How to get out of safe mode on Xiaomi phone: all working methods

Safe Mode on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is a diagnostic mode that automatically disables all third-party applications, leaving only system services. It is activated when critical crashes, software conflicts or incorrect user actions (for example, when forced restart during an update) Externally, this is manifested by the inscription “Safe Mode” in the lower left corner of the screen and the absence of third-party app icons.

The main problem is that many users are faced with a looped safe mode – when the phone is constantly loaded into Safe Mode, despite rebooting. This can occur due to corrupted dalvik-cache files, conflicts with Magisk (if there is root), or even hardware malfunctions (for example, sticking the power button). In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to turn off Safe Mode on Xiaomi, including methods for devices with an unlocked bootloader and without root rights.

Why is Xiaomi’s phone booting in Safe Mode?

Safe Mode Activation is an Android security mechanism that works in the following cases:

• 🔄 Incorrect software update - interrupted firmware through MIUI Updater or Fastboot can lead to a download cycle in Safe Mode.
• 📱 Application Conflict – Viruses Modified APK Applications with incompatible resolutions (e.g., Xposed Framework).
• 🔧 Hardware failures – sticking the Volume Down or Power button, damage to the charging connector (on some models this causes a false Safe Mode operation).
• 🛠️ Rooting or custom firmware – incorrect installation of Magisk, TWRP or unofficial kernels (Custom Kernel).
• 🗃️ Damage to system files - errors in /data/dalvik-cache or /system/priv-app.

On Xiaomi models 12/13/14 series and Redmi Note 11/12 A common reason is the automatic activation of Safe Mode after a fall (impact sensor is triggered). PC Suite if the drivers are installed incorrectly.

Method 1: Standard Reboot (for most cases)

In 80% of cases, the exit from safe mode on Xiaomi is a simple reboot.

1. Hold the Power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.
2. After vibration, release the button and wait for the full load (do not press any keys!).
3. If the phone boots up again in Safe Mode, proceed to the next method.

On some models (e.g. POCO X3 Pro or Redmi K50), the standard reboot fails due to sticking of the hardware buttons.

• 🔋 Turn off your phone and wait 1-2 minutes (full discharge of capacitors).
• 🔌 Connect the charger is not original (with another amp) – this sometimes resets the state of the buttons.
• 🔄 Repeat the switching attempt.

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If the phone doesn’t respond to the power button, try clamping Volume Up + Power for 20 seconds – this will force the device to restart even when it freezes.

Method 2: Removing conflict applications through ADB

If the phone is constantly returning to Safe Mode, one of the installed apps may be the culprit.

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on version).
2. Download Platform Tools and open the cmd in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command for the list of applications: adb shell pm list packages -f
4. Look for suspicious packages (such as those with com.example.test names or unofficial modifications to system applications).
5. Remove the conflict app: adb uninstall com.example.conflictapp

Typical candidates for removal:

Install Platform Tools|Enable debugging on USB|Connect the phone to the PC|Check the package list|Remove suspicious applications-->

Method 3: Reset Dalvik cache and system (without data loss)

If the problem is caused by damage to the cache of applications or system files, cleaning dalvik-cache will help.This method does not delete user data, but requires access to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi Recovery logo appears.
3. Select a language and go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
5. Reboot the device (Reboot → System)

For models with TWRP (e.g. POCO F1 or Redmi K20 Pro):

1. V TWRP Choose Advanced → Dalvik/ART Cache.
2. Run a swipe for cleaning.
3. Go back to the main menu and select Wipe → Cache.
4. Reboot.

Attention! If the phone still loads into Safe Mode after cleaning the cache, the problem may be in /system partition, in which case you will need to flash through Fastboot (see Method 5).

Method 4: Check hardware buttons (for looped Safe Mode)

At the physical level, Safe Mode can be activated due to:

• 🔘 Volume Down button sticking is the most common reason on Redmi 9/10 and POCO M3.
• 🔋 Damage to the button plume - after falling or getting moisture.
• ⚡ Short circuit on the motherboard – for example, after a failed battery replacement.

How to diagnose:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Carefully tap on the buttons Volume Up/Down and Power – if you hear a characteristic “click”, the button stuck.
3. Try pressing the buttons alternately with effort – if the phone reacts to Volume Down as a hold (vibration), the button is faulty.

Provisional decision:

• 🔧 Carefully tuck the button with a thin object (for example, a paper clip) to return it to its original position.
• 📱 Use it. USB OTG-Adapter with external keyboard to control the phone (if the buttons do not work completely).

⚠️ Note: If the button is physically damaged, further use of it may damage the motherboard (for example, on the Xiaomi Mi 11, the buttons are connected via a flexible plume that is easy to break.

Method 5: Fastboot Flashing (Extreme Method)

If all previous methods failed, it leaves a complete flashing through Fastboot, which deletes all data but is guaranteed to eliminate the software reasons for Safe Mode.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Windows PC 10/11 Linux.
• 📋 Mi Flash Tool (download from official website).
• 📦 Fastboot firmware ROM for your model (for example, tissot_global_images_V12.5.1.0.RDLMIXM for Mi A1).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (important for stable connection).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\fastboot_rom).
2. Turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Click Select and point the way to the firmware folder.
5. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
6. Wait for the end (10-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked loader (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) Before the firmware, you need to unlock Bootloader through the official tool. Without this, the Mi Flash Tool will give an anti-rollback error.

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Fastboot flashing is the only way to bring the phone back to life if Safe Mode is caused by a system partition (/system or /vendor) damage, however, this method erases all data, including photos and contacts, if there was no backup.

How to prevent the re-enablement of Safe Mode?

To avoid recurrence, follow these recommendations:

• 📥 Install apps only from Google Play or Mi App Store. APK from third-party sites (especially modified versions of WhatsApp, Telegram or games).
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI. In older versions (below). MIUI 13) there are vulnerabilities exploited by viruses to force Safe Mode activation.
• 🛡️ Turn off the automatic installation from unknown sources: Settings → Annexes → Special rights → Installation from unknown sources
• 🔧 Check firmware integrity after rooting. Use Magisk Delta instead of the standard Magisk — it's better compatible with the system. MIUI 14.
• 📦 Do not uninstall system applications without backing up. Even seemingly harmless packages (e.g. com.miui.analytics) can cause crashes.

On Xiaomi models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 processor (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi K50 Ultra), Safe Mode can activate when the chipset overheats. Monitor the temperature through the CPU Monitor app and avoid gaming when charging.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Safe Mode on Xiaomi