How to exit the main menu on Xiaomi Redmi: all ways (including hidden)

The situation when the Xiaomi Redmi smartphone “hangs” in the main menu or does not respond to standard gestures is familiar to many users. This can happen after a MIUI update, a launcher malfunction, or even due to a bug in the firmware of a particular model (for example, the Redmi Note 12 or Redmi 10C). In 80% of cases, the problem is solved in seconds, but some users lose hours to find a solution - especially if the screen does not respond to touch or buttons do not work as usual.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to exit the main menu on Xiaomi Redmi – from the basic (which work in 99% of cases) to emergency (if the phone is completely frozen). Particular attention will be paid to models with MIUI 14/15, where the interface was interfaced, as well as devices with physical buttons (for example, Redmi A1) and touch (Redmi Note series). If your smartphone does not respond to touch or the back button, do not panic: solutions are available even for the most difficult cases.

Warn in advance: some methods require a device to restart, which can interrupt unsaved processes (such as updating apps or downloading files). If you are working with important data, try to use soft methods first.

1. Standard output: Back button and gestures

The most obvious, but often ignored, way is to use standard controls, and MIUI is able to exit the main menu (or any other settings section) as follows:

• 🔙 Press the Back button once (physical or touch) on gesture-controlled models (such as the Redmi Note 13 Pro) swipe right to left from the edge of the screen.
• 🏠 If you are in Settings, click on the Home icon (usually at the bottom of the screen) to get you back on the home screen.
• 📱 On some firmware (for example, MIUI 12.5) Double-clicking the Home button** closes the current menu.

If the buttons don’t respond, check:

• ⚡ Is the battery not discharged (at level) ≤5% of smartphones can be slowed down»).
• 👆 Does not block the touch protective film or cover (especially relevant for Redmi 12 with a curved screen).
• 🔄 Is the system updated in the background (check the boot indicator in the status bar).

💡

If the touch screen doesn’t respond to gestures, try a wet wipe: wipe the display and hands – sometimes static electricity interferes with touch recognition.

On physical button models (such as Redmi 9A or Redmi 8), check if the back button is stuck.

1. Carefully press the force button.
2. If you hear a click, but there is no reaction - perhaps the contacts have oxidized (the solution is to blow the button with a hairdryer or contact the service).

2. Forced exit through the notification panel

If the standard methods didn’t work, try using the notification bar, which works even when the interface is partially frozen:

1. Swipe your finger down the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Slip on the Settings icon** (cog) - this will open the main settings menu in the new window.
3. Return to the home screen via the home button or gesture.

If the notification panel does not open:

• 🔋 Check if the Do Not Disturb mode is activated** (indicator is a crescent icon in the status bar).
• 📵 Make sure the screen is not locked by the app (e.g. Game Turbo or Second Space).

On models with MIUI 14+, the notification panel may not open due to an animation bug.Solution: swipe twice from top to bottom with a slight delay (1 second).

3. Reboot of the smartphone (soft and hard reset)

If the interface is completely frozen and the buttons are not responding, a reboot will help.

Soft reboot (recommended)

1. Press the power button for 5-10 seconds.
2. In the menu that appears, select Reboot (or Restart).
3. Wait 30 to 60 seconds – the smartphone will restart without losing data.

Hard reset (if the screen does not respond)

If the soft reboot does not work:

1. Press the power button + volume button for 10-15 seconds.
2. Release the buttons when the Xiaomi logo appears on the screen.

Redmi Note 10/11/12|Redmi 9/9A/9C|Redmi 10/10A/10C|Redmi 12/13|Another model-->

Attention, a severe reset can interrupt the background, if you're just hanging out.

• 📥 Downloaded file – check the Download folder after rebooting.
• 🔄 Update the app – run it again from Google Play.
• 💾 Save data in the app – open it and check autosave.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MIUI 13 and below hard reset may cause resets of regional settings (for example, change the interface language). → Additionally. → Language and input.

4.Using Google's voice assistant

If the touch screen is not responsive, but the microphone is working, you can use a voice assistant, which is suitable for models with Google Assistant preinstalled (most Redmi for the global market):

1. Say it loudly, “OK Google” or “Hey Google.”
2. After activating the assistant, say “Go back to the home screen” or “Exit settings”.
3. If you want to close a particular application: “Close [app name].”

If the voice assistant is not activated:

• 🔇 Check if the microphone is switched off in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Microphone.
• 📶 Make sure your smartphone is connected to the internet (assistant requires a connection).
• 🔋 On some firmware (MIUI 12 and below) voice activation is disabled by default – enable it in Google settings.

💡

The voice assistant is the only way to control your smartphone if the sensor is completely out of order, but the microphone and speakers are working.

5. Connecting the mouse or keyboard over OTG

For owners of Xiaomi Redmi with support OTG (Most models, except for the budget lines Redmi A, have a radical but effective way: USB-mouse or keyboard. This will help if:

• 🖱️ Sensor is not working completely.
• 🔧 Power/volume buttons damaged.
• 🔄 You need to exit the menu without restarting (for example, during the update).

Instructions:

1. Connect. OTG-smartphone adapter.
2. Put it in the adapter. USB-mouse.
3. Use your mouse cursor to navigate the menu or press Esc on the keyboard (similar to the Back button).

If the mouse is not identified:

• 🔌 Check if your model supports you. OTG (The list of compatible devices is available on GSM Arena).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone with a connected mouse.
• 🛠️ Put the debugging on. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times on the assembly number).

6. Reset the launcher settings (if the menu opens again)

Sometimes the main menu automatically opens again after the release, which is a sign of a failure in the MIUI Launcher.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Launcher (or MIUI Launcher) in the list.
3. Select Warehouse → Clear the cache and Reset the settings.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

If the launcher is constantly reset:

• 📥 Update the firmware to the latest version (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🛠️ Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion) from Google Play.
• 🔄 Reset your phone settings (pre-reverse your phone!).

Clear the MIUI Launcher cache | Update the firmware |Install a third-party launcher |Reset your phone settings-->

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MIUI 14+ Resetting the launcher can cause the widgets to lose on the home screen. To restore them, after rebooting, hold your finger in the free space of the screen and select Widgets.

7.Emergency measures: Fastboot and Recovery Mode

If none of these methods worked, and the smartphone is completely frozen, there are radical ways that are suitable for power users and require a connection to a PC.

Method 1: Reboot in Recovery Mode

1. Turn off your smartphone (press the power button for 15 seconds).
2. Press the power button + volume button before the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Reboot → System (control – volume buttons, choice – power button).

Method 2: Fastboot Firmware (for advanced)

If the smartphone is only loaded in Fastboot:

1. Connect the device to the PC via USB.
2. Download the Mi Flash Tool and firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
3. In the command line, type: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the device).
4. Run the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (select Clean All for a full reset).

Warning: Fastboot removes all data on your device! Use this method only if:

• 📱 The smartphone is not switching on normally.
• 🔧 You've previously made a backup copy.
• 🛠️ You have experience with the firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions