How to enable Fastboot on Xiaomi via computer: full instruction with drivers and commands

Fastboot mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a special state of the bootloader, which allows you to perform low-level operations: unlocking the bootloader, firmware custom recovery (for example, TWRP), Installation of modified firmware or device recovery after failures. Unlike Recovery mode, Fastboot works via a connection to a computer and requires the use of utilities. ADB/Fastboot.

To run Fastboot on Xiaomi via PC in several ways: using physical buttons on the phone turned off, the team ADB (If the device is on or forced through the Mi Flash Tool, however, each method has nuances, from installing drivers to unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock service. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, including solving common errors such as waiting for a device or not responding to commands.

Important: the procedure is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and other models POCO (including the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra, POCO F5), But on devices with a blocked bootloader, some operations will not be available without first unlocking through the Mi Account.

1.Preparation: What you need to work with Fastboot on Xiaomi

Before you put your smartphone into Fastboot mode, make sure you have everything you need. Without proper preparation, you risk getting connection errors or even bricking the device.

Here is the minimum set of tools and conditions:

• 🔌 Cable USB: Original or high-quality (cheap cables often don’t transfer data to Fastboot).
• 💻 Computer running Windows 7/10/11 (for Mac/Linux Additional adjustments will be required).
• 📱 Battery charge of at least 50% (to avoid shutdown during procedures).
• 🔑 Mi Account with device binding (to unlock the bootloader).
• 🛠️ Utilities: ADB and Fastboot (part of Android) SDK Platform Tools).

Pay special attention to drivers. Windows requires a Qualcomm driver to work with Fastboot HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (for Qualcomm chips) or MediaTek Preloader (for MediaTek) without which the computer will not recognize the phone in Fastboot mode.

2. Install drivers and ADB/Fastboot on PC

Without properly installed drivers and utilities ADB/Fastboot You can't connect to a smartphone. Consider the process for Windows, the most common case).

Download Android 2.1 SDK Platform Tools

Official utility ADB Fastboot is also included in Android SDK. Download the Platform Tools archive from Google and unpack it to the root of the disk C:\ (for example, C:\platform-tools\).

The folder should contain files:

• adb.exe - for debugging by USB;
• fastboot.exe – to work with the loader;
• AdbWinApi.dll, AdbWinUsbApi.dll are Windows libraries.

Installation of drivers for Xiaomi in Fastboot mode

Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (see next section) in Device Manager (Win) + X → Device Manager will appear unknown device with a name like Android or QHSUSB_BULK.

To install the driver:

1. Download the Mi driver USB Driver from the official Xiaomi website.
2. In Device Manager, right-click on an unknown device → Update the driver → Search for drivers on this computer.
3. Specify the path to the downloaded driver and wait for the installation.

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If the driver is not installed, try disabling digital signature verification in Windows. To do this, reboot your Shift-clamped PC, select Diagnostics → Additional parameters → Loading parameters → Reboot, then press. F7 (disable signature verification).

After successful installation in Device Manager should display Android Bootloader Interface.

3 How to run Fastboot on Xiaomi via buttons

The easiest way to get your smartphone into Fastboot mode is to use a combination of physical buttons, which works even if the device doesn’t turn on or is getting stuck on the Mi logo.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button and select Turn off or hold the 10 button)+ seconds).
2. Press and hold the Volume Down button and the power button at the same time.
3. Hold the buttons until the Fastboot logo appears on the screen (Android robot with an open belly or an inscription). FASTBOOT).

In some models (for example, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) combination may differ:

• 📱 Xiaomi 11/12/13 Series: Volume Down + Power;
• 📱 Redmi Note 10/11: Volume Up + Power (in some firmware);
• 📱 POCO X3/X4: Volume Down + Power, then select Fastboot from the menu.

After successfully logging in to Fastboot, connect your phone to your computer. Make sure that the Android Bootloader Interface device is in Device Manager.

4.Running Fastboot through ADB (if the phone is on)

If your smartphone is working and you have debugging enabled USB, You can transfer it to Fastboot by one team. ADB. This is convenient if the physical buttons are faulty or you prefer to control the process through the terminal.

Preconditions:

• 🔧 Debugging is on. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🖥️ Installed ADB and drivers (see section 2).
• 🔌 The phone is connected to the PC and allowed access to debugging (a request will appear on the smartphone screen).

Instructions:

1. Open the Command Prompt (Win + R → cmd) and go to the folder with the platform-tools:

cd C:\platform-tools\

1. Check the connection of the device:

adb devices

If everything is set up correctly, you will see the serial number of the device.

1. Transfer your phone to Fastboot:

adb reboot bootloader

After the command is executed, the phone will restart to Fastboot mode.

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Adb reboot bootloader is the safest way to switch to Fastboot, as it does not require manipulation of buttons and works even on devices with damaged screens.

5.Plug-in check and basic Fastboot commands

When you go to Fastboot, you need to make sure that the computer recognizes the device.

fastboot devices

If the connection is successful, you'll see the serial number of the phone. If not, check the drivers and the cable.

The main Fastboot commands for Xiaomi:

⚠️ Attention: the command fastboot oem unlock will reset all data on the device! Before running it, back up important files.

To run the official firmware via Fastboot, use the Mi Flash Tool. Download it from the official website and follow the instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware (.tgz or.zip) into a folder without spaces.
2. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and the connected device.
3. Press Refresh, then Flash (select Clean all for full cleanup).

6. Common mistakes and their solutions

When working with Fastboot, users often encounter errors, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Error "waiting for device"

If you type in the fastboot device command and you see waiting for a device, it means that the computer doesn't recognize the phone.

• 🔌 The problem with the cable: try another USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🖥️ No drivers: install Mi USB Driver (see section 2).
• 🔧 Wrong port USB: connect to the port USB 2.0 (usually black) on the back of the PC.
• 📱 Phone is not in Fastboot mode: check what is displayed on the screen FASTBOOT.

Mistake "FAILED (remote: 'Flashing is not allowed in Lock State')"

This error appears when you try to flash custom recovery or modified firmware on a device with a locked bootloader.

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool app (requires Mi Account binding and waiting). 7-168 hours).
2. If the bootloader is already unlocked, but the error remains, try the command:

fastboot flashing unlock

6.3.The phone does not respond to Fastboot commands

If fastboot commands don’t execute (for example, fastboot reboot doesn’t reboot the device), try:

• 🔄 Reconnect the phone to another USB-port.
• 🔧 Reinstall drivers manually through Device Manager.
• 📡 Use a different version of fastboot.exe (sometimes it helps to replace it with an older or newer version).

1. Battery charge > 50%

2. Drivers are installed and the device is determined in the Controller

3. bootloader unlocked (checked by the fastboot oem device-info team)

4. Data backup created

5. firmware downloaded from official source

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7 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

Most Xiaomi devices come with a locked bootloader, which means you won’t be able to flash custom recovery or unofficial firmware until you unlock it through the official Mi Unlock Tool.

The unlocking process:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Sign in to your Mi Account (should be linked to your phone).
3. Transfer your phone to Fastboot (see Section 3).
4. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool.
5. Press Unlock and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the device will be erased! Xiaomi can also set a limit on unlocking (from 7 to 168 hours of waiting after the account is linked).

To check the status of the bootloader, use the command:

fastboot oem device-info

Look for the lines:

• Device unlocked: true – the bootloader is unlocked
• Device unlocked: false – the bootloader is locked.

8.Alternative ways to launch Fastboot

If standard methods don't work, you can try alternative approaches, and they'll come in handy when buttons are faulty or the device doesn't respond to commands. ADB.

8.1.Switch to Fastboot via Mi Flash Tool

If the phone is on but does not respond ADB, You can force it to Fastboot via the Mi Flash Tool:

1. Install and open the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Connect your phone in normal mode (not necessarily with debugging enabled).
3. In the program, press Refresh - the device must be determined.
4. Press Reboot to Fastboot (or similar button depending on the version of the program).

Use of Test Point (for "brick" devices)

If the phone doesn't turn on and doesn't respond to buttons, you can use the Test Point method, which is an extreme measure that requires disassembling the device!

Instructions (for experienced users):

1. Remove the back cover of the phone (it is glued on most Xiaomi models).
2. Find on the motherboard Test Point (usually two contact areas with the inscription). TP or EDL).
3. Lock them with tweezers or wires while connecting the phone to the PC.
4. The device will go into mode. EDL (Emergency firmware, from where it can be restored through the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Note: Test Point voids warranty and may cause device failure. Use it only as a last resort!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Fastboot on Xiaomi