Air mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature that temporarily disables all wireless connections: mobile network, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. However, sometimes users are faced with a situation where the mode does not turn off in the standard way or activates spontaneously. In this article, we will discuss all possible methods of disabling air mode on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices, including hidden settings and hardware solutions.
Xiaomi phones feature customized MIUI shell, which can change the location of controls depending on the firmware version. We take these nuances into account and provide current instructions for the latest OS versions (including MIUI 14/15 based on Android 13/14). You will also learn what to do if the air mode turns on itself – this is a common problem for owners of budget models Redmi Note and POCO M.
1. Standard method: through the notification panel
The fastest method to turn off air mode is to use a notification curtain, which works on 99% of Xiaomi devices unless the system is infected with viruses or damaged.
Instructions:
- 📱 Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- 🔄 If the panel does not open completely, make a second swipe down.
- ✈️ Find the Air Mode icon and tap it. The color of the icon should change from blue/orange to gray.
- 🔍 If there is no icon, click on ⋯ Edit (pencil) and add it to active switches.
On some models (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi K60), the panel may look different because of the proprietary design of the shell. If nothing happens after clicking on the icon, try holding it for 2-3 seconds - this sometimes works when the interface freezes.
💡
On devices with AMOLED-With screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro), the aircraft mode icon can merge with a dark background. → Display. → Dark subject. → Off, so I can see her better.
2. Through phone settings: step-by-step instructions
If the notification panel is not responding or the aeromode is turned on due to a system failure, use the settings menu. This method is universal for all versions of MIUI and Android.
How to turn it off:
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Go to Connections and Sharing (on older versions, Wireless Networks).
- Select Air Mode.
- Move the slider to the "off" position.
On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global for the European market), the path may be different:
- 🌍 Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Air mode
- 📶 Settings → Wi-Fi and networking → Additionally. → Air mode
Make sure that SIM-map inserted correctly|Check your account balance (sometimes the operator blocks the network)|Reboot your phone if the slider is inactive|Update the firmware to the latest version
-->
3. Hardware methods: buttons and reboot
When the touch screen is down or the system is getting stuck, physical shutdown will help. Most Xiaomi smartphones don't have a separate button for air mode, but there are workarounds.
Method 1: Hard reboot
- 🔄 Hold the power button for 10-15 seconds until the phone shuts down and restarts.
- 📵 After turning on, check if the flight mode is automatically turned off.
Method 2: Keyboard combination (for some models)
On devices with an infrared port (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) sometimes the combination of:
Power button + Volume button (hold 5 seconds)This will trigger a reboot menu where you can select Restart (reboot) - after that, the air mode will reset.
Through the notification panel | Through settings |Rebooting the phone |Other method-->
4. If the air mode is turned on by itself: reasons and solutions
Automatically turning on air mode is a common problem on Xiaomi, especially after updates or when using non-original firmware, and here are the main reasons and ways to fix them:
| Reason. | How to fix it | The models on which it is found |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to work SIM-map | Remove and insert the card again or replace the tray | Redmi 9A, POCO M3 |
| Application conflict (e.g., Dual Apps) | Turn off duplicate applications in Settings → Dual Apps → | Mi 11, Redmi Note 11 Pro |
| Damaged firmware. | Reset the settings to factory or reflash the phone via Fastboot | All models in MIUI 12-14 |
| Hardware malfunction (defected communication module) | Contact the service center for the diagnosis of the antenna unit | POCO X3, Redmi K40 |
Critical information: On devices with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 10C or POCO M4 Pro) spontaneous activation of air mode may be due to an error in the module IMS (IP-In this case, only the rollback of the firmware to the previous version will help.
How to check which processor is in your Xiaomi?
5. Disconnection of the air mode through the developer mode
If the standard methods don't work, you can use hidden settings for developers, which is suitable for advanced users.
Instructions:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Enter the Mi Account password if required.
Settings → Additional → For Developers
USB debugging
ADB
adb shell settings put global airplane_mode_on 0Reset the device.
⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not change other settings in developer mode unless you are sure of their purpose.
6.Firmware problems: resetting and flashing
If the flight mode doesn't shut down because of a software failure, you might need to reset or flash it. Let's look at both.
Reset to factory settings:
- 🔄 Save important data (photos, contacts) to the cloud or PC.
- 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
- 🔐 Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
Fastboot flashing:
This method requires a PC and official firmware from Xiaomi's website.
- Download the firmware for your model (for example, fastboot_ingres_global_images_14.0.5.0.TMWMIXM_20231010.0000.00_13.0_global For the Redmi Note 12).
- Unpack the archive in a folder on your PC.
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (hold Power + Volume Down when turned on).
- Launch the file. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for macOS/Linux).
⚠️ Note: Firmware removes all data and may result in a loss of warranty if unofficial software is used. 13T, Redmi K60 Ultra will need to be unlocked through the Mi Unlock Tool.
💡
Setting resets delete all data but retains a warranty.Fastboot flashing is a more radical method that can fix deep system errors but requires caution.