How to boot up in Recovery Mode on Xiaomi: 5 working ways

Recovery Mode on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is a skill for advanced users, which allows you to reset your device to factory settings, install custom firmware or fix critical system errors. However, not everyone knows that logging into Recovery on Xiaomi devices has its own peculiarities, from locking the bootloader to the differences between stock and custom recovery.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to log into Recovery Mode, from the classic button combination to methods through ADB and Fastboot. We will focus on the nuances for new models (for example, Xiaomi 13/14 or Redmi Note 12), where the manufacturer has tightened restrictions, and you will learn how to get around common errors like “No command” or the suspended Mi logo.

Warn in advance: improper actions in Recovery can lead to complete data loss or a device "brick" (turning into a "brick"). If you are a beginner, we recommend that you first study the section on preparation and create a backup.

1.What is Recovery Mode on Xiaomi and Why You Need It

Recovery Mode is a separate micro OS built into a smartphone that works independently of the main Android system and allows you to perform critical operations:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (full wipe or partial).
• 📦 Installation of official / customy firmware through ZIP-file.
• 🔧 Clearing the cache (Dalvik/ART cache, system).
• 🔐 Unlock the loader (on some models).
• 🛠️ Recovery from backup (if created through TWRP).

Xiaomi smartphones use two types of Recovery:

1. Stock (Mi Recovery) - a simplified menu from the manufacturer with basic features, supports only official firmware and has restrictions (for example, you can not install Magisk).
2. TWRP (OrangeFox) is an extended version with support for root rights, backups and unofficial firmware. Requires unlocking the bootloader.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi is actively blocking access to Recovery on new devices. For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi K60, the standard button combination may not work without first unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.

2 Preparation before entering Recovery

Before you try to boot into Recovery Mode, follow the mandatory steps:

Create a backup copy of data (photos, contacts, messages)

Charge your phone at least 50%

Make sure the bootloader is unlocked (for custom Recovery)

Download the necessary files (firmware, Magisk, if you plan to install)

Disable Mi Account protection (if reset is required)

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Backup is a critical step. In Recovery, operations like wipe data will delete everything without any recovery.

• 📱 Mi Cloud – for contacts, notes, SMS.
• 🖥️ Local backup via Settings → The phone. → Backup.
• 🔗 Google Photos/Disk – for media files.

If you plan to install custom firmware or Magisk, unlock the bootloader in advance through the Mi Unlock Tool. On new models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12) this is mandatory - otherwise Recovery will be blocked.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ And HyperOS stock Recovery can ask for a password from Mi Account even after you've reset, and if you forget your account information, unlocking your phone is going to be extremely difficult!

3. Method 1: Entering through a button combination (for stock Recovery)

The easiest method is to use hardware buttons, which works on most Xiaomi models, but may not work on new flagships with a locked bootloader.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power + Volume increase for 10 seconds).
2. Click the combination: For most models: Power + Volume + Older devices (Redmi 4X, Mi A1): Power + Volume + Home (if there is a physical button).

Mi

Recovery

Android

No command

Nutrition

Volume up.

On some devices (such as the POCO F3 or Redmi Note 10 Pro) you may need to first log into the Fastboot (clamp Power + Volume Down) and then select Recovery Mode using volume buttons.

⚠️ Attention: If after pressing the buttons the phone vibrates and reboots to normal mode, this means that the bootloader is locked. ADB or Fastboot (sections 4 and 5).

Method 2: ADB Login (for unlocked devices)

If the hardware buttons don't work (for example, the volume button is broken), you can boot to Recovery via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Xiaomi drivers.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (original!).
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Check the device connection: Adb devices should show a serial phone number.
4. Run the command to reboot in Recovery: adb reboot recovery

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell reboot recovery

On some devices (such as Xiaomi 12T) after this command, the phone can reboot to Fastboot. In this case, select Recovery Mode using volume buttons.

1. Reinstall Xiaomi drivers via Mi PC Suite.

2. Change. USB-cable (some cables are only for charging purposes).

3. Enable File Transfer Mode (MTP) notice-curtain.-->

5. Method 3: Sign in via Fastboot (if the buttons don't work)

If the phone doesn’t respond to the button combination or is stuck on the logo, you can boot into Recovery via Fastboot Mode.This method is universal and works even on locked devices (but with limitations).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume down for 10 seconds until the Hare in the Fastboot Mode appears.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line.
4. Check the connection: fastboot devices
5. Run the command to download in Recovery: fastboot boot recovery.img or (for stock recovery): fastboot reboot recovery

If you have custom recovery (for example, TWRP), substitute recovery.img You can download the current file for your model on the official website. TWRP.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with a blocked bootloader, the fastboot reboot recovery command may lead to a reset in Fastboot with an error FAILED (remote: 'Flashing is not allowed in Lock State.

6. Method 4: Using the Mi Flash Tool (for firmware)

Mi Flash Tool is Xiaomi’s official firmware tool for devices that allows you to boot into Recovery even on locked phones, but requires a connection to a PC and special drivers.

How to use:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume Down to log into Fastboot.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh – the device must be determined.
5. Press Select and select the firmware folder (e.g. images from the official ROM).
6. At the bottom, select Clean all and lock (for a full reset) or Clean all (without locking the bootloader).
7. Press Flash – the phone will automatically reboot to Recovery to install the firmware.

This method is useful if you want to:

• 🔄 Restore the phone after a firmware failure.
• 🔒 Unlock the bootloader (in some cases).
• 📥 Install the official firmware on top of the custom.

Note: Mi Flash Tool erases all data on the device. If you need to save files, use other methods.

7. Method 5: Alternative methods (for power users)

If the standard methods don't work, you can try alternatives, they require technical knowledge and are suitable for specific situations.

1. via the terminal (if there is root):

su


reboot recovery

2. via the Quick Reboot app (requires root):

• Download the app from Google Play.
• Select Recovery and confirm the reboot.

3. Through the combination for the engineering menu (for older models):

##7378423##

Type this code into the dialer, then select Reboot to Recovery.

4. via Magisk (if installed):

• Open Magisk Manager.
• Go to the Modules. → Reboot → Recovery.

⚠️ Note: Using engineering codes or root-righted applications can cause system failure. On new Xiaomi models (2023-2026), these methods are often blocked by the manufacturer.

8 Common errors and their solution

When you log in to Recovery Mode, users often encounter problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Additional advice:

• 🔋 If your phone is dead during Recovery, connect it to charge and try again in 10-15 minutes.
• 🔌 If the PC doesn’t see the device in Fastboot, try using it. USB-hub.
• 📡 In some models (POCO F5, Redmi K50) After upgrading to HyperOS, stock Recovery may require a Wi-Fi connection to reset.

💡

If none of the methods worked, the problem is likely to be the hardware lock of the bootloader, in which case contact the Xiaomi service center or use paid unlock services (for example, through DC-Unlocker).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Recovery Mode on Xiaomi