How to go to Recovery on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: all working ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred) is still a popular smartphone among Android customization enthusiasts. Recovery Mode entry on this device may be needed to reset settings, install custom firmware or restore the system after a crash. However, many users face difficulties: the combination of buttons does not work, the device loads in Fastboot instead of Recovery, then there is a black screen.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to log into Recovery on Redmi Note 5, including hardware methods (buttons), software (through software). ADB) and alternative (using Mi Flash Tool).We will pay special attention to the nuances of working with stock recaveria MIUI custom-made TWRP, and common errors that prevent users from successfully loading the device into the desired mode.

Why can’t I get into Recovery on Redmi Note 5?

Most often, problems with entering recovery mode are associated with one of the following reasons:

• 🔄 The wrong button combination – on the Redmi Note 5, it is different from other Xiaomi models (for example, from the Redmi Note 4 or Note 6 Pro).
• 🔋 Battery discharge – if the charge is below 20%, the device can ignore the taps or boot into Fastboot instead of Recovery.
• 🔧 Damaged stock Recovery – after failed firmware or resets, the recovery system partition may be damaged.
• 🛡️ Bootloader locking – on some versions MIUI With a blocked loader, the entrance to Recovery is limited.
• 🤖 Conflict with custom recaveri - if previously established TWRP, But the firmware was updated "through the air", stock recavery could rewrite the custom.

Before proceeding to the instructions, make sure that:

• 📱 Smartphone is off (if you freeze, hold the power button 10)+ seconds).
• 🔌 Battery charge not lower than 30% (optimally - 50% and higher).
• 🖥️ Xiaomi drivers are installed on your PC (if you plan to use them) ADB Or Mi Flash Tool).

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi Note 5 has previously been unlocked through the Mi Unlock Tool, some ways to log in to Recovery may not work due to the changed partition structure. ADB.

Method 1: Entering Recovery with hardware buttons

This is the most versatile method that works on any version of MIUI (including Global, China, and EEA) and does not require a PC connection, but it is important to follow the sequence of taps precisely, otherwise the device will load into the Fastboot.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the smartphone (if it freezes – hold the power button until vibration).
2. Press the Volume Up button and, without letting it go, press the Power button.
3. Hold both buttons for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears (don’t let go immediately after the vibration!).
4. As soon as the Chinese/English menu (stock recaveri) or TWRP logo appears on the screen, release the buttons.

If instead of Recovery you see a screen with a hare in a hat-eared hat, then you let go of the buttons too early or pressed them in the wrong order.

Is the smartphone off?|Battery charge above 30%?|Do you press the volume button first?|Hold the buttons for at least 10 seconds?-->

⚠️ Note: On some Redmi Note 5 firmware (especially Chinese ones), stock recavators can ask for a Mi Account password even to reset settings. If you don't remember a password, this method won't work, use it. ADB Or Mi Flash Tool.

Method 2: Log in to Recovery via ADB (no buttons)

If the hardware buttons don’t work (for example, the volume button broke) or the device is stuck on the logo, you can boot into Recovery using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that requires pre-configuring the debugging over USB, but is reliable and works even on a locked bootloader.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB in the settings of the smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi Note 5 to your PC and confirm the debugging permission (if the request appears on the smartphone screen).
2. Open the command line (cmd) or terminal and type:

adb devices

If the device is determined (its serial number will appear), continue. If not, check the drivers and cable.

1. Enter the command to reboot in Recovery:

adb reboot recovery

The smartphone should automatically restart to recovery mode.

If the device loads into Fastboot or no devices/emulators found error after the command, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect. USB-cable.
• 🔧 Reinstall Xiaomi drivers.
• 📱 Enable Transfer Files Mode (MTP) plug-in.

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If adb devices can’t see the device, try entering the command adb kill-server, and then re-adb devices.This will reset the ADB cache and often solves the problem.

