How to exit the engineering menu on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all working ways

The Xiaomi Redmi 9’s engineering menu is a powerful tool for diagnosing and fine-tuning your smartphone, but it’s not uncommon for users to get into it by accident, such as after the ##4636## combination or through hidden MIUI settings. The main problem is that standard Back or Home buttons often don’t work in this mode, and incorrect actions can lead to resetting or even damage to the firmware.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to exit the engineering menu on Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T models), relevant for MIUI 12/13/14. All methods are tested on firmware 2023-2026 and do not require root rights. Particular attention will be paid to the unique feature of Redmi 9: blocking the output through hardware buttons during active sensor testing - this nuance is absent in the instructions for other Xiaomi models.

1. Standard output through the program buttons

If the engineering menu is open through code or settings (not in hardware testing mode), try the easiest way to:

• 📱 Press the virtual back button (triangle at the bottom of the screen) 3 times in a row at intervals of 1 second. On Redmi 9, it works on the third attempt due to the features of the device. MIUI.
• 🔄 If the button does not respond, hold it for 5-7 seconds - it will forcibly close the menu (analogue of "timeout exit").
• 🚫 Don’t press the physical power button – this can lock the screen in engineering mode!

This method works in 70% of cases, but only if:

• ✅ The menu is open through code (e.g. #3644633## for equipment testing).
• ✅ No active sensor or camera tests.
• ❌ It will not work if the menu is running through ADB or after a hardware reset.

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI 14+ When you leave the engineering menu, you may see a notification saying, "System settings have changed." Do not confirm it, it will cause the network settings to reset!

2.Forced exit through reboot

If the software buttons don't respond and the menu has blocked the screen, use hardware reboot. There are two safe options for Redmi 9:

1. Soft reboot: Hold the power button for 10-12 seconds until the screen goes out. Wait 30 seconds (important!), then turn on the phone with the power button.
2. Hard reboot (if soft didn’t work): Press the power button + increase volume for 15-20 seconds. Release after the Xiaomi logo appears (without waiting for the vibration!).

The critical nuance for Redmi 9 is that you don't interrupt the process if the screen says Fastboot mode.

• 🔌 Connect your phone to charge.
• 🕒 Wait 2-3 minutes – the device will automatically restart to normal mode.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 9 with firmware V12.0.8.0.QJCMIXM And then, if you're older, a hard reboot can cause an Orange State check, and if you turn on the orange text, don't confirm the reset, just restart the phone again.

3. Exit through test mode (if the menu is blocked)

If the engineering menu is open in hardware testing mode (e.g., after entering ##232338## to check Wi-Fi), standard methods may not work.

Complete the active test (click "Stop Test" or "Exit")

Hold the back button for 8-10 seconds.

If the screen is frozen, hold the power + volume up

Connect the charger (sometimes unlocks the menu)-->

The Redmi 9 feature is that in test mode, the camera and sensors can block the output.

1. Click on the black background outside the active test (e.g., next to the "Back" button).
2. If you see a message Test mode: Exit?, confirm the choice.
3. When the screen is getting stuck, use the combination Power + Volume down (hold 10 seconds).

Important: In test mode, do not click on:

• 🚫 Clear Data – This will erase network settings.
• 🚫 Factory Reset – Complete reset of the phone.
• 🚫 Reboot to EDL — Translation to firmware mode (requires PC).

4.Use of ADB for forced closure

If your phone is responding to a PC connection but your screen is locked in the engineering menu, use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for users who have previously had their developer mode enabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi 9 to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux).
3. Enter the commands in order: adb devices adb shell am force-stop com.android.engineermode adb shell input keyevent 4
4. If the menu is not closed, follow: adb reboot

Transcript of commands:

• Adb devices – Check the connection.
• am force-stop – the forced closure of the engineering menu.
• input keyevent 4 – Emulation of the back button.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 9s MIUI 13+ after ADB-commands may require confirmation on the phone ("Let the debugging?"). If the screen is locked, this method will not work - use reboot (section 2).

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If ADB does not recognize the device, update the Xiaomi drivers through the official website. For Redmi 9, choose the MTK (MediaTek Helio G80) series drivers.

5. Reset network settings (if the menu is caused by an error)

In rare cases, an engineering menu appears due to a failure in the communication module (for example, after an unsuccessful update or change). SIM-In this case, resetting network parameters will help:

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
2. Confirm the action (a password will be required if installed).
3. Reboot the phone.

What's gonna happen:

• 📶 Saved Wi-Fi networks (passwords deleted!).
• 📱 Mobile communication settings (APN, network).
• 🔊 Settings of Bluetooth devices.

What won't happen:

• ✅ Files, photos and applications will remain.
• ✅ Google and Mi Accounts Unaffected.

💡

Network resetting is the only safe way to exit the engineering menu if it appears on its own (without entering codes).

Extreme measures: reset to factory settings

If none of the methods worked, and the phone is stuck in the engineering menu, there's a hard reset. There are two options on Redmi 9:

Method 1. Through Recovery Mode (saves files in memory):

1. Turn off the phone (hold power for 15 seconds).
2. Press the power + volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power).
4. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Method 2. via Fastboot (if Recovery is not available):

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open Fastboot (hold power + volume down when turned on).
2. In the command line, type: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Important for Redmi 9:

• 🔐 After the reset, you will need to enter Mi Account if it was tied!
• 📁 Photos and videos in the gallery will be saved, but apps and their data will be deleted.

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI 12.5 Enhanced and newer reset via Fastboot can lead to bootloader lock.If the phone does not turn on after the fastboot reboot command, firmware via the Mi Flash Tool is required.

FAQ: Frequent questions about exiting the engineering menu