How to Enter Recovery on Your Xiaomi Phone (2024)

All Android smartphones come pre-installed with a system software project called Recovery, which allows you to perform actions on your smartphone without starting the operating system. This is useful if your mobile device does not work properly or is in a boot-up state. Interested in how to enter the Recovery on your Xiaomi phone – read on.

What is it, and why is it needed?

Recovery Mode is a mode in which you can perform important operations on your phone without waiting for Android to boot up. The mode looks like a black background and a few large items with English inscriptions. You can switch between sections using the physical power and volume buttons. Some third-party utilities support touch control.

On Xiaomi smartphones, recovery mode is pre-installed. But the stock project has only the necessary options, viz:

reboot;
reset to factory settings;
connection to a computer;
switching the phone to the security and repair modes.

Extended functionality is represented in custom recovers. Using TWRP and CWM recovery, you can reflash the mobile device, install various modules and applications, and restore the backup. Third-party recovers will have to be installed independently, having previously unlocked the bootloader. If you are a novice and not well versed in technological operations – it is recommended to use the system software project.

It is especially useful if the phone freezes or constantly reboots. Due to failures, you may not have time to enter the settings menu.

How to enter MIUI Recovery on Xiaomi

Let’s look at how to enter the pre-installed recovery on Xiaomi and Redmi. The procedure is quite simple and quick. You do not need to activate the bootloader, get root rights, or connect the device to the PC.

Using a combination of keys

This option is perfect if you have problems with the operating system’s startup. So, to go to the recovery using the physical buttons, you need the following:

Turn off the smartphone by holding the power button for a few seconds and clicking on the “Shutdown” icon.
Wait a few seconds to stop all system processes.
Press the Power and Volume Up keys.
Release the on/off button when you hear a vibration click.
Hold down the Volume Up Button until the Main Menu appears. Done. You have entered the stock utility called MIUI Recovery.

Through the system settings menu

You can also enter the recovery on Xiaomi in the system settings. To do this:

Open “Settings” and go to “About the phone”.
Go to the tab “MIUI version”.
Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select “Restart in Recovery mode”. Confirm the action by clicking on the blue button with the same name. After that, Xiaomi will start the recuperation.

If the menu does not have the item “Reboot to Recovery mode”, click the MIUI logo several times. The “Advanced features enabled” notification will appear.

Mi Recovery 5.0 features

Let’s look at what operations can be performed in the stock recovery on Xiaomi. Important point: the number of available options differs depending on the version of the software project. On Redmi Note 11 5G, it is version 5.0, but on older models can still be Mi Recovery 3.0.

Reboot

The most basic option for rebooting your mobile device. Suitable if you have accidentally entered the recovery and want to return the smartphone to the normal mode of operation. After clicking on “Reboot” you will see two tabs: “Reboot to System” and “Back to Main Menu”.

Wipe data (reset settings)

You can reset the phone to its default state by accessing this section. This removes all installed applications and user content. After starting the smartphone, you will need to perform the initial setup.

A hard reset is necessary when the device is not functioning properly due to a software conflict or a malicious file. Also, a reset usually helps if the smartphone freeze on the Mi logo. In some situations, resetting with the help of recovery is more effective than a similar procedure performed through the system menu.

We press “Wipe Data” and select “Wipe All Data” in the next window. Confirm the action.
Wait for the reset procedure to complete. The phone will reboot, and you can proceed with the initial setup.

Connect with MI Assistant (Connect to PC)

Use this item to connect your phone to your PC and perform important system actions in third-party utilities. For example, you can synchronize your phone with Mi PC Suite. The “Connect with MIAssistant” section is also useful when reflashing the phone or restoring it from the boot loop state.

Safe Mode

A new feature that puts the smartphone in safe mode. It has only necessary system applications, and all user stuff is not available for viewing. Safe mode is needed to see how the phone works without third-party software or personal data.

Repair Mode

Also, a new option appeared in Mi Recovery 5.0. It’s called Repair Mode, and it’s a very useful feature. Before you take your device to the service center, you must create a separate account with no sensitive information. That way, the technician will not be able to access your photos, files, and apps.

Installing and logging into the custom recovers

Many more features are available in the custom recovers, so it’s suitable for experienced users. Here we told you how to flash Xiaomi via custom recovery. You can also install Magisk or SuperSU (root rights) with the advanced software package. Detailed instructions on installing TWRP Recovery are presented in a separate article.

You can enter the custom recovery mode on Xiaomi using the same key combination suitable for the stock utility. Just hold for a few seconds the power and volume up buttons. Instead of MIUI, Recovery will run TWRP or CWM, depending on which project you have installed.

How to run recovery on a clean Android

Logging into recovery on Android One follows a similar procedure (turning off and holding down the power and volume+ keys). All Xiaomi smartphones running on a “clean” Android support the recovery mode. Custom variants are also installed without problems if the bootloader is unlocked.

FAQ

What should I do if my Xiaomi does not enter recovery mode?

Usually, login problems occur after a failed attempt to set the custom recovers. In this case, only reflashing will help. But first try different ways to enter: if you can not enter the mode with the physical buttons, carry out the procedure through the item “About the phone” in the system settings.