How to go to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Recovery Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a powerful tool for system recovery, resetting or installing custom firmware. However, many users face difficulties when trying to get there: the combination of buttons does not work, the device is getting stuck on the Mi logo, instead of the expected menu appears flashing FASTBOOT. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to enter the recovery on Xiaomi — from standard to advanced, and explain why sometimes nothing works.

It is important to understand that different models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO process can be different. For example, on older devices (before 2019) often used a combination with the button Menu, which is no longer on modern gadgets. and on devices with a blocked bootloader, TWRP entry may not be possible without first unlocking.

1. Standard method: combination of power and volume buttons

The most common method is the use of hardware buttons. It works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13 and older series.

1. Turn off your smartphone completely. If it freezes, hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds.
2. Press and hold the power button and the volume button at the same time.
3. Keep them pressed until the Mi logo appears (usually 5-10 seconds).
4. Release the buttons when the Mi Recovery menu appears on the screen (blue screen with English text).

If you see a FASTBOOT instead of a recavator, you've been holding the buttons for too long or pressing them at the same time. Try again, but release the buttons as soon as you vibrate or the logo appears.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F4) The combination of buttons may be different. If the standard method does not work, check the section with alternative methods below.

2. Alternative button combinations for different models

The manufacturer sometimes changes the logic of entry to the recaveri depending on the series of devices, here is a table with the current combinations for popular models:

If your model is not in the table, try the universal method: press the power + volume up for 15-20 seconds. Even if the FASTBOOT first appears, after a few seconds the device can automatically reboot to the Recovery.

3. login to Recovery via ADB (for advanced users)

If the hardware buttons don't work (e.g., the power button broke), you can go to the receptacle via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires USB debugging enabled and drivers installed on the PC. Here's how to do this:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux).
3. Enter the command: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
4. Run the command to reboot in Recavérie: adb reboot recovery

If after this command the device is loaded into FASTBOOT instead of a recaveri, try an alternative command:

adb shell reboot --bootloader

Then manually select Recovery Mode from the FASTBOOT menu (volume buttons).

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If the adb device command doesn’t show your device, check if USB debugging is enabled in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Especially in Chinese versions, the adb reboot recovery command may not work due to manufacturer limitations, in which case only the input through buttons or Fastboot will help.

4. Entry via Fastboot Mode (if the standard method doesn't work)

If the smartphone is loaded into FASTBOOT instead of a recavery, you can use this menu to force the transition.

1. Load the device to FASTBOOT (clip the power + volume down for 10 seconds).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the terminal.
3. Enter the command: fastboot reboot recovery

If this doesn’t work, try unlocking the bootloader first (if it’s locked).

fastboot oem unlock

Xiaomi

5.The difference between Mi Recovery and TWRP: which one to choose?

On Xiaomi smartphones can be installed two types of recovery:

• 🔵 Mi Recovery – standard menu from Xiaomi with limited features (reset, update via the app) ZIP, It is suitable for basic operations but does not allow custom firmware installation.
• 🟢 TWRP (TeamWin Recovery - customized Recovery with advanced features (backups, installation of unofficial firmware, root rights). Requires an unlocked bootloader.

If you just need to reset or update your firmware via update.zip, Mi Recovery is enough. TWRP will be required to install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or get root.

To install TWRP, follow the following steps:

1. Unlock the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock.
2. Download the official TWRP image for your model from twrp.me.
3. Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot reboot recovery

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Installation TWRP New Xiaomi models (2023-2026) may cause the device to lock due to Anti-Rollback protection. ARB customized!

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even experienced users sometimes have difficulty logging into the Recovery, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

• ❌ The device vibrates but does not turn on → Check the battery charge (minimum 30%) or plug in the charge for 10 minutes before trying again.
• ❌ Appears. FASTBOOT Recovery → Try fastboot reboot recovery or keep the buttons longer (15)+ seconds).
• ❌ The screen flashes and reboots. → Maybe the firmware is damaged. Try flashing stock recavers through Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery. recovery.img
• ❌ TWRP password → It's encryption. We need to enter it. PIN-The code or pattern lock you used in the system.

If none of the methods worked, it may be that the device has an unofficial firmware with a damaged Recovery, in which case only firmware of the full MIUI image through the Mi Flash Tool will help.

7.What to do after entering Recovery?

When you finally get on the Recovery menu, you'll have a few options. Here's what they mean:

• 🔄 Reboot system now - restart to normal mode.
• 📦 Apply update from ADB — installing updates via computer.
• 📁 Apply update from SD card - installing firmware from the memory card (you need a file) update.zip).
• ⚙️ Wipe data/factory Reset – Complete reset (deletes all data!).
• 🔧 Mount - connection of memory partitions (in TWRP).
• 🔓 Advanced – Additional functions (in TWRP You can make backups, format sections).

The most requested operations:

• 🧹 Reset to factory settings: select Wipe data/factory reset → Confirm the action. This will delete all data, including accounts and apps.
• 📥 Installation of firmware: download the official update.zip For your model from Xiaomi, place it in the root of memory and select Apply update from SD card.

⚠️ Warning: If you install firmware through Mi Recovery, it must be signed by Xiaomi. ZIP-Files (e.g. from Xiaomi.eu) can only be flashed through TWRP!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions