How to Sign In to Recovery Menu on Xiaomi: 5 Proven Ways

Why You Need Recovery Mode on Xiaomi and When to Use It

The Recovery Menu on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is a special mode that allows you to perform critical operations with the system, bypassing the main OS. You can do a full reset, install custom firmware or restore the device after a crash, but not all users know how to get into it — especially if the phone is locked or does not respond to touch.

The main scenarios when you need Recovery Mode:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (if the phone is slowing down or infected with viruses).
• 📦 Installation of official or custom firmware through ADB Sideload.
• 🔧 System Restore after a failed update or “brick".
• 🔒 Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader) at the stage of preparation for firmware.

It is important to understand that Recovery Menu comes in two types: stock (from Xiaomi with limited features) and custom (for example, TWRP with advanced features).

Method 1: Standard button input (for working devices)

This is the simplest method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and older devices, the main condition is that the phone must turn on and respond to the press of the buttons.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone (press the power button and select Turn off).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time.
3. Hold on for 8-12 seconds until the Mi logo and vibration appear.
4. Release the buttons and in 2-3 seconds Recovery Menu will open.

If the screen doesn't respond, try an alternative combination: Power + Volume down. On some models (like the Redmi 9A), this triggers Fastboot Mode, but in 10% of cases it can work for Recovery.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with a dynamic power button (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra) you may need to hold for up to 15 seconds longer. If the screen flashes but the menu doesn't appear, try charging and try again.

Method 2: Sign in via Fastboot (if the buttons don't work)

If physical buttons are damaged or the phone does not respond to combinations, you can log in to Recovery via Fastboot mode. ADB/Fastboot and USB-cable.

Algorithm of action:

1. Connect the switched off smartphone to the PC.
2. Press Volume Down + Power for 10 seconds to log into Fastboot.
3. On your computer, open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
4. Enter the command: fastboot reboot recovery

If the command is successful, the phone will automatically reboot to Recovery Menu. If there is a waiting for device error, check:

• 🔌 Connecting the cable (try another port) USB).
• 🖥️ Have you installed the Mi Flash Tool or ADB Driver Installer.
• 🔄 Restart your computer and try again.

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If the fastboot reboot recovery command doesn’t work, try first unlocking the bootloader with the command fastboot oem unlock (requires a tied Mi Account).

Method 3: Login via ADB (for unlocked devices)

This method is suitable if you have USB debugging enabled and your phone is recognized by your computer, and is useful when you need to log in to Recovery without rebooting (for example, to install updates via ADB Sideload).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow debugging (the phone will have a request).
2. In the command line, type: Adb devices Make sure the device appears in the list.
3. Recovery: Adb Reboot Recovery: Adb Reboot Recovery

If the phone goes to Fastboot instead of Recovery after the command, then your device does not have stock Recovery (this happens after installing custom firmware).

Method 4: Automatic input in case of system failure

If the phone doesn’t turn on (hangs on the Mi logo or reboots cyclically), the system can automatically prompt you to log in to Recovery.

How to recognize this mode:

• 📱 The screen flashes the Mi logo for more than 30 seconds.
• 🔄 The phone vibrates at uneven intervals.
• 🛑 The name “No command” or “Entering recovery.

In this case:

1. Wait for the menu to appear (it can take up to 2 minutes).
2. If the screen is black but the phone is vibrating, press Power + Volume up for 15 seconds.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F3, Redmi K40) Automatic login to Recovery may result in data erasure if Factory Reset Protection has been previously activated (FRP). Before resetting, make sure you remember your Mi Account details!

Method 5: Sign in via Mi Flash Tool (for "brick" devices)

If the phone doesn’t respond fully (it doesn’t turn on, vibrate, or PC detects) but charges (hot case or charging indicator), you can try forced login to Recovery via the Mi Flash Tool.

Procedure:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the official Xiaomi website).
2. Connect the phone to the PC.
3. Press Volume up + Volume down at the same time and, without letting go, connect the USB cable.
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh – the device should be defined as COM-port.
5. Select from the Advanced → Reboot to Recovery menu.

This method works even on blocked downloaders, but requires an authorized Xiaomi developer account (for new models after 2022).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, users face problems.

1.The phone vibrates but doesn't go into Recovery

• 🔋 Check the battery charge (minimum 20%).
• 🔌 Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔄 Hold the buttons longer (up to 20 seconds).

2. Chinese language menu appears

On some models (Redmi for the Chinese market), stock Recovery is displayed in Chinese to reset the settings:

1. Select the first item (reset) -
2. Confirm the action.

3 The computer does not see the device in the Fastboot

• 🖥️ Reinstall the driver via the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔌 Use the port. USB 2.0 (on the back of the PC).
• 🔄 Disable the antivirus (it can block it) ADB).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

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If neither method worked, check the hardware health of the power buttons and charging sockets. In 30% of cases, the problem lies in mechanical damage, not software failures.