Where to find settings on Xiaomi devices: phones, TV, smart appliances

Have you just bought a Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ smartphone, a Mi TV Q2 smart TV or a Mi Band 8 fitness bracelet, but can’t find the right settings? Or has the menu moved to a new location after the MIUI 15 update? This problem is familiar to many users – the manufacturer regularly changes the location of control points, and in different devices (smartphones, TV, smart watches) the logic of access to settings is fundamentally different.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to open settings on Xiaomi devices, including hidden menus for developers, engineering modes and alternative access methods. You’ll learn how to find network settings on POCO F5, where the audio settings on the Mi TV A2 are hidden, and how to return the classic menu on smartphones with HyperOS. And also what to do if the settings do not open at all due to a system failure.

1. Where are the settings on Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI and HyperOS)

On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones, there are three main ways to open the settings — all of which depend on the firmware version. Since the transition to HyperOS (starting with the Xiaomi 14 and Redmi K70), the menu has undergone major changes, so the instructions for MIUI 12-14 may not work.

The most obvious way is:

• 📱 Click on the gear icon (“Settings”) on the home screen or in the application menu.
• 🔍 If there is no icon, swipe down the screen and tap the user icon (in the upper right corner), then select Settings.
• 🔄 On HyperOS, swipe down twice to open the notification bar, and click on ⚙️ Settings in the upper right corner.

If the standard method doesn’t work (for example, after a reset or failure), try alternative methods:

• 🤖 Enter the "settings" request in the search system (swipe down on the home screen) - the system will show a direct link.
• 📟 Dial the code ##4636## on the keyboard and the testing menu will open, from where you can go to the main settings.
• 💻 Connect your phone to your PC and use ADB- the command: adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings

⚠️ Warning: On some models (e.g., POCO X6 Pro) after upgrading to HyperOS, the settings icon may disappear from the home screen. To return it, pinch the empty space on the screen → “Widgets” → find “Settings” and drag it to the desktop.

2. Hidden settings: engineering menu and modes for developers

Not all Xiaomi options are available in the standard menu, such as 5G network settings, USB debugging, or battery calibration, hidden in special modes.

For example, to enable 5G on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ if the option is not available in the standard settings:

1. Open the engineering menu with the code ##4636##.
2. Go to the tab "Phone Information".
3. Select the SIM- card and install the NR/LTE/WCDMA in the Set preferred network type section.
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

3. Settings on Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV, Redmi TV)

Xiaomi TVs have a different setup menu than smartphones, and there are two main panels:

• 📺 Fast settings – open with the ⚙️ button on the remote (volume, brightness, signal source).
• 🔧 Full settings – available via the ⋯ button (three dots) or Home → Settings.

To open advanced settings (e.g., color calibration or HDMI-CEC settings):

1. Press the Home remote (home).
2. Select Settings → Device → Display and Sound.
3. For hidden options, click sequentially: Menu → Settings → All Settings → General.

On the new models (Mi TV Q2 2026, Redmi Smart Fire TV) the menu has been simplified, but some features have moved:

• 🔊 Sound equalizer is now in Settings → Sound → Additional → Equalizer.
• 🖥️ Image modes (Cinema, Games, Sports) were moved to Settings → Display → Picture modes.
• 🌐 Network settings are hidden behind Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi/Ethernet.

💡

If the remote from Xiaomi TV does not respond to the Settings button, try holding Home + Back for 5 seconds - this will reset the remote to factory settings.

4. settings in smart watches and fitness bracelets (Mi Band, Watch)

In wearable devices Xiaomi (Mi Band 8, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Redmi Watch 3) settings are divided into two types:

• 📱 Through the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app (for new models).
• ⌚ Right on the device -- swipes across the screen.

To open the settings on the bracelet itself:

1. Swipe up the main screen (on Mi Band 8).
2. Click on the icon ⚙️ or look for the Settings item.
3. On the Xiaomi Watch S3, hold the side button for 2 seconds, then select Settings.

Through the Zepp Life app, advanced options are available:

• 🔔 Notification settings: Profile → Device → Notifications.
• 🏃 Sports Modes: Profile → Device → Physical Activity.
• 🔋 Energy saving: Profile → Device → Display → Battery mode.

⚠️ Warning: The Mi Band 7/8 may miss the Settings item from the bracelet menu after the firmware update. To return it, reset the device via the application: Profile → Device → Reset.

5 What to do if the settings do not open

Sometimes the settings menu freezes, doesn't respond to clicks, or it gives you an error, and it can be a lot of things, from a system failure to a virus.

Check free memory (less than 1GB can block work)|Restart the device (hold the power button for 10 seconds)|Update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system|Clear the cache of the Settings application (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Settings → Clear the cache)|Reset the settings to factory (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge)-->

If the settings open and close immediately, try:

1. Run them through Safe Mode: 1. Turn off the phone. 2. Hold the power button + increase the volume until the logo appears. 3. Select "Safe Mode" (Safe Mode).
2. Remove the updates for the Settings app: adb uninstall --user 0 com.android.settings (you will need an unlocked bootloader and ADB).

Xiaomi’s Mi TV P1/P1E series from 2022 to 2023 has a bug that stops settings from opening after connecting to a VPN. Solution: Turn off the VPN, restart the TV and reset network settings through Settings → Connections → Network Reset.

6. How to return the old settings menu (for MIUI and HyperOS)

Many Xiaomi users are unhappy with the new menu design in HyperOS or MIUI 14, where the settings are broken down into tabs and hidden under additional swipes. Fortunately, there are ways to bring back the classic look:

For MIUI 12-14:

• 📲 Install a launcher from a third-party developer (e.g., Nova Launcher or Lawnchair).
• 🔧 Enable Light mode in the theme settings: Settings → Display → Themes → Light mode (simplifies the menu).
• 📱 Use ADB- to disable new animations: adb shell settings put global transition_animation_scale 0

For HyperOS (on Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70):

• 🔄 Enable Classic mode in experimental features: Settings → About Phone → HyperOS version (tap 5 times) → Developer options → Classic Settings menu
• 📦 Install the module for Magisk (root required) — MIUI Classic Settings.

💡

Starting with HyperOS 1.0.4.0 (April 2026), Xiaomi removed the ability to return the old settings menu via ADB. The only working way now is to use custom launchers or modules for Magisk.

Settings for specific models: features and exceptions

Some Xiaomi devices have unique settings menus that are not found in other lineups.

For example, to enable 120Hz on POCO F5 if the option is not available in the display settings:

1. Activate the developer mode (7 taps according to MIUI).
2. Go to Additional Settings → Developer settings.
3. Find the Minimum Screen Update and set 120 Hz.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)