How to open settings on Xiaomi: all ways for smartphones and tablets

Set up Xiaomi’s smartphone is the first step to making it comfortable. But what if you can’t find the settings menu? Perhaps you just bought a new Redmi Note 13 or POCO X6 Pro, switched from iPhone to Android, or after the MIUI update, the settings icon disappeared from your desktop. In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to open settings, from standard to hidden, that work even on a locked screen or when the system crashes.

It's important to understand that the MIUI interface is updated regularly, and the location of menu items may vary depending on the version, and we've taken this into account and prepared universal instructions that will be suitable for devices in 2020-2026. If your smartphone is released earlier, some methods may not work, we will also warn you about this in advance.

1. Standard method: via the application menu

This is the most obvious and quickest method, and works on 99% of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. Even if you’re a beginner, follow these steps:

1. Unlock the screen (enter PIN, fingerprint, or use facial recognition).
2. Click on the App Menu icon (usually a circle of 6-9 dots at the bottom of the screen).
3. Scroll down the list or use the search (loop at the top) to find the Settings app (cog icon) ⚙️).
4. Slip it - the main settings menu will open.

If the settings icon is missing from the app menu, check:

• 🔍 Tools folder – sometimes Xiaomi automatically groupes system applications.
• 📁 Hidden applications: clamping the empty space on the desktop → Desktop settings → Hidden applications.
• 🗑️ Recycle Bin: You may have accidentally deleted the shortcut (the Settings app itself cannot be removed).

Check the Tools folder in the app menu

Search by menu (lamp at the top)

Look into hidden apps (long tap on desktop)

Restart your phone (hold the power button for 10 seconds)-->

On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13T or Redmi K60), the settings icon may be called "All Settings" or "System Settings" - this is normal.

2. Quick access through the notification panel

This method saves time if you need to quickly open your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or power saving settings. Here's how to do this:

1. Swipe your finger down the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Swipe down again to expand the full panel (on some models, one swipe is enough).
3. In the upper right corner, find the icon. ⚙️ (jingle-wheel and tap it.

This will open up quick settings from where you can go to the full menu by clicking on three dots. ⋮ Or the words “All settings” at the bottom of the screen.

💡

Nana POCO F5 And the new Redmi models, the notification panel is divided into two parts: the left is notification, the right is quick settings. ⚙️ It is located on the right side.

If you have Xiaomi with MIUI 14+, the notification bar may look different:

• 📱 On smartphones with a cutout under the camera (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro) swipe should be done from the upper right corner.
• 🖥️ On Xiaomi Pad tablets, the notification panel opens with a swipe from the lower right corner.

3.Voice assistant: "Hey Siri" for Xiaomi

If you have Xiaomi's voice assistant (or Google Assistant) on, you can open the settings with your voice, which is convenient when your hands are busy or the screen is locked.

1. Activate Assistant: For Google Assistant: say "OK, Google" or hold the Home button. For XiaoAI (Xiaomi assistant): say "Little A" (on Chinese firmware) or "Hey, Siaomi" (on global ones).
2. Tell one of the teams: 🎤 «Open the settings» 🎤 «Launch the Settings app» 🎤 «Show me the settings menu»

If the voice assistant does not respond:

• 🔊 Check if it is included in the settings. → Annexes → All applications → XiaoAI/Google.
• 📶 Make sure your phone has internet access (voice commands are processed in the cloud).
• 🎙️ Set up voice recognition in Settings → Additionally. → Voice input.

Google Assistant|XiaoAI (Xiaomi assistant)|I don't use it.|Other-->

On Chinese firmware models (such as those purchased on AliExpress), XiaoAI can only work in Chinese, and to fix this, you will need to flash the global version of MIUI.

4. Hidden commands and engineering menus

If standard methods fail (for example, after a system crash or launcher is deleted), you can open settings through hidden commands.

Method 1: Code for settings to be started

Dial on the phone keyboard:

##4636##

This will open the testing menu, from where you can go to the main settings through the Settings button at the top of the screen.

Method 2: ADB-team (for PC)

If the phone is connected to a computer with USB debugging enabled, do the following in ADB:

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

⚠️ Warning: The engineering menu (#4636###) allows you to change network settings that could disrupt your phone!

5.Gesturals and button combinations

Some Xiaomi models (especially with the AMOLED-screens) support hidden gestures for quick access to settings:

• 👆 Swipe two fingers down the desktop – will open a search where you can enter “Settings».
• 🔄 Double tap on the lock screen (you need to enable in Settings) → Lock screen → Double touch to wake up).
• 🔘 Holding the power button + increase volume (on some models opens the reboot menu, where there is a item "Settings»).

On the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 and other foldable models, gestures may differ. For example, to open the settings on the external screen, swipe from the right edge of the screen inward (like calling the sidebar in Windows).

If the gestures don't work, check:

• 🛠️ Is Full Screen Gestures Mode Included in Settings → Display. → Full screen mode.
• 🔒 Does a third-party launcher block them (for example, Nova Launcher or HyperOS Launcher).

6. Settings via computer (MIUI Suite)

If the phone screen does not respond to touch, USB-Ports are open, you can open the settings through MIUI Suite (official utility from Xiaomi for PC:

1. Download and install MIUI Suite from the official website.
2. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (use the original cable for a stable connection).
3. Turn on USB Debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and tap 7 times to become a developer. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB and turn it on.

MIUI Suite

"Device settings"

⚠️ Warning: If you connect your phone to your computer for the first time, you'll see a request for debugging confirmation on your screen. Don't ignore it -- without confirmation. MIUI Suite will not be able to manage settings.

This method is also useful if:

• 🔧 You need to restore the settings after resetting.
• 📱 The phone's screen crashed, but the sensor is partially working.
• 🔄 Requires to update the firmware manually through the PC.

7. Settings on the locked screen

Can you open the settings without unlocking your phone? Most of the time, no, but there are exceptions:

• 📶 Quick settings: Swipe down on a locked screen will open a panel with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and flashlight (but not a full settings menu).
• 🆘 Emergency call: On the lock screen, click "Emergency call", then type ##4636## - this can work on older versions MIUI.
• 🔋 Charging: when you connect to charging on some models, an icon appears ⚙️, tap on which leads to the battery settings.

⚠️ Attention: If you try to bypass screen locking through an engineering menu, the phone may lock permanently (reset via Mi Account required.

💡

Starting with MIUI 13, access to settings from the locked screen is completely closed for security reasons, and the only legal way is to unlock the phone officially (PIN, pattern lock, fingerprint or Mi Account).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi settings