How to completely disable SOS mode on Xiaomi: 5 working methods

SOS mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful emergency alert feature that automatically sends coordinate messages to your contacts when you repeatedly press the power button. However, many users experience this mode accidentally while carrying a phone in their pocket or bag, causing panic in relatives and draining the battery. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn off SOS mode on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices – from standard settings to hidden commands for experienced users.

The feature of SOS in MIUI firmware is its deep integration with security. Simply turning off the settings menu doesn't always work because of updates or specific features of a particular model. We tested all methods on current versions of MIUI 14/15 (Android 13/14) and highlighted those that are guaranteed to work even on locked devices. If you're looking for a way to get rid of false positives or completely deactivate the feature, read on.

1. Disable SOS mode through standard settings

The most obvious and safe way is to use the built-in MIUI options.This method is suitable for most models, including the Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13 and POCO F5/X5.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to Passwords and Security section.
3. Select the emergency item SOS (or SOS-messages on some models).
4. Turn off the slider Send SOS-message.
5. A password or fingerprint may be required to confirm.

If you don’t have an “Emergency SOS” option on your menu, try an alternative route:

• 🔍 Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three dots (menu) → Show system-based
• 📱 Find the app SOS emergency → Shut down.

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On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12T), the SOS function is duplicated in the section Additional settings → Special features → SOS button. Check both places!

2. Deactivation via Quick Settings (Notification Panel)

A quick way to disable SOS is to use the notification bar, which works if the function was activated accidentally (for example, after repeatedly pressing the power button) and has not yet sent messages.

How to do this:

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
2. Find a notification with the text SOS Mode activated or Sending emergency messages.
3. Slip on the notification → select Cancel or Disable.

⚠️ Note: If the notification has disappeared, but the mode is still active (visible by a flashing light bulb or beep), use the method with the following: ADB Standard shutdown through the panel in this case may not work.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global for the European market), the SOS notice may be hidden to be found:

• 🔄 Go down twice to open the panel completely.
• 🔍 Scroll down to Active Processes section.
• 📵 If there is no notification, but the phone is acting strangely (vibrating, blinking), reboot the device forcibly (Power) + Volume Up for 10 seconds).

3. Reset security settings (without data loss)

If standard methods do not help, and SOS mode is turned on spontaneously, the problem may lie in the failure of the MIUI security module.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Reset.
4. Select Reset application settings (not Reset to factory!).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After the reboot:

• 🔧 Check if the emergency item has disappeared. SOS safety-setting.
• 📲 If the function is still there, but now it can be turned off, the problem is solved.
• 🔄 If SOS Still active, move on to the C method. ADB (section).

4. disable SOS through the system settings editor (for advanced)

This method requires superuser rights (root) or access to ADB. It is suitable for users who want to completely remove the SOS function from the system, rather than just disabling it from the menu.

Method 1: Through ADB (without root):

adb shell settings put global emergency_sms_enabled 0


adb shell settings put global emergency_sos_enabled 0

Method 2: Through SQLite Editor (root required):

1. Install the SQLite Editor app from Google Play.
2. Open the database /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db.
3. Find the global table and change the values: emergency_sms_enabled → 0 emergency_sos_enabled → 0

Reset the device.

If, after application, ADB-command SOS still active, check for firmware updates. MIUI (for example, MIUI 14.0.4 for Xiaomi 13 Pro) settings are reset after rebooting:

• 📥 Update your firmware to the latest stable version.
• 🔧 Repeat. ADB-team after update.
• 🔄 If the problem remains, consider the option of flashing through Fastboot.

5. Hardware causes of spontaneous switching on SOS

If SOS is activated without your involvement (e.g., at night or when the phone is lying on the table), the problem may be related to:

• 🔋 Faulty power button (sticking, oxidation of contacts).
• 📱 Damaged by flexible button plume (frequent problem after falls).
• 🔌 Failure of the button controller (requires diagnosis in the service center).
• 🦠 Virus or malware that mimics clicks.

How to diagnose a hardware malfunction:

1. Install the Button Test app from Google Play and check the reaction of the power button.
2. See the event log through ADB: adb shell getevent -l Press the power button and watch the output. If events are recorded without your participation, the problem is in the hardware.
3. Check your phone for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web.

⚠️ Attention: On models POCO F3/F4 If the diagnosis showed a hardware failure, and the phone for warranties - contact the Xiaomi service center with a request to replace the fee under warranty (serial defect, confirmed by the manufacturer).

Checking the power button for sticking | Testing through ADB for false events |Scan for viruses |Testing the integrity of the plume (disassembly)

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6. Alternative solutions: firmware replacement and custom ROM

If all of the above methods fail, the radical way is to flash the device, which is true for older models (Redmi 5/6, Mi A2), where SOS is implemented at the kernel level and is not disabled by standard means.

Firmware options:

• 📱 Official global firmware (minus — SOS maybe stay).
• 🌍 European firmware (MIUI EU) — frequently removes unnecessary functions.
• 🔧 LineageOS (Pixel Experience) — SOS remove completely.

Instructions for firmware through Fastboot:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder with Fastboot tools.
3. Connect your phone to Fastboot (Power + Volume Down)
4. Run the command: fastboot flash all (some models may require fastboot flash all-w to reset data).

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Fastboot flashing removes all data from the device. pre-backup through Mi Cloud or TWRP (if installed).

For custom firmware installation:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (waiting required) 7-15 days).
• 📥 Install. TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.
• 📦 Slice the custom ROM (LineageOS 20 for Xiaomi 11T).

FAQ: Frequent questions about SOS on Xiaomi