The Main Menu (or Engineer Mode) service menu on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is a powerful tool for diagnosing and fine-tuning the device. However, many users face a problem: after accidentally entering this menu through engineering codes (for example, ##4636# or #36446337##), they can not leave it. The system does not respond to the back button, and attempts to reboot sometimes lead to crashes.
In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to exit Main Menu on Xiaomi devices of different generations - from old models on MIUI 9 to the latest flagships with HyperOS. Particular attention will be paid to models with hardware buttons (until 2019) and touch gestures (2020-2026), since the exit algorithms for them are fundamentally different.
If you're here after a failed attempt to unlock a bootloader or firmware through Fastboot, it's important to understand that leaving Main Menu doesn't always solve the "brick" problem. In some cases, you'll need a full reset or firmware reflash, but in 90% of situations, a fairly correct sequence of actions is enough, and we'll describe them below.
1. Standard output: return button and soft rebate
On most Xiaomi devices (especially those released after 2020), Main Menu exits through a combination of software and hardware commands. Try this method first, it is the safest and does not require resetting.
Sequence of action:
- Press the physical power button (or touch button if you have a Redmi Note 11 or later) with one short press. Don't hold it, it will turn off.
- If the screen is gone and the off menu appears, select “Restart”.
- After the reboot, check if the service menu has disappeared. If not, move on to the next method.
For models with touch-sensitive navigation buttons (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 9 or POCO F3):
- 📱 Swipe your finger from the bottom up and hold it ("Home" gesture) for 2-3 seconds.
- 🔄 If you have a multitasking menu, swipe the Main Menu app up, as if you were closing.
- 🔋 If the gestures don’t work, try triple pressing the “Nutrition” button (on some firmware, this causes a forced exit).
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12.5+ HyperOS long-term power button holding can activate voice assistant Xiao AI. If this happens, say “Exit” or “Back” (works on Chinese firmware).
2. Forced exit via button combination
If the standard method didn't work, try hardware reboot, which is suitable for all models, including the Redmi 4X, Mi A2 and other devices with physical buttons. The main rule is: don't confuse it with a full shutdown - we need to restart the smartphone, not turn off the power.
Instructions for different types of devices:
| Type of device | Button combination | Duration of retention |
|---|---|---|
| With physical buttons (until 2019) | Food + Volume up | 10-12 seconds |
| With Touch buttons (2019–2021) | Food + Volume Down | 8-10 seconds |
| New models (2022–2026) | Power + both volume buttons | 5-7 seconds |
| POCO F1, Mi 8 (special cases) | Food + Volume up + Volume down | 15 seconds. |
Once the buttons are held, the device should vibrate and reboot. If the screen is out but there is no vibration, hold the buttons for another 5 seconds. AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro) after the reboot can appear the Fastboot logo – this is normal, wait for the full system load.
⚠️ Note: On some firmware (especially custom ones like LineageOS), a forced reboot may cause system integrity checks. UI Stopped – reset the cache via Recovery.
☑️ What to do if your smartphone does not respond to the buttons
3. Exit through the engineering menu (for advanced)
If you're logged into Main Menu through engineering codes (e.g. #36446337## for the camera test), you can try logging back out via service commands. This requires accuracy - a bug in the code can cause a crash.
Step-by-step:
- Enter the exit code: ##0000## This is a universal command to reset the engineering menu to MIUI.
- If it doesn't work, try the alternative code: ##4636## → Back up. → Exit
- For POCO models (based on MIUI for POCO) use: ##7626## → Menu → Back
If you enter the code and you see a message that says "Connection problem or invalid MMI code," your firmware is blocking the engineering commands, and only hardware reboot will help (see Section 2).
What if a black screen appears after #0000##?
4. Reset settings via Recovery (extreme case)
If none of the above methods worked, and your smartphone is stuck in Main Menu with the error "Unfortunately, System UI has stopped" - you will have to use Recovery Mode. This method erases user data, so use it only as a last resort.
How to log in to Recovery and perform a reset:
- Turn off the device (hold Power + Volume up 10 seconds).
- Click the combination to enter Recovery: 📱 For most models: Nutrition + Loudness up. 🔧 For POCO X3, Redmi Note 9: Nutrition + Loudness down. ⚙️ For Mi. 10/11: Nutrition + volume-button.
Recovery
"Wipe Data"
"Yes"
"Reboot System"
⚠️ Note: On some firmware (e.g. HyperOS 1.0), the "Wipe Data" option may be called "Factory Reset" or "Erase All Data.
Once reset, the device will boot up in a “out of the box” state, you will need to reconfigure the Mi Account, connect to Wi-Fi, and recover data from the backup (if it was created).
💡
Resetting via Recovery is the only way to exit Main Menu if the smartphone is getting stuck during the boot phase with a “No Command” error.
5. Features for specific models
Some Xiaomi devices have unique features when working with Main Menu. Below is a list of models with unusual behavior and solutions for them.
| Model | Problem. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 8/8T | After leaving Main Menu, the sensor disappears | Reboot to Fastboot (Food + Volume Down) and select "Normal Boot" |
| POCO F1 | Hanging on the logo after the engineering menu | Hold Power + Volume Up for 20 Seconds for Forced Shutdown |
| Mi A1/A2 (Android One) | ## codes are not working | Use ##4636## (no stars) or the MTK Engineering Mode app |
| Xiaomi 12/13 Pro | Main Menu opens accidentally when blocked | Turn off the “Double Touch to Wake Up” gesture in the screen settings |
For MediaTek processor devices (e.g. Redmi 9A, POCO C31), exiting the engineering menu may require installing a special APK. Download MTK Engineer Mode from official stores and use it to securely close service sections.
💡
If your mobile data stopped working after leaving Main Menu, go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
6 How to Avoid Accidental Entry into Main Menu
To avoid the problem of leaving the engineering menu in the future, follow these recommendations:
- 🔐 Block Engineering Codes: In Settings → System system → For developers, turn off the option "Enable the Engineering Menu" (if any).
- 📱 Use screen-protected covers: Many random entries occur due to the pressing of buttons in your pocket.
- 🔧 Update the firmware: B MIUI 14 and HyperOS added protection against accidental opening of service menus.
- 🛡️ Set a password for engineering settings: In some firmware (for example, Xiaomi.EU) you can set PIN to access ##-commands.
If you frequently work with engineering menus (such as network or camera testing), create a desktop shortcut with a secure exit code:
am start -a android.intent.action.VIEW -d "##0000##"This command can be run via Terminal Emulator or ADB.