How to run Recovery Mode on Xiaomi phone: all the ways

Recovery Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a powerful tool for diagnosing, resetting or installing firmware. However, not everyone knows how to log in correctly, especially if the phone is locked or not responding to commands. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to run Recovery on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, including models with MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS.

It is important to understand that Recovery Mode comes in two types: stock (from the manufacturer) and custom (for example, TWRP). The first is limited to basic functions, the second opens up advanced features, but requires unlocking the bootloader. We will consider both options, as well as the typical errors that users encounter when trying to enter recovery mode.

What is Recovery Mode and Why You Need It

Recovery Mode is a separate micro OS built into a smartphone that works independently of the main Android system and allows you to:

• 🔄 Perform a hard reset (wipe) before factory settings if the phone freezes or does not turn on;
• 📦 Install official or custom firmware through ADB Sideload or from memory card;
• 🔧 Fix system errors, for example, after a failed update MIUI;
• 🔐 Unlock the bootloader (on some Xiaomi models, this is only possible via Fastboot, but Recovery can help prepare the device).

Xiaomi’s stock Recovery (based on Android Recovery) has limited functionality: no touch controls, only volume buttons for navigation and a power button for confirmation. Custom solutions like TWRP offer a graphical interface, touchscreen support and advanced options, but installing them requires unlocking the bootloader.

⚠️ Warning: Signing into Recovery Mode on Xiaomi with a locked bootloader can lead to an automatic reboot to normal mode.This is normal behavior - this is how Mi Anti-Rollback protection works.

How to log in to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi

There are three main ways to start recovery mode, and the choice depends on the condition of the phone: whether it's working, whether the screen is locked, whether USB Debugging is on.

Method 1: Through a button combination (for a phone turned off)

This is a versatile method that works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, including the Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13, POCO F5 and older devices.

1. Turn off the phone (if it freezes, hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the power button and the volume button at the same time.
3. Hold them until the Mi logo appears (usually 5-10 seconds).
4. As soon as the Recovery menu appears, release the buttons.

If instead of Recovery, the phone loads into a Fastboot, you've been holding the buttons for too long, and try again, releasing them as soon as the logo appears.

Method 2: Through the Android menu (if the phone is turned on)

If your smartphone is working but you need to go to Recovery (for example, to reset your settings), do the following:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Version. MIUI.
3. Click 7-10 times on the line with the MIUI version until you become a developer!
4. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
5. Activate the option to Allow OEM unlock (if any) and USB debugging.
6. Connect your phone to your PC and use the command: adb reboot recovery

This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader or if you plan to install custom Recovery.On locked phones, the adb reboot recovery command may not work - instead, the device will reboot to normal mode.

Method 3: Fastboot (if the phone doesn't respond to buttons)

If the smartphone does not turn on or the buttons do not work, you can log into Recovery via Fastboot:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button + volume down button to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and use the command: fastboot reboot recovery

On some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T or POCO X5 Pro), this method may not work due to anti-Rollback protection, in which case the phone will automatically reboot to normal mode.

Features of Recovery Mode on different Xiaomi models

The manufacturer regularly updates the protection mechanisms, so the process of logging into Recovery may vary depending on the model and version of MIUI.

On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 processor (such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra), stock Recovery can automatically restart the phone to normal mode if the bootloader is locked, due to increased protection against unauthorized changes.

What to do if you can’t get into Recovery

If the phone doesn’t respond to button combinations or reboots instead of logging into Recovery, check the following points:

• 🔋 Battery charge: If the charge is below 20%, the device may not load Recovery. connect the charge for 10-15 minutes.
• 🔌 Damaged buttons: If the volume or power buttons are faulty, try the method with ADB or Fastboot.
• 🔒 Locked bootloader: on new models (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi K70) Stock Recovery may not be available without unlocking.
• 📱 Damaged firmware: If the phone is cyclically restarted, you may need to reflash it via Fastboot.

If none of these methods work, try the following:

1. Connect the phone to your PC and check if it is detected in Device Manager (should show as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 or the like).
2. Use the Mi Flash Tool for forced firmware in EDL mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL It resets all data and can lock the device if unofficial firmware is used.

How to use Recovery Mode: Basic Features

Once you successfully log in to Recovery, you'll see menus in English or Chinese (depending on firmware), controlled by volume buttons (up/down for navigation) and power button (select).

• 🔄 Reboot system now - restart to normal mode;
• 🗑️ Wipe data → Wipe All Data – Complete reset (deletes all data!);
• 📁 Apply update from ADB — firmware-laying ADB Sideload;
• 📱 Apply update from SD card - installing firmware from a memory card (file should be called) update.zip and lie at the root of the map).

To reset, select Wipe data → Wipe All data → confirm the action. The process will take 1-3 minutes, after which the phone will restart to its original state.

If you need to install the firmware:

1. Download the official.zip firmware file for your model from MIUI Downloads.
2. Place it in the root of the memory card (if you choose Apply update from SD card) or use the command: adb sideload firmware.zip
3. Wait until the installation is complete (don’t turn off the phone!).

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If after resetting the phone requires you to enter the old password from the Mi Account, and you do not remember it - use the official Mi Unlock Tool utility or contact Xiaomi support with proof of ownership of the device.

TWRP: When to Recovery and How to Install It

Xiaomi's stock Recovery is very limited, and if you want advanced features -- backup, unofficial firmware, root rights -- you'll need TWRP (TeamWin Recovery Project), but it's nuanced:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader is required (the procedure takes up to 720 hours of waiting on new models).
• 📱 Support TWRP It depends on the model. For example, for Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi. K70 Special versions may be required.
• ⚠️ Risk of "brike" (breakdown) of the device when installed incorrectly.

Instructions for installing TWRP:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account tied to the phone).
2. Download the current version of TWRP for your model from twrp.me.
3. Reboot your phone in Fastboot and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot reboot recovery
4. Immediately after installing TWRP, it is recommended to disable the firmware signature verification (in the TWRP menu, find the Disable DM-Verity option).

On dynamic partitions like the Xiaomi 12/13/14, the standard TWRP installation method may not work, requiring a patch image or alternative solutions like OrangeFox Recovery.

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Installing custom Recovery voids the warranty and can result in the device being locked if Xiaomi rules are violated (e.g., rollback to an older version of MIUI).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When working with Recovery Mode, users often face the following problems:

If after reset via Recovery, the phone asks for a password from the Mi Account, and you do not remember it, use the official unlock procedure through the Xiaomi website, IMEI).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions