Simple Mode on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: How to turn on, disable and configure

Why you need a simple mode on a smartphone and who it suits

Xiaomi Redmi 9A smartphones feature a “Simple Mode” (also known as Easy Mode) feature that radically simplifies the MIUI interface. Instead of many icons, complex menus and settings, the user gets large buttons, minimalist design and access to only basic functions: calls, messages, camera and browser. This mode is ideal for the elderly, children or those who are just starting to master smartphones.

However, many Redmi 9A owners are unaware of the option, and it takes less than a minute to activate and the effect exceeds expectations: unnecessary notifications disappear, navigation is simplified, and fonts become larger. In this article, we will discuss not only how to turn on a simple mode, but also how to customize it, return the standard interface or solve typical problems (for example, if the activation button is inactive).

Important: The feature is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 10 shell and newer, including Redmi 9A (model M2006C3LG). If your device is running an older version of the software, first update it through Settings → About Phone → System Update.

Step-by-step: how to turn on simple mode on Redmi 9A

Activating the simplified interface takes only 5 steps. Follow the instructions carefully - some menu items may vary depending on the version of MIUI (Redmi 9A usually has MIUI 12 or MIUI 13 for Android 10/11).

Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen) and do the following:

1. Go to the section "Special features" (in some versions - "Additional settings → Special. features").
2. Select “Easy Mode” (or “Easy Mode”).
3. Click the switch in the upper right corner to activate the function.
4. Confirm the action by tapping “OK” in the window that appears.
5. Wait for the restart (the phone will automatically restart in 10-15 seconds).

Once turned on, you'll see a completely redesigned interface: there will only be 4 major icons on the home screen (Phone, Contacts, Messages, Camera), and at the bottom there will be a quick access bar to the browser and settings. To return the standard view, repeat the same steps and turn off the switch.

Make sure your phone is at least 30 times charged%|Close all working applications|Connect to Wi-Fi (for possible synchronization)|Backup important data (in case of failure)-->

What will change after activation: comparison of interfaces

The simple mode on the Redmi 9A radically transforms the look of the system, and here are the key differences from the standard MIUI, which will help you to understand whether this format is right for you.

Important: In simple mode, all widgets, including weather, calendar and notes, also disappear access to some system applications (for example, “Security” or “Cleaning”). If you need these features, use the standard interface or set up parental controls to restrict access.

For yourself (to make it easier to use)|For parents/elderly relatives|For a child.|For a friend who doesn’t know the technique.|Another option-->

How to set up a simple mode for yourself: hidden opportunities

Many users mistakenly believe that simple mode on Xiaomi is not customizable, in fact, even in a simplified interface, you can:

• 📞 Add frequently used contacts to the home screen (long tap on the Contacts icon» → «Chosen»).
• 🌐 Change the browser by default (in the simple mode settings there is an option “Browser»).
• 🔊 Increase the volume of the call to the maximum (in the menu "Sound" simple mode).
• 📱 Return some widgets through Settings → Main screen screen → Widgets (not working on all versions) MIUI).

You can also change the wallpaper, despite the restrictions of the regime.

1. Open the Gallery (the icon remains in simple mode).
2. Choose the image you like.
3. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → “Install as” → “Wallpaper”.

If you lack functionality, but want to save large icons, try an alternative way: turn on the standard font enlargement mode (Settings → Screen → font size) and simplify the main screen by removing unnecessary widgets manually.

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To quickly switch between simple and standard modes, add the “Special Features” shortcut to the home screen. To do this, keep your finger in the free space of the screen → “Widgets” → find “Special Features” and drag it to a convenient place.

Typical problems and their solutions

Sometimes when trying to turn on a simple mode on Redmi 9A, users encounter errors, let's look at the most common cases and how to fix them.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts spontaneously restarting after activating the simple mode, check for free space in memory. For stable operation of the mode, a minimum of 1.5 GB of free space is required.

Problem 1: The Simple Mode button is inactive

Causes and solutions:

• 🔄 An outdated version MIUI — Update the software through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📱 Developer Mode is Active – Disable It in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times, then return and deactivate the switch).
• 🔒 Administrator Restrictions – Check if there are parental control apps installed (e.g. Google Family Link).

Problem 2: After inclusion, all applications disappear

It's normal behavior of the regime to hide all programs except the basic ones.

1. Open the settings in simple mode.
2. Select "Applications."
3. Slip on three dots in the corner → “Show all apps.”
4. Select the programs you want and click “Add to the main screen”.

Problem 3: Resetting to standard mode does not work

If after disabling the simple mode, the interface is not restored:

1. Restart your phone manually (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
2. If it doesn’t help, reset your screen settings: Settings → System → Resetting → Resetting your screen settings.
3. In extreme cases, perform a soft reset via Settings → About Phone → Reset settings (data will not be deleted).

Alternatives to Simple Mode: Other Ways to Simplify Smartphone

If the built-in Easy Mode on Redmi 9A doesn’t work for you, consider alternatives to simplify the interface:

• 📱 Older launchers (such as Big Launcher or Simple Launcher) – installed from Google Play and offer even larger icons and voice controls.
• 🔒 Parental controls – restricts access to certain applications without changing the interface (Settings) → Annexes → Parental control).
• 🎨 Topics with large prints - in MIUI Themes has special themes for the visually impaired (e.g., Big Font»).
• 🤖 Voice Assistant – Configure Google Assistant or Alice to control your phone without touching.

The advantage of third-party launchers is that they offer more customization options, such as Big Launcher, which allows you to:

• Set up voice commands for calls ("Call Mom").
• Add the SOS button to the main screen.
• Change the color scheme for people with color blindness.

However, note that third-party apps can slow down the Redmi 9A (especially if you have a model with 2GB of RAM).

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The built-in simple MIUI mode is the best option for the Redmi 9A, as it does not consume additional resources and is fully integrated into the system. Third-party launchers will only work if you need advanced features (for example, voice control).

How to return the standard interface and what to do if it does not work

Turning off a simple mode is as simple as activating it, but sometimes users find that the interface doesn't change after the switch is deactivated, and let's take a step-by-step approach and solve problems.

Standard shutdown method:

1. Open Settings in simple mode (the gear icon at the bottom of the screen).
2. Select "Simple Mode."
3. Turn the switch to the "off" position.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

If the interface is simplified after these steps:

1. Check the system cache: Settings → Applications → Application management → Three points → Show system → Find “Launcher” → Clear the cache.
2. Restart your phone in Safe Mode (hold the power button → Safe Mode) If the interface goes back to standard, the problem is in one of the installed applications.
3. Reset the launcher settings: Settings → Main screen → Reset the launcher settings.

⚠️ Warning: If you have used third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher or Apex), delete them before disabling the simple mode or reset the default settings. Otherwise, the system may “get stuck” on a simplified interface.

In extreme cases, reset all settings (without deleting data):

Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings → Resetting all settings

This operation will return all system parameters to factory parameters, including the interface.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the simple mode on Xiaomi Redmi 9A