How to return the toolbar to Xiaomi: TV and smartphone

The Toolbar on Xiaomi devices is not just an interface element, but a key tool for quickly accessing settings, apps and features. Its sudden disappearance can turn the use of the gadget into a real puzzle: how to switch the signal source on the TV now or open the notification bar on the smartphone? The causes of the problem range from accidental pressing to firmware failures, but the solution almost always exists.

In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to return the toolbar, from basic settings to hidden commands for power users. We will also highlight the differences between MIUI (for smartphones) and PatchWall (for Mi TVs), because the recovery algorithms are fundamentally different there. If you have tried to reboot the device and it did not help, do not rush to reset the settings to the factory: in 90% of cases, the problem is solved in 2-3 steps.

Why the Toolbar is Missing: The Main Reasons

Before you start rebuilding, it's important to understand what caused the panel to disappear, which will help you choose the most effective method and avoid a repeat of the situation.-5 The reasons faced by Xiaomi users:

• 🎛️ Accidental Disconnection in Settings: Especially relevant for TVs where the panel can be hidden through Settings → Screen. → Toolbar.
• 👆 Activation of the gesture "Swipe up": on smartphones with MIUI 12+ The panel can be hidden when full-screen gestures are turned on.
• 🔄 Failure after firmware update: a frequent problem when switching to newer versions of PatchWall or MIUI.
• 🧹 Clearing the launcher cache: Sometimes results in resetting of interface settings, including panel visibility.
• 🛠️ Damage to system files: rare but occurs after an incorrect shutdown or "hard" reset.

On Mi TVs, the panel is most likely lost for the first three reasons, whereas on smartphones, gestures and launcher failures are the leading ones. If you've recently updated your firmware or changed your screen settings, start checking with these points.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi TVs (e.g. Mi) TV 4S 55") the toolbar may temporarily disappear when external devices are connected via HDMI-CEC. Try to turn off all cables and restart the TV.

Method 1: Enable the panel through the settings of the TV

If the panel is missing on Mi TV or Redmi Smart TV, check the system settings first. In most cases, the problem is solved with just 3 clicks:

1. On the remote, press the Settings button.
2. Go to Display & Sound → Screen (or Screen and Sound → Screen in Russian).
3. Find the Toolbar and activate the switch.

Some firmware may have a slightly different path, like PatchWall 3.0, where you go to Settings → Smart Features → Toolbar. If the switch is already on but the panel doesn't show up, try turning it off and turning it back on.

Are external devices (configures, sound panels) turned off?

Is the remote working properly (check the batteries)?

Is the TV connected to the Internet (for synchronization of settings)?

Have you tried restarting your TV (power button for 10 seconds)?-->

If the panel never appeared after this manipulation, the cause may be a firmware failure, in which case the launcher reset will help:

1. Press on Home + Back (or Home + Menu on older remotes) for 5 seconds.
2. In the menu that appears, select Reset Launcher.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take up to 1 minute).

Method 2: Return of the panel on Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI)

On Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones, the toolbar (aka the navigation bar) may disappear after activating gestures or resetting.

Option A: Through gesture settings

1. Open the Settings → Display.
2. Select Full Screen (or Full Screen Display) mode.
3. Slip the Navigation Style and select Buttons instead of Gesture.

If you’re more comfortable with gestures but need a virtual bar, turn on the option to Show the navigation bar in full-screen applications (available on MIUI 13+).

Option B: Resetting the launcher settings

If the panel is missing after updating or cleaning the cache:

1. Press the empty space on the desktop → Desktop settings.
2. Select additionally → Resetting settings.
3. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

Smartphone (Redmi/POCO/Xiaomi)

TV (Mi TV/Redmi Smart TV)

Tablet (Mi Pad)

Other gadgets-->

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with MIUI 14 and later after the launcher reset, you may need to reconfigure the widgets and wallpaper. Take screenshots of the current desktop in advance if you want to restore the location of the icons.

Method 3: Use ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If standard methods have failed and the toolbar is still missing, you can try to restore it via the ADB debugging bridge. This method is suitable for both types of devices, but requires a connection to a computer.

Preparation

• 💻 Install. ADB Tools on PC.
• 🔌 Turn on the device to debug by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers).
• 📱 Connect the device to the computer and confirm the debugging permission.

Smartphone teams

Open the command line in the ADB folder and type:

adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*

This command will reset the immersive mode settings, which can block the panel. After you do, restart the smartphone.

Television teams

For Mi TV, use:

adb shell am start -n com.droidlogic.tvsettings/.MainSettings


adb shell settings put global hide_toolbar 0

The first command will open the TV settings, the second will force the toolbar to turn on.

Method 4: Update or roll back firmware

If the toolbar is missing after a system update, the reason may be a bug in a particular firmware version, in which case there are two options:

Option A: Update to the latest version

The manufacturer often corrects such errors in the following releases.

1. On TV: Settings → About TV → System Update.
2. On the smartphone: Settings → About the phone → Update MIUI.

If the update is not automatically, download the firmware manually from the official Xiaomi website and install through the Update → Three dots → Select a firmware file.

Option B: Reverse to a stable version

If the bug came after the last update, you can go back to the previous firmware.

1. Download the archive with the desired version (for example, MIUI 13.0.5 instead of 13.0.6).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of internal memory.
3. Press Volume Up + Power when booting to enter Recovery.
4. Select Install update.zip and confirm the rollback.

💡

Before rolling back the firmware, back up your data through Settings → Additional → Backup. This will save your apps and settings even if something goes wrong.

⚠️ Note: Firmware rollback on Xiaomi TVs could lead to Smart features being blocked TV (Netflix, Prime Video, if the new version contains an updated version DRM-In this case, you will need to contact the support service to re-link the device.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings

If all previous methods failed, the last option is a complete reset, which is a radical solution, but it is guaranteed to return the toolbar, as it will restore all system files to their original state.

For TVs:

1. Open Settings → About TV → Reset and Recovery.
2. Select Reset All Settings (not to be confused with Network Reset!).
3. Enter. PIN-code (default 0000 or 1234).
4. Wait until it is completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

For smartphones:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Delete all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Once reset, the device will return to the out-of-the-box state, including the toolbar. However, all data (photos, apps, accounts) will be deleted. If you have a backup, restore it through Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset.

💡

Resetting to factory settings should only be used as a last resort.Be sure to remove the memory card and untie your Xiaomi account before the procedure, if you do not want to lose access to cloud data.

Additional Advice and Frequent Mistakes

In the process of restoring the toolbar, users often encounter common mistakes that can be avoided:

• 🔧 Ignoring cache: After any change to the interface settings, clear the launcher cache (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔄 Incomplete reboot: Xiaomi TVs sometimes require a physical disconnection for 30 seconds (remove the plug from the socket) rather than just a reboot through the menu.
• 📱 Confusion with gestures: On smartphones, remember that swipe up and swipe on the sides are different types of gestures.
• 🔌 Problems with HDMI-CEC: If the panel disappears when you connect the console (for example, Xiaomi Mi Box), disable the function. HDMI-CEC TV-setting.

If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the problem may be incorrect build.

1. Install official recovery (Mi Recovery)
2. Swipe the original firmware through Fastboot.
3. Use an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher) that supports a customizable toolbar.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's toolbar