How to go to Recovery on Xiaomi: all the ways for Redmi, POCO and Mi

Recovery mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a special recovery environment that allows you to perform critical operations: resetting settings, installing firmware or fixing system errors. Without access to this menu, you can not solve many problems, from freezes to recovery after a failed update. However, the way you log into Recovery Mode depends on the phone model, the firmware version and even the type of recaverier itself – stock (Mi Recovery) or custom (TWRP).

In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods for entering recovery mode on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from the classic button combination to commands via ADB and Fastboot. We’ll focus on the nuances of why the phone doesn’t enter the Recovery, how to distinguish the stock menu from TWRP, and what to do if the screen does not respond to touch. If you plan to sew the device or just want to be prepared for emergencies, save this instruction bookmark.

What is Recovery Mode on Xiaomi and Why You Need It

Recovery mode is an isolated environment built into the firmware of the smartphone that works independently of the main Android operating system.

• 🔄 Resetting to factory settings (full wipe) if the phone freezes or doesn't turn on.
• 📥 Installation of official firmware through MIUI or custom-wise TWRP.
• 🛠️ Fixing errors caused by incorrect updates or viruses.
• 🔐 Unlock the bootloader (if supported by the model).
• 📊 Viewing system logs to diagnose problems.

On Xiaomi smartphones, two types of recovery are used:

1. Stock (Mi Recovery) – a limited menu from the manufacturer with basic functions (reset, install updates via update.zip).
2. Custom (TWRP) - an extended version with touch control, support for backups and installation of informal firmware.

It is important to understand that the input to the stock receptacles on new Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13) can be blocked if the bootloader is not unlocked, in which case the phone either ignores the button combination or issues a lock warning.

Method 1: Enter through hardware buttons (for all models)

This is the most versatile method that works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, including older models (Redmi 4X, Mi A1) and newer ones (POCO F5, Xiaomi 13T).

1. Turn off your phone. If it freezes, hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes out.
2. Click the combination: For most models: Volume up (+) + Power. For older devices (until 2018): Volume down (-) + Power. For POCO F1 and some others: Volume up (+) + Volume down (-) + Power.

Mi

Recovery

If the screen blinked and the phone started to boot into the system, try again, holding the buttons longer.

On some models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro) after the appearance of the Mi logo, you need to release the power button, but continue to hold Volume up until the menu appears.

⚠️ Warning: Devices with a locked bootloader (such as the new Xiaomi out of the box) may be alerted to “This device is locked” when trying to log in to the recovery.

Method 2: Login via ADB (if the phone is switched on)

If the hardware buttons don’t work (for example, the volume button broke), you can log in to Recovery via the ADB command.

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and platform-tools.
• 🔌 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times press) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📶 Working USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
4. Reboot Recovery Command: Adb Reboot Recovery

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

adb shell reboot recovery

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Adb reboot recovery can reboot your phone in Fastboot instead of Recovery, in which case use adb reboot bootloader and then manually select Recovery Mode from the Fastboot menu.

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If the phone is not detected via ADB, try reconnecting the cable, enabling File Transfer mode on your smartphone, or installing the drivers manually via the Mi PC Suite.

Method 3: Sign in via Fastboot (if ADB is not working)

If the phone is not turned on or recognized through ADB, you can use Fastboot mode. This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader or if you are already on the Fastboot menu (for example, after a failed firmware).

Steps:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down (-) + Nutrition to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared image will appear).
3. Connect the device to your PC and open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Check the connection: fastboot devices
5. Follow the command to move to the Recovery: fastboot reboot recovery

If the command fails, try an alternative (for some models):

fastboot oem reboot-recovery

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

If you plan to flash your phone through the Mi Flash Tool, you can log in to Recovery directly from this tool.

• 🔧 Restore the "brick" (decommissioned device).
• 📦 Install the official firmware through EDL or Fastboot.
• 🔄 Return to the stock firmware after the custom.

Instructions:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down (-) + Power to log into Fastboot.
3. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. In the program, press the Refresh button – your device should appear.
5. Select firmware (.tgz or.zip) and press Flash.
6. During the firmware process, the tool will automatically restart the phone to Recovery to complete the installation.

This is a good way to install official firmware. For custom firmware (TWRP, LineageOS), use Fastboot or ADB Sideload.

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The Mi Flash Tool automatically selects Clear All, Clean All and Lock or Save User Data. To restore the "brick" to work, choose Clean All, but this will delete all data!

What is different from TWRP on Xiaomi

Externally and functionally, stock recovery and custom recovery (TWRP) are very different.

If you have installed it on your phone TWRP, The entrance to it is carried out in the same ways as in the stock Recovery (through buttons or via a button). ADB). However, in TWRP You can do it:

• 📁 Create full backups of the system (Nandroid backup).
• 🔧 Install unofficial firmware and mods.
• 🔒 Change the access rights to system files.
• 🧹 Cleaning individual partitions (Dalvik Cache, System).

⚠️ Attention: Installation TWRP New Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12/13, Redmi Note 12) This may cause the device to be locked due to anti-Rollback protection. TWRP forum XDA Developers.

What to do if Xiaomi is not included in Recovery

If none of these methods worked, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔒 Locked bootloader: On new Xiaomi devices, recavator login is blocked if the bootloader is not unlocked.The solution is to use the Mi Unlock Tool.
• 🔋 Battery discharge: If the charge is below 5%, the phone may not respond to button combinations. charge it to at least 30%.
• 🛠️ Damaged buttons: If the volume or power buttons don't work, try methods through ADB/Fastboot.
• 🤖 Damaged firmware: If the phone doesn't even turn on in the Fastboot, you'll need firmware through EDL (emergency).
• 🔄 Firmware conflict: If you are trying to enter TWRP, But there is an incompatible version, the phone can hang on the logo.

Algorithm of actions for diagnosis:

1. Try logging in to Fastboot (Loudness down + Power) if you can, the bootloader is unlocked, and the problem is different.
2. Connect your phone to charge for 10-15 minutes, then try again.
3. If the screen does not respond, but the phone vibrates when you press the buttons, it may be damaged display or plume.
4. For devices with MediaTek (such as Redmi 9A), try the SP Flash Tool for recovery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Recovery on Xiaomi