How to get out of Main Menu on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: step-by-step instructions with warnings

You accidentally found yourself in the hidden engineering menu of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T (codenamed willow) and don’t know how to get out of there?This is a typical problem of users who have tried to activate hidden functions through keyboard combinations or third-party applications. Main Menu is a MIUI service section designed to test hardware components and debug, but its interface is not optimized for ordinary users.

Unlike standard settings, leaving this menu is not always intuitive. Errors can lead to unpredictable consequences, from sensor failure to a complete system reboot with loss of unsaved data. In this article, we will discuss all working ways of exit, from the simplest to emergency, and explain why some methods may not work on your version of MIUI.

Before you act, make sure your Redmi Note 8T is not connected to charging (this can block some of the menu features) and that the battery level is above 20%. If the screen responds to touch, start with the first method. If the menu is “hang” – skip the section about forced reboot.

1. Standard exit via the return button

The most obvious, but not always working method: Most versions of Main Menu on the Redmi Note 8T have a software exit button, but its location depends on the firmware:

• 🔙 Back button: Press it once. If the menu doesn't close, try holding 2-3 seconds.
• 📱 Return gesture: Swipe your finger from the left edge of the screen to the center (if you have gesture mode enabled).
• ❌ Exit button: In some versions of the menu, it is located in the upper right corner (can be hidden under the three-point).

If the buttons don't respond, check if Factory Mode is activated, and some of the functions are blocked.

• 🔴 Red inscription in the top corner of the screen.
• 📵 There is no network signal (even if it is not available). SIM-map inserted).
• 🔧 The menu displays only hardware component tests.

⚠️ Note: If you see the inscription FACTORY MODE, DO NOT attempt to exit the power button - this may result in a reboot cycle.Use the methods in Section 3 or 4.

2. Key combinations for exit

The Redmi Note 8T has hidden button combinations that force the service menus to close.

1. Hold Volume Up + Power 8-10 seconds until the screen goes out. After vibration, release the buttons.
2. Press Volume Down + Power and hold for 5 seconds – this simulates a “hard” exit.
3. If the screen reacts, enter the #4636### code in the dialer, which will open the testing menu, from where you can return to the standard interface.

These combinations work 80% of the time, but may not work if:

• 🔋 Charge level below 15% (the system blocks hardware commands).
• 🛠️ Custom firmware installed (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 🔒 Fastboot mode is activated or EDL (flashing-screen FASTBOOT).

⚠️ Note: If you press the volume up + Power the phone vibrates, but the screen stays black for more than 30 seconds - remove the battery (if possible) or plug it into charging for 10 minutes.

3. Exit through resetting (if other methods don't work)

If Main Menu has blocked all standard exit methods, it's reset to factory settings, which is guaranteed to work, but deletes all the data on the phone (photos, contacts, apps) before resetting:

Make sure your phone is at least 30 times charged%|Extract. SIM-card and memory card (if any)|Remember your Mi Account details (if tied)|Connect your phone to Wi-Fi (required to activate after reset)-->

Instructions for Redmi Note 8T:

1. Turn off the phone with long-term power retention (10-15 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears, then let go.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, Power for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by Confirm selection.
5. After completion, select Reboot.

If the phone requires you to enter your Mi Account data after reset and you don’t remember it, use the official Mi Account Unlock unlock tool. The alternative is Fastboot firmware, but this requires a PC and USB Type-C cable.

4.Use of ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

If the phone is responding to a PC connection, you can exit Main Menu via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which saves data but requires pre-configuration:

Preconditions:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or certified).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB developer-setting.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 8T to your PC.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must display the serial number of the device.
4. Exit the menu command: adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -c android.intent.category.HOME
5. If it doesn’t work, try to forcefully close the menu process: adb shell am force-stop com.android.settings

⚠️ Attention: If after completion ADB-commands the phone has rebooted to Fastboot, DO NOT disconnect it from the PC. Enter the command fastboot reboot to return the system to normal mode.

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If ADB does not recognize the device, try reinstalling drivers via Mi PC Suite or manually specifying the path to drivers in Device Manager (Other Devices → Android ADB Interface).

5. Hardware reset (if the phone does not respond)

In critical cases, when the screen does not respond to touch and the buttons do not work, the hardware reset through battery extraction remains. On the Redmi Note 8T, the battery is not removable, but you can simulate a power outage:

Instructions:

1. Hold Power + Volume up + Volume down simultaneously 15-20 seconds.
2. If the phone vibrates but the screen doesn’t go out, wait 1 minute and repeat.
3. After a complete shutdown (the screen is out, the charge indicator does not burn), connect the charger.
4. After 5-10 minutes, try turning on the phone with the power button.

This method works even in deep failures, but can lead to:

• 🔋 Loss of battery calibration (display of charge level will be inaccurate).
• 📱 I'll reset the date and time.
• 🔊 Temporary loss of sound (reset by rebooting).

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Hardware reset is a last resort, only if the phone is not fully responsive to other methods, and after such reset, it is recommended to check the integrity of the file system through the Files by Google app (Cleanup section).

6.Prevention: How to Avoid Getting into Main Menu

To avoid the problem of accidentally logging into Main Menu, follow these rules:

• 🔐 Do not use button combinations found on questionable forums (e.g. ##3646633## is an engineering menu). MTK, non-user).
• 📱 Set the screen lock (PIN or pattern lock – this will prevent accidental taps in your pocket.
• 🛡️ Do not install apps to “overclock” or “unlock” Xiaomi features (for example, MTK Engineering Mode or Qualcomm Tools).
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI — In new versions, vulnerabilities are closed that allow you to accidentally open service menus.

If you really need to test hardware components (like a sensor check or a speaker), use the official Mi Diagnostics app from the Mi App Store, which provides secure access to diagnostic features without the risk of hanging out in the Main Menu.

Frequently asked questions