost of a new smartphone.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro) firmware is via EDL Without authorization in Mi Account can lead to a complete blocking IMEI. In this case, the restoration is possible only through the official service.

FAQ: Frequent questions about exiting Xiaomi factory settings