How to exit the menu on Xiaomi devices: step-by-step instructions for smartphones and TVs

Have you accidentally entered Xiaomi’s engineering menu, launched developer mode, or simply can’t find the Back button in the maze of settings? This problem is familiar to many users of the brand’s technology – especially after updates. MIUI or when working with Mi TVs TV. Unlike other manufacturers’ devices, where the menu exit is intuitive, Xiaomi’s interface sometimes hides obvious solutions or requires specific actions.

In this article, we will discuss all possible scenarios, from basic ways to return to the main menu to emergency methods for hanging systems, POCO, Mi, TVs (Mi) TV A2, Mi TV Q2) And even smartwatches (Mi Band, Watch 2 Pro) if the standard buttons don't work and the screen is frozen on one of the items, here's the solution.

1. Standard output: buttons and gestures

To start with, it's easy. In 90% of cases, standard controls are enough to exit the Xiaomi menu, but their location depends on the type of device and the firmware version.

On smartphones with MIUI 12-14 The following rules apply:

• 📱 Back button – at the bottom of the screen on the left (navigation bar) or swipe gesture from right to left of the edge of the screen. Exception: in some engineering menus (for example, ##4636##) the button may be blocked.
• 🏠 The Home button is the central navigation button or swipe up from the bottom edge, and it will bring you back to the home screen, but it doesn't always save you changes to your settings.
• 🔄 Double-click on the Home button – on older models (Redmi Note 4, Mi 5) opens a list of the latest applications, from where you can close the settings menu.

On Xiaomi TVs, the algorithm is different:

• 📺 The "Back" button on the remote is usually located in the upper left corner (arrow icon left). On models from 2023-2026 (for example, Mi Mi). TV Q2 75′′ button can be touch-sensitive – press it twice if it didn’t work the first time.
• 🎮 Home button – returns to the main screen PatchWall, but does not save changes in system settings (for example, in the menu for developers).
• ⚙️ The button "Menu" - on old remotes (until 2020) can duplicate the function of the output.

⚠️ Warning: If you are in Fastboot Mode (black screen with rabbit and inscription) FASTBOOT), The standard buttons will not work. The exit will require a forced reboot - see section 5.

2. Exit from the engineering menu and hidden modes

Engineering menus (##...) and service modes (CIT, Factory Mode often blocks standard exit methods, which can be used in special combinations or state resets.

For smartphones:

• 🔢 Button combination: Press the volume up + Meals for 10 to 15 seconds. POCO F3 And new models will lead to a reboot, on the old ones (Redmi). 4A) — main-menu.
• 📞 Call: Ask someone to call your phone. In some engineering menus (e.g. ##225##) the incoming call will interrupt mode.
• 🔌 Power out: Remove the battery (if removable) or hold the power button 20+ Risk: on Xiaomi 12T This can also be used to check the Mi Bootloader.

For TVs:

• 🔄 Reset remote: Remove the batteries for 30 seconds, then insert back. press Home + Back at the same time – it will reset the current mode.
• 📡 Shutting down: Pull the power cord out of the socket for 1 minute. on Android models TV 11+ (Like Mi. TV P1) This may cause you to check for updates when enabled.
• 🖱️ Connecting the mouse: If the TV supports USB-mouse, connect it - cursor can close the window of the engineering menu.

Try the standard "back" button"|Reboot the device by holding the power button|Turn off power (battery/outlet)|Use a key combination for your model|Connect the mouse/keyboard (for the purpose of TV)-->

3. Features MIUI: Why the back button doesn't work"

MIUI It's known for its "chips" that sometimes get in the way of users, and one of them is blocking navigation buttons on certain menus:

Developer mode:

If you activated the debugging USB or Unlocking OEM, The system can block the exit from the Settings menu → The phone. → Version. MIUI (where the developer mode is activated:

• 🔧 Press Volume Up. + Loudness down + Eating at the same time will lead to a screenshot, but interrupt the current process.
• 📲 Go to another app via the multitasking bar (swipe up with a delay).

2. Rendering error MIUI:

On the Redmi Note 9 Pro and POCO X3 NFC post-update MIUI 13 users experience "hang" in the Topics or Security menu:

• The back button is pressed but does not respond.
• The screen flashes when trying to exit.

Decision:

1. Open the notification curtain and click on the Settings icon (cog) – this will return you to the main settings menu.
2. Hold the Power button until the off menu appears, then click "Cancel".

4.Out of the menu on Xiaomi TVs: hidden remote features

Mi TVs TV redmi TV They have a unique feature: some menus (for example, Advanced Settings or Service Menu) do not respond to standard remote buttons:

Method 1: The button combination for the service menu

If you are on a menu with a sign FACTORY or SERVICE:

1. Press sequentially: Menu → 1 → 1 → 4 → 7 (codes TV 4A/4C).
2. On the 2021 models+ year TV Q1, Mi TV P1) Use: Home → Up. → Up. → Down. → Down. → Left. → Right. → Left. → Right. → OK (Like Konami Code).

Method 2: Reset the remote to factory settings

If the remote is "glutching" and does not respond to Back:

• 🔋 Remove the batteries, then press any button for 20 seconds.
• 📶 Bring the remote close to the TV (at a distance of 10 cm) and press Home + OK simultaneously.

Method 3: Use of Mi Remote Application

If the physical remote does not work:

1. Download the Mi Remote app on your smartphone.
2. Connect to the same Wi-Fi network as the TV.
3. Select the TV model and use the virtual Back button in the app.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi TVs with Android TV 10+ (Like Mi. TV Q2) Long-term retention of the Back button (more than 5 seconds) can cause the sound settings to reset to factory settings. This will not delete your accounts, but will return the Equalizer and Surround settings to their default values.

💡

If the TV is stuck in the Software Update menu, don't turn it off! Wait 30 minutes - the system can complete the process in the background. TV Often leads to a “brick” (impossibility to include).

Emergency methods: reset and discharge

If the standard methods don't work and the device is stuck on the menu (screen doesn't respond, buttons don't work), you'll have to use coercive methods.

For smartphones:

• 🔄 Forced reset:
• 🧲 Reset via Recovery (if the reboot didn't help):

For TVs:

• 🔌 Hard discharge:
• 📦 Reset via service menu (if the TV is turned on but stuck in settings):

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi smartphones with unlocked bootloader (Bootloader), a forced reboot in the Fastboot menu can start the mode EDL (If you did not plan to flash the device, avoid long-term holding of buttons on the phone turned off.

💡

If the device does not respond to any actions, and on the screen is lit FASTBOOT or RECOVERY, Don't try to stitch it without experience. Contact the service center - wrong actions can lead to complete loss of data.

Alternative methods: ADB, voice commands and gestures

If the physical buttons don’t work and the device is still responding to commands, advanced techniques can be used.

1.Exit through ADB (smartphone)

You will need a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and enabled debugging USB.

adb shell input keyevent KEYCODE_BACK # Emulation of back press


adb shell am force-stop com.android.settings #Forced closure of settings

If ADB is not connected, check:

• 🔌 Cable (use the original cable) USB-C Xiaomi).
• 📱 Debugging permission on the phone (pop-up window "Allow debugging?").

Voice assistant (for televisions)

On Mi. TV Google Assistant or Aleo:

• 🎤 Say, "OK Google, go back to the home screen" or "Aleo, exit".
• 🔊 If the microphone on the remote does not work, use the Google Home app on your smartphone.

3. Gestures (for smartphones with MIUI 13+)

In the new versions MIUI added hidden gestures:

• 👆 Swipe up from the bottom edge with a delay of 2 seconds - shows the multitasking panel, from where you can close the settings menu.
• 🤏 A pinch of two fingers on the home screen – folds the current window (does not work on all models).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users make the problem worse by trying to exit the menu in the wrong ways.

Mistake 1: Removing the battery on modern smartphones

On models with non-removable battery (Xiaomi) 11T, Redmi Note 12: Trying to get it out will lead to a:

• 🔧 Damage to the display plume.
• 📵 Loss of warranty (if the case is opened).

That’s right: Use a forced reboot (see Section 5).

Error 2: Reset Factory Reset in the Engineering Menu

The menu ##3646633## or CIT There is a Factory Reset option, but it is:

• 📲 Delete all data (photos, messages, applications).
• 🔒 Xiaomi account data may be required to be unlocked after reset.

Use Reboot System instead of Reset.

Error 3: Interrupting software updates on TV

If the TV is on screen, system update:

• ⏳ Don’t turn it off in the first 30 minutes – the process can be slow.
• 📺 On Mi. TV Q2 and a new interruption of the update leads to Bootloop (cyclical reboot).

That’s right: wait until it’s finished or call in support of Xiaomi.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions