How to run Recovery Mode on Xiaomi: All the ways to Redmi, Poco and Mi

Recovery Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a utility tool that allows you to perform critical operations: factory reset, install firmware or restore the system after a crash. Without it, you can not solve many software problems, from freezes to “bricking” the device. However, entering this mode often causes difficulties for users: on different models of Redmi, Poco and Mi button combinations may differ, and in some cases (for example, with a locked bootloader), standard methods simply do not work.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to run Recovery on Xiaomi devices, from classic keyboard combinations to alternative methods via ADB and Fastboot. We’ll focus on common bugs (such as when the phone vibrates but doesn’t load on the menu) and explain why new models (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13) may require additional steps. If you’re looking for a way to bring your phone back to life after a failed update or just want to reset before selling, here you’ll find step-by-step instructions that take into account all the nuances.

What is Recovery Mode and Why You Need It on Xiaomi

Recovery mode is an isolated environment built into the firmware of a smartphone that operates independently of the main MIUI operating system, and its main purpose is to diagnose and repair the device in cases where standard methods do not work.

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings – if the phone is getting stuck, slowing down or infected with viruses.
• 📦 Installation of official / customy firmware through ZIP-files, for example, MIUI or LineageOS).
• 🛠️ Cache Cleaning (Wipe Cache Partition) to Remove Lags.
• 🔧 Recovery after crashes (for example, if the phone does not boot due to a damaged system partition).

Xiaomi smartphones use two types of Recovery:

1. Stock (MIUI Recovery) - a limited menu with basic functions (reset, clear cache, install updates via update.zip) suitable for most users.
2. Custom (TWRP, OrangeFox) - an extended version with support for backups, root rights and installation of unofficial firmware. Requires unlocking the bootloader.

It is important to understand that stock Recovery does not allow you to install uncertified software – you first need to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (the official tool of Xiaomi). Also, new models (for example, Xiaomi 13T or Redmi K60) may require binding Mi Account to reset via Recovery – this is a measure of protection against theft.

Method 1: Standard button input (for a working phone)

This is the simplest method that works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi Note 12, Poco X5, Mi 11 and older models, the main condition is that the phone must respond to the press of buttons (even if the screen does not turn on).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button (or remove/insert the battery if it is removable).
2. Hold the combination: 🔘 Power button + Loudness up (for most models). 🔘 On some older devices (e.g. Redmi) 4X) It may require a volume up. + Loudness down + Nutrition.

10-15 seconds

Mi

Android Robot

MIUI Recovery

If, after holding the buttons, the phone just vibrates and boots into the system, you let go of the combination too soon.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader (for example, after purchase), stock Recovery may request a password from the Mi Account when you try to reset. If you do not remember the account data, the reset will not be possible without unlocking.

Method 2: Sign in via ADB (if the phone is turned on but the buttons are not working)

If the physical buttons on your Xiaomi are faulty (like after a fall) or the phone is stuck on the logo but is responding to a PC connection, you can run Recovery via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires pre-configuring the debugging over USB.

Conditions:

• 🔌 The phone is switched on and detected by the computer (even if the screen is not working).
• 🔧 In the settings of the developer included debugging by USB.
• 💻 Drivers are installed on the PC ADB Fastboot (can be downloaded as part of Android) SDK Platform-Tools).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the phone is determined (the serial number will appear), go further.
4. Start Recovery with Adb Reboot Recovery

If the command doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell reboot recovery

⚠️ Attention: If debugging is on USB It wasn't activated in advance, it won't work, so you just have to reset hardware through the buttons or disassemble the battery-disabled device (on non-removable batteries).

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If the phone is not identified in ADB, try reinstalling drivers through XDA Developers or using the Mi PC Suite program to install automatically.

Method 3: Sign in via Fastboot (if the phone doesn't boot)

If a Xiaomi smartphone doesn’t turn on even before the logo (for example, after a failed firmware) but reacts to a PC connection (vibrates or is defined as Qualcomm HS-USB), you can run Recovery via Fastboot mode.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (unplug the battery for 10 seconds if necessary).
2. Press Volume Down + Power for 5-10 seconds until the screen with Fastboot Mode (image of a rabbit in a hat-eared).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder from fastboot.exe.
4. Check the connection command: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
5. Recovery Command: Fastboot Reboot Recovery

If you return the phone to Fastboot after this command, the Recovery partition is damaged, and you need to reflash it through the command:

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

(where recovery.img is a stock or custom Recovery file for your model).

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If the fastboot reboot recovery command loads the phone into the system instead of Recovery, the recovery section is damaged, and then only flashing through the Mi Flash Tool will help.

Method 4: Alternative methods (for locked or damaged devices)

If the standard methods don’t work, try one of these options:

• 🔌 Connecting charging + button combination: on some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Recovery only starts when the power cable is connected. Try to hold power. + Volume up with connected charging.
• 🔄 Multiple button pressing: on devices with a damaged power button, try to quickly press Volume up 10-15 times in a row while on.
• 📱 Use of service menu: on some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi) A2) You can log in to Recovery using the code ##7378423### (not available on all devices).
• 🔧 Disassembly and disconnection of the battery: if the phone does not respond to buttons, turn off the battery for 1-2 minutes (on models with a removable battery) or wait for a full discharge.

On devices with a MediaTek processor (such as Redmi 10C or Poco C50), you may need to hold the buttons to the second vibration signal to enter Recovery (the first signal is on, the second one is logged in to the menu).

Typical errors and their solutions

When trying to log in to Recovery, users often face the following problems:

If the Recovery menu displays E:Unable to mount /data or E:Failed to verify whole-file signature, it means that the data partition is corrupted, in which case only a full reset (Wipe Data) or flashing through Fastboot will help.

⚠️ Note: On devices with encrypted storage (for example, after upgrading to the MIUI 14) Recovery resets may result in loss of access to internal memory if you do not know the unlock password, in which case the data can only be restored through a backup or specialized services.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Recovery on Xiaomi