Fastboot Mode on Xiaomi: How to get out without data loss (instruction 2026)

You turned on a Xiaomi smartphone, and instead of your desktop, you saw a black screen that says Fastboot Mode and a flashing Android robot? Don't panic, it's not a breakdown, it's a service mode that is used to firmware, unlock the bootloader or restore the system. The problem is that without the right actions, it's not so easy to get out of it: a normal reboot or hold the power button often doesn't work.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to exit Fastboot on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones – from basic (suitable even for beginners) to advanced (using ADB and Mi Flash Tool).

What is Fastboot Mode on Xiaomi and Why It Appears

Fastboot Mode (or Bootloader Mode) is a low-level tool for interacting with the hardware of a smartphone. It is activated before the Android operating system boots and allows you to:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (bootloader) for installing custom firmware.
• 📥 Switching the device through the Mi Flash Tool or fastboot commands.
• 🔧 Restore the system after a crash (for example, after a failed update).
• 📡 Installation of modified recovery (TWRP).

But why does Xiaomi itself move to Fastboot without you?

• ⚡ Incorrectly shutting down during software updates (for example, the battery is dead).
• 🔄 Failure to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
• 🛠️ Failure to install custom firmware or Magisk.
• 🔋 Critical battery discharge (<5%) while working with system files.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi loads into the Fastboot after falling or getting moisture, the problem may be hardware (damaged power connector or motherboard.

On Xiaomi 12/13/14 series models, as well as Redmi Note 12/13 and POCO F5/X5, the Fastboot mode can appear after a forced reboot via ADB or when trying to roll back firmware to an older version.

Method 1: Standard Reboot (works 60% of the time)

Let’s start with the simplest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with an unlocked bootloader: you don’t need a computer or additional programs, just the smartphone itself.

Instructions:

1. Hold the power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.
2. Release the button and press it again once to turn it on.
3. If the Mi or Redmi logo appeared, then the exit from Fastboot was successful.

On some models (for example, the POCO X3 Pro or Redmi Note 10 Pro) instead of power retention, you need to use a combination of:

Power button + Volume up (hold 8-10 seconds)

⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone returns to Fastboot after the reboot, it means that the system is damaged or the bootloader is blocked.

Method 2: Exit through Recovery Mode (if the system is not damaged)

If the standard reboot didn’t work, try logging into Recovery Mode, another service mode where you can start a reset or reboot to normal mode, which is suitable for devices with working firmware (for example, if the Fastboot appeared after accidentally pressing buttons).

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the smartphone (hold power for 10+ seconds).
2. Press the power button + volume up and hold until the Mi Recovery logo appears.
3. In the recovery menu, select Reboot → Reboot to System (use volume buttons for navigation and power for confirmation).

If instead of Mi Recovery you see a black screen with an error or the device goes back to Fastboot, it means:

• 🔴 Firmware damaged (reflashing through Mi Flash Tool required).
• 🔴 bootloader is locked (you need to unlock it officially through Mi Unlock).
• 🔴 Custom recovery installed (TWRP), But the system is not compatible with it.

Method 3: Use ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

If the first two methods fail, you’ll have to connect your smartphone to your computer and use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires drivers and minimal command line knowledge, but it’s versatile and works even on locked devices.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📦 Installed Xiaomi drivers (official website).
• 🛠️ Tools ADB and Fastboot (download) SDK Platform Tools).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode to your computer.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the drivers again.
4. Run the reboot command: fastboot reboot

If the fastboot reboot command doesn’t work, try an alternative:

fastboot oem reboot

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi 11 Ultra or Redmi) K50) The fastboot oem reboot command can cause an error FAILED (Remote: Unknown command. This is OK — just use the standard fastboot reboot.

💡

If the smartphone returns to Fastboot after the command fastboot reboot, try to enter fastboot continue. This command forcibly continues to boot the system, ignoring the errors.

Method 4: Firmware via Mi Flash Tool (if the system is damaged)

If all previous methods didn't work, the problem is probably the damaged firmware, in which case the only reliable way to bring a smartphone back to life is to reflash it through the official Mi Flash Tool, a method that is suitable for:

• 🔄 Devices that are cyclically loaded into Fastboot.
• 📱 Smartphones after a failed firmware or reset.
• 🔓 Devices with locked boot loader (but official unlocking is required).

What needs to be done:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool from the official website.
2. Select firmware for your model (such as Redmi Note 12 Global or POCO X5 Pro EE) in the Fastboot ROM section.
3. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
4. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode to your computer.
5. In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select, specify the path to the firmware folder, then Refresh (the device serial number should appear).
6. Select firmware mode: 🔹 Clean all – complete reset (all data deleted). 🔹 Clean all and lock - reset + Loader lock (only for official firmware). 🔹 Save user data – trying to save data (not always working).

Flash

5-10 minutes

⚠️ Note: Firmware via the Mi Flash Tool will reset all data on the device if you choose Clean all mode. SD-map SIM-map to avoid damage to them.

1. correctness of the selected firmware (must coincide with the model and region).

2. USB cable integrity (damaged wires may interrupt firmware).

3. Availability of sufficient battery charge (minimum 30%).-->

Method 5: Unlock the bootloader (if the Fastboot appears due to locking)

On new Xiaomi models (released after 2022), the bootloader is locked by default. If you tried to install custom firmware or Magisk without official unlocking, the smartphone can constantly boot into Fastboot with the error This device is locked.

How to unlock the bootloader officially:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Sign in to your Mi-account (it should be linked to the device).
3. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode to your computer.
4. Start the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions (it may take 72-168 hours for new accounts to wait).
5. Once unlocked, reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool (see Method 4).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions