Owners of new smartphones Xiaomi POCO are often faced with an incomprehensible situation: they have the device in their hands, but the screen remains black and shows no signs of life. This is not a breakdown, but a standard measure to protect the battery during transportation, when the battery is put into deep energy saving mode. To activate the gadgetyou need to perform a number of specific actions that differ from the usual holding the power button.
The initial startup process involves not just power supply, but also the correct initialization of the operating system MIUI or HyperOS. Doing this step incorrectly can result in a stuck logo or an endless reboot loop. In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithm for turning on, setting up and solving typical problems that users encounter when they first get acquainted with their device.
Features of turning on POCO for the first time
Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to press the power button once. However, if the smartphone has been in storage for several months, the battery voltage may be critically low. In this case standard algorithm the activation will not work instantly. You will need to connect the device to the original charger and leave it for at least 15-20 minutes, even if the screen does not respond.
Only after the accumulation of a minimum charge will the system allow you to complete the circuit and start Android bootloader. If you try to turn on your phone right out of the box without charging it, you risk seeing only a flashing battery indicator or nothing at all. This is a protective mechanism of the power controller that prevents damage to the chemical structure of the battery.
⚠️ Attention: If the notification light does not turn red or orange when charging is connected within 30 minutes, there may be a problem with the cable or connector. Try replacing the supplied wire with a known good one.
Modern models of the POCO F and POCO X series are equipped with fast charging protocols, which are activated only after a successful “handshake” between the phone and the power supply. Therefore, the use of certified accessories is critical during the initial start-up.
Use only the original power supply included in the kit for the first start-up, as third-party chargers may not supply sufficient current to wake the battery from sleep mode.
Algorithm for forcing the system to start
If connecting to the network does not work and the screen is still black, it is necessary to perform the procedure forced reboot (Hard Reset at the hardware level). This method clears the static voltage from the controller and causes the system to restart. To do this, hold down the power button and hold it for a long time - from 15 to 20 seconds.
In some models, such as POCO M5 or POCO C50, you may need to simultaneously press the power and volume up buttons. Hold the combination until the brand logo appears on the display. Do not release the buttons immediately after vibration, wait until the image appears on the screen.
- 🔋 Connect your smartphone to the network and wait 20 minutes.
- 🔘 Press the power button for 15-20 seconds until the logo appears.
- 🔄 If this does not help, try the "Power" combination +"Volume Up."
- 🔌 Check the integrity of the charging port for dust.
After the logo appears, the system will begin downloading the necessary files. This process may take from 2 to 5 minutes. At this time do not press any buttons do not unplug the power cable to avoid damage to the system partitions.
☑️ Check before turning on
Initial setup and selection language
Successful launch takes the user to the Welcome Screen. Here the interface can be in English or Chinese, depending on the firmware version (Global or China). The first step is always choosing a language. Find the globe icon or the list of languages and select Russian or Englishif you plan to use an international layout.
Next, the system will offer to connect to a Wi-Fi network. This is a required step to activate the device and link it to your account. If you don't have access to Wi-Fi, you can use mobile data by inserting a SIM card before turning on your phone. However, for downloading security updates and drivers Wi-Fi connection is preferable due to the high data transfer speed.
⚠️ Attention: Firmware versions for China (CN ROM) may not have pre-installed Google services. To install them, you will need additional configuration or flashing to the global version.
During the setup process, you will be asked to restore data from the old device. You can use a USB-C cable or a wireless connection. If you are setting up your phone as new, just skip this step by selecting the option Set up as a new device.
Set up a Google Account and Mi Account
The Android ecosystem requires a Google Account to access app store Play Market. Enter your details or create a new account directly on your device. In parallel with this, the system will offer to log in Mi Account. This is a proprietary Xiaomi service, necessary for cloud storage, device search and contact synchronization.
Registration Mi Account often raises questions for beginners. Make sure you are entering a correct phone number or email. If the system requires (verification code), it will be sent via SMS. Ignoring this step may limit the functionality of the smartphone, for example, you will not be able to use the design theme or cloud gallery.
| Service | What is it for? | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Google Account | Play Market, Gmail, YouTube, Synchronization | Yes (for full functionality) |
| Mi Account | Device search, Cloud, Themes | Recommended |
| Login to applications, backup | No | |
| Xiaomi Cloud | Backup copy of photos and notes | No (there are alternatives) |
After authorization, the system will offer to set up security methods: fingerprint, face unlock or pattern. It is strongly recommended to set up biometrics right away, as this will simplify access to banking applications and protected folders in the future.
What to do if you forgot your Mi Account password?
If you do not remember your Mi Account password, you can recover it through the linked phone number or email on the official website i.mi.com. Without access to the account, it will be impossible to unlock the phone after resetting the settings due to FRP protection.
Solving bootloop problems
Sometimes after turning on for the first time, the phone gets into a reboot loop known as bootloop. The screen lights up, shows the logo, then goes dark, and the process repeats endlessly. Most often this is due to a software conflict or an unsuccessful update in the background immediately after activation.
To exit this state, try entering the mode Recovery. Turn off your phone (while holding the power button), and then hold down the power and volume up buttons at the same time. In the menu that appears, use the volume buttons to select the item Wipe Data and confirm the action with the power button.
This operation will delete all user data, returning the device to factory settings. If the problem is software, this will help to launch Android POCO correctly. If the reset does not help, there may be a hardware malfunction, for example, a failure of the flash memory.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting data via Recovery will delete all photos, contacts and messages saved in the phone’s internal memory. Make sure you have a backup copy if the device has been previously used.
Optimization after first launch
After successfully booting the system, it is recommended to perform basic optimization. Go to the application Security and run a system scan. This will delete temporary files and scan your device for viruses. It is also worth checking for software updates in the section Settings → About phone → MIUI version.
A firmware update can correct errors discovered after the release of a batch of smartphones. Sometimes a new version contains important security patches or modem performance improvements. Do not ignore notifications about available updates in the first weeks of use.
Regular firmware updates in the first month of use are critical for the stable operation of new POCO models, as they fix factory bugs.
It is also worth setting up energy saving. In your battery settings, turn off auto-start for apps you don't use regularly. This will extend battery life and reduce CPU load in the background.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
POCO phone does not turn on even if it has been charged. What to do?
Try to force reboot by holding the power button for 20 seconds. If this doesn't help, connect your phone to your computer via a USB cable. If your computer makes a connection sound but the screen is black, there may be a problem with the display or cable. In this case, you need to contact a service center.
Is it possible to start POCO without a SIM card?
Yes, the smartphone is fully functional without a SIM card. You can connect it to Wi-Fi, sign in to your Google account, and use all the apps. However, to activate some functions and receive SMS confirmation codes during the first setup, the presence of a SIM card may be a mandatory requirement of the security system.
What is Fastboot mode and how to get out of it?
Fastboot mode is a diagnostic mode for flashing the device's firmware. If you see a hare wearing earflaps or the words Fastboot on the screen, it means that the phone accidentally booted into this mode (often due to jammed buttons in the case). To exit, simply hold down the power button for about 10-15 seconds until the device reboots into normal mode.
Why does the phone get very hot when you first turn it on?
When you first set it up, the system indexes files, downloads updates, and synchronizes data in the background. This places a high load on the processor, which causes the case to heat up. This is a normal phenomenon that should pass within 1-2 days of active use.