Many Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners have experienced a situation where the device suddenly goes into what is known as “ultra-saving mode,” with the screen turning dark, most app icons disappearing, leaving only a basic set of features, and the interface’s color scheme changing to black and white or blue and black, a condition often scaring inexperienced users who think the phone has broken down or been hit by a virus attack.
It's actually a regular MIUI or HyperOS feature designed to maximize battery life in a critical situation, and when the battery drops below a certain threshold (usually 10% or 20%), the system suggests turning on that mode, and if you've agreed to or activated it accidentally, you can return to full use of the smartphone in a number of ways, which we'll discuss in detail below.
Recovery is a process that does not require deep technical knowledge. It is important to understand that exiting the power saving mode will not lead to loss of your personal data, photos or contacts. However, if the phone freezes or the interface does not respond to touch, more radical reboot methods may be required, which will also be described in this article.
What is the ultra-saving regime?
Ultra-saving mode, often referred to as Ultra Battery Saver, is a last resort to protect battery power. Unlike conventional power saving mode, which simply limits background activity and synchronization, ultra-mode actually turns a smartphone into a device with basic button phone functions. The system forcibly shuts down all background processes, shuts down mobile internet, GPS and Bluetooth, and reduces the brightness and refresh rate of the screen.
The main purpose of this state is to make it possible to make emergency calls or use messengers for as long as possible with minimal charge. The launcher interface completely changes: instead of the usual application grid, you see large tiles for calls, messages, alarm clock and calculator. Some models allow you to add a few more favorite applications, but their functionality will be limited.
It is worth noting that newer versions of HyperOS have redesigned the algorithms for this mode, and now the system can more aggressively impose a transition to saving mode if it detects that the user rarely charges the device or uses heavy applications at low charge. Automatic activation often occurs without explicit confirmation if the charge level drops critically quickly.
⚠️ Warning: In ultra-saving mode, you won't be able to use your navigator, make video calls, or play games, all of which are blocked by the system to conserve energy.
Understanding how this mode works helps you navigate the situation more quickly, and if your phone has moved into that state, then the system thinks that the current charge level is not enough for normal operation, or you have activated this function yourself before, exiting it returns all the visualization and background settings to their original state.
Ways to exit through the lock screen interface
The easiest and fastest way to get out of ultra-saving mode is to use the lock screen or desktop capabilities, if they are available for interaction. In most cases, even with active saving mode, the system leaves the ability to quickly switch, which requires unlocking the device and carefully examining the screen.
Often, at the top of the screen or in the center of the saving interface, there is a special button or widget that says "Exit" or "Off" or "Off." Pressing this element returns the smartphone to normal mode. If there is no such button in sight, try pressing and holding the power button. In the menu that appears, there may be an option to exit the saving mode, although more often there are only reboots and turns off.
In some versions of MIUI, it is easy enough to simply connect the device to the charger. When the power cable is connected, the system can automatically suggest that you exit the saving mode, since the low charge problem is solved.
If the interface is touch-responsive but there is no exit button, try swiping down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification curtain. In ultra-saving mode, the curtain can be cut, but sometimes there is a battery mode switch left there. By clicking on it, you can select Performance or Balanced mode, which automatically turns off ultra-savings.
Disconnection through battery settings
If the work environment interface is available but there is no quick exit button, you need to consult the system settings. This is the most reliable software method, you need to find the Settings icon (cogs), which usually remains available even in a stripped-down mode, or find the Security application with a green shield icon.
Inside the Security app or directly in Settings, look for the Battery section, and that's where you're focusing on managing all your power consumption. At the top of the screen, you'll see your current mode of operation, which is likely to be labeled as either Ultra or Maximum Savings. Click on this indicator.
You'll see a mode selection menu, and you'll select "No" (to turn off savings), "Balanced" or "Performance" and after the switch, the system will immediately return the standard launcher, restore the color scheme, and start the background services.
☑️ Algorithm of exit through settings
The path to settings may vary slightly depending on the shell version, for example, in MIUI 12-14, the path often looks like: Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode. In older versions, settings can be hidden inside the Security app in the Battery tab.
Rebuilding Google services and system services requires energy.
Use of the power button and restart
In situations where the interface is completely locked, does not respond to touch or the exit button is not located, the most effective solution is forced reboot. This method is universal for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. It allows you to reset the current state of the system without losing data.
To perform a soft reboot, you need to press the power button and hold it for 10-15 seconds. The action menu may appear on the screen where you need to press Reboot. If the screen does not respond, hold the power button longer until the device vibrates and the brand logo appears.
There is also a combination of hard reboot buttons that works even when the interface is hung. Press the Power and Volume+ buttons at the same time (or Volume-, depending on the model) and hold them for about 10 seconds until vibration. Once turned on, the phone should start in normal mode, as the ultra-saving mode is not maintained after a full reboot, unless it has been set as a permanent profile.
⚠️ Warning: Forced reboot doesn't delete your files, but can interrupt the download or update process if it was in the background. 15-20% before restarting.
After a successful reboot, the system will perform a standard boot procedure, and you will see the usual lock screen. If the phone again automatically turned on the savings mode immediately after turning on, then the charge level is still critically low, and you should connect the charger.
Setting up parameters and preventing auto-inclusion
To avoid accidental hitting ultra-saving mode in the future, it is recommended to adjust the activation parameters. The system allows you to set a charge threshold at which you will be offered to enable savings, or completely disable the automatic offer.
To do this, go to Settings → Battery. Find Power Saving Mode or Battery Settings. Here you will see the option “Enable Automatically.” You can turn off this switch or set it to a lower percentage of charge (for example, 5%) so that the mode is only turned on as a last resort.
Why does the regime turn on itself?
It's also worth checking the settings of the Security app. Sometimes it manages profiles. Open the app, go to the settings (three dots or a gear) and find the battery-related section. Make sure that it doesn't activate aggressive energy saving profiles.
Another important aspect is memory optimization: Battery settings often have a Memory Cleanup feature that can work in conjunction with saving mode. If you want full control, turn off automatic memory cleanup in the background so that the system doesn't try to "save" resources by shutting down the applications you need.
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Use the battery widget on your desktop for quick mode switching. Add it through long pressing on the empty screen space → Widgets → Battery.
Comparison of battery operating modes
To better understand the differences between normal phone condition and ultra-saving mode, let’s look at their main characteristics, which will help you make an informed decision whether to use this mode in everyday life or only in emergency cases.
| Characteristics | Regular regime | Ultra-saving regime |
|---|---|---|
| Available applications | All installed | Calls, SMS, contacts (sometimes camera) |
| Internet (Wi-Fi/4G) | It's working. | Unplugged. |
| Registration | Colored, themes | black and white or dark |
| Background synchronization | Active. | Completely stopped. |
| Screen brightness | Regulated | Limited to a minimum |
As you can see from the table, ultra-saving functionality is severely limited, and that's the price of being able to run for days without recharging in standby mode, but for a modern user who depends on instant messengers and navigation, this mode makes the smartphone virtually useless except for calls.
So getting out of ultra-saving mode on Xiaomi is usually the first action a user takes after turning on the phone in this state: Returning to normal restores mode is a full-fledged experience.
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Ultra-saving mode is only useful in situations where you need to delay the moment of turning off the phone to wait for an important call, but not for everyday use.