How to log into Recovery Menu on Xiaomi: All the ways for beginners and experienced users

Recovery Menu

squirrel-menu

Xiaomi

All the current ways to enter the river

ADB

Fastboot

Many people mistakenly believe that recovery is only for "advanced" users, but in fact even basic operations — like factory resets — can save a device from "bricking" after a failed update. Another common problem is that users confuse Recovery Mode with Fastboot Mode, which leads to missteps and potential data loss. To avoid errors, we will detail each step, adding visual cues and warnings about possible consequences.

If your Xiaomi has stopped loading, is stuck on the logo or requires a password reset, knowing how to go to the recovery may be the only way to bring it back to life. But remember: some operations in the recovery (such as wipe data) delete all user data without the possibility of recovery.

1 What is Recovery Menu and why is it necessary

Recovery Menu (or Recovery Mode) is a separate micro OS built into a smartphone at the firmware level, which works independently of the main Android system and allows you to perform operations that are not available in normal mode.

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (wipe) data/factory reset – deletes all data, including apps, settings and files.
• 📦 Installation of official and custom firmware through ZIP-file.
• 🔧 Cache Clearance (wipe cache partition) – helps with freezes and system errors.
• 🔐 Unlock the loader (on some models).
• 🛠️ Diagnostics of hardware problems (e.g., memory checks).

Xiaomi smartphones use two types of recovery: Stock Recovery (standard, from the manufacturer) and Custom Recovery (for example, TWRP), which is installed by enthusiasts for advanced features. This article will focus mainly on the regular recovery, as it is available on all devices out of the box.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously installed custom recavers (for example, TWRP), The process of entry and the functions available may differ. TWRP can result in loss of warranty or locking of the device (for example, when trying to flash incompatible firmware).

It is also worth noting that on new Xiaomi models (such as the Xiaomi 13/14 series or Redmi Note 12), the process of logging into the recovery may differ due to changes in the MIUI security policy.

2 Preparation before entering Recovery

Before you try to enter the recavérie, follow a few mandatory steps to avoid data loss and other problems:

• 📱 Charge the phone at least 50%. interruption of the process due to battery discharge can lead to the inability to turn on the device.
• 🔌 Shut down all cables (USB, Headphones, memory cards, they can interfere with the correct operation of the recaveri.
• 📝 Back up your important data. Even if you don't plan on resetting, there's always a risk of failure.
• 🔍 Find out your model of your device. Some button combinations are different for different lines (Redmi, Poco, Mi).

If your Xiaomi doesn’t turn on at all (for example, after a failed update), try first charging it in the off state for 10-15 minutes.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader, some recovery functions may be limited, for example, custom firmware installation will not be possible without first unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool. Read more about this in our article about unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi.

If you plan to perform a reset, consider:

• All information from internal memory (photos, videos, contacts, messages) will be deleted.
• Applications and their data will also be erased.
• Data on SD-The card (if it is installed) is usually not affected by the.

Method 1: Sign in via button combination (for switched off phone)

It’s the most versatile method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Poco X3/X4, Mi 11/12 and others.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (if it is on, hold the power button and select Turn off).
2. Press and hold the combination: Power button + Volume Up button.
3. Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until the Mi or Fastboot logo appears.
4. Once you see a menu with an Android robot and the words No command, release the buttons.
5. If you have a Fastboot menu, you've been holding the buttons too long, and then turn off your phone and try again.

Some models (such as the Xiaomi Mi A1/A2 or older Redmi) may require a different combination: Power button + Volume Down button.

But this is more of an exception – on most devices, it works Power + Volume Up.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone vibrates and turns on normally after holding the buttons, you let them go too early).

If you have Xiaomi with a physical Home button (like Redmi 3S/4A), try the combination: Power button + Home button + Volume button.

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If the phone doesn't respond to the buttons, try plugging it into charging for 5-10 minutes, and sometimes a dead battery blocks access to the Recovery.

