How to Get into Safe Mode on Xiaomi: All Ways for Redmi, Poco and Mi

Safe Mode on Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco smartphones is a diagnostic tool that helps identify problems caused by third-party apps or conflicts in the system. In this mode, the device boots with a minimum set of drivers and services, disabling all user programs. If the phone starts to glitches, slows or spontaneously reboots, logging into Safe Mode is often the first step to find the cause.

Unlike classic Android devices, Xiaomi smartphones have their own nuances when activating Safe Mode. For example, on some models, the standard power button retention does not work, and instead requires the use of key combinations or even keyboards. ADB-In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to log into Safe Mode, including methods for locked phones, and also explain how to properly exit the mode and what to do if the device is stuck in it.

What is a Safe Mode on Xiaomi and Why You Need It

Safe mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a simplified version of the MIUI operating system, where:

• 📱 All third-party applications (including launchers, widgets, antiviruses)
• 🔄 Autoboot Programs and Background Processes
• 🎛️ Some system settings (such as gestures or animations)
• 🔌 Connected accounts (except for the main Google account)

The main purpose of the mode is to diagnose malfunctions, for example, if the phone:

• ⚡ Overheating for no apparent reason
• 🐢 Brakes or “hangs” when opening applications
• 🔄 It spontaneously reboots.
• 📵 Does not respond to touch (touchscreen glitch)
• 🔋 It is quickly discharged (even in standby mode)

If the problem disappears in Safe Mode, it's one of the installed applications, and if it doesn't, it's the firmware, the hardware, or the system files.

Method 1: Standard input through power and volume buttons

This is the most versatile method that works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco models (including Redmi Note 10/11/12, Poco X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12).

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone (hold the power button and select Turn off).
2. After a complete shutdown, press and hold the Power button.
3. As soon as the MI (or Redmi/Poco) logo appears on the screen, press the Volume Down button without releasing power.
4. Hold both buttons for 10-15 seconds until the Safe Mode sign appears in the lower left corner of the screen.

If the screen is locked with a password, enter it. Only the standard MIUI launcher without widgets and themes will be available in Safe Mode.

Turn off your phone completely (not reboot!)

Make sure that the battery is > 20%

Turn off all cables (charging, headphones, OTG)

Remember the unlock password (if any)

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⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or Redmi K60) If after 3 attempts the mode is not activated, try Method 2 or Method 3.

Method 2: Log in via the reboot menu (for MIUI 12–14)

If your smartphone is running MIUI 12 or later (e.g. Xiaomi 12/13, Redmi Note 11 Pro), you can use the built-in reboot menu, which is safer because it doesn’t require button manipulation during boot.

Step-by-step:

1. Press and hold the Power button until the Off menu appears.
2. Slip on the Reset (or Restart) item.
3. As soon as the screen goes out, immediately press the Volume Down button.
4. Hold it until you see the Safe Mode sign.

This method often works on devices with AMOLED-screens where the response time to button presses is less.

Method 3: Activate Safe Mode via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., Xiaomi Mix 4 or Black Shark), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a PC connection and enabled USB debugging.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → For developers → Debugging by USB)
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command: adb shell settings put global force_safe_mode 1
4. Reboot the device: adb reboot

Once you restart, your phone will automatically log in to Safe Mode. To return normal mode, use the command:

adb shell settings put global force_safe_mode 0

⚠️ Warning: If the phone does not restart after the command is executed or if it gives a device unauthorized error, check if debugging is enabled. USB and whether the connection is confirmed on the smartphone screen, MIUI Global) may require unlocking the bootloader.

How to get out of Safe Mode on Xiaomi

In most cases, the Safe Mode exit is automatically after a normal reboot, but sometimes the mode sticks and the phone continues to boot in diagnostic mode.

Method 1: Standard Resetting

1. Hold the power button.
2. Select Reboot (or Restart).
3. After turning on, check if the Safe Mode label has disappeared.

Method 2: Forced shutdown (if rebooting doesn't help)

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on Power + Volume increase (10-15 seconds).
2. After a complete shutdown, turn on the device in the usual way.

Method 3: Through ADB (if the mode is "stuck")

adb shell settings put global force_safe_mode 0


adb reboot

If none of these methods worked, the problem could be corrupted system files, in which case only resetting to factory settings or flashing through the Mi Flash Tool will help.

💡

If after leaving Safe Mode the problem (brake, overheating) disappears, one of the installed applications is to blame: delete the last installed programs or perform a cache reset in Recovery.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When trying to enter safe mode, Xiaomi users often face typical problems.

1. Mode is not activated when holding buttons

• 🔹 On some models (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the button retention time should be more accurate – try pinching Volume down 1-2 seconds after the logo appears.
• 🔹 If your phone is locked and does not respond to buttons, use it. ADB (Method 3).
• 🔹 On devices with a damaged screen, no method may work – you will need a connection to a PC.

2.The phone got stuck in Safe Mode

• 🔹 Check if you have installed applications that block system processes (such as Greenify or Battery Saver).
• 🔹 If the mode remains after the reboot, reset the settings via Recovery (Wipe Cache Partition).
• 🔹 Nana MIUI 14 can help disabling the optimization function MIUI developer-setting.

3.Safe Mode does not have touchscreen or buttons.

• 🔹 This indicates a hardware problem (damage to the plume or screen controller).
• 🔹 Try to connect. USB-mouse-wise OTG — If it works, the problem is the display.
• 🔹 In the models with AMOLED (for example, Xiaomi 12S Ultra) may help flashing.

💡

If the phone is stable in Safe Mode, but it slows down normally, check the apps for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light. Often the cause of failures are mining bots hidden in pirate APKs.

Safe mode on a blocked Xiaomi

If your phone is locked (forgot a password, pattern lock, or fingerprint), logging into Safe Mode can help bypass locks only on older versions. MIUI (before MIUI 12). On the new firmware (MIUI 13/14) This method does not work due to increased data protection.

Instructions for MIUI 9-11:

1. Enter Safe Mode in one of the ways described above.
2. After downloading, try unlocking the phone with a standard PIN-code (if it has been established).
3. If the PIN is unknown, delete gesture.key or password.key via TWRP Recovery (root rights required).

On MIUI 12 and later, it is impossible to bypass the lock via Safe Mode - you will need:

• 🔓 Fastboot reset (data loss).
• 🔧 Flashing through Mi Flash Tool (requires an unlocked bootloader).
• 📞 Contact Xiaomi Service Center with confirmation of purchase.

⚠️ Note: Pattempts to bypass the lock screen on MIUI 13/14 through Safe Mode or ADB may trigger anti-rollback protection, permanently bricking the device. Use official methods only!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions