Xiaomi’s special features button: where is it and how to set up

Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer a wide range of features for users with disabilities, but many owners are not even aware of the existence of a special button for quick access to these settings. This small but extremely useful feature allows you to activate modes in one click for the visually impaired, hearing impaired or motorly impaired, the problem is that the manufacturer does not always obviously place it in the interface — especially after updates. MIUI or switching to HyperOS.

In this article, we will not only show you where the special features button is on different Xiaomi models, but also explain how to add it to the quick access panel if it disappears after the update. You will learn about hidden gestures to call the availability menu, differences between firmware versions, and even how to return a feature if it was disabled by the system. 2023-2026 In the years since HyperOS, the logic of the placement of elements has changed.

What is a special feature button and why you need it

The special feature button (or “accessibility button”) is a virtual key that appears on a smartphone screen and provides instant access to key features for people with disabilities. It was introduced in Android 9 as part of Google’s initiative to improve accessibility, and Xiaomi adapted it to its shell. MIUI.

Among the main functions that can be activated through this button:

• 👁️ Screen announcer (TalkBack) - voices all actions on the screen for the visually impaired
• 🔍 Screen enlargement – Temporary scaling of part of the interface
• 🎧 Mono-audio – combining stereo sound into one channel for people with hearing impairments
• 🖐️ AssistiveTouch gestures – virtual buttons for control without physical contact
• 🔄 Color filters – shade correction for people with color blindness

It is important to understand that on Xiaomi this button may work differently than on “pure” Android. MIUI 14 is integrated with Quick Ball, and in HyperOS its functions are partially duplicated by the Control Center panel, which often causes confusion among users who are looking for a familiar interface element.

Where is the special feature button on different versions MIUI

The location of the button depends on the firmware version of your Xiaomi.The manufacturer regularly changes the menu structure, so the instructions for the new product are: MIUI 12 may not work on the MIUI 15.Below we have gathered up-to-date information on all popular shell versions, including the new HyperOS.

Let's start with the classic path for MIUI 12-14:

1. Open the Settings.
2. Go to Special Opportunities (person in circle icon)
3. Select the Special Opportunities button or the Special Opportunities shortcut
4. Activate the slider at the top of the screen

On HyperOS (2026), the logic changed:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Special facilities
• 🔍 Find the Special Opportunity Shortcuts section (may be called Quick Access)
• 🔄 Enable the button option in the notification bar or the floating button

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If the settings do not include the item "Special Opportunities Button", try to enter the phrase "special features" in the search for settings - the system will show hidden parameters.

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) The button can be hidden in the Quick Ball menu:

Settings → Additional → Quick Ball → Set up icons → Add “Special Features”

How to add a button to the Quick Access Panel

If you don't have a standard button location, you can take it to the quick access bar (notification curtain) or make it float, which is especially convenient for older users or people with limited motor skills who have difficulty going into the settings every time.

Instructions to add to the notification panel:

Open the notification curtain completely|Click "Edit" (pencil in upper right corner)|Find the icon "Special Opportunities"|Drag her to the active area.|Save the changes-->

To create a floating button (works on the MIUI 14+ hyperos):

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Floating button
2. Turn on the slider Show the floating button
3. Select the size and transparency of the button
4. In the Actions section, add the desired features (such as TalkBack or Increase)

Hidden gestures to call the menu of special features

Few people know, but Xiaomi has hidden gestures that can replace the special feature button, which works even when the main button is turned off or not displayed.

The main gesture commands:

To activate these gestures:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Gestures
2. Select the desired gesture from the list
3. Assign an action to it (for example, Enable TalkBack)
4. Practice gestures – some require precise calibration

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The dual-press power button gesture conflicts with the camera's quick-start function. If the camera doesn't open with double-press, check the special features settings.

Differences between MIUI HyperOS: Where to look for a button in 2026

With the release of HyperOS at the end of 2023, Xiaomi radically redesigned the system interface, which also affected the location of features. MIUI 14 on HyperOS, you may have noticed that the familiar button has disappeared or moved.

The main changes in HyperOS:

• 📁 The section "Special features" moved to Settings → Additionally.
• 🔄 The button can now be integrated into Control Center (similar to the iOS control panel)
• 🎨 Visually, the button has become less noticeable - instead of a shortcut, a person icon in a circle is used.
• 🔧 Some functions (e.g. Color Inversion) now require separate activation in the submenu.

On new devices (Xiaomi 14, Redmi) K70) The button can be hidden behind additional settings:

Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to unlock hidden settings) → Return to “Additional” → Special features → Advanced settings

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On HyperOS, the special feature button may conflict with the new "Swipe down the corner" gesture. If the button doesn't work, turn off this gesture in the control settings.

What to do if the special feature button is missing after the update

One of the most common problems is that the button disappears after the firmware update, which is due to resetting some settings or conflict between versions. MIUI. Here is a step-by-step recovery manual:

First, check the basic settings:

Reset the device|Check if system applications are disabled in Settings → Annexes → Application management"|Update all apps on Google Play|Check for firmware updates-->

If the button doesn't appear anyway:

1. Reset the special features settings: Settings → Special facilities → Three dots in the upper right corner → Reset the settings
2. Clear the cache of system applications: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Show system-based → Find "Special Opportunity Services" → Clear the cache
3. Restore the standard Quick Ball settings (if used): Settings → Additionally. → Quick Ball → Restore the default settings

⚠️ Note: On some devices (POCO F5, Redmi Note 12) after resetting the special settings, you may need to re-activate TalkBack via voice assistant. To do this, say "OK Google, turn on TalkBack".

If nothing helps, the last option is to manually activate through the ADB:

adb shell settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services com.miui.accessibility/com.miui.accessibility.talkback.TalkBackService


adb shell settings put secure accessibility_enabled 1

These commands are forced to turn on the special services, and use them only if you are sure of your actions, because the misuse of the service is not the right one. ADB It could cause system failures.

Additional settings of special features on Xiaomi

The special feature button is just the tip of the iceberg, and Xiaomi has a lot of useful features hidden in its settings that can significantly improve device interaction for people with disabilities.

1.Talkback setting (screen announcer):

• 🗣️ Voice input: Allows you to control your phone with your voice without touching the screen
• 📖 Braille Display: Support for external Braille displays via Bluetooth
• 🔊 Audio description: Additional voice prompts for video and images

Visual settings:

• 🌈 Color correction: Filters for different types of color blindness (protanopia, deuteranopia)
• 🔎 Screen enlargement: You can adjust the zoom level from 2x before 8x
• 📱 High contrast: Simplifies text perception for visually impaired

3. Functions for people with hearing impairments:

• 🔔 Visual Alerts: Flashing flash or screen when calling and notifying
• 🎵 Mono-audio: Combining stereo sound into one channel for headphones
• 📊 Subtitles in real time: Automatic speech decoding into text

Simplified management:

• 🖱️ AssistiveTouch: Virtual button with customizable gestures
• ⏱️ Slowing down touches: Increases reaction time to presses
• 🔄 Autoturn with delay: Prevents accidental screen turns

⚠️ Note: Real-time Subtitles require an internet connection and can consume additional traffic, and on HyperOS devices, it only works when Google Speech Services is enabled.

To activate most of these functions:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities
2. Select the category you want (Sight, Hearing, Agility, etc.)
3. Activate the sliders in front of the necessary options
4. Set up settings (such as magnification level or TalkBack speech speed)

On HyperOS devices, the Smart Detection feature in the Special Options section can automatically prompt you to turn on the settings you want by analyzing your interaction with your phone (for example, if the system notices frequent clicking errors).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions