How to open menus on Xiaomi devices: from smartphones to TVs

Xiaomi devices, from Redmi smartphones to Mi TVs, hide a slew of useful features from menus under their concise interface. However, finding them is not always easy: the manufacturer often hides engineering settings, service modes, or even basic parameters behind non-obvious button combinations. This article will help you understand how to open hidden menus, service modes and standard settings on any Xiaomi device, regardless of its type.

We're going to look at not only classic ways (via Settings or physical buttons), but also unique codes for the engineering menu that work even on new models in 2026. Particular attention will be paid to Mi TVs and Redmi Smart TVs, where access to service functions often requires specific manipulation of the remote, if you ever faced a situation where "everything tried, but the menu does not open" - this guide is for you.

1. How to open the main menu on Xiaomi smartphones

On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, standard settings are intuitively accessible, but there are nuances depending on the version of the MIUI shell. The basic menu opens through the Settings icon on the home screen or in the app list. However, if you need to find a specific section (for example, For developers or Special features), you will have to use the search.

Here's how to do it:

• 🔍 Open Settings and enter a keyword in the top row (e.g., “developer” or “developer "USB"). The system will automatically highlight the desired section.
• 📱 In some models (for example, POCO F5) Developer menu is hidden. To activate it, go to Settings. → About the phone and 7 times click on the version MIUI.
• ⚙️ For quick access to frequently used settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, flight mode) swipe from top to bottom to open the notification panel.

If your smartphone has MIUI 14/15 installed, the interface may be different from previous versions. For example, in MIUI 15, the App section is moved to Settings → System, and the screen settings are now in the Display → Additional.

2. Secret codes for the engineering menu on Xiaomi

The engineering menu (or Engineer Mode) allows you to test the hardware components of a smartphone, check the operation of sensors, calibrate the screen and even change the parameters of the network. USSD-codes or combinations in the phone application.

Here are the current codes for modern models (2022-2026):

⚠️ Note: Not all codes work on customized firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU).If nothing happens after entering the code, check the version. MIUI In Settings → The phone.

3. How to open a service menu on Xiaomi TVs

Mi TV and Redmi Smart TV have several menu types: custom (available via remote), service (for diagnostics) and engineering (for deep customization). To open the service menu, you will need a Xiaomi remote (original or compatible).

Instructions for most models (2020-2026):

1. Turn off the TV with the Power button on the remote.
2. Press the combination Menu + Input on the remote and hold 5-7 seconds.
3. Without releasing the buttons, press Power on the TV (not the remote!) in 2-3 seconds the service menu will appear.

In the service menu you can:

• 📺 Check the time of the matrix (Panel on Time).
• 🔧 Reset to factory settings (Factory Reset).
• 📡 Check the signal level of the antenna (Signal Strength).
• 🔄 Update the firmware manually (Software Update).

Turn off the TV for 1 minute | Use only the original remote | Record the current sound/image settings | Don't press random buttons in the menu-->

⚠️ Attention: On Mi TVs TV Q2 2026 or later, the button combination may be different. If the standard method doesn't work, try holding the Menu. + Volume Down when enabled.

4. Alternative ways to open the menu without remote control

If the remote is lost or broken, you can control the Xiaomi TV through:

• 📱 Mi Remote (available for Android and iOS) connects via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
• 🖥️ Buttons on the body (usually located on the side or bottom). + Volume Up often opens the main menu.
• 🎮 Gaming controller (e.g. Xiaomi Game Controller) if the TV supports Bluetooth connectivity.

For Xiaomi smartphones without a working screen (for example, after a fall), the menu can be opened through the ADB-Connect the phone to the PC, install it. ADB Tools and do it:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings

This will open up the standard settings of the device. For the engineering menu, use:

adb shell am start -n com.miui.engineermode/.EngineerMode

Frequent problems and their solutions

Sometimes the menu doesn't open even after the right actions, and let's look at the typical situations and how to fix them:

Problem 1: The engineering menu code is not working.

• 🔄 Check if your operator blocks the code (on some firmware from Xiaomi.EU, the codes are disabled).
• 📱 Try entering the code through the Phone app, not through the keyboard in Settings.

Problem 2: The service menu on the TV will not open.

• 🔌 Turn off the TV for 5 minutes, then repeat the combination.
• 📺 Make sure you use the original remote (universal remotes may not support service commands).

Problem 3: After logging into the engineering menu, the phone stopped seeing the network.

• 📶 Go back to the Network section and select Restore Default.
• 🔄 If the network is not restored, reset through Settings → System system → Resetting settings.

💡

If the device is unstable after changing the parameters in the engineering menu, try rolling back the changes through the Restore section in the same menu. If this does not help, reset to factory settings.

6.Security: What not to do in hidden menus

Service and engineering menus provide access to critical device settings, and careless actions can lead to:

• 🚨 Loss of warranty (if the parameters are not intended for the user).
• 📵 Failure of hardware components (for example, if the battery or screen is calibrated incorrectly).
• 🔒 Locking the device (if the protection functions are activated, for example, OEM Unlock on a blocked bootloader).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs, changing the settings in the Panel Adjustment section can lead to irreversible deterioration in image quality.

If you need to make changes for repairs or optimizations, follow official Xiaomi instructions or guides from trusted sources (e.g., the 4PDA forum or Xiaomi Community site).

💡

Before entering the engineering menu, back up the data. Record the current audio and image settings on your TVs (e.g., take a picture of the screen with the settings).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the menu on Xiaomi