How to Manage Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner Manual: All Ways and Hidden Functions

Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners are known for their autonomy, but sometimes there are situations where manual control is required — whether it’s testing new features, bypassing complex areas or debugging after a failure. Unlike the standard mode through the Mi Home app, direct control gives access to hidden capabilities, but requires knowledge of specific commands and nuances.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of manual control: from the basic buttons on the body to advanced console commands through the use of the device. ADB or SSH. You will learn how to get a vacuum cleaner to move along a given trajectory, change the suction rate or even bypass the limitations of cleaning areas without a smartphone. Z10 Pro and other popular devices on the Xiaomi platform.

Warning: some techniques require technical skills and can result in resets or warranty cancellation. If you are a beginner, start with safe methods (buttons on the case, voice commands) and then move on to advanced techniques.

1. Basic control through buttons on the body

The easiest and safest way is to use physical buttons on the top panel of the vacuum cleaner. It works on all Xiaomi models, including budget (Mi Robot Vacuum 1S) and flagship (Xiaomi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Ultra).

Usually on the body are located:

• 🔄 On/Off button – Holding 3 seconds starts or stops cleaning.
• 🏠 Back to base button – one tap sends the robot to the docking station.
• 🔋 Power button (on some models) – turns the device on/off completely.
• 🎯 Spot cleaning button – starts cleaning a small area (usually 1-1.5 m²).

On display models (like the Dreame Bot L10s Ultra), buttons can be duplicated by touch elements. Importantly, button combinations sometimes open hidden modes. For example, on the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P, double tapping on Spot + Home resets sensor error.

⚠️ Warning: On vacuum cleaners with LiDAR (laser scanner), do not press buttons while the laser is rotating - this can lead to an error in calibration of the map.

2. Voice control via Alice, Google Assistant or Siri

If the vacuum cleaner is connected to the Mi Home ecosystem and synchronized with voice assistants, you can give commands without a smartphone, a method that is convenient for quick control, but has limitations: not all models support advanced scenarios (for example, cleaning a particular room by voice).

Basic voice commands for Yandex Alice:

• 🗣️ «Start the vacuum cleaner – start cleaning.
• 🗣️ «Stop the vacuum cleaner" - pause.
• 🗣️ «Return the vacuum cleaner to base - return to the docking station.
• 🗣️ «Clean the living room – only works if the Mi Home is configured areas.

For Google Assistant and Siri, the commands are similar, but require pre-configuration in the Mi Home app (Voice Assistants section). On Matter-enabled models (such as Dreame Bot X30 Ultra), voice control is more stable.

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If the voice assistant doesn't recognize the command, check in Mi Home if the voice control option is enabled for your device, sometimes helping to reconnect Xiaomi account in the assistant settings.

Manual control via the Mi Home app (Joystick mode)

The official Mi Home app has a hidden handheld joystick control feature that allows you to direct the vacuum cleaner in real time, an option not available on all models, but works on most LiDAR devices (such as the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro or Dreame Bot W10).

How to turn on the joystick mode:

1. Open Mi Home and select your vacuum cleaner.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Manual control (on some firmware, the path may differ).
3. The screen will feature a virtual joystick with the buttons "Go / Back / Left / Right".
4. Use the slider to adjust the speed of movement.

Regime restrictions:

• ⏱️ The manual control session lasts no more than 5 minutes (overheating protection).
• 🔋 Automatic obstacle avoidance does not work in this mode – monitor the sensors yourself.
• 📶 Requires a stable connection to Wi-Fi (when the connection breaks, the vacuum cleaner will stop).

4. Advanced management through console teams (ADB/SSH)

For tech-savvy users, it is possible to send direct commands to the robot vacuum cleaner via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or SSH protocols. This method allows you to control engines, sensors and even reflash the device, but requires unlocking root access and can void the warranty.

Basic commands for control (working on most models on the Rockchip platform):

# Connection via ADB (you need to enable debugging in the service menu)


adb connect 192.168.x.x # IP- address of vacuum cleaner in local network




adb shell




Motion commands (example for Mi Robot Vacuum 1S)



echo "move forward" > /dev/miio # Moving forward




echo "turn left 90" > /dev/miio # Turn left 90 degrees




echo "set fan 75" > /dev/miio # Suction power set to 75%

The list of supported commands depends on the firmware. The full list can be obtained by the command:

cat /system/etc/miio_spec.json

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of console commands can cause engine damage or sensor calibration failure. e.g., echo "move forward" command" > /dev/miio without a time limiter will cause the vacuum cleaner to go to full discharge of the battery.

5. Manage through third-party applications (Valetudo, Home Assistant)

If you don't like standard methods, you can use alternative firmware or integration with smart home systems.

• 🛠️ Valetudo is an open firmware that replaces standard Xiaomi software and allows you to control the vacuum cleaner through a web interface, including manual control of the joystick and configuring cleaning areas without the cloud.
• 🏠 Home Assistant – an automation system that supports Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners through a component xiaomi_miio. Allows you to create complex scenarios (for example, cleaning on schedule with data from motion sensors).
• 🤖 Tasker + AutoMiio – a combination for Android that allows you to control the vacuum cleaner through tasks and triggers (for example, starting a cleaning when leaving the house).

Installation Valetudo requires unlocking the bootloader and firmware via SSH. Instructions vary depending on the model, but the overall algorithm:

1. Get root access to the vacuum cleaner (usually through exploit in the service menu).
2. Install Docker or run Valetudo manually.
3. Set up a web interface at the address http://[IP_vacuumer]:8080.

Backup of the original firmware | Model Compatibility Check |SSH|ShhhTunes automatic updates to Mi Home|Setting up static IP for vacuum cleaner-->

6.Emergency situations: how to stop the vacuum cleaner manually

Sometimes a robot vacuum cleaner can freeze, lose communication, or start acting unpredictable, and in such cases it is important to know how to force the device to stop without damage.

Emergency stopping methods:

• 🛑 Power button – hold it for 10 seconds to completely turn it off (works on all models).
• 🔌 Battery Removal – on removable battery models (e.g. Mi Robot Vacuum 1) you can physically turn off power.
• 📡 Wi-Fi locking – if the vacuum cleaner is getting stuck because of a network command, turn off the router or block it MAC-address.
• 🔧 Service menu – on some models triple tap on Spot + Home. + Food drops mistakes.

If the robot is stuck under furniture and does not respond to commands:

1. Try pushing it manually - many models recognize the outside impact and turn on the emergency stop.
2. Use a long object (line, stick) to press the power button.
3. On models with LiDAR, you can temporarily close the laser sensor (for example, a piece of cardboard) - this will cause the vacuum cleaner to stop due to navigation error.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble the vacuum cleaner under voltage - even when turned off, the capacitors can retain charge. If the device does not respond to buttons and is stuck in a dangerous place (such as a staircase), first turn off the power, remove the battery (if possible), and then release the robot.

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In 90% of cases, holding the power button for 10 seconds helps, and if it doesn't work, the problem may be a firmware or hardware failure, and you'll need to reset to factory settings.

7. Hidden functions and experimental modes

Manufacturers often hide additional features that can be activated through service menus or special combinations, for example, on the Dreame Bot Z10 Pro there is a Developer Mode that allows access to:

• 📊 Detailed sensor telemetry (LidAR, gyroscope, collision sensors indications).
• ⚙️ Manual calibration of engines and brushes.
• 🔄 Test cleaning scenarios (e.g. zigzag movement for carpets).

How to activate Developer Mode on supported models:

1. Turn off the vacuum cleaner.
2. Press the Spot + Home buttons and hold for 5 seconds.
3. Turn on the power without releasing the buttons.
4. After the sound signal, release the vacuum cleaner will start in service mode.

In this mode, you can test:

• 🔍 Sensor sensitivity – change trigger thresholds for obstacles.
• 🌀 Motion algorithms – switch between “random”, “zigzag” and “spiral".
• 🔊 Sound cues – Turn off voice cues or change tunes.

On models with cameras (for example, Dreame Bot) X30 Ultra) in the service menu you can include streaming video at the address rtsp://[IP_vacuumer]:554/stream. This is useful for debugging navigation or watching pets.

FAQ: Frequent questions about manual control