How to go Recovery mode on Xiaomi: 3 working ways

Why you need Recovery Mode on Xiaomi

Recovery Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a special menu that allows you to perform critical operations with the system: resetting to factory settings, installing custom firmware or updating official software. Without access to this mode, it is impossible to solve many software problems, for example, when the phone does not load due to a firmware failure or a virus attack.

Unlike the regular MIUI, Recovery Mode runs at a low level, bypassing the main operating system, making it an indispensable tool for diagnosing and repairing a device, but not everyone knows how to log in correctly — especially if the screen is not responsive to touch or the smartphone is getting stuck on the Mi logo.

In this article, we will analyze three proven ways to log into Recovery on any Xiaomi models – from budget Redmi to flagship Mi and POCO. You will also learn what operations can be performed in this mode and how to avoid errors when working with it.

What is Recovery Mode and When is It Needed

Recovery Mode is an isolated environment built into the firmware of a smartphone that runs separately from the main system.

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (if the phone is not turned on or locked).
• 📦 Installation of official and custom firmware through ZIP-file.
• 🛠️ Cache cleanup (helps with lags and application errors).
• 🔧 Data recovery from backups (if they were created in advance).
• 🔒 Unlock the bootloader (for advanced users).

Xiaomi smartphones use two types of Recovery:

1. Stock (MIUI Recovery) - official menu with limited functionality (only reset, update and clear cache).
2. Custom (TWRP, OrangeFox) - an extended version that allows you to install unofficial firmware and modifications.

If you've never installed custom Recovery, you'll have a stock version, which is enough for most tasks, but you'll need TWRP to install Global ROM or Xiaomi.EU.

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

The most versatile method is the use of a combination of physical buttons, which works even if the smartphone does not turn on or the screen does not respond to touch, and the instructions are suitable for all Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and older models.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the smartphone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Hold and hold at the same time: 🔘 Power button (Power) 🔊 The Volume Up button (Volume Up)

at least 10-15 seconds

Mi

Recovery

MIUI Recovery

If nothing happens,

• ⚡ Check that the battery is charged (minimum 20%).
• 🔌 Try to connect the charger and try again.
• 🔄 On some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) You may need to hold the power. + Volume Down, and then when the logo appears, quickly click Volume Up.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a dynamic island (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the Recovery entrance may be accompanied by vibration!

Method 2: Login via ADB (for phone on)

If the smartphone is turned on but you can’t log in to Recovery through buttons (for example, because of a broken volume button), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge).This method requires pre-tuning, but works stably.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from the site) XDA Developers).
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB developer-setting.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and allow debugging over USB.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device appears in the list, go further.
4. Run the command to reboot in Recovery: adb reboot recovery

If the team fails:

• 🔄 Reconnect. USB-cable and check the permissions on the phone.
• 🔧 Make sure that the developer settings have enabled the Unlock option. OEM.
• 📋 Try the alternative command: adb shell reboot recovery

⚠️ Note: If the adb reboot recovery command reboots the phone to normal mode, it means that the Recovery is damaged or replaced with custom.

💡

If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try installing Google’s universal USB Driver or using a USB 2.0 port instead of USB 3.0 (blue connectors often cause problems).

Method 3: Sign in via Mi Flash Tool (for "bricks")

If the smartphone is not fully turned on (the so-called "brick"), and the buttons do not respond, you can use the official Mi Flash Tool utility. This method is suitable for devices that are not determined by the computer in normal mode, but respond to connecting to the Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool from Xiaomi’s official website.
2. Connect the switched off smartphone to the computer by clamping Power + Volume Down (Fastboot mode).
3. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh – the device must be determined as COM-port.
4. Choose Clean All (total clean) or Clean All and Lock (to clean) + loader-lock).
5. Press Flash – the program will automatically transfer the device to Recovery after firmware.

This method is guaranteed to work even on “dead” devices, but has risks:

• 📵 All data will be erased.
• 🔒 The bootloader can be blocked (re-unlocked via Mi Unlock Tool is required).
• 📦 You need to download the correct firmware version for your model.

💡

If the smartphone does not respond to any of the methods, this may indicate a hardware malfunction (for example, a damaged motherboard), in which case a diagnosis is required at the service center.

What to do if you can’t get into Recovery

If none of these methods worked, check the following points:

• 🔋 Battery discharge – even if the indicator shows charge, connect the device to the network for 10-15 minutes.
• 🔌 Damaged. USB-Port – Try another cable or port on your computer.
• 🛠️ Broken buttons – if Power or Volume don’t work, it’s all that remains. ADB Or Mi Flash Tool.
• 📱 Damaged software – if the smartphone does not respond even to the Fastboot, you will need to flash through EDL-The mode (only for experienced users).

If you suspect that the problem is firmware, try the following:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Unpack the archive and rename the firmware file to update.zip.
3. Place it in the root folder of internal memory (if the phone is turned on).
4. Log in to Recovery and select Install update.zip to System.

What operations can be performed in Recovery Mode

Recovery Mode functionality depends on its type (stock or custom), and the following options are available in MIUI Recovery:

• 🔄 Reboot - Reboot the device.
• 📱 Wipe Data – reset to factory settings (deletes all data!).
• 🧹 Wipe Cache – Cache Clearance (Secure for Data).
• 📦 Install update.zip To System - Installation of an Official Update.
• 🔧 Connect with MIAssistant – Connect to a PC for firmware.

In custom Recovery (TWRP), the possibilities are wider:

• 📁 Backup – creating a full copy of firmware and data.
• 🗃️ Restore – Returning the system from the backup.
• 🔧 Partition mounting – manual file system management.
• 📱 Installation ZIP — firmware of custom cores, mods and Magisk.
• 🔒 Fix Permissions – Removing Access Errors.

Warnings when working in Recovery:

⚠️ Note: Wipe Data removes all user data, including photos, contacts and messages. If you don't backup, it won't be possible to recover it!

⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial firmware through Recovery may result in bootloader locking. on some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) This makes the device unusable without unlocking through the Mi Account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Recovery Mode on Xiaomi