Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are powered by MIUI, which is regularly updated and repositioned. Even power users are sometimes lost when you need to quickly find a particular setting — especially after major updates like the transition to MIUI 14 or MIUI 15. This article will not only show you how to open the main settings menu, but also reveal hidden features that most owners do not even know.
We'll look at all the current ways of access, from standard swipe screen to voice commands and gestures, and we'll focus on situations where the phone is getting stuck on the MIUI logo and does not respond to touch, and we'll explain how to get around restrictions on children's accounts or corporate policy devices, and if you've ever encountered a message that says "Settings are stopped" or just want to optimize your smartphone experience, this guide is for you.
The standard way: how to open Xiaomi settings through the menu
The most obvious method is to use the Settings icon on the home screen or in the app menu, but even here there are nuances that depend on the MIUI version and the phone model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 15, the icon can look like a gear, and on the budget Redmi Note 12 - like a stylized slider.
Here is a step-by-step algorithm for most devices:
- 📱 Unlock the screen (PIN-code, print or face ID).
- 🔍 Scroll through the main screen to the left to open the app menu (if you use the default launcher).
- 🔧 Find the Settings icon (usually gray or blue) and tap it.
- 📋 Alternatively, swipe down from top to bottom to open the notification bar and tap the gear icon in the upper right corner.
If the icon disappeared after the update, try:
- Click the empty area on the home screen → select Screen Settings → Hidden Apps.
- In the search bar of the application menu, enter “settings” (without quotes).
- Use the voice assistant: say “Open Settings” after activating Google Assistant or Xiao AI.
Alternative methods of accessing settings
Sometimes the standard method is not available — for example, if the touch screen is partially broken or the phone is in Safe Mode mode.
| Method | How to use | When you need it. |
|---|---|---|
| Voice input | Activate Google Assistant or Xiao AI and say “Open Settings” or “Start Phone Settings.” | With damaged display or occupied hands. |
| Double-touch gesture | Turn on the “Double touch to wake up” option in Special Features → Gestures, then double tap the screen and swipe down. | If the power button is broken. |
| USB-debugging (ADB) | Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings | For advanced users in case of system failures. |
| Power button | Press the power button for 2-3 seconds → in the off menu tap “Settings” (available not on all models). | If the screen is not responsive to swipes. |
On devices with MIUI 14+, the Quick Settings feature has been introduced – swipe twice on the top notification bar to immediately open frequently used settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, brightness) – this is not a complete replacement for the basic settings, but speeds up access to key options.
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If the phone is stuck and does not respond to touch, try holding the power button for 10-15 seconds to force the restart.
Hidden menu settings: engineering and service modes
Beyond the standard interface, Xiaomi smartphones have hidden menus for diagnosis and fine-tuning. They are useful for checking sensors, testing the network or resetting to factory settings. Importantly, changes to these menus can lead to unstable device operation!
How to open hidden modes:
- 🔧 Engineering menu: Enter the phone app code ##4636##. Here you can test sensors, battery and network.
- 📡 Service menu: ##225## will show information about battery calibration (useful if the phone is quickly discharged).
- 📶 Network test: ##4636## → «Device information» → Choose the type of network (LTE/5G).
⚠️ Attention: Codes *2767*3855# and ##7378423## (For some models) perform a complete reset without confirmation!
On new devices (such as Xiaomi 14 or POCO F6), some codes may be blocked, in which case use the MTK Engineering Mode app (for MediaTek processors) or Qualcomm Service Mode (for Snapdragon).
How to return hidden codes to MIUI 15?
Problems with access to settings and their solutions
Sometimes users encounter errors when trying to open settings. Consider typical scenarios and how to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "Settings are stopped." | System application failure or conflict after update. | Clear the cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings → Storage → Clear the cache. |
| Settings badge is gone | Hidden by launcher or removed from menu. | Restore through Settings → Main screen → Hidden applications. |
| No separate sections are opened (for example, “For Developers”) | Restrictions on corporate policy or parental control. | Check your Digital Well-Being settings or contact your device administrator. |
| Settings open and close immediately | Damage to system files. | Reset via Recovery (press Power + Volume up when the phone is off). |
If none of the methods worked and the phone gives an error "System UI stopped", try:
- Reboot the device in Safe Mode (hold the power button → long tap on “Switch off” → “Reboot in Safe Mode”).
- Remove recently installed applications that may have conflicted with the system.
- Update your firmware via Fastboot (instructions on Xiaomi’s official website).
Check for MIUI updates
Clear the cache of the Settings application
Reboot your phone in Safe Mode
Remove suspicious applications
Reset your settings via Recovery-->
Setups for different Xiaomi models: what has changed
The MIUI interface varies not only by version, but also by device series. For example, flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Mix Fold 3) have advanced camera and display options that the budget Redmi A2 doesn't have.
- 📱 Xiaomi Series (11/12/13/14): The screen section includes settings 120 Hz, Dolby Vision and Adaptive Brightness.There are separate regulators for Harman Kardon speakers in "Sound.
- 🔥 The Redmi Note series (10/11/12): Performance allows you to select Balance/Performance/Economic mode. Battery has a Supercharge saving section for emergencies.
- ⚡ Series POCO (F/X/M): Additional settings for 144 Hz and 480 Hz (touch response) A separate Game Turbo section for gamers.
- 📱 Mi A (Android One) Series: Pure Android without branded chips MIUI (There are no "Themes" or "Dual Apps" sections».
On devices with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G), some features may be limited due to local requirements (e.g., Google Pay is not available in standard firmware), in which case flashing to a global or European version will help.
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The flagship models (Xiaomi 13/14) offer advanced display and sound settings that are not available on the budget Redmi.Always check the MIUI version in the About Phone section before searching for a specific option.
Security: How to limit access to settings
If you're using a phone or you're passing it to your colleagues, it's helpful to know how to block access to critical sections. MIUI offers a few tools to do this:
- Parental Controls: Go to Settings → Digital well-being → Parental control. Create a parental control. PIN-code and select restrictions (such as blocking purchases or changes to the network).
- Protect individual applications: Enable “App Lock” in Settings → Passwords and Security. Add to the “Settings” list and set a password.
Second space
- Activate in Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
- Only basic settings will be available in the guest profile.
For enterprise devices, the administrator can apply policies through Android Enterprise or Mi Workplace that block access to:
- 🔄 Reset to factory settings.
- 📶 Changes in network settings (Wi-Fi, mobile data).
- 🔧 Installation APK source.
⚠️ Note: If you bought a used phone with a tied Mi Account, resetting your device may block the device (Mi Cloud Lock). → The phone. → Status of the device!