How to find settings on Xiaomi: a comprehensive guide to the system

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where, after updating the MIUI shell or switching to a new version of HyperOS, the usual controls change their location. The system interface is constantly being improved by developers, which can disorient even experienced users who are used to the old menu structure. Finding the right option turns into a quest, especially if you just switched from another brand or purchased a Chinese device.

In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can instantly find your settings on Xiaomi, regardless of which version of the operating system you have installed on your gadget. We will look at both standard navigation methods and hidden features that are not visible on a surface inspection. Understanding the logic of how the menu works will allow you to control the device much more efficiently and find the necessary switches faster.

It's worth noting that partition structure may vary slightly depending on the firmware region (Global, EEA, CN) and the particular smartphone model. But the basic principles remain the same across the ecosystem. System settings are grouped by functionality, and knowing that logic, you can intuitively find the right partitions even in an unfamiliar interface.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to change the settings in the "Developers" or "Engineering menu" sections unless you know exactly what each option is responsible for.

The main ways to enter the control menu

The most obvious and common method is to use an app icon on your desktop. By default, the system offers a shortcut with the image of a gear, which is usually located in the dock bar at the bottom or on the first screen. If you change the theme, the icon may look different from the standard one, but its functionality remains the same. For quick access, you can simply swipe down the center of the screen to open the notification bar, and click on the gear icon in the upper right corner.

But there's a faster way that many beginners ignore, and many models with MIUI and HyperOS have a quick search function, and you just swipe down the empty space on your desktop (not the notification curtain, but the background) to activate a global search, and you type in the word "settings" or a specific query, like "screen," and the system immediately prompts you to go to the desired section, and the search bar indexes all menu items, including those hidden in deep subcategories.

If the standard shortcut has been accidentally removed from your desktop, don't panic and think that control is lost. You can always use the Google Assistant or Xiao AI (in Chinese versions). Just say "Open Settings" or "Settings" and the phone will automatically launch the desired application. This is especially convenient when the screen is contaminated or the second hand is busy.

• 🔍 Use built-in menu search by entering keywords.
• ⚙️ Check the Tools or System Applications folder if the shortcut is missing.
• 🗣️ Activate voice control for instant start-up.
• 👆 Swipe down the center of the screen to access quick settings.

Menu Structure in MIUI 14, 15 and HyperOS

With the release of new firmware, the main menu structure changes to make it more logical, but sometimes more confusing for those who are used to the old standards. In current versions of the operating system, all parameters are divided into thematic blocks. The top of the screen is usually reserved for search and Mi Account, and below are the main categories: Network and Internet, Notifications and Status, Sound and Vibration.

It is important to understand the difference between normal viewing and extended. In some versions of the shell, a switch is available that allows you to display all settings with a list without breaking down into categories, which may be more convenient for advanced users. Navigation menus often contain color icons that visually group adjacent functions. For example, anything related to the display will have shades of blue or black, and security options will be green or red.

The special attention should be paid to the "Advanced" or "Advanced Settings" section, which has been redesigned in the new versions of HyperOS, and it brings out features previously available immediately on the main menu, such as button management, in-pocket mode and special features, and if you can't find the usual switch, with a 90% probability it moved to this subsection.

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Turn on displaying all settings with a list in the search menu to see the full list of available options without clicking through folders.

Using parameter search for quick access

Searching inside the settings menu is one of the most powerful tools that is often underrated. Unlike global phone searches, internal settings searches ignore files and apps, focusing solely on system parameters, and it allows you to find even those options that you only remember about the names of. Just type in a part of a word, and the search algorithm will offer relevant results.

And what's interesting is that it's not just looking for the names of the items, it's also looking at the descriptions of the items. For example, if you type in a "battery" query, it's going to show you not only the power section, but also the specific applications that use the most energy, but also the energy saving settings. It saves you time by not having to wander through the nested menus. In recent versions of MIUI, search has become a natural language that understands phrases like "how to zoom in the font."

You don't have to open the full menu to activate this function, you just swipe down the desktop to get the search bar to appear, and you start typing, and you'll know what you're interested in, and you'll find the appropriate shortcuts, and you'll only index hidden engineering menus if they've been pre-activated by the user.

⚠️ Warning: If the search doesn’t find an obvious setting, check if the phone is on Child Mode or guest mode, which restricts access to the system.

Hidden sections and menus for developers

Many users do not even realize that their smartphone has a layer of settings hidden by default.We are talking about a menu for developers, which is designed to debug applications and test features, but is often used by ordinary people to speed up animations or turn on USB-To activate this section, you need to find the "Version" item. MIUI" or "OS version" in the "About phone" section and quickly click on it 7-10 successively.

Once activated successfully, you'll see a notification that the developer mode is on, and the main settings menu, usually in the "Additional" section or right in the list, will have a new "Developers" item, which contains over a hundred parameters that affect the CPU, graphics, network and Bluetooth, and changing these parameters can dramatically change the behavior of the system, so be careful.

There are also secret codes that open up the hardware engineering test menus, and type in combinations like ##6484## to check the screen matrix, speakers, sensors and other modules, which are not related to the usual interface settings and are used primarily by service centers for troubleshooting.

• 🔓 Click 7 times on the build number to open the hidden menu.
• ⚙️ Use the Engineering Menu Codes to Diagnose Iron.
• 🛠️ Change the scale of animation to visually speed up work.
• 📡 Set up your preferred network type in advanced settings.

Problems with displaying icons and their solution

When a setting icon is lost from the desktop, it is one of the most common reasons for contacting support, most often due to accidental removal of the shortcut or reset of the launcher after the update. It is important to understand that removing the shortcut does not delete the application or system partition, it only hides access to it from the home screen.

If the icon is missing even from the menu of all apps (swipe up the screen), it may have been hidden in the privacy settings or "Second Space." MIUI has an application hide feature that allows you to hide the icons from prying eyes, and to check this, you need to go to the theme or security settings and find the "Hidden Apps" section.

In rare cases, the disappearance of system icons may indicate damage to the launcher cache or a system failure, in which case cleaning the cache of the Security application or resetting the launcher settings to factory ones will help, while the system files will not be affected, but the standard desktop appearance will return.

To restore a standard set of icons, you can use the Classic theme or reset the theme settings in the Themes app, which will return all system shortcuts to their places, including settings, phone and messages. If the problem persists, it makes sense to check if there is a third-party launcher installed that could block system elements.

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Removing the shortcut from the desktop doesn’t remove the settings app itself – it’s always available through a shared app menu or search.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)