Accessibility Service on Xiaomi: how to enable and configure the service of special features

Xiaomi’s Accessibility Service offers advanced features to users with disabilities, and allows third-party apps to interact with the system at a deep level, but many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi devices have difficulty trying to activate these services — especially when it comes to applications like Automate, Tasker or LastPass that require special permissions.

In this article, we will not only examine the standard way to enable Accessibility Service through settings MIUI, but also look at common errors (for example, when the power button is inactive or the service spontaneously shuts down), as well as alternative methods for older versions of firmware. We will pay special attention to the nuances of the work on MIUI 14 and the latest models like Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+, where the interface settings may differ from the usual.

What is Accessibility Service and Why is it Necessary for Xiaomi?

The Accessibility Service is an Android system component that allows applications to:

• 🔍 Read the contents of the screen (for screen readers, such as TalkBack).
• 🤖 Simulate gestures and taps (to automate tasks in Tasker or MacroDroid).
• 🔒 Manage passwords and autocomplete (as in Bitwarden or 1Password).
• 🛠️ Modify system behavior (e.g., ad blockers like Adaway).

On Xiaomi, this service is often used to:

• 📱 Automation of routine tasks (sending SMS on schedule, turning on Wi-Fi at a specific location).
• 🔐 Manage superuser rights (root) without fully unlocking the bootloader.
• 🎮 Emulations of clicks in games (e.g., via Octopus or GameGuardian).

MIUI is known for aggressive background control, which can cause Accessibility Service to shut down spontaneously, due to battery optimization and Xiaomi's security policies that restrict services from running in the background.

Preparation: Verification of MIUI version and administrator rights

Before enabling Accessibility Service, make sure that:

1. Your device is running MIUI 12 or later (the interface may be different on older versions).
2. You have device administrator rights (if required for a particular application).
3. Enable installation from unknown sources (for third-party APKs).

To check out the MIUI version:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version line (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.5).

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If you have POCO or Redmi with custom firmware (like Pixel Experience), the path to Accessibility settings may be different.

We also recommend disabling battery optimization for the application you plan to give access to the service:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Tasker).
3. Press Battery Limitations → No restrictions.
4. Turn on Auto Start and Background Activity.

Step-by-step: how to enable Accessibility Service on Xiaomi

The standard way to activate the service is as follows:

1. Open the settings on your Xiaomi.
2. Go to the Special Features section (on some models it may be called Accessibility or Convenience).
3. Select Special Opportunity Services (or Installed Services in English firmware).
4. In the list, find the application you want to enable the service (for example, Automate), and tap it.
5. Activate the switch and confirm the action in the dialog box.

If the power button is inactive or the service is disabled after a reboot, try the following solutions:

• 🔄 Reboot the device — sometimes it helps reset the system cache.
• 📱 Update the app to the latest version (via Google Play or APK).
• 🔧 Clear the Settings app cache (Settings → Apps → All Apps → Settings → Storage → Clear the cache).
• 🛠️ Reset the special features settings (Settings → Special features → Special features settings → Reset settings).

Solving Common Errors When Enabling Accessibility Service

Even after successful activation, Xiaomi users often encounter errors, and consider the most common of them:

Xiaomi models with a MediaTek processor (such as the Redmi Note 12 5G) may require additional resolution via ADB:

adb shell pm grant com.example.app android.permission.BIND_ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICE

Where com.example.app is the batch name of your application (you can find out through the App Inspector in Android Studio or the Package Name Viewer app).

⚠️ Warning: Some applications (e.g. gaming bots) may use the Accessibility Service to cheat in games.This violates Google Play rules and may result in account bans.

Alternative Including Methods for Older MIUI Versions

If you have a device on MIUI 11 or older (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi 9T), the path to settings may be different.

• 📁 Through "Advanced": Go to Settings → Additional → Special Features → Special Features Services.
• 🔍 Through Search: Open the search in the settings and enter "special features" or "accessibility."
• 🛠️ Through ADB (for power users): Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services com.example.app/.AccessibilityService Where com.example.app is the application package and.AccessibilityService is the path to the service (check in the application documentation).

Some devices (e.g., POCO F1) may require unlocking the bootloader to fully access the Accessibility Service settings, but this will void the warranty and increase the risk of system damage.

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On MIUI 12+, the path to settings is standardized, but older versions may require manual search through ADB or third-party utilities like Activity Launcher.

Security: Risks of Accessibility Service

Providing access to the Accessibility Service to third-party applications involves risks:

• 🕵️ Data theft: The app can read passwords, messages, and personal information from the screen.
• 💳 Financial fraud: Some malware uses the service to confirm payments without your knowledge.
• 📱 Unauthorized Control: An application can simulate clicks and open links or install software.

To minimize the risks:

• 🔒 Install apps only from Google Play or trusted sources (e.g. APKMirror).
• 📋 Before installing, check the developer's reviews and reputation.
• 🛡️ Use an antivirus (e.g., Malwarebytes) to scan APK- files.
• 🔄 Regularly check the list of active services in Settings → Special features and remove suspicious ones.

⚠️ Warning: Some banking applications (e.g., SberBank Online or Tinkoff) may block devices with active special services as potentially dangerous. If you use such applications, temporarily disable unnecessary services.

Use Accessibility Service on Xiaomi

Let’s look at some practical scenarios where Accessibility Service can be useful:

1. Automation of Tasks with Tasker

Tasker and Accessibility Service can:

• 📵 Automatically turn on Do Not Disturb at a certain time.
• 📶 Switch Wi-Fi when connected to a particular network.
• 📱 Send SMS- responses to missed calls.

2. Managing Passwords with Bitwarden

Bitwarden uses the service to:

• 🔑 Autocomplete login/password in applications.
• 📱 Generating and saving new passwords.
• 🔄 Synchronization of data between devices.

3. Gaming bots (on the example of Octopus)

Apps like Octopus or GameGuardian use Accessibility Service to:

• 🎮 Emulations of clicks in games (e.g., in PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).
• 📊 Automatic resource collection in clicker games.

However, the use of such tools in online games can lead to a ban of account for cheating.

FAQ: Frequent Accessibility Service questions on Xiaomi