How to go to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro: official and custom modes

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro is a legendary smartphone that is still used by many users due to its reliability and the ability to install custom firmware. However, to perform a range of operations – from resetting settings to firmware via TWRP – requires access to recovery mode (Recovery Mode). In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to log into the recovery on the Redmi Note 3 Pro, including the nuances for official and custom firmware.

It is important to understand that the procedure differs depending on the type of Recovery: standard Mi Recovery (from Xiaomi) or custom, for example, TWRP. Also, some versions of the firmware may have locks that you have to bypass. If you plan to sew the device or reset the settings, prepare in advance - the wrong actions in Recovery can lead to a "brike" (complete inoperability) of the smartphone.

1. Preparation before entering Recovery

Before you proceed to the practical steps, make sure that the key conditions are met:

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50% is critical, as interruption of the process due to discharge can damage system files.
• 📱 Turn off password/fingerprint protection (if any) to avoid unlock issues after resetting.
• 🔌 Use the original cable USB Type-C: Cheap analogues may not transmit commands correctly.
• 💾 Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) as a Recovery reset deletes user files.

If you plan to install custom Recovery (such as TWRP), you will need to:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool.
• 🖥️ Install drivers on PC ADB/Fastboot and utilities for working with firmware.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI (In particular, Chinese) the entrance to the Recovery can be blocked by the manufacturer. TWRP via Fastboot.

2. Method 1: Enter through hardware buttons (for standard Mi Recovery)

This is the most versatile method that works on most Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi Note 3 Pro. Instructions are suitable for the official Recovery from Xiaomi:

1. Turn off the smartphone completely (press the power button and select Turn off).
2. Press the buttons at the same time: Volume up (+) + Power for standard Recovery. Volume down (-) + Power to log into Fastboot (if you need to flash TWRP).

10-15 seconds

Mi

Release the buttons when you see the screen with the choice of language (Chinese/English).

In the standard Mi Recovery, the following options are available (moving through the menu is done by volume buttons, the choice is by the power button):

⚠️ Note: If after pressing the buttons, the smartphone vibrates but does not load into Recovery, the bootloader firmware may be damaged.

Method 2: Login through ADB (for power users)

If the hardware buttons don't work (for example, the volume button broke), you can log into Recovery via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires USB debugging enabled and a computer connection.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on the developer mode on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Press 7 times on the MIUI version until the notification "You are a developer" appears.

USB-debugging

• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Turn on the debugging switch over USB.
• Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB and confirm the debugging permission on the device screen.
• Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) on your computer and type:

fastboot devices

If the device is detected, enter to Recovery:

fastboot reboot recovery

If you want to flash TWRP, download the current version for Redmi Note 3 Pro (codenamed kenzo for global or kate for Chinese) and do:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot reboot recovery

⚠️ Note: Unofficial Recovery firmware (e.g, TWRP) voids warranty and may result in locking the device if the bootloader is not unlocked.Be sure to unlock Bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool before firmware.

5.The Difference Between Mi Recovery and TWRP

Redmi Note 3 Pro users often face a choice: use the standard Recovery from Xiaomi or install custom, for example, TWRP.

If you plan to experiment with firmware or need advanced features (like backup before upgrading), TWRP is the best choice, but for standard operations (reset, cache cleaning), official Recovery is enough.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you log in to Recovery on Redmi Note 3 Pro, users face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 The device loads into Fastboot instead of Recovery: Check the button combination — Recovery needs Volume up, Fastboot needs Volume down. If Recovery is damaged, run it again through Fastboot.
• 🔋 Smartphone does not respond to buttons: Try to pinch buttons longer (up to 20 seconds). If the buttons are physically faulty, use the method with a button. ADB.
• 📵 The screen displays a "No command" error: This is normal behavior for some versions of Recovery. Press and hold Power, then briefly press Volume Up. If it doesn't work, swipe Recovery again.
• 🔒 Recovery asks for a password: This happens if encryption has been enabled on the system. Reset the password via Fastboot with the command fastboot format userdata (the data will be deleted!).

If neither method works, the bootloader firmware may be damaged, in which case you will need to completely flash the device through the Mi Flash Tool in EDL mode.

💡

Before any manipulations in Recovery, make sure the bootloader is unlocked (if TWRP is used) and the battery is charged.

7 Security: What You Can and Can't Do in Recovery

Recovery Mode provides a lot of options, but doing the wrong thing can harm your device.

• ✅ You can: Cleaning Cache is safe and helps to eliminate lag. TWRP Install official updates via Mi Recovery.
• ❌ You can't: Format the System partition without firmware, it will make the device inoperable, install firmware from other models (for example, for Redmi Note 3 instead of Note 3 Pro), interrupt the firmware or reset process (even if the device "hangs" on 10).+ minute).