How to go to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways (2026)

Recovery Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a service menu that allows you to perform mission-critical operations: factory resets, firmware installation, cache cleaning, and even brick recovery. However, logging in is different from standard key combinations on other Android devices, especially after the MIUI 14/15 updates and Xiaomi’s tightening security policy in 2023-2026.

In this article, you will find the latest ways to enter stock recovery (standard) and custom recovery (TWRP, OrangeFox) for all lines: Redmi, POCO, Xiaomi and Black Shark. We will analyze the nuances for new models (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro+), where the manufacturer hid the classic combinations of buttons, and also explain why sometimes Power + Vol Up does not work. Special attention will be paid to unlocking the bootloader through Fastboot – without this step, many operations in the recavereacher will be unavailable.

1 What is Recovery Mode and Why is it Needed

Recovery Mode is an isolated environment running parallel to the main operating system, built into every Xiaomi smartphone and launched before MIUI boots.

• 🔄 Hard reset – deletes all data, including accounts and files.
• 📦 Install official firmware via.zip files (for example, update) MIUI manually).
• 🧹 Cache Cleaning (Wipe Cache Partition) – helps with freezes and errors.
• 🔧 Partition mounting to access system files (in custom recovery).
• 🛠️ Recovery after crashes (for example, if the smartphone does not turn on or stuck on the logo).

On Xiaomi smartphones there are two types of recovery:

1. Stock Recovery is a standard menu from the manufacturer with limited features, supports only official firmware and does not allow you to install modified software.
2. Custom Recovery (such as TWRP or OrangeFox) is an extended version with support for backups, root rights and unofficial firmware. Requires unlocking the bootloader.

⚠️ Note: On new Xiaomi models (released after 2022), the entrance to the recavers through the buttons can be blocked if the bootloader is not unlocked.

2 Preparation before entering Recovery

Before you try to enter the Recavérie, follow a few critical steps:

Charge your smartphone at least 50% | Create a backup of data (photos, contacts, messages) | Find out the model of your device (in Settings → About phone) | Download the official firmware (if you plan to update) | Check the status of the bootloader (unlocked / blocked)

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Pay special attention to the status of the bootloader. On new Xiaomi devices, it is blocked by default.

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Hold the Power. + Vol Down (Power button) + Volume reduction) for 10-15 seconds.
3. If you see a FASTBOOT sign and a picture of a rabbit in a hat, the bootloader is locked, if the UNLOCKED sign is unlocked.

If the bootloader is locked, many functions in the backpack will not be available. For example, you will not be able to:

• 🚫 Install custom firmware.
• 🚫 Make a backup through TWRP.
• 🚫 Sweep the core or mod.

Unlocking a bootloader on Xiaomi requires you to link your Mi Account and wait 7-14 days (on new models).

Redmi (Series Note, K, A)|POCO (F, X, M)|Xiaomi (Series 11/12/13/14) |Black Shark| Another brand-->

Method 1: Entering through buttons (for most models)

It’s a classic method that works on 80% of Xiaomi devices released before 2022, and for new models (such as the Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), it may not work due to locking.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone (hold the Power until the off menu appears).
2. Hold the combination: 🔘 Power (power button) + Vol Up (volume increase) – for most models. 🔘 Power + Vol Up + Vol Down – for some older devices (e.g. Redmi) 4X).

Mi

If the screen flashes or the smartphone just reboots, try:

• 🔹 Release buttons immediately after the appearance of the Mi logo.
• 🔹 Use the Power combination + Vol Down, and then in the Fastboot menu, select Recovery Mode using volume buttons.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ And a locked bootloader can open the Fastboot menu instead of the Recovery, warning This device is locked. ADB (described below).

Method 2: ADB Entry (for new models)

If the buttons don’t work (e.g., Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13), the most reliable way to do this is to use the buttons. ADB-It requires you to turn on debugging. USB and driver installation.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging and OEM Unlock.

Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (use the original cable!).

ADB Tools

Mi Flash Tool

Win + R

cmd

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear)

adb reboot recovery

If after the command adb reboot recovery smartphone reboots in normal mode, it means:

• 🔸 The boot loader is locked (unblocking is required).
• 🔸 It's on the device. MIUI with a security patch that blocks ADB-Recovery. In this case, only Fastboot will help.

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If the adb device command does not find the device, try changing the mode. USB-Connection to File Transfer (MTP) notice-curtain.

5. Method 3: Sign in via Fastboot (if ADB doesn't work)

If neither the buttons nor the ADB worked, Fastboot, a mode where you can force the receptacles to run, is suitable for devices with a locked bootloader, but requires a computer.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press Power + Vol Down before the FASTBOOT screen appears.
3. Connect the device to your PC and open the command line in the folder with fastboot.
4. Run the command: fastboot boot recovery.img (where recovery.img is your recaveri file, for example, TWRP). Note: For standard recovery, use: fastboot reboot recovery

If FAILED (remote: 'Flashing is not allowed in Lock State') is encountered, it means that the bootloader is locked.

• 🔹 Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool.
• 🔹 Or use fastboot flash recovery. recovery.img (only for unlocked devices!).

⚠️ Attention: The fastboot flash and fastboot boot commands are different operations. The first one flashes the Recovery constantly, the second one launches it once. Flash will not work on locked devices!

Method 4: Entry through applications (without PC)

If you don't have a computer, you can try Google Play apps that reboot your smartphone to a recave, but this method doesn't work on all devices and requires root rights or an unlocked bootloader.

Top.-3 river-entry:

• 📱 ADB Insecure – allows you to launch ADB-PC-free teams (root is needed).
• 📱 Reboot Manager – Reboot to Recaveri/Fastboot with one tap.
• 📱 Kernel Adiutor – for advanced users (requires root).

How to use (for example, Reboot Manager):

1. Install the app and provide root access (if required).
2. Select Recovery.
3. Confirm the reset.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even with the instructions, users often face problems, and we'll look at the most common ones.

If you see Chinese characters after entering the Recovery (on some of the Redmi firmware), don't be alarmed - this is the standard menu.

• 🔘 Buttons Vol. Up/Down — point-off.
• 🔘 Power button - choice.

New devices (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13) may not have an Install ZIP option in the Recaveri, which is normal because Xiaomi limits the functionality for security.

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If your smartphone is stuck in a recavator and doesn't come out, do Wipe Data. If that doesn't work, run the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode.

8 How to Get Out of Recovery Mode

To leave the Recovery menu, use one of the following methods:

• 🔄 Select Reboot system now (reboot system now).
• 🔌 If your smartphone doesn’t respond, press the Power for 15-20 seconds to force a reboot.
• 🖥️ Through ADB (If you are connected to a PC: adb reboot

If after leaving the recovery, the smartphone does not turn on or stuck on the logo:

1. Try going back to the Recovery and doing Wipe Cache.
2. If it doesn’t work, do Wipe Data (full reset).
3. In extreme cases, run your smartphone through the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode.

⚠️ Note: If you have set up custom recovery (for example, TWRP) And after the reboot, the phone doesn't start, and it's probably a conflict with the kernel. ROM via Fastboot.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions