Recovery Mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a utility tool for system recovery, resetting or installing updates. However, many users face a situation where the device freezes in this mode after a failed update, reset or firmware experiments. If your Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Mi 13 Ultra shows a menu with Reboot, Wipe Data and others, but does not respond to commands, this article will help return the phone to normal operation.
We will not only discuss standard exit methods (via Reboot system now), but also alternative methods for cases when the smartphone does not leave Recovery or cyclically reboots. Special attention will be paid to data security, because the wrong actions in this mode can lead to the complete loss of photos, contacts and applications. MIUI 14/15 HyperOS.
What is Recovery Mode and Why is the Phone Stuck in It?
Recovery Mode is an isolated environment built into Android firmware that runs separately from the main system and allows you to:
- 🔄 Install official updates (Apply update)
- 🧹 Reset to factory settings (Wipe Data)
- 🛠️ Restore backups (backup and restore)
- 🔧 Check the integrity of the file system (Mount) /system)
The reasons why Xiaomi might be stuck in this mode are:
- ⚡ Interrupted update (for example, the battery sat down during the firmware installation)
- 🔧 Failed attempt to get root rights or install custom Recovery (TWRP)
- 📱 Failure after resetting settings through Settings → Reset
- 🔋 Critical battery discharge (less than 5%) while working with system files
- 🛠️ Damage to section /system or /boot because of viruses or "curved" firmware
It’s important to understand that if the phone boots itself into Recovery every time you turn on, it’s a sign of a serious firmware error, and in such cases, the standard output through Reboot system now may not work and you’ll need to do more manipulation.
Method 1: Standard exit via the Recovery menu
If your smartphone screen displays the Recovery menu (usually in English or Chinese) and the sensor works, try the simplest method:
- Use Volume Up/Down to select Reboot system now (reboot system now).
- Confirm the choice of the power button (Power).
If the device is returned to Recovery:
- 🔋 Check the battery charge - connect the charger to 10-15 minutes, then try again.
- 🔄 Try selecting Reboot to bootloader (if any) and then manually restart your phone with the power button.
☑️ Preparations for exiting Recovery
⚠️ Note: If the Recovery menu does not include the Reboot system now option, and instead only the Apply update from the Recovery menu ADB — This is a sign of a damaged boot partition, in which case you will need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool (see Method 5).
Method 2: Forced button reboot
If the sensor does not respond or the Recovery menu does not appear (black screen with the Mi logo), run a hard reset:
- Press the power button for 15-20 seconds until the screen goes out.
- If the phone vibrates but doesn’t turn off, repeat the action by holding Power + Volume Up at the same time.
- After turning off, wait 30 seconds and turn on the device with the power button.
For models with a non-removable battery (for example, Xiaomi 13T or POCO F5):
- 🔋 Hold on to the Power. + Volume Down 20-30 seconds until you feel the vibration.
- 🔄 If the phone boots into Fastboot Mode (Android robot with open stomach) – select Reboot system with power button.
What to do if the buttons don’t work?
Method 3: Reset settings via Recovery (with data loss)
If the phone is cycling back to Recovery, and the standard reboot doesn't work, you're going to have to do a hard reset, which will delete all user data, but it will bring the system back to work.
Instructions for MIUI Recovery:
- From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset).
- Confirm the action by choosing Wipe All Data.
- After cleaning, select Reboot system now.
For TWRP (Castom Recovery):
- Go to the Wipe section → Advanced Wipe.
- Check Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data, Internal Storage.
- Swipe your finger through the Swipe to Wipe strip.
- Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → System.
| Action. | MIUI Recovery | TWRP |
|---|---|---|
| Resetting settings | Wipe Data → Wipe All Data | Wipe → Format Data |
| Clearing the cache | Wipe Cache | Advanced Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache |
| Reboot. | Reboot system now | Reboot → System |
| Installation of firmware | Apply update → Choose from storage | Install → Select ZIP |
⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) After resetting via Recovery, you may need to re-activate the device through your Mi Account!
Method 4: Install firmware via Recovery (without PC)
If the phone loads into Recovery but doesn’t log in, try reinstalling the firmware without losing data (unless the error is critical).
- Download the official firmware for your model from MIUI Downloads (select the Recovery ROM version, not Fastboot!).
- Rename the file to update.zip and transfer it to the root folder of internal memory or to MicroSD.
- From the Recovery menu, select: For MIUI: Apply update → Choose from storage → specify the path to update.zip. For TWRP: Install → Select Storage → select a file and swipe for confirmation.
Reboot system now
If internal memory is not available:
- 📱 Connect your phone to your PC through USB copy update.zip internal memory (if defined as storage).
- 🔌 Use it. OTG-cable and flash drive with firmware (for models with support) OTG).
💡
If you install the firmware error "E: Footer is wrong", download the file again - it may not have been downloaded completely. Also check that the Recovery ROM is selected, not the Fastboot ROM.
Method 5: Fastboot Flashing (for power users)
If none of the previous methods worked, it leaves you with a complete Fastboot flashing, which requires a computer and deletes all the data, but is guaranteed to restore the functionality.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (For the Mi Flash Tool).
- 🔌 Original. USB-cable (preferably from the set).
- 📦 Fastboot firmware ROM For your model (download from the official website).
- 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version).
- 🔑 Xiaomi drivers (install automatically when connected to Fastboot).
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone. Press Power + Volume Down to enter Fastboot Mode.
- Connect the device to a PC. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
- Unpack the downloaded firmware (.tgz →.tar) in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
- Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
- At the bottom, select Clean All (complete clean) or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader).
- Press Flash and wait for the process to finish (5-10 minutes).
- After successful firmware, the phone will automatically restart.
💡
Use Clean All and Lock mode only if you plan to sell your phone or give it to the service, which blocks the bootloader, which will complicate future firmware manipulation.
If the Mi Flash Tool is making an error:
- 🔧 0x80070002 — Check the path to the firmware (no Russian letters should be used).
- 🔌 0x8007001f — Reinstall the drivers or try another one USB-port.
- 📱 This package is for *** only - download the firmware for your model!
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many users make things worse by making typical errors in Recovery mode.
- ❌ Select Wipe All Data without backup (if the phone is at least occasionally booted into the system, first save the data via Mi). PC Suite).
- ❌ Install firmware from other models (even if they are “similar”, for example, the Redmi Note 11 and Redmi Note 11 Pro are different devices!).
- ❌ Interrupt the firmware process through Fastboot (this can "brick" the phone at the hardware level).
- ❌ Use unofficial firmware (Custom) ROM) loader-free.
How to minimize the risks:
- 🔋 Always check your battery power before upgrading (50 percent or higher).
- 📡 Use a stable Internet connection (better Wi-Fi than mobile data).
- 🔄 Before resetting the settings, remove the MicroSD and SIM-The cards (sometimes they cause conflicts).
- 📱 Regularly back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.