Main Menu on Xiaomi: Reboot, Wipe Data or Connect with MiAssistant – Which Item to Choose and Why

Why you see Main Menu on Xiaomi’s screen and what to do about it

If your Xiaomi smartphone (or other Xiaomi gadget, such as TV, router, smartwatch) suddenly boots up in Main Menu mode with a suggestion to choose between Reboot, Wipe Data and Connect with MiAssistant, it means that the device is in emergency recovery mode, such a screen appears after a failed update, firmware failure, improper rooting or hardware failure. Your further actions directly depend on the cause of the problem - and on what data you are willing to lose.

The main mistake users make in this situation is panic and random choice of item. For example, Wipe Data can delete all files without the possibility of recovery, even if the problem was solved by a simple Reboot. In this article, we will analyze each item Main Menu with examples of real-world scenarios, explain when it is safe and when it will lead to data loss. You will also learn how to avoid re-entry into this menu and what to do if none of the items helps.

Warning: If you see Main Menu after trying to unlock the bootloader or install custom firmware, the algorithm of actions will be different – read about this in the section about unofficial software.

What each Main Menu item means: a detailed analysis

The menu may differ slightly from one Xiaomi model to another (e.g., on Mi TVs or Mi Smart Speaker smart speakers), but the content of the items remains the same.

• 🔄 Reboot is the safest option, and the device will try to boot in normal mode, but if the problem is serious (the boot partition is damaged), the cycle will repeat.
• 🧹 Wipe Data - a complete factory reset, deletes all applications, accounts, files in internal memory (photos, videos, documents) and does not affect the microSD card.
• 🔗 Connect with MiAssistant – Recovery mode via PC using the official MiAssistant utility (formerly MiFlash). USB-cable.

Important: Some devices (such as the Xiaomi Mi Box or Mi TV Stick) may have an additional Wipe Cache option – it only clears the system cache without affecting user data. If you have one, try it before a full reset.

When to choose Reboot: Cases and Risks

The Reboot item should be selected first if:

• 📱 The device booted to Main Menu after a normal update (e.g., through Settings). → The phone. → Updating the system).
• ⚡ The problem arose after a sharp power outage (village battery, pulled the cable).
• 🔄 Before that, the smartphone / TV spontaneously restarted several times in a row.

In these cases, rebooting often helps, because the failure may have been temporary, but there are risks.

⚠️ Note: If the device returns to Main Menu after selecting Reboot, it means that the bootloop is damaged. Further reboots will only aggravate the problem - you need to move to other points.

You should also not choose Reboot if:

• 🚫 You have installed custom software (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 🔧 Before the failure, the bootloader was unlocked via fastboot oem unlock.
• 🔄 The device is fixated on the Mi logo and does not load any further.

💡

If your device is back on Main Menu after Reboot, try waiting 10-15 minutes before the next reboot.

Wipe Data: When Reset Is Imminent and How to Minimize Loss

The Wipe Data item is a nuclear button that returns the device to a factory state, and you should only choose it if:

1. Reboot doesn't help (the device is fixated on Main Menu).
2. You didn't install custom software and unlock the bootloader.
3. You have a backup of important data (or loss of it is not critical).

What exactly does Wipe Data delete:

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) after Wipe Data, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account to unlock the device. If you don't remember the password, the smartphone will become a brick".

How to prepare for the reset:

Remove the memory card (if any)

Record the IMEI (on a box or under a battery)

Make sure you know the username/password from your Mi Account

Connect the device to charge (the battery should be >50%)

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Connect with MiAssistant: Recovery via PC

The Connect with MiAssistant is designed for hardware recovery of the device through the computer, and it should be chosen if:

• 🔧 You installed custom firmware and it "bricked" the device.
• 🔄 Reboot and Wipe Data are not helpful.
• 💻 You have access to a Windows PC and USB-The cable (preferably the original cable).

Recovery will require:

1. Download the official firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Install MiAssistant (formerly MiFlash)
3. Connect the device to the PC in Fastboot mode (usually press Volume down + Power when connecting the cable).

Step-by-step:

1. Run MiAssistant and select the downloaded firmware file (.tgz or.zip).
2. Connect the device in Fastboot mode (the screen should show the hare in the hat-eared).
3. In the utility, press Refresh - the device must be determined.
4. Choose Clean All (total clean) or Save User Data (to save data if possible).
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-20 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If MiAssistant issues an Anti Rollback error, it means that you are trying to install an older version of the software than the one on the device.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make errors in Main Menu that make the problem worse.

• 🔄 Reboots without waiting. If the device doesn't boot the first time, give it 5-10 minutes -- sometimes the system repairs itself.
• 🧹 Before Wipe Data, check if there are copies of important data in Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
• 🔌 If you interrupt the MiAssistant process, the device can turn into a brick with a damaged bootloader.
• 🔧 Using unofficial firmware without unlocking the bootloader. This leads to a hard brick).

How to minimize the risks:

💡

If you are not sure of your actions, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center. Self-restore may deprive you of warranty if the device is warranty service.

What to do if no one item helps

If after all the manipulations the device still returns to Main Menu or does not turn on at all, the following scenarios are possible:

If you suspect a hardware problem (such as a device falling or getting wet), do not try to stitch it again, this can aggravate the damage.

For owners of devices with an unlocked bootloader, there is another option: to run through fastboot manually, for example, for the Redmi Note 9 Pro, the command will be:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: Firmware through fastboot without official MiAssistant utility can lead to loss IMEI This is true for models with Qualcomm processors (e.g. Snapdragon). 720G/865).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions