Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are powered by the MIUI shell or its new version of HyperOS, which is significantly different from pure Android. Users often have difficulty finding basic features, as icons and menu item names can vary depending on the firmware region. Understanding how to properly log into the system menu is key to effective device management.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can access the system configuration, including standard methods and special engineering codes. You will learn what to do if the touch screen has stopped responding, and how to get into the recovery menu for data reset. Competent navigation through the MIUI interface allows you to unlock the full potential of your gadget.
We're going to focus on security issues and hidden features that are often overlooked by the general public. Accessing advanced settings requires caution, but it opens up the possibility of fine calibrating the display and battery. Let's look at the basic ways that you can access the device.
Standard access through the application icon
The most obvious and common way to get into the system management menu is to find the corresponding application on the desktop, which usually looks like a gear and is called Settings. Depending on the theme of the design, the icon can be white, gray or color, but its functionality remains unchanged.
If you don't see the shortcut on the home screen, it may be hidden in the Tools or System Apps folder. HyperOS shell sometimes groups system utilities to save space. Just swipe up the screen to open the full menu of all installed programs, and find the desired character there.
You can use built-in search for quick access, click on the search bar at the top of the screen, or swipe down the center of the desktop, type in the word "Settings" or a specific parameter that you're interested in, such as "Wi-Fi" or "Screen," and the system will prompt you to go to the desired partition, which greatly speeds up navigation.
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Use the Xiao AI or Google Assistant voice assistant by saying “Open Settings” to run the menu without touching the screen.
It is important to understand that in some corporate or child modes, access to this application may be limited by the device administrator. If there is an icon but nothing happens when you click, or a password request appears, check active security profiles. Often, the lock is caused by the Do Not Disturb mode enabled or special restrictions for guests.
Use of notification panel and quick access
An alternative and very quick way to log in is to use a notification curtain. Swipe down from top to bottom to open the control panel. There you'll see a series of switches for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and flashlight, often with a button with a gear.
Clicking on this button will instantly take you to the main settings menu. In new versions of HyperOS, if you press a specific switch for a long time (for example, on the Bluetooth icon), you go immediately to the corresponding subsection, bypassing the main menu, which saves time and eliminates unnecessary clicks.
⚠️ Warning: If the control panel does not open with a swipe, check if Full-screen Apps or Game Mode are enabled, which can block gestures.
Users often confuse the control center and the notification bar. In modern shells, the swipe on the top right opens the control center with brightness sliders, and the swipe on the top left opens the message list. The switch button is usually located at the top corner of the control center or at the bottom of the switch list.
Navigation with physical buttons
Xiaomi mobile devices allow you to control the system even with a partially broken sensor using physical buttons. The standard combination for calling the control menu is to simultaneously press the on and volume buttons. However, depending on the condition of the device, the actions may differ.
If the phone is on and running normally, a short press of the power button can trigger a shutdown menu where you sometimes have access to settings, but most often this combination is used for screenshots or calling an assistant.
To enter Recovery mode, turn off the smartphone completely. Then press the power button and the volume button (+) simultaneously. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears. After that, release the power button, but continue to keep the volume up until a menu with several items appears in English or Chinese.
Volume Up + Power = Recovery Mode
Volume Down + Power = Fastboot ModeIn this menu, you can navigate with volume buttons (up and down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button, where you can reset to the factory settings (Wipe Data) or try to connect to the PC for debugging. Be careful: wrong actions in this mode can lead to data loss.
☑️ Checking before entering Recovery
Hidden menus and engineering codes
For advanced users and repair professionals, there are special codes that are entered through the Phone app, which allow you to get into hidden areas of equipment diagnostics and testing. Enter ##6484## to access the CIT (Customer Integration Test) engineering menu.
This section provides a vibrator, proximity sensors, microphones and display check, which is useful if you suspect a hardware malfunction, and there is code ##4636## that opens the phone's test menu to see battery usage statistics and details of the network.
⚠️ Warning: Changing the parameters in the Engineering Mode without understanding their purpose can lead to incorrect operation of communication modules or complete system failure.
Some codes may not work on global firmware versions for security reasons or carrier blocking, and in such cases, only through dedicated debugging apps or computer utilities can access diagnostics. Always check the code's compatibility with your Android version.
List of useful codes for diagnosis
Table of main sections and their purpose
The settings interface may seem overloaded, but it's structured logically. Understanding the purpose of the main partitions will help you navigate the system faster. Below is a table of key categories available in most versions of MIUI and HyperOS.
| Section | Principal appointment | Key functions |
|---|---|---|
| The phone. | Device information | MIUI version, processor, memory, software update |
| Screen and brightness | Display setting | Update frequency, resolution, dark theme, autobrightness |
| Notifications and status | Alert management | LED indicator, lock screen, system sounds |
| Passwords and security | Data protection | Fingerprint scanner, face unlock, encryption |
| Advanced settings | Additional functions | Developer mode, data center, button management |
The About Phone section is the central node where you can find the operating system version and run update checks. This is where most users look for information on how to go to the settings of the MIUI version. To go to developer mode, you need to quickly click on the MIUI version in this section several times.
Passwords and security store the most important biometrics, which is where you set up your face unlock and fingerprint, and check these settings regularly to keep your personal information safe in the event of a device being lost.
Solving problems with access to settings
There are times when the settings application doesn't open, crashes right after launch, or freezes, which can be caused by a crowded cache, a system update conflict, or corrupt configuration files. The first step should always be to restart the device.
If a simple reboot didn’t help, try clearing the Settings app cache. Go to Apps → All Apps → Find Settings → Memory → Clear Cache. This action is safe and won’t delete your personal data, but will reset temporary interface files.
⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse "Clear Cache" with "Clear All Data." The second action will reset all your network, call and system settings to factory values, which will require reconfiguring the phone.
In rare cases, the problem may lie in a third-party launcher or theme that conflicts with the system fonts. Try temporarily returning the standard theme and the classic look of the menu. If the problem disappears, then the cause was in the visual shell.
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Systematic departures of the settings menu are often treated by clearing the cache or updating the system to the latest stable version.