How to download Recovery Mode on Xiaomi: all the ways

Booting into Recovery Mode on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is a must-have skill for owners who want to reset, flash the device or fix software failures. This mode is a minimalist recovery environment built into Android firmware and allows you to manage critical phone functions even when the main system is damaged. However, the process of logging into Recovery differs depending on the model, MIUI version and bootloader status.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to download Recovery on Xiaomi in 2026, including physical combinations of buttons, commands via ADB, as well as sign-in via the Mi Flash Tool for devices with a locked bootloader. We will focus on typical errors (for example, the appearance of No Command or the getting stuck on the Mi logo) and how to fix them. If you plan to sew your phone or restore it after a crash, this instruction will be your reliable guide.

What is Recovery Mode and Why You Need It on Xiaomi

Recovery Mode is an isolated Android environment that works independently of the main operating system. On Xiaomi smartphones, it is used to:

• 🔄 Hard reset – deletes all data, including accounts and apps.
• 📦 Install official firmware via.zip files (for example, update) MIUI).
• 🔧 Cache cleaning (Wipe Cache Partition) to eliminate lags.
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (required for installing custom firmware).
• 🛠️ Recovery after crashes when the phone doesn’t boot in normal mode.

Xiaomi devices have a default stock Recovery from the manufacturer (with limited features) or custom (for example, TWRP) if the user has stitched it. It is important to understand that stock Recovery does not support the installation of informal firmware - this requires a TWRP or unlocked bootloader.

⚠️ Note: Signing into Recovery on locked bootloader devices can result in automatic reboot to normal mode. To avoid this, pre-unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool.

If you see No Command on the screen, it means that the system was unable to boot the Recovery interface, the solution being to re-press the button combination or connect the phone to a PC for diagnosis.

Method 1: Enter Recovery via hardware buttons (for all models)

The most versatile method is the use of physical buttons. It works on 99% of Xiaomi devices, including older models (Redmi Note 3/4) and new flagships (Xiaomi 14, POCO F6).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone (press the power button and select Turn off).
2. Press simultaneously: Power button (Volume Up)

10-15 seconds

Mi

Recovery Mode

Mi Bunny

On some models (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3), you may need to press the Volume Down button further. If the standard combination doesn't work, try:

Power + Volume Up + Volume Down (Simultaneously)

If the phone vibrates and loads in normal mode after holding the buttons, then the bootloader is locked, in which case use the method via ADB or unlock Bootloader.

Method 2: Download Recovery via ADB (for unlocked bootloader)

If the hardware buttons don’t work (for example, the Volume Up button is broken), you can log in to Recovery via your computer using Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

• 💻 PC with installation ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB developer-setting.
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (for some commands).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging over USB (a request will appear on the smartphone screen).
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
4. Recovery: Adb Reboot Recovery: Adb Reboot Recovery

If the phone restarts to normal mode after the command, it means that the bootloader is locked. In this case, use an alternative command:

adb reboot bootloader


fastboot boot recovery.img

recovery.img

⚠️ Attention: fastboot commands only work on an unlocked bootloader. FAILED (remote: 'Flashing is not allowed', first unlock Bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool.

Method 3: Use the Mi Flash Tool (for firmware and recovery)

Mi Flash Tool is Xiaomi's official firmware tool for PC-based device development, and it also allows you to download your phone to Fastboot Mode and then go to Recovery.

• 🔄 You need to flash the official firmware (.tgz or.zip).
• 🛠️ The device is not switched on (brick).
• 🔓 Requires to unlock the loader.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Turn off your phone and press Power + Volume Down to log into Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect the device to the PC.
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh – the program must identify the phone.
5. Select firmware and press Flash. To log in to Recovery, select Advanced instead of firmware and specify the path to recovery.img.

If you just need to get into Recovery rather than flash your phone, use the command after you log in to Fastboot Mode:

fastboot reboot recovery

1. Install Qualcomm or Google USB drivers.

2. Use USB 2.0 port (not 3.0)

3. disable driver signatures in Windows (via gpedit.msc).-->

Unlock the bootloader for full access to Recovery

On most Xiaomi devices, the bootloader is locked by default, which means that:

• ❌ It is impossible to install custom Recovery (TWRP).
• ❌ Unofficial firmware is prohibited ROM.
• ❌ Restricted access to some functions in the sewage recovery.

To unlock the loader:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Enable OEM Unlock in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times).
3. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and log in.
4. Connect your phone to Fastboot Mode and follow the program instructions.

The unlocking process takes up to 720 hours (30 days) due to Xiaomi's security policy.

• 📥 Install TWRP or another custom recovery.
• 🔄 Customize ROM (For example, LineageOS).
• 🔧 Get root rights through Magisk.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader erases all data on the device! Before the procedure, make a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

💡

Unlocking the bootloader is a must for custom Recovery, and without it, all attempts to flash TWRP will result in an Anti-Rollback error or brick.

Solving Common Errors When Logging in Recovery

Even if you follow instructions correctly, users often face problems, and consider the most common errors and their solutions:

If you see an empty screen or menu without touch control after logging in to Recovery, it could mean:

• 🔋 Battery discharge (charge your phone to 50%+).
• 🔧 Recovery (requires flash flash recovery) recovery.img).
• 🖥️ Incompatible firmware (for example, an attempt to install) TWRP different model).

For devices with damaged Recovery (for example, after a failed firmware), the only way out is to flash the phone through Fastboot using the official firmware, which can be downloaded from MIUI Downloads.

How to Get Out of Recovery Mode on Xiaomi

After completing the necessary steps in Recovery, it is important to exit this mode correctly to avoid crashes.

• 🔄 Reboot to normal mode: select Reboot system now (first line in the menu).
• 🔌 Forced reboot: Press the Power on 10+ seconds.
• 💻 Through ADB: If the phone is connected to a PC, run the command: adb reboot

If after leaving Recovery, the phone freezes on the logo or cyclically restarts (bootloop), this can mean:

• Unsuccessful reset (repeat Wipe Data).
• Damage to system files (reflashing required).
• Module conflict after installing Magisk or Xposed (remove them via Recovery).

⚠️ Note: If you have been running Wipe Data, the first system start after leaving Recovery can take 5-10 minutes!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Recovery Mode on Xiaomi