Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones sometimes encounter mysterious system messages in English that appear at the most inopportune moment. One such phrase is “press hookkey than image below will become green Xiaomi.” This query often confuses even experienced owners of equipment, since the literal translation is “press the call button and the image below will turn green.”
In fact, it's not a bug or a virus, but a standard procedure for calibrating a touch screen or checking the functionality of an accelerometer, built into the engineering menu of a MIUI or HyperOS system. The system asks you to confirm that you see certain interface elements, or perform an action to check the response of the display. Ignoring this step can lead to incorrect operation of the touch screen in the future, so it is important to understand what is required of you.
In this article, we will go into detail about the origin of this message, explain why this is the wording used, and provide step-by-step instructions for safely passing tests, learn what hidden functions the system activates and how to avoid screen sensitivity problems after diagnostic procedures.
Origin of the system message and its meaning
The phrase “press hookkey” is a tracing or inaccurate translation of a technical term, where “hook” refers to an action with the phone’s handset (answer/hang up call) and “key” refers to a button. In the context of Android interfaces and Xiaomi shells, this often refers to a call or confirmation button. When the system writes “image below will become green,” it indicates a visual indicator that should change color after a successful command is the standard hardware engineering testing protocol.
Such reports are characteristic of the regime. CIT (Customer Interface Test, which is used in manufacturing plants to test build quality, but in some cases, this mode is activated in end users, and this can happen if you accidentally typed in a special type. USSD-code or if the firmware configuration files have a flag that requires initial calibration, the system blocks further operation until it receives confirmation that the sensor responds to touch correctly.
⚠️ Warning: If the message is constantly appearing and blocking login, it may indicate a failure in the display drivers.
It is important to understand that the word “hookkey” is not a standard term in user interfaces, but rather is the result of machine translation of technical documentation for a specific region or a specific localization error in early versions of MIUI. The main requirement here is interaction with the control element, which is usually located at the bottom of the screen.
Technical essence of the screen calibration process
The process described by the message is directly related to calibrating the capacitive sensor. Modern Xiaomi smartphone screens use matrices sensitive to the electric charge of the finger. Over time or after replacing the display, the touch coordinates may shift. The system asks you to click on a certain area (which should turn green) to record the reference coordinates and adjust the response.
When you do an action, the system compares the physical touch location to the logical coordinates of the pixels. If the difference exceeds the permissible threshold, Android adds corrections to the configuration file. That's why the image "goes green" is a visual signal that the point is recognized correctly. Skipping this step can cause the buttons to press in the wrong place where you aim, or stop responding at all.
In some models, such as the Redmi Note or Xiaomi Mi series, this test also checks the proximity sensor. If the screen goes out or changes color when you bring it to your face, then the sensor is working. Errors in this module often lead to the fact that during a conversation you accidentally turn on the speaker or can not complete the call.
Step-by-step instructions: how to fulfill the system requirement
If you see a message that says "press hookkey than image below will become green," the algorithm is usually simple, but it requires accuracy. First, look carefully at the screen, there must be an image or button, often located at the bottom, and your task is to click on this element, and in most cases, this is a simulation of a call response button or a special square for calibration.
Once you press the system, it has to give a visual response, if the image is green, as the text promised, it means that the test was successful, then you may need to press the "Pass" button or "Next" button, if there is no reaction, try pressing harder or using a stylus, because your finger can block the view. In rare cases, you need to press a combination of volume buttons.
- 📱 Find the area or button mentioned in the message (usually at the bottom) on the screen).
- 👆 Press it with confidence, but not excessive touch.
- ✅ Wait for the color change of the indicator to green.
- 🔄 If required, repeat the action for other screen points.
Some firmware versions may require you to enter a special code to complete the test or exit mode. This is usually the standard return code, but it's better to just follow the prompts on the screen. If the system doesn't respond to touch, try restarting the device by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds.
☑️ Checklist for passing the test
Access to CIT Engineering Menu and Hidden Features
The message described is often the doorway to CIT’s full-fledged engineering menu, and you can access it not only through automatic query, but also manually by typing a special code in the Phone app. For most Xiaomi devices, it’s ##6484## or ##4636##. Once on the menu, you’ll get access to dozens of tests, from vibration and sound checks to GPS and accelerometer testing.
Inside the CIT menu, you can run the Touchpanel or Display test yourself to double-check the screen if the previous automatic test was in doubt, which is useful if you bought a used phone or replaced the display on the service, and you can see the component serial numbers and driver version, which helps in diagnosing malfunctions.
| Test at CIT | Function | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Touchpanel | Screen reaction check | When "dead" zones or touch drops |
| Accelerometer | Calibration of the gyroscope | If the car is not working |
| Proximity Sensor | Approximation sensor | If the screen does not go out when you call |
| Vibrator | Vibration check | In the absence of a silent response |
Be careful when changing the settings in the engineering menu. While simple tests are safe, recalibrating unnecessarily can cause you to have to undergo the press hookkey procedure again. It is also not recommended to change the values in the sections associated with the radio module unless you are a qualified professional.
⚠️ Warning: Changing the settings in the Radio or Network section may cause signal loss or incorrect operation LTE/5G module.
Possible problems and methods of their elimination
Sometimes the calibration process is not smooth, and users complain that the image does not turn green despite repeated clicks, which may indicate a hardware malfunction of the display plume or the touch screen itself, in which case the software methods are powerless, and diagnostics are required at the service center, but before you panic, you should eliminate the software glitch.
A common cause of failure is the presence of a low-quality protective film or thick tempered glass that distorts the signal. Try temporarily removing the protection and trying again. Also helps to clean the screen of fat and dirt, since dirt can shield the sensor signal. If the screen is damaged (cracks, stains), the test may not pass in the area of damage.
What to do if the button is not pressed?
If the problem occurs after a firmware update, it may be that the new build contains errors, so check the 4PDA or XDA forums for complaints from other users of your model. Sometimes a factory reset (Wipe Data) helps, but this will delete all your data, so be sure to make a backup.
- 🧹 Remove the protective glass and wipe the screen with microfiber.
- 🔌 Connect the charger (sometimes a lack of current affects the sensor).
- 🔄 Perform a forced reboot (Power) + Vol Up).
- 🛠 If nothing helps, contact the service to replace the plume.
Prevention and safe use of MIUI
To avoid such system requests at the wrong time, keep your Xiaomi device running smoothly. Do not install firmware from unverified sources and avoid interrupting the upgrade process. Regularly cleaning the cache and using original charging accessories also contribute to the stable operation of the power controllers and display.
Periodically check the system updates in the Settings menu → About Phone → MIUI version. Xiaomi engineers constantly release patches that correct calibration errors and improve the performance of sensors. If your phone is stable, you should not specifically climb into the engineering menu for the sake of interest - this can lead to factory calibration resets.
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If a problem with the “press hookkey” occurred on a new device in the first 14 days, this is a warranty case, and the phone is better to immediately take to the store.
Understanding what "press hookkey than image below will become green" means is stress-free. It's just a dialogue between you and the system.
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The green image message is a standard calibration test, not a virus. Pass it carefully to keep the screen working accurately.