You turned on your Xiaomi smartphone, and instead of the usual desktop, the screen flaunts a picture of a rabbit with red eyes and the inscription Fastboot Mode? Don't panic - this is not a breakdown, but a service mode, in which the phone can go due to a firmware failure, an unsuccessful update or hardware problems. In 90% of cases, the situation can be fixed on your own without the help of a service center.
Fastboot (or bootloader) is a low-level interface used to run the firmware, unlock the bootloader or diagnose the device. The red-eyed hare is Xiaomi's trademark for this mode, and its appearance signals that the system failed to boot normally. In this article, we'll look at all possible causes of getting into the Fastboot, how to exit it with and without data, and give recommendations on how to avoid repeated crashes.
Why Xiaomi is loading into Fastboot: the main reasons
Xiaomi’s smartphone (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark) can automatically switch to Fastboot mode for several reasons, most often due to software failures, but sometimes hardware problems are also to blame.
- 🔄 Failed update MIUI — air-flash" (OTA) or through the Mi Flash Tool.
- 📱 Reset to factory settings with errors, especially if the battery runs out during the process.
- 🔧 Unlocking the bootloader in violation of the official Xiaomi procedure.
- 💥 Install custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience) without compatibility check.
- 🔋 Critical battery discharge (below 5%) during reboot.
- 🛠️ Hardware malfunctions: damage to the power connector, memory controller or motherboard.
If you tried to flash your phone or unlock your bootloader before the rabbit came along, the problem is almost certainly software, but if the smartphone itself moved to the Fastboot without you doing anything, it could indicate a hardware failure (for example, a memory chip dump).
How to Get Out of Fastboot on Xiaomi Without Losing Data
If you have a rabbit on the screen and the words Fastboot Mode, try the soft exit options first.They don't require a PC connection and save all your files, photos and settings.
The simplest method is forced reset.
- Press the power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.
- Wait 30 seconds and turn the phone back on with the power button.
If that doesn’t work, try the key combination:
- 🔘 Press the power button. + volume upwards for 10 to 20 seconds.
- 🔘 In some models (for example, POCO F3, Redmi Note 10 Pro is powered by the + volume.
If the phone is still returning to Fastboot, then the problem is deeper, in which case it will help to connect to the computer and use official tools Xiaomi.
☑️ What to check before connecting to a PC
Exit from Fastboot via Mi Flash Tool (Save Data)
If the soft reboot doesn't work, you'll have to connect the smartphone to the computer.
- 🖥️ Windows computer (7/10/11).
- 📋 Mi Flash Tool (official Xiaomi utility).
- 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set).
- 📄 Firmware for your model (download from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
Step-by-step:
- Install the Mi Flash Tool and unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\Xiaomi\ROM).
- Turn off the phone (if it's in Fastboot, just turn off and turn on again by holding the power button).
- Press the power button + volume down to log into Fastboot (if already there, skip this step).
- Connect your smartphone to your PC. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
- Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
- At the bottom, select Clean All (Saves Data) or Clean All and Lock (Full Reset) mode.
- Press Flash and wait for the process to end (5-10 minutes).
If the firmware is successful, the phone will restart normally, and if not, try repeating the process with another version of MIUI or checking the cable.
💡
If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error critical partition flashing is not allowed, then you have blocked the bootloader. Unlock it through the official Xiaomi website (requires a Mi Account and wait 72-168 hours).
What to do if the Mi Flash Tool doesn’t work
If the standard firmware doesn’t solve the problem, it may be that the EFS partition (contains IMEI and serial numbers) or the modem partition (responsible for communication) is damaged.
- Firmware through EDL-Requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable (EDL cable or circuit of contacts on the board).
- Recovery through TWRP (If you have a custom recap, you have to load into the TWRP (power-button + up volume, plug in OTG-flash-drive.
- Replacement of the motherboard (if the problem is hardware, for example, the dump of the memory chip).
For firmware in EDL, use Mi Flash Pro or QFil (for Qualcomm devices).Be careful: the wrong firmware in EDL can finally "brick" the phone, making it non-repairable without JTAG.
| Method of recovery | Difficulty | Data retention | Requires unlocking bootloader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forced reset | ⭐ | Yes. | No. |
| Mi Flash Tool (clean all) | ⭐⭐ | Yes. | No. |
| Mi Flash Tool (clean all and lock) | ⭐⭐ | No. | No. |
| Firmware through TWRP | ⭐⭐⭐ | Yes (unless you format the data) | Yes. |
| Firmware through EDL | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | No. | No (but you need an authorized account) |
What is it? EDL-regime and how dangerous?
How to Avoid Getting into Fastboot in the Future
To avoid hanging on a hare, follow these recommendations:
- 🔋 Don't update. MIUI Low battery life (less than 30%) interrupted updates are the most common cause of failures.
- 📥 Download firmware only from official sources: en.miui.com or xiaomifirmwareupdater.com.
- 🔓 Do not unblock the bootloader unnecessarily.This increases the risk of crashes when updating.
- 🛡️ Use high-quality cables and chargers. Cheap accessories can cause power surges that cause failures.
- 📱 Regularly back up through Settings → System system → Backup.
If you install custom firmware, always check it for compatibility with your Xiaomi model on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums. It’s also helpful to have an emergency cable for EDL on hand (costs inexpensive, but can save your phone in a crisis situation).
💡
The most common reason for getting into Fastboot is an aborted MIUI update. Always monitor the charge level and stability of the Internet connection during firmware.
When to contact the service center
If none of the methods worked and the phone is still loading into Fastboot or doesn't respond to buttons at all, this could indicate a hardware fault.
- 🔌 The phone is not defined by the computer, even in the Fastboot/EDL.
- 🔥 On the motherboard, traces of oxidation or burning are visible.
- 📵 The smartphone does not charge (even when connected to a knowingly working charger).
- 💾 Mi Flash Tool Firmware Ends with Flash Write Failure Error.
The average cost of diagnostics in Xiaomi service centers is 500-1000 rubles. Repair (for example, soldering a memory chip) can cost 3000-8000 rubles, depending on the model. If the phone is warranty, do not try to sew it yourself - this will void warranty obligations.
⚠️ Warning: If you see this device is locked in Fastboot, it means that the bootloader is locked. Trying to flash custom firmware without unlocking will lead to a hard brick. Unlock bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool.