How to remove Cat Controls on Xiaomi: 5 working methods

If your TV or Xiaomi smart device suddenly reacts to cat, dog, or even random hand gestures, you’ve come across Cat Controls (some firmware called Pet Mode or Animal Detection), a technology originally conceived to make pet users more comfortable, often works falsely, turning watching movies or working on menus into a nightmare.

The problem is compounded by the fact that in recent versions of MIUI TV and HyperOS, Cat Controls can be activated automatically after updates or resets, while turning it off is hidden in deep menus or not at all in the interface. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to remove (or at least minimize the impact) of Cat Controls on Xiaomi devices, including Mi TV series, Redmi Smart TV, and other gadgets with gesture support.

Important: The methods vary depending on the model, firmware version, and regional settings. If one method doesn't work, try the next one on the list.

What is Cat Controls and Why Does It Get Into Your Body?

Cat Controls (or Pet Mode) was first introduced by Xiaomi in 2021 as part of its gesture recognition system, which aims to ignore random movements of pets (cats, dogs) near the screen so that false commands (such as switching channels or changing the volume) do not work.

• 🐱 False positives: responds to shadows, reflections, or even movements outside the window.
• 🎮 Conflict with the game: blocks control in games where quick gestures are needed (such as Just Dance or Fruit Ninja).
• 🔄 Spontaneous actions: can open applications or change settings.
• 🔇 Inability to disable: In some firmwares, the option is hidden or blocked.

According to user reviews on the Mi Community and 4PDA forums, the problem is most often found on Xiaomi Mi TV Q2 4K, Redmi Smart TV X55 and Mi TV P1 with firmware based on Android TV 11/12 and HyperOS. On smartphones, the feature appears less often - usually after connecting to the TV via Mi Share or Google Cast.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Mi) TV A2 32") Cat Controls is integrated into the core of the system and cannot be completely removed without root rights.

Method 1: Disconnection through standard settings

If Cat Controls is visible on the menu, it can be deactivated in a few steps, and is suitable for most Xiaomi TVs on Android TV 9.0 and later:

1. Open Settings (cog in the upper right corner of the main screen).
2. Go to Device and Preferences → Special features.
3. Find the item Gesture Management or Pet Mode (can be called Animal Detection).
4. Move the slider to the off position. or uncheck the tick.
5. Confirm the action if a reboot request appears.

In some models, the path may differ:

• 📺 Mi TV 4S/4A: Settings → System system → Additionally. → Traffic control.
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphones: Settings → Special facilities → Gestures → Ignoring the movements of animals.

If there is no Pet Mode option in the menu, then the function is either disabled by default, or you need to look for it in hidden settings (see Method 2).

Method 2: Reset gesture settings via ADB

When standard methods fail, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) debugging will help, requiring a computer and minimal technical skills, but allowing Cat Controls to be disabled even on locked firmware.

Preparation:

• 💻 Install. ADB Tools on PC.
• 📱 On the TV, turn on the debugging. USB In Settings → On TV. → Software version (click 7 times on the line with the version to unlock the developer menu).
• 🔌 Connect the TV to the PC via USB-cable (use the port) USB 3.0 for stability).

Next, execute commands in the terminal (command line):

adb devices


adb shell




settings put global pet_mode_enabled 0




settings put global gesture_animal_detection 0




reboot

If the function is still active after the reboot, try an alternative method:

adb shell


pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.petmode




pm clear com.xiaomi.petmode

⚠️ Attention: On TVs with HyperOS (2023–2026) teams ADB This can be blocked by security policies, and only the firmware rollback or the physical shutdown of the sensor will help.

Method 3: Update or roll back firmware

In some cases, Cat Controls appears after a firmware update and disappears after a rollback.

• 🔄 The function appeared after the last update.
• 📉 The TV started to glitches (hangs, spontaneous reboots).
• ⚙️ There is no option to turn off gestures on the menu.

Instructions for rollback:

1. Download the old firmware version for your model from the official Xiaomi website or trusted forums (for example, 4PDA).
2. Copy the firmware file (usually with the.zip extension) onto a flash drive formatted in FAT32.
3. Put the flash drive in. USB-television-port.
4. Go to Settings → About TV → Software Update → Local Update.
5. Select the downloaded file and confirm the rollback.

Important: rollback will reset all settings and apps! pre-back up through Settings → Accounts and backups.

Method 4: Physically disabling the motion sensor

If the software didn't work, the radical solution is to disable the motion-recognition sensor, which is true for TVs where Cat Controls is embedded in the firmware and doesn't get removed otherwise.

In most Xiaomi models, the gestures are handled by an infrared (IR) sensor or a Time-of-Flight (ToF) camera located on:

• 📍 Above (over the screen) in the Mi models TV Q2 Redmi Max.
• 📍 Below (under the screen) - in Mi TV A2 and P1.
• 📍 Side by side - in some Redmi Smart TV.

How to turn it off:

1. Turn off the TV and disconnect it from the network.
2. Remove the back cover (a plastic shoulder blade or screwdriver will be required).
3. Find the sensor (usually marked as IR Sensor or ToF Camera).
4. Disconnect the sensor plume from the motherboard or seal it with opaque tape.
5. Get the TV set and check the work.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the sensor will deprive you of all gesture functions, including control of the remote with Air Mouse support (for example, Xiaomi Mi Remote Pro!

💡

Before disassembling the TV, take a picture of the location of all the plumes and screws, which will help to avoid errors in the assembly and prevent damage to the board.

Method 5: Alternative solutions (if nothing worked)

If all of the above methods have not worked, consider the following options:

• 🛡️ Use an external remote: Connect the remote from another TV via Bluetooth or infrared port. e.g. Xiaomi Mi TV Stick or universal remote Logitech Harmony.
• 🖥️ Manage from your smartphone: Install the Mi Remote app (available for Android and iOS) and set up control via Wi-Fi.
• 🔧 Install custom firmware: For experienced users - LineageOS firmware or AOSP for TV-The boxes (for example, Xiaomi Mi Box S).
• 📦 Return the TV under warranty: If the problem occurred shortly after purchase, it could be a factory defect.

For owners of Xiaomi smartphones, where Cat Controls interferes with the connection to the TV, it will help to disable the Mi Share function:

1. Open Settings → Connection and Sharing.
2. Select Mi Share and turn off the Automatic Connection option.
3. Remove the TV from the list of trusted devices.

💡

If the TV is guaranteed, physical interference (disassembly, disconnection of sensors) will lead to its loss, in which case it is better to contact the official service center.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to remove Cat Controls, users often make the following mistakes:

Many people forget that after disabling Cat Controls, you need to:

• ✅ Restart the TV (it’s not enough to just leave the menu).
• ✅ Check the gestures in safe mode (click Menu) + Power when powered on).
• ✅ Update apps that may conflict with management (such as Netflix or YouTube).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions