Main Menu on Xiaomi: Why it came and how to safely get out

You turned on a Xiaomi smartphone, and instead of the usual desktop, there was a mysterious Main Menu with a bunch of confusing items in English? Don't panic - this is an engineering menu that is usually hidden from users. Its accidental appearance can be frightening, but in 90% of cases the problem is solved without going to the service center.

In this article, we will discuss why Main Menu is activated on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO devices, which actions are safe and which can lead to data loss or “bricking” of the phone, and give step-by-step instructions for exiting the menu and restoring the normal operation of the gadget – from simple methods to radical measures.

Important: If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to immediately go to the section on safe exit - experiments with engineering settings without understanding the consequences often end in failure.

What is Main Menu on Xiaomi and why did it come to be?

Main Menu (or Factory Mode) is a service menu designed to test hardware components during manufacturing or repair phases, and contains low-level tools to check the display, camera, speakers, sensors and other modules, and under normal conditions, the user should not see it.

Reasons for accidental inclusion:

  • 🔄 Firmware failure after failed update or interrupted installation MIUI.
  • 🛠️ Hardware malfunction: problems with the power button, battery or motherboard.
  • 🤖 Viral software that modified system files (rarely, but found on compromised devices).
  • 🔧 Incorrect user actions: for example, holding the button combination when turned on (Powering) + Loudness up).

On some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro or POCO X3) Main Menu can appear after a hard reset if the reset was performed incorrectly, and the menu is sometimes activated when connecting the phone to the PC through the PC. EDL-mode (emergency firmware).

⚠️ Note: If Main Menu appeared after a phone drop or moisture hit, do not try to exit it software.This can be a symptom of damage to the board - contact the service immediately.

📊 How often do you experience system failures on Xiaomi?
Often, once a month and more often.
Sometimes, several times a year.
Very rarely.
Never.
I don't know what that is.

How to safely log out of Main Menu without losing data

The first thing to try is a soft output without changing system files, which works 70 percent of the time and doesn't require any special knowledge.

  1. Press and hold the power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out. Then turn on the phone in the usual way.
  2. If the first method didn't work, try the Power + Volume down combination (hold 8-10 seconds), which in some models force you to restart the system.
  3. Connect your phone to the charger and wait for full charge (if the indicator shows a low charge).

If the phone responds to the presses but does not leave the menu:

  • 🔍 Check if Main Menu has an Exit or Reboot System option (usually at the bottom of the screen).
  • 📱 Some firmware has a swipe gesture up from the bottom edge – this can bring you back to the desktop.

Try rebooting with the power button | Checked battery charge |Try Power + Volume down |Searched for Exit on the menu |Plugged to another charger-->

⚠️ Note: Do not select items like Clear eMMC, Format Data or Erase All in Main Menu, which will result in complete deletion of data from internal memory, including photos and applications.

Hard Reset as a last resort

If the soft methods didn't work, you're going to have to do a hard reset -- a factory reset -- that will delete all the data from the phone, but put it back in working order. There are two ways Xiaomi devices can reset from Main Menu:

Method 1: Recovery Mode

  1. Turn off the phone (hold power until it is turned off).
  2. Press Power + Volume up and hold until the Mi logo appears.
  3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage by volume buttons, confirm by power button).
  4. After reset, select Reboot System.

Method 2: Fastboot (if Recovery is not available)

  1. Connect your phone to a PC with Xiaomi drivers installed.
  2. Press Power + Volume Down to log into Fastboot Mode.
  3. On PC, open the command line and type in: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot
Resetting methodDeleting data?You need a PC?Difficulty
Reboot with a button❌ No.❌ No.⭐
Recovery Mode✅ Yes.❌ No.⭐⭐
Fastboot✅ Yes.✅ Yes.⭐⭐⭐
EDL-regime✅ Yes.✅ Yes.⭐⭐⭐⭐

💡

If after resetting the phone requires you to enter the account Mi, and you do not remember it – use the official unlock tool account.xiaomi.com. Do not use third-party services to bypass the binding!

Recovery of firmware through Mi Flash Tool

If the reset didn’t work and the phone is still loading into Main Menu, the system firmware is likely damaged, in which case the firmware will help to flash through the Mi Flash Tool, the official utility from Xiaomi.

Step-by-step:

  1. Download the official firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version).
  2. Install the Mi Flash Tool on your PC.
  3. Transfer your phone to Fastboot Mode (Power + Volume Down).
  4. Connect the device to the PC and in the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware file.
  5. Press Flash and wait until the process is complete (usually 5-10 minutes).

Important: Choose firmware strictly for your model! For example, the firmware for the Redmi Note 10 will not work for the Redmi Note 10 Pro, even if the names are similar.

What to do if the Mi Flash Tool can't see your phone?
1. Check if Qualcomm or Mediatek drivers are installed (depending on your model's CPU). 2. Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original). 3. Disable the antivirus - it can block the utility. 4. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. 5. If the phone is in mode EDL (Black screen, you will need an authorized Xiaomi developer account to unlock.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make the problem worse by trying to fix the phone at random, and here are the most common mistakes:

  • 🚫 Selecting random items in Main Menu – this can format a partition with firmware or block the bootloader.
  • 🚫 Use of informal firmware (e.g., with 4PDA) It often leads to bootloop (infinite reboot).
  • 🚫 Interrupting the firmware process – if you turn off the phone while you write files, it can turn into a “brick".
  • 🚫 Ignoring backups – even if the phone doesn’t work now, data can be saved via Fastboot or EDL.

If you are not sure of your actions, it is better to contact the official Xiaomi service. The cost of diagnosis usually does not exceed 500-1000 rubles, but you will avoid the risk of finally breaking the device.

💡

Never settle for 5-minute firmware on unofficial services, and these wizards often use pirated versions of MIUI, which may contain viruses or spyware.

How to Prevent Main Menu from Reappearing

To ensure that the engineering menu does not appear again:

  • 🔄 Update regularly MIUI through settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
  • 🛡️ Do not install modified firmware (custom) ROM), unless you understand the consequences.
  • 🔋 Keep an eye on the battery – if it is swelling or discharged quickly, replace it.
  • 🔌 Avoid connecting to questionable chargers (especially high voltage ones).

If Main Menu appears after each shutdown, it may indicate a hardware malfunction (e.g., oxidation of the power button contacts), in which case only repairs at the service center will help.

Frequent questions about Main Menu on Xiaomi

Can I log out of Main Menu without a data reset?
Yes, in most cases, it's a forced reset (Power + Volume down) or an Exit option on the menu itself, and if those methods don't work, you'll have to reset.
Why does my phone require a Mi Account that I don’t have?
This is Factory Reset Protection (FRP), and if the phone was linked to a Mi Account, you'll need to enter your login and password after the reset, and if you don't remember the data, restore it through the official website.
Can I flash my phone through Main Menu without a PC?
No, flashing requires a computer with Mi Flash Tool or other software (e.g. SP Flash Tool for Mediatek devices) without a PC, you can only reset via Recovery.
Main Menu comes after every turn on. What do you do?
This is a sign of a hardware malfunction (most often problems with the power button or motherboard). You can't solve the problem yourself - contact the service.
Can I recover data after resetting via Main Menu?
If you haven't backed up, the odds are slim, but you can try programs like Dr.Fone or Tenorshare UltData to recover files from internal memory (success depends on the phone model).