Many owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, especially those purchased in the Chinese version, may encounter the mysterious Circular Xiaomi label when switching on or changing screen settings.This interface is a specific shell that simulates a round screen, and often causes bewilderment among users waiting for a standard rectangular display.
Understanding what Circular Xiaomi is is necessary not only to eliminate visual discomfort, but also to correct the application. Often users confuse this mode with matrix breakdown or virus software, but in reality it is a regular feature of MIUI or HyperOS, which can be easily deactivated through the developer menu or screen settings. In this article, we will discuss in detail the nature of this phenomenon and how to manage it.
It's worth noting that activation of circular mode can be random, for example, when updating firmware or resetting to factory settings. Circular is often built into Chinese versions of firmware for testing wearable interfaces on large screens. If you see a round image on a rectangular display, you shouldn't panic - it's a software setup, not a hardware defect.
What is behind the term Circular Xiaomi
Xiaomi’s Circular term refers to a software mode that forcibly changes the resolution and proportions of the output image by cutting the corners of the screen. Technically, this is accomplished by changing the rendering parameters of the GUI, making the system think it’s running on a round-display device. This may be useful for smartwatch app developers, but for the average smartphone user, it creates significant inconvenience.
The main purpose of implementing this feature in Xiaomi firmware is to provide a platform for testing MIUI for Watch interfaces or other wearable gadgets without the need to connect a physical device. However, due to localization features or menu errors, this mode sometimes becomes available for switching in normal display settings.
⚠️ Warning: Long-term use of Circular mode on a regular smartphone can lead to pixels burning out around the perimeter of the circle, since static interface elements will constantly be displayed on the same parts of the matrix.
It is important to distinguish between the software round interface and physical features of the screen, such as the camera-underscreen or cutouts. Circular Xiaomi is exclusively a software overlay that does not affect the physical integrity of the display, but changes the logic of interaction with the content. Apps can be displayed incorrectly, cropping important controls that are usually in the corners.
The reasons for the appearance of a round interface
There are several scenarios where your device may activate Circular Xiaomi mode, most often after a system update, when the new default settings may differ from the previous ones, and the reason may be a reset, in which the phone returns to the factory settings of the region, where the circular interface is standard for certain models.
Another common reason is the installation of global firmware on Chinese versions of smartphones (called bootloader unlocked flashing). In the process of converting the interface, hidden features designed for internal use by Xiaomi engineers can be activated. Debugging mode, which is turned on by mistake, can also provoke the launch of test interfaces.
- 🔄 Update: Automatic installation of the new version MIUI/HyperOS modified-display profile.
- 🌏 Region change: Switching region to China or India, where features may differ.
- 🛠️ Engineering menu: Random entry to hidden settings through service codes.
Users often notice a circle after installing third-party launchers or design themes that conflict with the system display settings. In such cases, the system cache may store erroneous rendering parameters that are used when downloading, you need to check whether applications that emulate the interfaces of other devices are installed.
Could it be a virus?
How to disable Circular Xiaomi through settings
For most users, the solution to the problem lies in the standard settings menu, although the path to it may not be obvious. The first step is to go to Settings → Screen. Here you should look for items related to image size, display mode or full-screen applications. In some versions of the shell, this may be called "Screen Mode" or "Image Format".
If you don't have a switch in the basic settings, you should go to the advanced settings, find Advanced Settings and then Special Options, there might be a section inside that's responsible for improving visibility or controlling the size of interface elements, and that's where the switch that activates the circular mode often hides.
☑️ Checking screen settings
When you change the setting, the system will ask you to confirm the action, as this may affect the operation of some applications. Press OK or Apply. The screen will blink and the interface should return to the standard rectangular view. If this does not happen, try changing the screen resolution manually in Settings → Screen → Resolution by selecting the maximum available value.
⚠️ Note: When changing screen resolution, all open applications will be closed. Save data in documents before applying the settings to avoid losing unsaved information.
Using an engineering menu to reset the mode
If standard methods didn't help remove the Circular Xiaomi label, you'll have to use the engineering menu. This is a deeper level of system configuration that requires caution. To log in, open the Phone app and type ##6484##. CIT-Menu (Customer Information Test) for hardware diagnostics.
In the menu that opens, you need to find the section associated with the display. It can be called Display, Screen, or have a number that depends on the device model. Inside, look for tests related to drawing or color, but do not run them. Your goal is to find a hidden switch or reset the settings through the Version or Config menu.
The alternative method is the use of ADB-commands to reset display parameters if you have access to a computer. Connect the phone in debugging mode USB and enter a command to reset the screen density settings (DPI) This is guaranteed to remove any software distortion of the shape.
adb shell wm density resetExecuting this command through the computer will return the pixel density to the default value, which often solves the problem of incorrect display of the interface. Once the command is executed, the phone can reboot automatically. If the screen has become too small or large, the density can be adjusted manually through the same ADB, selecting a comfortable value.
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Before entering the engineering menu, take a picture of the current parameters values so that in case of an error, everything can be returned as it was.
Comparison of display modes on Xiaomi
Understanding the difference between standard and circular mode will help you better navigate your settings. Below is a table showing the main differences in how the system works when Xiaomi is active and normal.
| Parameter | Standard regimen | Circular Xiaomi |
|---|---|---|
| Interface form | Rectangular | Round (circumcised) |
| Use of the area | 100% screen | Central zone (~60-70%) |
| Impact on the battery | Normal. | Possible burnout of edges |
| Application compatibility | Complete. | Partial (UI trimming) |
As you can see from the table, using circular mode on a smartphone is not practical for everyday tasks such as watching videos or reading text. pixel density in circular mode is recalculated, which can make fonts too large or, conversely, small, disrupting ergonomics.
Some users specifically include this mode to take screenshots of smartwatch interfaces or to joke with friends. However, HyperOS and MIUI are optimized for rectangular format for permanent use.
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The standard rectangular mode provides full compatibility with all apps from Google Play and maximum screen space.
Possible problems after activation of Circular
Xiaomi’s Circular mode activation can have a number of side effects worth knowing about, particularly navigation: Back, Home and Menu buttons can shift or overlap with a circular mask, making control uncomfortable, especially on devices without physical navigation buttons.
You can also have problems with the keyboard. The virtual keyboard can get cut off at the edges, making the extreme letters inaccessible to input. You have to constantly change the layout or use voice input, which reduces the speed of printing. The touch layer continues to work throughout the area, but the visual is absent in the cropped areas.
- 📸 Camera: Viewfinder can display black corners, interfering with framing.
⚠️ Note: If after turning off the round mode touchscreen continues to work incorrectly (skipping the presses in the corners), it may be necessary to calibrate the sensor through the engineering menu.