If your Xiaomi smartphone is frozen on the logo, does not respond to touches, or you have forgotten the pattern key, the only working solution is a forced reset to factory settings using a combination of physical buttons.
Using physical keys to enter recovery mode is a reliable way to revive the device, even if the operating system is completely frozen or won't load. However, before starting active actions, you need to understand that resetting settings is irreversible. All photos, contacts and messages not saved in the cloud or on an external memory card will be irretrievably lost. Therefore, if you have even the slightest access to the system, try to create a backup copy of important information.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm for entering the menu Recovery Mode on smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO, and also consider nuances of navigation in this mode. You will learn what key combinations work for different models, how to avoid account lock Google or Mi Account after a reboot, and what to do if the phone goes into a cyclic reboot. The instructions are universal, but require care when performing each step.
Preparing the device for a forced reset
Before pressing any combination of buttons, it is critically important to assess the current state of the gadget. If your smartphone turns on and is at least partially responsive to touch, your first priority is data synchronization. Go to Settings, find the “Accounts and Synchronization” section and make sure that contacts, calendar and notes are loaded into your profile. For photos and videos, it is best to use the service Google Photos or cloud storage Mi Cloud.
If the phone “hangs” on the logo or the screen is completely black, there is no option for software. In this case the only chance to save the data is to remove the microSD memory cardif it is installed in the slot. In this situation, it will not be possible to save the internal memory, since the Hard Reset procedure, by definition, implies its complete formatting. Also make sure that the battery level is at least 50-60% so that the device does not turn off at the most critical moment of the firmware.
⚠️ Attention: After the reset, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection will work on many modern models. This means that during the first setup, the phone will require you to enter the login and password for the Google account that was synchronized with the device before the reset. Make sure you remember this data!
You should also turn off all unnecessary peripheral devices. If you have headphones, a headset, or a data cable connected to your smartphone, disconnect them. The presence of extraneous connections can sometimes throw off the algorithm for recognizing button presses, and the phone, instead of recovery mode, will go into fast firmware mode Fastboot, which looks different.
☑️ Ready to reset
Keyboard shortcuts to enter Recovery Mode
The main mechanism for entering recovery mode on devices Xiaomi is standardized, but may have slight differences depending on the processor generation and shell version MIUI or HyperOS. The classic combination, which works in 95% of cases, involves simultaneously pressing the power button and the volume up key.
Technically, the process is as follows: completely turn off the smartphone. Wait until all indicators and vibration disappear. Then hold down the button Volume Up (+) and, without releasing it, press and hold the button Power. You need to hold both keys until the brand logo appears on the screen. As soon as you see the inscription Redmi or Mi, the power button can be released, but the volume button should be held for a few more seconds until the menu appears.
There are nuances for some specific models. For example, on some tablets or older smartphones the combination may be different. If the standard method does not work and the phone just turns on in normal mode, try holding all three buttons simultaneously (Volume Up, Volume Down and Power) with the device turned off. This is a rare scenario, but it occurs on some devices with custom firmware.
If the phone does not respond to presses, try connecting it to the charger for 5-10 minutes before attempting to enter Recovery. Sometimes a deep discharge blocks the ability to load additional modes.
It is important not to confuse the mode Recovery with the mode Fastboot. If you accidentally press the volume down button instead of the volume up button, you will be taken to a screen with a picture of a hare fixing a robot. This is the firmware mode via a computer, which we do not need now. To exit it, simply hold down the power button for 10-15 seconds until a forced reboot.
Navigation and Recovery menu on Xiaomi
After successful login, you will see a screen with a black background and a list of items written in white or yellow font. Interface of stock Recovery on Xiaomi minimalistic and does not support touch controls. This is a common mistake made by beginners: they try to point their finger at the screen, but nothing happens. All navigation is carried out exclusively by physical volume buttons.
The Volume Up key moves the cursor (highlight) up the list, and Volume Down -down. To confirm the selection and enter the submenu, use the Powerbutton. In some versions of Recovery, especially custom ones like TWRP, the sensor may work, but you should not rely on it. Focus on tactile control.
The list of commands in the main menu usually contains the following items:
- 🔄 Reboot — reboot the device (exit mode).
- 📦 Wipe Data — erasing data (our main tool).
- 🛠️ Connect with MIAssistant — mode for connecting to a PC for debugging.
- 🔒 Safe Mode — safe mode (rare).
Our goal is point Wipe Data. Move the highlight to it using the Volume buttons and press the Power button. An additional menu will open where you will need to select an option Wipe All Data. It is this command that initiates the process of completely formatting the partition /data, where all user information is stored.
The process of formatting and clearing data
After selecting the item Wipe All Data the system will ask for final confirmation of your intentions. This is done to protect against accidental pressing. A warning will appear on the screen indicating that all data will be deleted. You will need to select Confirm or Yes and press the power button again.
From this moment the cleaning process begins. A progress bar or simply running log lines can be displayed on the screen. The time required to complete the operation depends on the amount of internal memory and the speed of the flash drive. This usually takes from 30 seconds to 2-3 minutes. At this moment it is strictly prohibited remove the battery (if it is non-removable) or try to turn off the phone.
Internal system processes at this moment perform low-level formatting of partitions. A power interruption can lead to damage to the partition table, which will turn the smartphone into a “brick” that requires complex restoration through a service center and a programmer. Wait for the message to appear Data wiped successfully (Data successfully deleted).
| Process stage | What is happening | User actions |
|---|---|---|
| Initialization | Checking the integrity of partitions | Waiting |
| Formatting Data | Deleting user files and applications | Do not interrupt the power |
| Cleaning Cache | Erasing temporary system files | Waiting |
| Complete | Return to the main Recovery menu | Select Reboot |
After successful completion, the phone will automatically return to the main Recovery menu. Now that the memory is cleared, you need to restart the device. Select item Reboot, then Reboot to System. The first startup after the reset will last longer than usual - from 5 to 10 minutes, as the system optimizes applications and creates new system files.
Solving problems with booting and cyclic restarts
Sometimes after a reset the phone does not boot into the system, but again ends up in the Recovery menu or freezes on the logo. This phenomenon is called bootloop. There may be several reasons: from damaged system files to hardware problems with the volume button, which may be “stuck” and constantly send a signal to enter recovery mode.
If you are sure that the volume button is working, try clearing the partition Cache separately. In the main menu of Recovery, find the item Wipe Cache (if it is in your version) and perform a cleanup. This will not affect your personal files (which have already been deleted), but will remove possible temporary data conflicts that interfere with downloading.
⚠️ Attention: If the phone constantly goes into Recovery by itself even after a reset, check the case for physical damage. Often the problem lies in oxidation of the button contacts or moisture getting inside the device.
In cases where a soft reset does not help and the device does not boot for more than 15 minutes, the operating system image itself is probably damaged. Here you will need to flash the device via a computer using the utility Mi Flash Tool and the official firmware image in the format .tgz. This is a more complex procedure that requires an unlocked bootloader (in most cases).
What is an unlocked bootloader?
An Unlocked Bootloader gives full rights to manage the system, allowing you to install custom firmware and Recovery. However, on new Xiaomi, to unlock it you need to wait 7 days after linking your account in the developer settings.
Initial setup after Hard Reset
After a long first boot, you will see the welcome screen. The system will prompt you to select a language, connect to Wi-Fi and log in to your account. This is where the previously mentioned FRP protection comes into play. If the phone asks you to enter your old Google account, but you don’t remember it, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the device legally.
Next, the system will offer to restore the data from the backup copy. If you have previously synchronized your smartphone with Mi Cloud or Google Drive, you can select the backup date and restore contacts, call history and the arrangement of icons on the desktop. This will significantly speed up the process of returning to comfortable use.
Please note that after a reset, some system applications may be missing if they were previously uninstalled by the user, or, conversely, updates will appear that will be downloaded automatically. It is recommended that immediately after setup, go to Settings → About phone and check for firmware updates to install the latest security patches.
The first turn on after a reset can take up to 10 minutes. Don't panic if the phone hangs on the logo - the system is optimizing the database and application cache.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will information be deleted from the SD memory card when resetting through the buttons?
No, standard procedure Wipe Data in the Recovery menu affects only the internal memory of the device (/data). The memory card remains untouched. However, if you previously selected the “Format as internal memory” option in the phone settings, then the data on the card may be encrypted with a key that is stored in the partition being deleted, and then it will not be possible to read it without resetting the encryption.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
On some global firmware versions or Chinese versions (CN ROM), the recovery menu may be in English or Chinese. The drop point is usually the second from the top. Focus on the hieroglyphs or position: Wipe Data almost always located immediately below the item Reboot. If the language is critical, you can try to reflash the device to the global version, but this requires access to the system or an unlocked bootloader.
Is it possible to reset a forgotten pattern key without losing data?
Through the Recovery menu - no. Resetting via buttons always deletes all data. The only way to save information if the key is forgotten is remote unlocking through the service Find My Device from Google (if the phone was online) or through the service Find Device from Xiaomi (if synchronization with Mi Akkount is enabled). But these methods do not always work and depend on the security settings.
Why does the phone ask for a password for the old account after resetting?
This is the work of the Factory Reset Protection (FRP) function. It is designed to protect against theft. If an attacker steals the phone and resets it with the buttons, he will not be able to use it without entering the owner's data. You can legally bypass this protection only by entering the correct username and password.
Is it safe to do a Hard Reset if the battery is low?
No, it's risky. If the phone turns off while formatting partitions, the file system may be damaged. Always charge the device for at least 30-40 minutes before starting the procedure, even if the indicator shows the presence of charge.