How to Get Out of Main Menu on Xiaomi Redmi 8: 5 Ways to Work

Main Menu (or Engineer Mode) on Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a powerful tool for diagnosing and fine-tuning the smartphone, but it is not uncommon for users to get into it by accident. USSD-The main problem is that unlike standard menus, leaving Main Menu is not always intuitive, and some items can cause a reset or even lock the bootloader if you click them randomly.

In this article, we’ll look at all the proven ways to exit the engineering menu on Redmi 8, from simple (using hardware buttons) to radical (forced reboot), focusing on methods that don’t lead to data loss, and warning you about the risks associated with changing the parameters in Main Menu. If your smartphone is getting stuck on a screen labeled Qualcomm HS-USB Diagnostics or similar, here you will find a solution.

What is Main Menu on Xiaomi Redmi 8 and why is it difficult to leave it?

The Main Menu (also known as Engineer Mode or Service Mode) is a hidden MIUI firmware section designed to test hardware components: communication module, display, battery, etc. It is available on all Xiaomi smartphones, including Redmi 8 (codenamed olive), but is not intended for ordinary users.

• 📱 Through USSD-codes (e.g. #4636## or #3644633##).
• 🔧 When connecting to a PC in Fastboot mode or EDL.
• ⚡ After a firmware failure through the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔄 Accidentally pressing a button combination during booting (e.g., Volume)+ + Nutrition).

The difficulty of the exit is due to the fact that Main Menu does not have a standard MIUI interface. There is no back or home button, and some items (for example, Reboot or Factory Reset) can reset. Moreover, depending on the firmware version, the menu can look different: on older builds of MIUI 11 it is a text list, on new builds (MIUI 12+) it is a graphical interface with icons.

⚠️ Note: Change settings in Network Settings, Hardware Testing, or RF Calibration can cause network loss, processor overheating, or even lockdown IMEI. Do not press anything other than navigation buttons!

Method 1: Standard output through hardware buttons

The safest method is to use physical buttons on your smartphone, which works 80 percent of the time if the menu is not hanging.

1. Hold the Power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.
2. After vibration, release the button - the smartphone will restart in normal mode.

If this method does not work, try the combination:

• 🔄 Loudness up + Power (hold 10 seconds).
• 🔄 Loudness down + Power (hold until rebooted).

Redmi 8 with MIUI 12.5 and later can work double tap on Power (as in locking the screen). If the menu does not respond, move to the next method.

Make sure your smartphone is at least 30% charged | Turn off the USB cable (if connected) | Remember the current menu item (in case of a crash) | Don't press Factory Reset or Format Data

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Method 2: Reboot via battery (if buttons don't work)

If the smartphone doesn't respond to the buttons and the Main Menu screen is frozen, try a software reset via battery extraction. On the Redmi 8, the battery is not removable, but you can simulate turning it off:

1. Keep Volume Up + Power for 20-30 seconds (even if the screen is unresponsive).
2. If the Mi logo appears, release the buttons - the smartphone will restart.
3. If there is no reaction, plug the charger in and repeat step 1.

This method works because prolonged button retention forcibly breaks the power circuit of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor, simulating battery extraction.The risk of data loss is minimal, but if the smartphone was in the process of writing to memory (for example, when testing a flash drive), file system errors are possible.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use this method more often 2-3 times in a row. MIUI This can lead to activation of anti-theft mode (requires the entry of the Mi Account password after rebooting).

Method 3: Exit through USSD-commands (for test menu)

If you are in Main Menu through USSD-code (e.g. #4636##) can be used to try to get the same way, and this method only works for test menus (e.g. Testing or Service Mode), but not for Fastboot or Fastboot. EDL.

Instructions:

1. Enter the code ##4636## or ##000000 (depending on the firmware version) on the menu keyboard.
2. If you have a request to exit, confirm the action (usually by the Back or Exit button).
3. If the code didn’t work, try ##0## (display test) – this can reset the current mode.

If USSD-codes don’t help, so you’re in hardware mode (like Fastboot or Fastboot). EDL), and other methods will be required.

Power button|USSD-code|Rebooting through the battery|Through PC (Fastboot)|I don't know what that is.-->

Method 4: Forced exit via Fastboot (for power users)

If previous methods have failed and the smartphone is loaded into Fastboot Mode (a black screen with a rabbit labeled FASTBOOT), you will need a PC connection, which is suitable for Redmi 8 with an unlocked bootloader or if you have access to the Mi Unlock Tool.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Mi Flash Tool or ADB/Fastboot Tools.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (use the original cable!).
3. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute the command: fastboot reboot
4. If your smartphone doesn’t respond, try fastboot.

If the bootloader is locked, you will need to unlock it through Mi Account (it will take up to 72 hours).

fastboot oem edl

But this will put the device in EDL mode, from which exit is possible only through firmware!

⚠️ Note: Fastboot oem unlock or fastboot flash commands can erase all data on your device.

Method 5: Extreme measure - reset to factory settings

If none of the methods worked, and the smartphone is stuck in Main Menu with a No Command or System Destroyed error, there are only hard resets. On Redmi 8, there are two ways to do this:

Method A: Through Recovery Mode

1. Turn off your smartphone (hold Power + Volume up 15 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power until the Mi logo appears.
3. Select a language, then go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Method B: Through Fastboot (if Recovery is not available)

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

After the reset, all data will be deleted, including photos, contacts and applications. If you had a link to Mi Account, after the reboot, you will need to enter your username and password.

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Before resetting, try connecting your smartphone to your PC in MTP mode (if it is detected) and copy important files from internal memory. To do this, in Main Menu, find USB Settings and select File Transfer.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make things worse by trying to click on Main Menu at random, and here are the most common errors and their consequences:

• 🚫 Factory Reset: Leads to a complete reset even if you haven't confirmed the action.On some firmware, the reset occurs without warning!
• 🚫 Change in parameters RF Band: May disrupt the operation of modules 4G, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, fixed only by firmware.
• 🚫 Choice Reboot to EDL: Transfers the smartphone to emergency firmware mode, from which exit is possible only through a PC.
• 🚫 Battery Test Disconnection: On Redmi 8, this can result in battery calibration loss (charge display will be incorrect).

If you accidentally change your settings, don't panic. Most settings in Main Menu are reset after you reboot. Except for the partitions associated with IMEI, Baseband or Secure Boot.

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Never confirm actions in Main Menu unless you know what they are, and even seemingly harmless items (such as Auto Test) can trigger a diagnostic cycle that locks the device for 10-15 minutes.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions