How to go to Boot Menu on Xiaomi phone: all the ways and nuances

Boot Menu on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is a skill for advanced users who want to install custom firmware, unlock the bootloader or restore the device after a crash. Unlike the standard Recovery Mode, the boot menu provides access to low-level features including Fastboot, EDL Mode and other engineering options.

However, the process of entering this menu varies depending on the device model, firmware version and even the status of the bootloader (locked/unlocked). In this article, we will discuss all the current ways for modern Xiaomi smartphones (2018-2026 release), including bypassing typical errors such as no reaction to buttons or cyclic reboot. If you have never worked with boot menus before, do not worry: we will explain each step in as much detail, taking into account the nuances for different series (Redmi Note, POCO F, Mi, etc.).

What is Boot Menu on Xiaomi and Why You Need It

Boot Menu (or Bootloader Menu) is a preboot menu that starts before the start of the Android operating system. It allows you to select the boot mode of the device, for example:

• 🔄 Fastboot Mode – for firmware via PC (used with Mi Flash Tool or fastboot utilities);
• 🛠️ Recovery Mode – standard recovery menu (install updates, reset settings);
• 🔧 EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) - Emergency mode for recovery of bricks (defaulting devices);
• 🚫 Disabled – Disabled download (used rarely, usually for testing).

Without access to Boot Menu, you can’t:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (Bootloader Unlock) through the official Mi Unlock Tool;
• 📥 Install custom Recovery (TWRP) Alternative firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience);
• 🔄 Restore the device after a failed update or failure;
• 🛡️ Bypass the Mi Account lock (in some cases).

⚠️ Attention: Unsettled actions in Boot Menu can lead to complete data loss or the phone is transformed into a “brick” (unworkable state).If you are not sure about your actions, back up your data via Mi. PC suite ADB.

On new Xiaomi models (starting with the Redmi Note 10 and POCO X3 Pro), access to Boot Menu may be restricted due to security policies, in which cases, the bootloader will need to be pre-unlocked through the official Xiaomi website.

Method 1: Standard button input (for most models)

This is the most versatile method, working on 90% of Xiaomi devices, including Redmi 9/10/11, POCO X3/X4, Mi 11/12 and others.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button (or through the Settings menu → About the phone → Turn off).
2. Press the button combination: 🔘 Power button + Loudness up (for most models); 🔘 Power button + Loudness down (for some older devices, such as Redmi) 4X).

10-15 seconds

Mi

Release the buttons and select the desired mode using volume (move) and power button (confirm).

Turn off the phone completely (not restart!)|Check the battery charge (minimum 30%)|Prepare. USB-cable (if you need a Fastboot)|Make sure that drivers are installed on the PC ADB (PC-only)

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If the screen is black or the phone vibrates and reboots, try:

• 🔋 Connect the charger (sometimes helps with a discharged battery);
• 🔄 Repeat the combination, holding the buttons longer (up to 20 seconds);
• 📱 Check if one of the buttons stuck (especially important after falls).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) The standard combination may not work due to the bootloader lock, in which case you will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Method 2: Entering through ADB (if the phone is on)

If the phone is working but you need to reboot to Boot Menu without using buttons, you can use the ADB command. This method is useful if the mechanical buttons are damaged or unresponsive.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot;
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB);
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging over USB (a request will appear on the phone screen).
2. Open the command line (cmd) on the PC and type:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed)

1. Enter the command to reboot in Fastboot:

adb reboot bootloader

1. The phone will reboot in Boot Menu (Fastboot mode).

If you need to reboot in Recovery Mode, use:

adb reboot recovery

💡

If the adb device command doesn’t show your device, try reinstalling Xiaomi ADB Interface drivers through Windows Device Manager or using the Mi PC Suite program to automatically install drivers.

Method 3: Sign in via Fastboot (if your phone is already in Fastboot Mode)

If your device is already in Fastboot mode (for example, after a failed firmware), but you need to switch to another Boot Menu mode, use fastboot commands.

Examples of teams:

To work with fastboot:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode.
2. Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools.
3. Enter the required command from the table above.

⚠️ Note: The fastboot oem edl command can permanently lock the bootloader on some models (for example, Redmi Note 12) if the device is tied to the Mi Account!

Method 4: Enter EDL Mode (Emergency Mode)

EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) is the "last chance" to recover a phone if it doesn't turn on or gets stuck on the logo. In this mode, the device connects to the PC as a Qualcomm 9008 port, allowing it to be flashed through the Mi Flash Tool or QFil.

How to log in to EDL Mode:

• 🔌 Hardware method (for phones on Qualcomm): Turn off the phone. Press Volume up. + Loud down and plug in. USB-Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out (in the EDL Mode screen remains black!).

software-based

fastboot

fastboot oem edl

It only works on unlocked downloaders!

Check that the phone is identified in EDL Mode:

• Open Device Manager on PC;
• In the Ports (COM and LPT) section, the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 device should appear.

Yes, successfully | Yes, but I've run into problems | No, but I'm planning | No, and I'm not going to | I don't know what it is.

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⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader erases all data from the phone! Also, after unlocking, some features such as Mi Pay or Widevine may stop working. L1 (Downgrading streaming quality on Netflix).

Typical problems and their solutions

Even following the instructions, users often have difficulty logging into Boot Menu.

If none of these methods worked:

• 🔧 Check if the button plume is damaged (relevant after falls or repairs);
• 📡 Try another PC or USB-cable (sometimes a problem in ports);
• 📱 Make sure your phone doesn’t have an “anti-rollback” firmware installed (it can block access to Boot Menu).

💡

If the phone doesn’t turn on at all (even if you don’t vibrate when you press the buttons), the problem may be in the hardware: a dead battery, a damaged power controller, or a “brick” after a failed firmware, in which case repairs are required at the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Boot Menu on Xiaomi