Method 3: Enter Recovery via Mi Flash Tool (for a locked bootloader)

If the first two methods didn’t work (for example, because of a damaged backup or a blocked bootloader), you can use the Mi Flash Tool, Xiaomi’s official firmware tool, which is suitable even for “bricks” (devices that don’t turn on), but requires an unlocked bootloader or an authorized Mi Account.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows PC (the utility does not support) macOS/Linux).
• 📦 Installed Mi Flash Tool (you can download from the official website).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.
• 📱 Smartphone in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down) + Power when the device is off).

Instructions:

1. Download your smartphone to Fastboot (hold Volume Down + Power until the hare appears).
2. Connect it to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
3. In the utility, click Select and select any official firmware for the Redmi Note 5 (e.g., from here).Important: the firmware must be the same version of MIUI as on the device, otherwise errors may occur.
4. At the bottom, select Clean All mode (this won’t delete data, but resets settings).
5. Press Flash. After the process is completed (5-10 minutes), the device will automatically restart to the stock Recovery.

If the Mi Flash Tool is a bug, you can't find the fastboot device, check:

• 🔌 Connection to USB (Try another port or cable).
• 🔧 Are Qualcomm drivers installed (they are needed to work with Fastboot).
• 🛡️ If the bootloader is unlocked (if not, use the Mi Unlock Tool).

Hardware buttons|ADB|Mi Flash Tool|TWRP|Other-->

What is the difference between the TWRP and the TWRP on the Redmi Note 5?

On the Redmi Note 5, you can use two types of Recovery:

1. MIUI stock receptacles are preinstalled by the manufacturer, and have limited functionality: Wipe Data reset, Apply update from ADB, system integrity check, and does not support custom firmware or modifications.
2. TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project – custom Recovery with advanced features: backup creation, installation ZIP-files (firmware, kernels, Magisk), partition mounting, work with ADB Sideload.

Comparison of opportunities:

If you plan to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience) or get root rights, stock recavers will not work - you will need to install TWRP.

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
• 📱 Have a backup copy of the data (installation) TWRP erase data).
• 🖥️ Learn how to work with Fastboot and commands like fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.

Typical errors and their solutions

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

1.The device is loaded into Fastboot instead of Recovery

Reason: Wrong button combination or too early release.

Decision:

• 🔄 Repeat the combination by holding the buttons for at least 10 seconds.
• 📱 If you downloaded to Fastboot, type the command:

fastboot reboot recovery

2. Black screen after pressing the buttons

Reason: A discharged battery, damaged Recovery or hardware malfunction.

Decision:

• 🔋 Charge the device 30+ minutes, then try again.
• 🔧 If the battery is fine, try the entrance through ADB.
• 🛠️ In extreme cases, run the stock recavator through the Mi Flash Tool.

3 Stock Recavator requests Mi Account password

Reason: The device is enabled binding to the Xiaomi account (especially relevant for Chinese firmware).

Decision:

• 🔑 Enter the password from the attached Mi-account.
• 📧 If you forget your password, restore it to account.xiaomi.com.
• 🔧 If your account is not yours, contact the previous owner or use it. ADB for bypassing (requires an unlocked loader).

4.TWRP doesn't touch the screen or hung on the logo

Reason: Incompatible version of TWRP or damaged image.

Decision:

• 📥 Download the current version TWRP Redmi Note 5 (whyred) from the official website.
• 🖥️ Refuse the recavers through Fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-whyred.img


fastboot reboot recovery

⚠️ Attention: If after installation TWRP The device is loaded into the stock recavator, so on your version MIUI Recovery protection is on, to fix this, after the firmware is in place. TWRP Download to it immediately and select Recovery from the Reboot menu – this will prevent automatic recovery of stock Recovery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Recovery on Redmi Note 5

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If neither of these methods worked, check the hardware health of the buttons and the charging connector. In 10% of cases, the "failed" Recovery is associated with physical damage to the device, not software failures.