Xiaomi’s “Viewing Tool”: Understanding the Function That Confuses Users

Have you ever encountered a mysterious item called "Viewing Tool" in the menu of your Xiaomi TV or smartphone? This inscription appears in the screen settings, in the Apps section, in the list of system utilities in general, and there is no clear explanation of what it means. On the Internet, advice varies: some say that it is an embedded media player, others that it is a debugging tool for developers, and others even scare you that touching it is dangerous.

In fact, "Viewing tool"** is a universal term under which several functions are hidden in Xiaomi devices, depending on the model and version of the firmware. TV It is most often a built-in media player, and in smartphones – a tool for previewing files or even debugging mode for testing the interface. The problem is that the company did not bother to give it an unambiguous name in Russian, which is why users are lost in guesses.

In this article, we will understand:

• 🔍 What is really hidden under the “Viewing Tool” in different Xiaomi devices (TVs, smartphones, tablets).
• 📱 Where to find this feature in the menu and how to use it correctly.
• ⚙️ What settings can be changed and which ones are better not to touch (and why).
• ❌ Typical errors when working with the “Viewing tool” and how to fix them.

If you've ever wondered, "Would I break my Xiaomi if I clicked here?" this guide is for you. We've gathered all the relevant information for 2026, including screenshots, development teams and security tips.

What is the “Viewing Tool” in Xiaomi devices?

To begin with, the Viewer is not a single feature, but a whole set of tools that Xiaomi has combined under one name for convenience (or rather for confusion).

• 🔄 Firmware versions: in MIUI 14 and HyperOS functions differ.

Let us consider the main options:

Important: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware older than 2022, the Viewer could have been called Media Player or View Files — the same feature, but the translation is different.

If you see this item on the menu but don’t understand why you need it, it’s probably a residual interface element that Xiaomi didn’t remove after the update, and you can ignore it 90% of the time, but there are exceptions (about them below).

Where to find “Viewing Tool” on Xiaomi TVs?

On Mi TVs. TV Redmi Smart TV This feature is usually hidden in one of three locations:

1. Main screen screen → All applications → Viewer (the icon looks like a blue square with a white triangle).
2. Settings → Annexes → Installed annexes → Viewing medium.
3. Settings → The device → Warehouse → Internal memory. → Viewing means (if it takes place).

If you don’t find this item, check:

• 🔍 Update the TV firmware to the latest version (in 2026, Xiaomi began removing the Viewer from the visible menu on new models).
• 🔧 Enable the Developer Mode (click Menu) + Home on the remote for 5 seconds, then go to Settings → On TV. → The software version and press 7 times).
• 📁 Connect. USB-file storage – sometimes the icon only appears when media files are detected.

Why do you need it on TV?

• 🎬 Video reproductions/foto/audio from a flash drive or network storage (alternative to Mi Video).
• 🔄 File compatibility checks (for example, if Kodi doesn’t open a movie, you can try using the Viewer tool»).
• 🛠️ Diagnostics of codec problems (in player logs you can see why the file is not playing).

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If the "Viewing Tool" does not open files with USB, Try formatting the flash drive into FAT32 or exFAT - Xiaomi TV malfunctioning NTFS.

“Viewing tool” in Xiaomi smartphones: hidden opportunities

On Redmi smartphones, POCO or Mi-managed MIUI/HyperOS This is a little bit less common, but it's there -- and it's a very different part of it:

1. File preview tool (similar to Quick Look on iPhone) allows you to quickly view the contents of a document, photo or video without opening a full application.
2. Layout Inspector: Shows the structure of the application interface (useful for testing).
3. Screen test mode, checks color reproduction, clarity and response to touch (relevant to the POCO F5 newer).

Where to look:

• 📱 Settings → System system → Additionally. → Viewing tool (on HyperOS).
• 🔧 Through ADB (If the item is hidden: adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings
• 🛠️ In the developer menu (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI, tap 7 times).

What can you do with the “Viewing Means” on your smartphone?

• 🔍 View EXIF-Photo data (meta-information about camera, date, geolocation).
• 📄 Open up. PDF or DOCX free-to-use.
• 🎨 Check the color profile of the screen (useful when calibrating).
• 🐞 Find bugs in the application interface (if you are a developer).

⚠️ Note: If you are not a developer, do not turn on Layout Inspector via the app. ADB — It can cause a malfunction in the interface, and for the average user, a built-in file preview is enough.

How to use the “Viewing Tool” on Xiaomi TV: step-by-step

If you want to play media files through an embedded player, follow this algorithm:

1. Connect. USB-drive with files to the TV (the port is usually located on the side).

2. Open the “Viewing Tool” from the Apps menu or through Settings → Annexes.

3. Select the source: USB-device (DLNA).

4. Find the right file and click OK remote.

5. Use the Play/Pause buttons to control playback, <</>> (Rewinding), Menu (sound/subtitles settings).-->

If the file is not reproduced:

• 🔴 Check the format: Xiaomi TV supportive MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV (video), MP3, FLAC, WAV (audio), JPG, PNG (photo).
• 🔊 For sound. DTS Dolby Digital may require an external receiver.
• 📁 Rename the file in Latin (the Cyrillic in the title sometimes causes errors).

Additional player settings:

• 🎵 Settings → Sound. → Output format: choose Auto or PCM compatiblely.
• 🖼️ Settings → Screen. → Image mode: Movie for movies, Low Delay Game.
• 🔄 Settings → Viewing medium → Resetting settings (if the player is glitching).

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If the “Viewing Tool” is on Xiaomi TV It constantly gives the error "File is not supported", try installing Kodi or VLC From the Mi App Store, they are more stable.

Errors and problems with the “Viewing tool”: how to fix

Even a function as simple as this can fail, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

⚠️ Note: If after cleaning the cache, the "Viewing tool" stopped working at all, do not try to reinstall it through the ADB — This can cause the system to crash. Instead, reset your TV settings (Settings). → System system → Reset to factory, pre-saving important data.

Another problem is that sometimes the Viewer starts opening files spontaneously when you connect to a PC. MIUI+ (Sync with Windows to disable:

1. Go to Settings. → Connection and sharing → MIUI+.
2. Turn off the option of automatic viewing files.
3. Reset the device.

Hidden functions of “Viewing tools”: what can, but does not advertise

Few people know, but in the Viewer, some Xiaomi devices have useful features hidden that are not documented.

Screen Diagnostic Mode (for TVs)

If you pinch the Menu + Up on the remote when the “Viewing Means” is open, a service menu with tests will open:

• 🎨 Color stripes - checking gradients.
• 🔳 A grid of pixels – finding broken points.
• 🔊 Test of speakers – checking sound at different frequencies.

2. View hidden files (for smartphones)

If ADB activate:

adb shell settings put global show_hidden_files 1

The Viewer will start displaying system files (e.g.,.nomedia,.thumbnails). Dangerous! Deleting those files can break the gallery.

3. Streaming from the smartphone camera on TV

On Mi TVs. TV firmware-wire 2023+ You can broadcast the screen of the smartphone through the “Viewing tool»:

1. On TV: Open the viewing tool → Network flow.
2. On your smartphone: Turn on the screen transfer in the notification curtain.
3. Select the TV from the list of devices.

The delay is less than through Miracast.

Is it safe to use the “Viewing Means”?

The function itself is safe, but there are nuances:

✅ What to do without risk:

• 🎬 Reproduce media files from verified sources.
• 🔍 View local files (photos, documents).
• 📊 Use built-in screen/sound tests.

❌ What could harm:

• 🔧 To make changes through ADB without understanding commands (risk of system failure).
• 🗑️ Delete system files that became visible after activation of hidden functions.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Connect to unknown network streams (virus risk).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi TVs (e.g. Mi) TV Q2 2023) The “Browser” has a vulnerability that allows access to files on the local network USB-If you connect your TV to public Wi-Fi (e.g. in a hotel), turn off Network Access in the player settings.

For smartphones, the main danger is data leakage when you use file previews from unknown sources. For example, if you open a.docx document with a malicious macro through the Viewer, it can run in the background. Always check the files with an antivirus (Dr.Web or Kaspersky from the Mi App Store).

FAQ: Frequent Questions About Xiaomi’s “Viewing Tool”