Where to find settings on Xiaomi phone: 5 ways for all models

Have you just bought a new Xiaomi or updated your firmware and now you can’t find the right settings? MIUI And HyperOS is really different from standard Android, and even power users are sometimes lost in the many menus, POCO Xiaomi, including hidden methods and hotkeys.

Xiaomi’s firmware features not only redesigned, but also redistributed sections, such as HyperOS (new shell from 2026), which has moved some menu items into subcategories and into subcategories. MIUI 14 of them could be duplicated in different places, and we will show you how to find settings quickly (in 2 seconds), through search (if you don't know the name), and even voices for those who prefer to control the phone without hands.

It's important. POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 14, the instructions will be unchanged. For older models (until 2020) there may be minor differences, which we will mention too.

1. Standard method: through the Settings icon

The most obvious, but not always intuitive, method is to run through the main menu. The settings icon on Xiaomi looks like a gear (⚙️) usually:

• 📱 On the home screen, if you haven’t put it in a folder or hidden it.
• 📂 In the App Menu – Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open a list of all programs.
• 🔍 In Search – If you can’t find it visually, swipe down the screen and type “settings” into the search bar.

On HyperOS (for example, on Xiaomi) 14 Pro) the icon may be stylized flat and gray instead of blue. MIUI 12-13 If the icons aren't on the home screen, check the Tools folder or Xiaomi, and sometimes the manufacturer groups system applications.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro after updating to MIUI 14, the settings icon can be duplicated. One leads to the old menu, the other to the new menu. If you notice two gears, delete the one that says "Settings (old version)" - it takes up memory and can conflict.

2. Quick access through the notification curtain

If you want to open your settings as quickly as possible, use the notification bar. MIUI hyperos:

1. Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the curtain.
2. Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner (near the notifications clear button).

This method opens the settings for 1-2 It's a little bit short, but it's limited, it leads to the main menu, not to a specific section. If you want to, like Developer Mode or Special Features, you'll have to manually search for it.

Nana POCO F4 GT And other game models in the curtain can be two gears:

- One opens the usual settings.

- The second (with the inscription "Game") leads to Settings → Special facilities → Playing space.

💡

If the notification curtain does not open with a swipe, check the gestures in Settings → Display. → Gestures. Maybe Full Screen mode with alternative controls.

3. Search by settings: how to find the right item in 5 seconds

Do you know where the right option is? MIUI And HyperOS has a built-in settings search that saves time:

1. Open the Settings in any convenient way (see sections above).
2. At the top of the screen you will see a search bar with a magnifying glass (🔍). Put it on her.
3. Enter a keyword. For example: 🔋 battery - for battery settings. 📶 mobile network - for SIM-maps and the Internet. 🔊 sound or vibration – to control volume.

The system will show all the sections and sub-items associated with the query, for example, by the word "screen" you will see:

- Settings → Display,

- Settings → Special facilities → Type size,

- Settings → Battery and productivity → Screen refresh rate.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 10C And other budget models, settings may be slow or not show some items, so try an alternative method called voice search (see next section).

4. Voice assistant: Handless settings management

If you’re too lazy to browse through the menu or busy (like cooking), you can use voice search, which works on all Xiaomi models with Google Assistant or built-in Xiao. AI (China).

Instructions for Google Assistant:

1. Say OK, Google or hold the Home button (if you have one on your model).

2. Say a command, for example:

- Open the Wi-Fi settings,

- Show me the battery menu,

- Find the lock screen settings.

For Xiao. AI (if it is installed):

1. Press the power button on 1-2 Seconds to activate the assistant.

2.Speak in Chinese or English (depending on firmware):

- Open settings,

- Wi-Fi settings,

- Battery optimization.

Nana POCO X5 Pro and new models with HyperOS voice search settings works only when connected to the Internet – without a network, the assistant will not be able to process the request.

5. Hidden settings: how to open the engineering menu and modes for developers

Some of the settings in Xiaomi are hidden from ordinary users, but they can be activated.

• 🔧 Equipment testing (checking camera, speakers, sensors).
• 📡 Changes in network parameters (e.g. forced selection) 4G/5G).
• 🐞 Debugging (enable Developer Mode).

How to open the hidden menu:

🔹 Developer mode

To unlock additional options (for example, debugging by USB or Permission OEM-Unlocking, do the following:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version (or HyperOS version) and tap it 7 times in a row.
3. Enter a password/pattern lock if required.

After that, a new section For developers (on HyperOS) will appear in the main settings menu or Additional → Developer parameters (by MIUI).

🔹 Menu Engineering (Engineer Mode)

To access low-level settings (e.g. testing) GSM-net-calibration):

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code ##4636##
3. Select the section you want (e.g. Battery Information or Usage Statistics).

⚠️ Note: Changing the settings in the engineering menu can lead to loss of warranty or unstable operation of the phone. For example, incorrect setting of Band Selection in the Telephony section can turn off the network completely. → System system → Backup.

Make a backup copy of the data

Record the current network settings (APN, transfer)

Check the battery (minimum 50%)

Ensure a stable Internet connection (for recovery)

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6. Alternative methods: through other applications and gestures

If standard methods don’t work (for example, the sensor broke or the settings icon disappeared), you can use workarounds:

🔹 Through "Security" (Mi Security)

The Security app duplicates some system settings:

1. Open Security (Icon with Shield) 🛡️).

2 Go to Device Management or Optimization.

3. You can set it up here:

- Auto-launch applications,

- Program permits,

- Energy consumption.

🔹 Through Google Settings»

On the phones with Google services there is a separate menu:

1. Open Settings.

2. Scroll down and select Google (or Accounts) → Google).

3. It is possible to control:

- Synchronization,

- Backup copies,

- Advertising settings.

🔹 Gestures (for models with MIUI 12+)

On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) Supported gestures for quick access:

- Double tap on the lock screen – opens the camera or flashlight (configured in Settings) → Lock screen → Gestures).

Swipe down with two fingers on the main screen – opens the notification panel (from there you can go to the settings).

💡

If the Settings icon is missing from the screen, try resetting the launcher settings: clamping the empty space on the home screen → Home screen settings → Reset the layout.

7.What to do if the settings do not open

Sometimes the Settings app may freeze, crash, or not respond to clicks.

If nothing helps, try resetting to factory settings:

1. Turn off the phone.

2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.

3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe data (use volume buttons for navigation).

⚠️ Warning: Reset will delete all data, including photos and messages. If the phone does not respond to touch, but the screen is working, connect it to the PC and copy important files through MTP (data-transmitting).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi settings