How to go to the Fastboot menu on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Fastboot mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a special engineering menu that allows you to perform low-level operations with the device: unlock the bootloader, firmware custom recovery, restore the system after crashes. Without access to this menu, you can not carry out many technical manipulations, from a simple reset to a complete firmware. However, logging into the Fastboot often causes difficulties for users — especially if the phone does not turn on or buttons do not respond.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to log into the Fastboot menu on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices – from the classic key combination to alternative methods through ADB. Separately, we will focus on typical errors (for example, when the phone vibrates but does not load into mode) and how to fix them. All instructions are tested on models from 2020-2026 and are relevant for the latest versions of MIUI.

What is Fastboot and Why You Need It on Xiaomi

Fastboot mode (translated as “fast boot”) is a protocol for interacting with the bootloader of an Android device that allows you to send commands directly to the bootloader via a bootloader. USB-Unlike Recovery Mode, where the sensor or buttons are controlled, Fastboot requires a computer connection and the use of the fastboot utility from Android. SDK.

The main tasks for which you need Fastboot on Xiaomi:

• 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader (a mandatory step before installing custom firmware or root rights).
• 📥 Firmware of official/unofficial images (e.g., via Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔄 System Restore after a “brick” (when the phone doesn’t boot).
• 🛠️ Installation of custom recovery (TWRP, OrangeFox).
• 📡 Check the status of unlocking (fastboot oem device-info).

It is important to understand that Fastboot is not the same as EDL Mode (Emergency Boot Mode), which is used to recover bricks through authorized service centers. Fastboot can be logged in on its own, whereas EDL often requires special hardware or permission from Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: Some Fastboot operations (e.g. unlocking the bootloader) result in a full factory reset!

Method 1: Standard button combination (for switched off phone)

This is the most versatile method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13 and older devices.

1. Turn off the phone (if it freezes, hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the combination: Power button + Volume down button (-) Hold both buttons for 5-10 seconds until the Mi Bunny logo appears in the uşanka cap with the inscription FASTBOOT.
3. Release the buttons. The phone should remain in Fastboot mode with black screen and white text.

If the screen is black or the MIUI logo appears, the combination doesn't work.

• 🔄 Repeat the attempt by holding the buttons for longer (up to 15 seconds).
• 🔋 Connect the charger (sometimes the battery is drained and blocks the input).
• 🔌 Use another combination (see table below).

Turn off the phone (hold power for 10+ seconds)

Connect the charger (if the battery is discharged)

Use the original USB cable (don’t damage the port!)

Check the button combination for your model (see table)-->

Method 2: Sign in via ADB (if the phone is on)

If your Xiaomi is switched on and running, but you need to upgrade to Fastboot without turning off (for example, to unlock the bootloader), you can use the ADB command.

• 🖥️ Computers with Platform Tools installed (includes adb and fastboot).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB developer-setting.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and allow USB-debugging (pop-up window on the smartphone screen).
2. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must display the serial number of your device.
4. Run the reboot command in Fastboot: adb reboot bootloader

If the team does not work, check:

• 🔌 Cable and port USB (Try another connector).
• 🔄 Access rights (some PCs require running a command line on behalf of an administrator).
• 📋 Developer Settings: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times, then in Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, turn on the debugging by USB.

💡

If the adb device command returns a blank list, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers through the official Mi USB Driver tool.

Method 3: Automatic login when connected to a PC (for new models)

Starting with the Xiaomi 11 and Redmi Note 11, some devices automatically transition to Fastboot when connected to a computer with a volume button pressed.This simplifies the process for users who often work with firmware.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the volume button (-) and, without letting it go, connect the USB cable to the PC.
3. Hold the button until the Fastboot menu appears on the screen.

This method is especially useful if the physical buttons on the phone are damaged. USB-The port is good, but it doesn't work on all models, like the one on the other. POCO F4 Additional power button retention may be required.

⚠️ Note: If you connect to a PC and your phone starts charging but doesn’t go to Fastboot, your model doesn’t support this method. ADB.

Method 4: Entering through the Mi Flash Tool (for firmware)

If you plan to flash your phone through the Mi Flash Tool, the program can itself transfer the device to Fastboot when you connect.

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi).
2. Turn off the phone.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool and connect your phone to your PC without holding the buttons.
4. The program must automatically identify the device and prompt to go to Fastboot.

This is a novice-friendly approach, because it doesn't require manual commands, but it only works with official firmware and may not be suitable for custom solutions.

Method 5: Alternative methods (if nothing works)

If the standard methods don’t work, try the following options:

1.Through Recovery Mode

Some models (such as the Redmi 4X or Mi A1) let you navigate to Fastboot from the Recovery menu:

1. Enter Recovery (Food + Volume Increase (+)).
2. Select Reboot to bootloader (navigation with volume buttons, confirmation - power button).

2. With the help of a hardware tester

Some devices (such as the POCO X3 Pro) can use a hardware test:

1. Enter the dialer code: ##4636##.
2. Go to the Testing → Reboot to bootloader menu.

3. via the terminal (for root users)

If you have root rights, you can use the terminal:

su


reboot bootloader

Button combination

ADB Team Team

Automatic login when connecting to a PC

Through the Mi Flash Tool

Another way.-->

Typical errors and their solutions

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

Critical error: If the phone stops responding to fastboot commands after logging in to Fastboot (for example, not defined in the Mi Flash Tool), this may indicate damage to the boot partition, in which case you will need to switch to EDL (emergency firmware) mode or contact the service center.

💡

If the phone doesn't respond to any combination of buttons, but it charges, the problem is likely to be a software failure of the bootloader, in which case only firmware through EDL or an official service will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Fastboot on Xiaomi