The Accessibility Service on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones provides advanced features for people with disabilities, and automates tasks through third-party apps. However, many users have difficulty activating them — especially if it comes to MIUI 12/13/14 with their modified menus. In this article, we will discuss not only the standard way to enable, but also workarounds for cases when the option is blocked or hidden.
It's important to understand that Accessibility Service is not just a visually impaired mode, but it's used to:
- 🔍 Screen text reading (for applications such as TalkBack)
- 🤖 Automation of activities (for example, in Tasker or MacroDroid)
- 🎯 Improved interface interaction (gestures, voice control)
- 🔒 Bypassing restrictions MIUI (for some technical manipulations)
If you’re trying to turn on a service for a particular application (such as Greenify or Automation Apps), but the system gives an error “Can’t turn on the special features service”, the reasons can be different: from firmware bugs to Xiaomi’s restrictions for Chinese versions of MIUI.
What is Accessibility Service and why is it necessary for Xiaomi Redmi?
Accessibility Service is an Android system component that allows applications to:
- 📱 Track the user’s actions on the screen (referencing, swipes, clicks)
- 🗣️ Voice or control the device with voice
- 🔄 Automatically perform tasks without manual intervention
- 👁️ Change the visual display of the interface (contrast, font size, color filters)
On Xiaomi Redmi smartphones, these services are integrated into the MIUI shell, but with some features:
- 🔐 In Chinese versions MIUI Some functions can be blocked without unlocking the bootloader.
- 🔄 After updating the firmware, the settings of services are sometimes reset.
- 🛠️ Some applications (such as Shizuku or ADB AppControl requires additional rights through ADB.
Example of use: If you install an automation application (such as MacroDroid), it will request access to the Accessibility Service to track clicks and execute macros. Without this permission, functionality will be limited.
The standard way to enable Accessibility Service on MIUI
If your Xiaomi Redmi is running a global or European version of MIUI, you can turn on the service via the standard menu.
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Go to the Special Opportunities section (in some versions – Additional → Special Opportunities).
- Select Special Opportunity Services (or Installed Services).
- In the list, find the desired application (for example, TalkBack, MacroDroid, Tasker) and tap it.
- Activate the switch and confirm the action in the pop-up window.
If the application is not listed, make sure it is installed and supports the Accessibility API. Some programs (such as Greenify) require pre-configuration in their interface.
☑️ Preparation for the inclusion of Accessibility Service
⚠️ Note: On the Chinese versions MIUI (Redmi Note 10 Pro China ROM) The special features may be hidden, in which case either a change of the firmware region or the use of the ADB.
How to enable Accessibility Service via ADB (for Chinese firmware)
If the standard method does not work (for example, on the Redmi K40 with Chinese MIUI), you can activate the service via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), this method requires a connection to a computer, but it is guaranteed to work even on blocked firmware.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.
Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
CMD
adb devices(Make sure the device is determined.)
adb shell settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services package.applications/service name
adb shell settings put secure accessibility_enabled 1Replace the package.applications/service name with a real identifier, for example, for MacroDroid, it's:
com.arlosoft.macrodroid/com.arlosoft.macrodroid.accessibility.AccessibilityServiceAfter you execute the commands, restart the phone. The service should be activated.
How to find out the service ID for ADB?
⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 11 c) MIUI 13.0.6) after the adb command, you may need to manually activate the service in the settings - otherwise it will turn off after the restart.
Common Problems and Their Solutions
Even after enabling Accessibility Service, Xiaomi Redmi users may encounter errors, and consider the typical cases and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The service is shut down after restarting | MIUI restrictions on background activity | Add the app to Autostart and Without Restrictions in Battery Settings |
| The application does not appear in the list of services | Incompatible with Android/MIUI version | Update the app or firmware |
| Error "Cannot turn on the service" | Blocking with Chinese firmware | Use ADB or change MIUI region |
| Service is unstable | Conflict with other applications | Disable other special features services |
Special attention should be paid to battery optimization, MIUI aggressively closes the background processes, which can interfere with the operation of the Accessibility Service.
- Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.
- Select the application and set the No Limits mode.
- Enable AutoRun for this application.
For example, for Redmi Note 8 Pro with locked firmware, you can use Shizuku:
- Install Shizuku from Google Play.
- Connect via ADB and do:
adb shell sh /sdcard/Android/data/moe.shizuku.privileged.api/start.shShizuku will then have access to the system API and you can use it to automate.