Xiaomi smartphone users often face a situation where the device’s interface suddenly changes beyond recognition, where instead of the usual grid of apps and widgets, the screen is filled with huge icons and the menu is simplified to a minimum, a condition known as Easy Mode, which is designed for elderly or visually impaired users.
However, for an experienced Redmi or POCO owner, this transformation becomes a serious problem that interferes with normal operation. Often activation occurs by accident, when you click on a hidden button in the settings menu, which causes confusion for the owner of the gadget. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to return to the standard MIUI.
You don't have to be a technician to fix this, but we've developed step-by-step instructions to help you quickly restore the shell to all the features of the system, and the key is to not panic, because your data hasn't gone anywhere, just the visual style.
What is Simple Mode and How it is Activated
Simple Mode is a special feature of the MIUI shell, developed by Xiaomi engineers to improve the ergonomics of smartphone use by a certain category of persons. The main difference is a radical increase in the size of fonts, app icons and controls. This allows people with poor vision to comfortably use the device without looking at the fine details.
In some versions of the firmware, simply click on a special icon in the notification curtain or select the appropriate item in the settings menu to completely change the interface. The user can accidentally touch the screen while cleaning or unlocking, which will lead to a transition to a simplified interface without explicit confirmation of the action.
It's important to understand that Simple Mode isn't a virus or a system bug, it's a regular feature that limits the number of apps you can see on the home screen and changes the structure of the settings menu, and in this state, some complex features can be hidden so that you don't overload the user with unnecessary information.
⚠️ Attention: In simple mode, some standard navigation gestures may work differently or be turned off. If you are used to swiping, prepare to use on-screen buttons or get used to new movements.
System resources are spent in this mode in much the same way as in the usual, but the visual component changes dramatically, realizing that this is just a change in theme and configuration of the launcher helps you quickly navigate and find the necessary menu items to disable the function.
Ways to disable via the settings menu
The most reliable and correct way to get out of the simplified interface is to use the regular settings menu, and even if you're in the older mode, access to the basic settings of the phone is preserved, albeit in a modified form, and you need to find the section that displays the desktop.
To start, open the Settings app. In simple mode, its icon is usually signed and sized larger. In the settings list that opens, you need to find an item called Simple Mode or Desktop. This item may vary depending on the version of MIUI, but it is most often in the top sections of the menu or in the "Additional" category.
Once you go to the desired section, you will see a switch or button that suggests you exit the current mode. Pressing this button will return the standard launcher. If the interface is too changed and you can not find the desired item, use the search by settings, which is often available at the top of the settings screen.
☑️ Algorithm of disabling through settings
In some cases, the system may request confirmation of the action, warning that the location of the icons will change.Agree with the changes, as this will return you to the usual grid of applications.The process takes no more than a minute and does not require a reboot of the device, although it can occur automatically to apply the changes.
Using search by settings for quick exit
If visually searching for the right items in the big icons is difficult, the search function will come to the rescue. This is the most effective method for those who do not want to wander through the menu. At the top of the settings screen (or on the main screen in the Tools folder) is the search bar indicated by the magnifying glass.
Type in the search box keywords like “Simple Mode,” “Easy Mode,” or simply “Mode,” and the system will instantly filter the settings and show the desired item, even if it is hidden in the depths of the menu, especially for newer versions of MIUI, where the configuration structure is constantly changing.
Clicking on the result you find will immediately take you to the desktop mode control menu, and you just need to switch the switch to off or press the exit button, which eliminates the human factor and the errors associated with inattention when finding the right icon among the enlarged elements.
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Use voice input to search for settings if the keyboard on the screen is too small or uncomfortable in the current display mode. Just tap the microphone and say "Simple Mode."
It's worth noting that search works even when the launcher interface itself is changed. It's a system feature of the MIUI shell that remains available in all conditions. If the search does not produce results, make sure you enter the query in the settings section, not in the global search Google or Yandex.
Disconnection through the theme of registration and launcher
Sometimes the problem is not the system switch, but the active theme of the design. Some third-party themes downloaded from the GetThemes store can mimic a simple mode or force it to be enabled when installed, in which case standard methods may not work, and you will need to intervene in the settings of the themes.
Open the Themes app on your smartphone. Go to your user profile (usually the person icon in the corner) and select My Topics. Find a theme called Classic, Default, or Standard. Applying a standard theme often resets all the non-standard launcher settings, including the forced simple mode.
Also worth checking the launcher settings itself. Go to desktop settings and look for items related to grid or font size. Resetting the launcher settings to factory values can help if a software failure prevents normal mode switching through the standard menu.
| Parameter | Simple mode. | Standard regimen |
|---|---|---|
| Size of icons | Very large | Regular/Tuneable |
| Settings menu | Simplified, with large text | Full, with all options. |
| Number of apps on the screen | Minimum (4-6 units) | Standard grid (16-24 units) |
| Widgets | Main (clock, weather) only | Any supported |
If the theme change didn’t help, it’s possible that a specific launcher application installed from the Play Market is causing the conflict, in which case try temporarily disabling the third-party launcher in the application settings and checking if the standard Xiaomi interface will return.
Problem with button sticking and sensor
There is a less obvious but common reason for spontaneously turning on a simple mode - physical defects of the device. If the on button or the screen area responsible for swipes is damaged, the smartphone may perceive this as a command to switch modes or activate special functions.
Check if there are cracks or areas on the screen that have a disrupted response. Sometimes, contamination of the screen or the use of poor-quality protective glass leads to "phantom presses." A smartphone can think that the user is performing certain actions, and react accordingly.
Also worth noting is the case, if it's too tight or has defects, it can constantly press the side button or the edge of the screen, remove the security accessory and check if the problem persists, and if the phone stopped spontaneously changing modes after removing the case, it was mechanically impacted.
⚠️ Note: If the smartphone screen has cracks in the plume area, the “simple mode” may be just a symptom of a more serious matrix problem, in which case it is recommended to contact the service center for diagnosis.
To diagnose a touch screen, you can use special engineering codes or applications from the Play Market that test multi-touch. If the test shows "dead zones" or chaotic presses, software methods to solve the problem will not be effective until the display is replaced.
Resetting settings as a radical method
In situations where the software failure is so deep that the settings menu is not available or does not respond to commands, you have to resort to a complete reset, this method is guaranteed to return the phone to its original state, but requires prior saving of important data, since all information from the internal memory will be deleted.
To reset the menu (if any), you need to find Advanced Settings → Reset and Reset → Reset. If the interface is completely locked, you can use Recovery Mode. To do this, turn off your phone and press the Volume Up and Power button combination before the Mi logo appears.
In the Recovery menu, select English, then Wipe Data → Wipe All Data. Confirm the action. Once the process is complete, the phone will reboot as new. This is the last resort, but it solves 99% of the software problems with the shell.
What will happen to the data when it is reset?
Once reset, you will have to re-set the device in the first place. The simple default mode will not be activated, and you will get a clean, standard version of MIUI without any interface restrictions.
Preventing and configuring the interface for different users
To avoid accidental switching in the future, it is recommended to configure locking and access to important functions. In the security settings, you can limit access to changing system parameters by setting a password or pattern lock that you will need to exit simple mode.
If the smartphone is designed for an older person, but the full Simple Mode is too limited, try simply increasing the font and element size in standard mode. Go to Settings → Screen → Text Size and choose a comfortable value. This will retain the functionality of the normal interface, but make it easy to read.
It’s also useful to create separate user profiles (if Android allows) where only the necessary apps are displayed for the guest account, a more flexible approach than changing the overall operating mode of the entire system.
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The optimal setting for older people is not to enable Simple Mode, but to set up a standard interface: enlarge the font, remove unnecessary widgets and install a large keyboard size.
Update your system regularly. Xiaomi engineers are constantly improving MIUI stability and fixing bugs that can lead to incorrect interface behavior. The current firmware version is the best protection against accidental software errors.