How to exit the system menu on Xiaomi smartphones: from recovery to engineering mode

The system menu on Xiaomi smartphones is a powerful tool for power users, but sometimes it happens by accident, for example, after a failed update, firmware failure or an erroneous click on a combination of buttons. EDL-mode) exit methods vary – and not all are data secure.

The main problem is that many instructions on the network offer radical methods like hard reset, which erases all files. We have collected 5 proven ways to exit the Xiaomi system menu (including Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, Mi 11/12/13) without losing data — from elementary to advanced.

1. Standard exit from the recovery menu (for MIUI Recovery)

If you’re in stock recovery, the easiest way to do that is to use the built-in exit option, which appears when you hold the Power + Volume Up while you’re on.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

• 🔹 Press the Power button to select Reboot.
• 🔹 Confirm the choice with the Volume Up button (volume up).
• 🔹 If you don’t have Reboot, try Reboot to System or Exit.
• 🔹 Wait for the reboot (can take up to 5 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone returns to recovery after the reboot, it is a sign of damaged firmware.

Check the battery charge (minimum 30%)

Connect the charger.

Try a different button combination (Power + Volume Down)

Wait for the battery to discharge (if the smartphone does not respond)

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2. Exit from the engineering menu (#4636## or MTK Engineer Mode)

The engineering menu on Xiaomi opens through codes (#4636## for testing or #36446337## for MediaTek) and you can exit from there in two ways:

Method 1: Press the Back button (the arrow at the bottom of the screen) or swipe from right to left. If the menu is open through the EngineerMode app, close it as a regular app.

Method 2 (if the menu is frozen):

• 📱 Hold the Power button for 10-15 seconds for a forced reboot.
• 🔄 If the smartphone does not respond, remove and insert back the battery (on models with a removable battery, for example, Redmi). 4A).
• 🔌 On models with a non-removable battery (POCO X3, Mi 11) connect the charger and hold the Power + Volume Up 20 seconds.

⚠️ Warning: Changing the settings in the engineering menu (for example, Band Selection for the network) can lead to loss of communication. If after the release of the smartphone stopped catching the network, reset the network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

3. exit from Fastboot mode (black screen with a rabbit)

Fastboot mode is used for firmware through a PC, and you can exit without a computer, but not on all models.

Instructions:

1. Hold the Power button for 10 to 30 seconds before turning off the screen.
2. If the smartphone vibrates but the screen remains black, release Power and immediately press Volume Down for 5 seconds.
3. On some models (POCO F1, Mi 9) the Power + Volume Up + Volume Down combination, held for 15 seconds, helps.

If your smartphone doesn’t leave fastboot, connect it to your PC and type in the command:

fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked loader (Xiaomi) EU/Global) If you have a fastboot for a long time, you may lock your device. If you have this device is locked after you restart, you will need to unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool.

4. Exit from EDL-mode (Qualcomm emergency mode)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is activated when critical firmware failures occur, and in this mode, the smartphone does not respond to buttons, and the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 is on the screen (visible only when connected to a PC), you can not leave without a PC, but you can try to “cheat” the system:

Method 1 (for the unlocked bootloader):

• 🖥️ Connect your smartphone to a PC with Qualcomm drivers installed.
• 📥 Download the MiFlash utility and firmware for your model.
• 🔧 Choose clean all and lock (if you want to save data – clean all).
• 🚀 Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

Method 2 (if the PC is not available):

• 🔋 Completely discharge the smartphone (wait for the shutdown).
• 🔌 Connect the charger and hold the Power immediately. + Volume Up 30 seconds.
• 🔄 If there is a logo, MI, Release the buttons – there is a chance that the device will boot.

⚠️ Attention: In mode EDL Smartphone is vulnerable to the firmware of unofficial software. If you are not sure of your actions, contact the service center - incorrect firmware can turn the device into a "brick".

5. Forced reboot when hanging on the menu

If the smartphone is stuck in the system menu and does not respond to any buttons, try the following methods:

⚠️ Attention: On models with AMOLED-screens (Mi 11 Ultra, POCO F4 GT) Long-term button retention can cause burn-in. If the screen is stuck on a static image, don't hold the buttons for longer than 30 seconds.

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If your smartphone doesn't respond to buttons, try holding it to a bright light source (like a flashlight) and on some models, the light sensor can wake the system.

6. What should I do if nothing helps?

If all methods are exhausted, and the smartphone is still stuck in the system menu, radical measures remain:

• 🔧 Flashing through MiFlash: You will need a PC, cable USB And the official firmware for your model. 4PDA or XDA Developers.
• 📦 Reset via recovery: Select Wipe Data from the recovery menu → Wipe All Data. It will delete all files!
• 🔧 Contact the service: If the smartphone is in mode EDL Or “brick,” self-repairing can make the problem worse.

Before resetting, try extracting important data. Some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) even freeze on MTP (file transfer) mode, connect your smartphone to your PC and check if it is defined as a drive.

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If your smartphone is stuck in recovery after a failed update, never choose Wipe Data first.First try rebooting or flashing over your existing firmware without clearing the data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about leaving the system menu Xiaomi