Method 2: ADB Login (for phone switched on)

If the phone is on and responsive to touch, but you need to get into the recavers (for example, to install an update), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires pre-tuning, but is suitable for devices where the buttons do not work.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB and platform-tools (you can download from the Google website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additional settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the computer and confirm the permission to debug via USB (a pop-up window will appear 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 appear serial number of your device.
4. Run the command to reboot in Recavérie: adb reboot recovery

If the phone reboots after the command, but instead of the Recovery menu appeared Fastboot, then your device does not have a regular Recovery (this happens on some models with MIUI Global).

adb reboot bootloader

Then, go to the Recavator from Fastboot (in the next section).

⚠️ Attention: If debugging is on USB If it wasn't enabled in advance, it won't work, then you'll only have the button option (section 3) or the Fastboot option (section 5).

5. Method 3: Enter via Fastboot Mode (if the recavery is not working)

If you don't have a standard recaveri, or if the phone only loads into the Fastboot, you can try recaveri through this mode, which is true for devices with damaged firmware or custom recaveri.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume Down button for 10-15 seconds until the Fastboot menu appears.
3. Connect your phone to your computer and open the Command Prompt in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Check the connection with the command: fastboot devices
5. Follow the command to move to the Recovery: fastboot reboot recovery

If you return the phone to Fastboot after this command, the recapital partition is damaged or missing, and then you just have to flash it back through Fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

(where recovery.img is a standard or custom recap file for your model).

⚠️ Note: Firmware of unofficial Recovery (for example, TWRP) On devices with a locked bootloader, you will be bootlooped. First, unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool!

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If the phone only loads in a Fastboot, it doesn't always mean a breakage, and often the problem is solved by running a standard recover firmware through a fastboot flash.

6. Features of the entrance to the Recovery on new Xiaomi models (2022-2026)

Starting with the Xiaomi 12 Series, Redmi Note 11/12 and Poco F4/F5, the company has tightened security policies.

• 🔒 Recovery is replaced by Mi-Recovery, a simplified version without installation ZIP-file.
• 🔑 Mi Account confirmation required after resetting (if Mi Account was enabled).
• 🚫 Blocked access to some functions without unlocking the bootloader.

For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi K60, the standard Power + Volume Up combination can lead not to the Recovery, but to the Mi Assistant menu.

1. Hold the Power + Volume Up until the Mi logo appears, then let the Power go, but keep holding the Volume Up.
2. If you have a menu in Chinese, select the item with the character (this is the recaveri).

On some models (such as the Poco X5), the recap may be hidden behind additional authentication, in which case you will need to enter a password from Mi Account, even if you are performing a reset.

If your model is not listed in the table, try the standard Power + Volume Up combination. 90% of the time, it will work.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes have problems logging into the Recovery, and consider the most common errors and their solutions:

• ❌ Phone turns on in normal mode Reason: Buttons are released too early or the wrong combination Solution: Hold the buttons for at least 15 seconds. For older models (Redmi) 4X, Mi 5: Try the Power + Volume Down.
• ❌ Fastboot menu appears instead of Recovery Reason: On some firmware, holding buttons for too long leads to Fastboot.Solution: Release buttons immediately after the Mi logo appears.
• ❌ Recovery does not respond to touch Reason: On some models (Poco) X3, Redmi Note 9) sensor in the Recovery is disabled. Solution: Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation.
• ❌ After the reset requires Mi Account Reason: Devices with a linked Mi Account may require authorization after the reset. Solution: Enter the account that was linked to the phone. If you don't remember, contact Xiaomi support.
• ❌ Recovery in Chinese Reason: Firmware for the Chinese market (China) ROM). Solution: Look for the hieroglyphics: - reset settings (wipe data). - Reboot. - Recovery mode (recovery).

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the settings through the recovery, the phone requires an old password (which you reset), this means that it was turned on. FRP-Factory Reset Protection: In this case, you will need to enter data from the last synchronized Google account.

8. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions