How to remove the simple mode on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: 3 proven ways

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but its MIUI interface sometimes includes a simple mode (Easy Mode) without the user’s knowledge. This mode simplifies the menu to basic functions, hiding most of the settings and applications, most often activated after upgrading the system, resetting to factory or accidentally clicking on the special features menu.

If your Redmi Note 9 suddenly turns into a “granny phone” with huge icons and limited functionality, don’t panic. 90% of the time, the problem is solved in 2-3 minutes through standard settings. In rare cases (for example, after a failed update), you may need to use ADB or reset your device. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to disable simple mode, including hidden nuances for different versions of MIUI 12, 13 and 14.

Before you start, make sure that the problem is in simple mode, and not in another system failure.

• 📱 Large app icons (3×4 or 4×4 opportunistic 5×6)
• 🔍 No All Apps folder or menu buttons
• ⚙️ There are no “Advanced”, “Developers” or “System” sections in the settings"
• 📵 It is impossible to add widgets to the main screen

If your smartphone behaves differently (for example, constantly reboots or does not respond to touch), the problem may be different – refer to the FAQ at the end of the article.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

This is the fastest and safest method that works on the Redmi Note 9 with any version of MIUI (including global and Chinese firmware).

Steps to shut down:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and select Special Features (in some versions – Convenience).
3. Slip on the item Simple mode (or Easy Mode in English firmware).
4. Turn the slider to the off position. or press Disconnect.
5. Confirm the action if a reboot request appears.

If the Simple Mode item is not in the Special Opportunities menu, try an alternative path:

1. Go to Settings → Screen.
2. Choose Screen Style or Home Screen.
3. Check for Display Mode – sometimes Easy Mode is hidden here.

Check battery power (minimum 30%)|Close all applications |Connect to Wi-Fi (in case of an update)|Connect to backup important data-->

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi Note 9 firmware (especially Chinese) may call Simple Mode Simplified Interface or Basic Mode. If you don't find it in the settings, try searching by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).

If after disabling Easy Mode interface is not returned to normal, perform a forced reboot:

1. Press the power button for 10-15 seconds.
2. After the vibration and the appearance of the Xiaomi logo, release the button.
3. Wait for the system to fully load (it can take up to 2 minutes).

Method 2: Use of ADB (for power users)

If a simple mode is turned on after a system failure or it cannot be disabled through settings, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) will help. This method requires a computer and basic knowledge of working with the command line.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the Redmi Note 9
• 🛠️ Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to the main settings menu and open Additional → For Developers. Enable USB Debugging.

Redmi Note 9

adb shell settings put secure user_setup_complete 1

Then:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings

Simple mode.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not enter commands you do not understand, and do not change other parameters through the adb shell. If after executing commands the phone stopped responding to touches, reset to factory settings (see Method 3).

If ADB didn’t help or you don’t want to take risks, move on to the next method.

Method 3: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

This method should only be used if the first two didn't work.Reset will delete all data from the phone, including photos, contacts and installed apps.Be sure to back up before you start!

How to perform the reset:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset All Settings (not to be confused with Network Resettings!).
3. Enter your Mi Account password if required.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Through settings MIUI|With help. ADB|Reset to factory|Nothing worked, the problem remained.-->

Why does a simple regimen turn on itself?

Many Redmi Note 9 users are experiencing Easy Mode activation without their involvement.

1. Automatic updates to MIUI

Once installed, the system can reset some settings, including the interface, especially for MIUI 13 and 14, where Xiaomi is actively implementing “user care” features (such as automatic dark switching or a simplified mode for the elderly).

2. Accidental pressing

In the Special Opportunities menu, the Simple Mode option is located next to other popular features (such as Gestures or Enlargement), and one careless touch is enough to activate it.

3. Launcher malfunction

If the standard MIUI launcher (com.miui.home) fails, the system can switch to a backup interface that looks similar to Easy Mode, in which case reinstall the launcher or reset its settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the launcher (or MIUI Launcher).
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.

4. Viruses or malware

Some Trojans simulate system failures so that the user downloads a "medicine" from them. If a simple mode is turned on after installing a third-party app, check the phone for viruses using Google Play Protect or Malwarebytes.

💡

To avoid accidentally enabling a simple mode, add the Settings shortcut to the home screen. To do this, press the empty space on the screen → Widgets → find Settings and drag it to a convenient place.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If you’ve tried all the ways, but the simple mode is still active, the problem may be deeper:

1. Damaged firmware

If your smartphone has recently been updated "over the air" (OTA) and the update was error-prone, some system files may have been damaged, in which case only flashing through Fastboot will help. Instructions for the Redmi Note 9 (codename merlin) can be found on the XDA Developers forum or the official Xiaomi website.

Hardware malfunction

Rarely, it happens that a simple mode "stuck" due to memory problems (eMMC) or the motherboard.

• 🔄 The phone spontaneously reboots.
• 🗄️ Apps are constantly flying out with an error Stopped.
• 📉 Productivity has dropped dramatically (even on the menu).

In this case, contact the service center.

3.Blocking by regional settings

On some firmware for the Redmi Note 9 (especially Chinese), the simple mode can be tied to a region, for example, if the phone is bought in China and used from the European market. SIM-The solution is to force the system to enable Easy Mode, and the solution is to change the region of the firmware through the ADB:

adb shell setprop persist.sys.local CHINA


adb shell setprop persist.sys.local RUSSIA

Then restart the device.

💡

If the simple mode returned after the reboot, the problem lies in the system files. Try updating MIUI manually through Settings → Software Update or install Custom Recovery (TWRP) for deep cleaning.

How to prevent the simple mode from being re-enabled?

To avoid running into Easy Mode, follow a few simple steps:

1. disable automatic MIUI updates

Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update of the PO → ⋮ → Settings and disable Auto Boot over Wi-Fi. This will prevent unexpected updates that can reset the interface settings.

2. Set a password on settings

In MIUI 13/14, you can block access to certain settings:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Tap it on. ⋮ → Block settings.
3. Install. PIN-code.

Now, without entering a password, no one can change the interface mode.

3.Use an alternative launcher

Install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) from Google Play. Even if the system turns on a simple mode, it won't affect the third-party interface.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → By default.
2. Select Louncher and specify the desired application.

4. Regularly check system integrity

With MIUI Hidden Settings (available on Google Play), you can monitor system settings and roll back unwanted changes, and it’s also useful to perform optimizations once a month through Settings → About Phone → Optimization.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the simple mode on the Redmi Note 9