Reboot Mode on Xiaomi: How to Get Out of the Reboot Cycle Without Losing Data

Reboot (or endless reboot) on Xiaomi devices is one of the most common problems users face after a failed upgrade, reset or firmware experiment: a smartphone or TV gets stuck on the Mi logo, the screen flashes, and the system can’t complete the boot. 80% of the time, the problem is solved without going to the service center, but requires accurate follow-up instructions.

In this article, we will discuss all working methods for exiting reboot mode, from simple (hard reboot, reset via Recovery) to complex (firmware via Fastboot or EDL). Special attention will be paid to the nuances for different devices: smartphones (Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4, Mi 11/12), TVs (Mi TV Q1/Q2) and tablets (Pad 5/6).

Why is Xiaomi stuck in reboot mode?

A bootloop occurs when the system cannot load the kernel or the main components of the firmware correctly, the reasons being divided into software (90% of cases) and hardware (10%).

• 🔄 Failed Software Update: An interrupted download of a OTA- packet or an error when installed via Updater.
• 📱 Settings reset – if the reset is made via Fastboot or interrupted in the process.
• 🛠️ Manual intervention – deletion of system files, edit build.prop, install incompatible TWRP.
• 🔋 Critical battery discharge – if the device is turned off during firmware or upgrade.
• 💻 Firmware conflict is an attempt to install custom firmware on a locked bootloader.

On Xiaomi Mi TVs, the problem is often caused by damage to the boot partition after automatic updating over the Internet. Smartphones are usually to blame for the vendor or system partitions. Hardware causes (damaged memory, oxidized contacts) are less common, but require repair.

First steps: hard reboot and battery check

Before you start complex manipulations, follow the basic steps that help in 30% of cases:

1. Forced Reboot: Press the Power button for 15-20 seconds (for smartphones) or 30 seconds (for TVs). Some models (POCO F3, Redmi Note 10 Pro) require the Power + Volume up. If the device vibrates or the screen flashes, release the buttons and wait for the full shutdown.
2. Battery test: Connect the device to the original charger for 1-2 hours. If the battery is discharged below 5%, the system will not be able to complete the load. For Xiaomi TVs, use a 12V/1.5A power supply unit (indicated on the back sticker).
3. Turn off peripherals: Remove SIM- cards, SD- cards and disable all USB- devices. On TVs, disconnect HDMI- cables and external drives.

If you do this, you go back to reboot, move to the next section. Xiaomi TVs may have a recovery menu after a forced reboot, which is fine, don't interrupt!

💡

On smartphones with a non-removable battery (for example, Xiaomi 12T) hold the power button until vibration appears – this is a signal to start a reboot.

Exit via Recovery Mode (without data loss)

Recovery Mode is a built-in recovery menu that allows you to reset or reinstall firmware without connecting to a PC.

• 📱 The device is turned on but goes into a reboot cycle.
• 🔄 Standard or custom Recovery (e.g. TWRP) is available.
• 📁 No damage to critical partitions (boot, recovery).

Instructions for smartphones:

1. Turn off the device (forced as described above).
2. Press Power + Volume up for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
4. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (on some Factory Reset firmware).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (5-10 minutes).
6. Restart the device via Reboot → System.

For Xiaomi Mi TVs:

1. Turn off the power for 1 minute, then turn it on.
2. Immediately after the logo appears, press Menu (on the remote) + Volume down (on the TV case) for 10 seconds.
3. Select Wipe Data/Factory Reset from the menu (use remote buttons).
4. After the reset, the TV will reboot automatically.

Time to save (the process takes 10–30 minutes)

Connect the device to charge (battery > 30%)

Make sure the volume buttons are working (for navigation)

Download the stock firmware (if the reset does not help)

-->

Recovery resets removes:

• 📸 Photos and videos (if not saved in the cloud).
• 📱 Installed applications and their data.
• 🔑 Accounts (including Mi Accounts, if not linked to a device).

Files on the SD- card and in the DCIM folder (if not encrypted) usually remain intact.

Firmware via Fastboot (for smartphones and tablets)

If Recovery resets don’t work, the next step is to run the Fastboot mode, which is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader (on those that are locked, you’ll need to unlock first through the Mi Unlock Tool).

• 💻 Windows computer 10/11 (or Linux/macOS driverless ADB).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📁 Stock firmware for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool (for Windows) or fastboot utility from Platform Tools.

Step-by-step:

1. Install drivers: Download and install Mi Phone Manager (automatically install ADB and Fastboot drivers).
2. Connect the device in Fastboot mode: Turn off the smartphone, then press Power + Volume down until the screen with the rabbit in the hat (Fastboot mode) appears. Connect to the PC.
3. Unpack firmware: Download the archive with firmware (for example, tucana_global_images_V13.0.6.0.SKFMIXM_20221010.0000.00_12.0_global.zip) unpack in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
4. Sweat through Mi Flash Tool: Open MiFlash.exe, click Select and point the path to the firmware folder. At the bottom, select Clean All (full reset) or Save User Data (save data, but not always works). Press Flash and wait for completion (5-15 minutes).

POCO and Redmi with a locked bootloader require unlocking via the Mi Unlock Tool before firmware, a process that takes up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting after an account is tied.

💡

Fastboot erases all data, including internal memory. If your device had important files, try extracting them through ADB first (described in the next section).

Data extraction before reset (methods for advanced)

If the device stores important data (photos, documents, chats) and a reset is inevitable, you can try to extract it before the firmware.

Instructions for retrieval via ADB (if the device is sometimes booted):

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and wait until it boots up briefly (even for 10-20 seconds).
2. Open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools and execute: adb devices If the device appears in the list, type: adb pull /sdcard/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\ This will copy all data from internal memory to the disk C:\.
3. If ADB doesn’t see the device, try: adb shell su tar -cvzf /sdcard/backup.tar.gz /data/media/0/ Then copy backup.tar.gz to PC.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with encrypted memory (e.g., Xiaomi 12S Ultra), it is impossible to extract data without a password, in which case only a backup in the Mi Cloud or chip-off will help.

Firmware via EDL (Emergency mode)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is the last chance to bring a device back to life if the Fastboot is not available.

• 🔧 Authorized Xiaomi Account (for new devices starting in 2022)
• 💻 Mi Flash Pro or QFil (for Qualcomm smartphones)
• 📁 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format (download from forums, for example, Xiaomi Firmware Updater).

How to log into EDL:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press Volume Up + Volume Down and connect the USB cable to the PC. The screen will remain black, but the device will be identified as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
3. Open Mi Flash Pro, select firmware and press Flash.

For Xiaomi TVs (on Amlogic processors):

1. Turn off the power, pinch the Menu on the remote and connect the cable to a USB port (OTG).
2. Hold the button for 10 seconds, then release it.
3. Use the USB Burning Tool for firmware.

⚠️ Warning: Firmware through EDL on locked bootloaders (e.g., the 2023 Redmi Note) requires authorization through Xiaomi's server. Without it, the process will end with the SLA Auth Fail error, the decision to contact the service center or use paid unlock services.

Hardware reasons for reboot and when to contact the service

If all the software methods didn't work, the problem could be in the hardware.

• 🔋 Battery malfunction – bloating, short circuit (typical for smartphones older than 3 years).
• 💾 Memory damage (eMMC/UF) -bad blocks in critical partitions (boot, system).
• 🔌 Oxidation of contacts - after moisture or prolonged storage in a wet room.
• 🔥 Processor overheating due to faulty thermal interface or damage to motherboard.

Signs of hardware problem:

• The device is heated even when it is turned off.
• When connected to a PC, it is defined as Unknown Device or not at all.
• The reboot cycle is accompanied by extraneous sounds (squeaking, crackling).
• Artifacts appear on the screen (stripes, flickering).

In these cases, it is recommended that:

1. Check the battery with a multimeter (voltage should be 3.7-4.2V).
2. Disassemble the device and inspect the board for oxidation (green plaque, corrosion).
3. Connect to a current-restricted power supply (0.5A) – if the device is turned on, the battery is a problem.

Cost of repairs in service centers:

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi TVs, hardware malfunctions are often disguised as software malfunctions. For example, unstable power supply can cause a reboot cycle. Before repairing, check the TV with another power supply (suitable for voltage).

FAQ: Frequent questions about reboot mode on Xiaomi