How to safely exit Recovery Mode on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways

Recovery Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a utility tool that allows you to perform critical operations such as resetting, installing firmware or restoring the system. However, many users face a situation where the device hangs in the recovery after a failed update, reset or experiment with firmware. Unlike the usual menu, from which you can exit with a standard reboot, “sticking” in Recovery Mode requires specific actions.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to get out of the recovery on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, including methods without loss of data and with a complete reset. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and models with a locked bootloader. If your smartphone refuses to load beyond the Mi logo or menu with Reboot system now, the following instructions will help bring it back to life.

Why Xiaomi is stuck in Recovery Mode

Before we start to solve this, it's important to understand the cause of the problem, and 80 percent of the time, hanging out in a Recovery is related to:

• 🔄 Interrupted update – if the firmware has not downloaded completely or the installation has been interrupted (for example, the battery has sat down).
• 📱 Incompatible firmware – an attempt to install custom software or version MIUI, not designed for your model.
• 🔧 Failure after reset – errors when running Wipe Data or Factory Reset via Recovery.
• 🔒 Blocking the bootloader – on new Xiaomi devices (after 2021), the loader can block the exit from the Recovery without authorization.
• 🛠️ Hardware malfunctions - damage to the partition /system or memory problems (less commonly).

For example, Redmi Note 10 Pro users often experience a freeze after trying to roll back MIUI 14 to MIUI 12.5 via TWRP. POCO F3 owners experience a faulty unlocking of the bootloader. If your device gives an error, "Can't load Android system. Your data may be corrupt" is a sign of damage to the /data partition, and a full reset will be required.

⚠️ Note: If you have installed a custom recavery before hanging (for example, TWRP), Standard exit methods may not work, and you'll need a PC connection and fastboot.

Method 1: Standard Reboot via Recovery Menu

If your smartphone responds to volume and power buttons, try the simplest method:

1. In the Recovery menu, select Reboot system now with the volume buttons.
2. Confirm the choice of the power button.
3. If the device restarts, but returns to the recaveri again, move on to the next method.

On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), the item may be called Reboot to System or Exit Recovery. If the menu is in Chinese, look for characters (reboot the system).

Volume buttons are working|The screen responds to the press.|No mistakes like "No command"|The battery is charged more than 30 times%-->

If the Mi logo appears after the reboot and the device goes back to the recavator, it means that the system cannot boot due to corrupted files, in which case you will need to reset or flash it.

Method 2: Hard reset (Wipe Data) without data loss

If a standard reboot doesn’t help, but you want to save personal files (photos, videos, documents), try a partial cache reset:

1. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset (or Wipe Data).
2. Then choose Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe All Data!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
4. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot system now.

This method only cleans temporary system files without affecting user data, but it does not always help – if system partitions (/system or /vendor) are damaged, a complete reset will be required.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi) K50) The Wipe Cache may not be available. In this case, select Advanced. → Wipe Dalvik Cache.

Method 3: Full Reset (Factory Reset) via Recovery

If a partial cleanup doesn't work, you'll have to reset completely, which will delete all data from the device, including apps, accounts and media files, but restore the system to work.

• 📱 In the Recavator menu, select Wipe Data (or Factory Reset).
• 🔄 Confirm the action (a password may be required if a pattern lock has been installed).
• 🕒 Wait until the process is completed (usually takes 1-3 minutes).
• 🔁 Reboot your device via Reboot system now.

Once reset, the smartphone will boot as new. You will need to reconfigure MIUI, log in to Xiaomi account and restore data from the backup (if it was created).

⚠️ Note: Devices with a locked bootloader (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra) may need to be logged in via Mi Account after a reset. If you don’t remember the password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

Method 4: Exit via Fastboot (for power users)

If the smartphone does not respond to commands in the recovery or produces errors such as No command, you will need to connect to the computer and use Fastboot mode.

• 🔌 They do not leave the river even after the discharge.
• 🔧 They have an unlocked boot loader (for firmware).
• 📥 Requires flashing through the Mi Flash Tool.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Install Xiaomi and ADB/Fastboot Tools drivers.
2. Turn off your smartphone, then press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect the device to the PC via USB.
4. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute the command: fastboot reboot
5. If the device does not restart, try: fastboot continue

If the commands don't help, you may need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool.

1. Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com.
2. Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Select Clean All (total clean) or Save User Data (to save data).
4. Press Flash and wait until it is completed.

💡

Before you run through Fastboot, check the bootloader version with the command fastboot getvar anti. If the value is anti: 3 or 4, the bootloader is locked and you will need official unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Method 5: Use Mi Assistant (for locked devices)

On new Xiaomi models (2022 and later) with a locked bootloader, standard methods may not work.

1. Download Mi PC Suite or Mi Assistant from the official website.
2. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode (as in Method 4).
3. Start the program and select Unbrick Device (Recovery).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (Migre Account authorization is required).

This method will automatically download and install the official firmware, saving data in most cases. However, some models (for example, Xiaomi 13T) may need to unlock the bootloader.

💡

Mi Assistant is the only official way to restore devices with a locked bootloader without losing warranty.

What to do if nothing helps

If all of these methods fail, the problem may be hardware, and here are some signs you should contact the service center:

• 🔋 The smartphone does not even turn on in the Fastboot (black screen, no reaction to charging).
• 💾 When you run through the Mi Flash Tool, an error appears flash_write_failed or preloader_error.
• 🔥 The device overheats or makes unusual sounds (clicks, squeaks).
• 📵 After firmware, the screen remains black, but the device is defined by the PC as Qualcomm. HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

In such cases, self-repair can make things worse. Contact the authorized Xiaomi service - under the guarantee, firmware recovery is usually free. If the warranty is over, the cost of repair will be 1,500-4000 rubles depending on the model.

For users who want to try to restore the device themselves, there is a radical method — firmware through EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode), which requires special equipment (Deep Flash Cable) and knowledge of electronics repair. Wrong actions in EDL can turn a smartphone into a brick without the possibility of recovery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about exiting Recovery Mode