How to enable wet cleaning on a Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner without the Mi Home app

Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners have long been indispensable cleaning assistants, but what to do if you need to start a wet cleaning service and the Mi Home app is not on hand? The reasons may be different: the smartphone is dead, there is no Internet, or you just don’t want to install additional software. Fortunately, most Xiaomi, Viomi and Dreame models support alternative ways of controlling – from physical buttons to voice commands.

In this article, we’ll explore all the possible ways to enable wet cleaning without using a mobile app, including hidden features that the manufacturer doesn’t always advertise. You’ll learn how to get a robot to wash floors using buttons on the case, a remote control (if included), voice assistants or even through third-party smart speakers.

Important: Not all methods work on all devices – functionality depends on the model and version of the firmware. To avoid wasting time, first check whether your robot vacuum cleaner supports wet cleaning in principle (this is indicated by the presence of a water tank and a wipe in the kit).

1. Activation of wet cleaning through physical buttons on the case

The most reliable method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi models, is to use mechanical buttons on the top of the device, and even if the robot is not connected to Wi-Fi or the application, the basic functions remain available.

Instructions for most models (Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro, Viomi) V3, Dreame D9 etc.):

1. Make sure that the robot has a water tank and a washing wipe attached, and without them, the wet cleaning function will be blocked automatically.
2. Press and hold the Power button (usually round with the power symbol) for 3-5 seconds until you hear the beep.
3. Press the Cleanup Mode button briefly (may be indicated by the water drop or broom icon). On some models, you need to press it twice - the first click includes dry cleaning, the second adds wet.
4. Start cleaning with a button Start/Clean (It's usually a triangle icon, and it's going to start moving and automatically turn on the water supply.

If the buttons do not respond:

• 🔋 Check battery power – at levels below 20%, many models block wet cleaning.
• 💧 Make sure the water tank is properly installed (should click when fixing).
• 🔄 Reboot the robot by holding the power button for 10 seconds.

Battery charge > 20%|The water tank is filled and installed|Washing wipe clean and attached|The robot stands on a flat surface.-->

Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P) may not have a clean-up button.

1. Keep your food down. + Start at the same time 5 seconds until the indicator flashes.
2. Release the buttons and immediately press Start once – the robot will start cleaning with a wet mode.

💡

If the robot starts cleaning without water, check the fluid supply settings in the service menu (see section 5).

2. Control via remote control (if included)

Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Viomi) V2 Pro or Dreame D10 Plus) is equipped with a physical remote control, which duplicates the functions of the buttons on the body, but allows you to control the robot at a distance of up to 5 meters.

How to turn on wet cleaning from the remote:

1. Press the Power button on the remote to wake the robot up.
2. Select cleaning mode: 🌊 Button with wave / drop icon - wet cleaning. 🧹 Button with broom icon - dry cleaning. 🔄 Button with cycle icon - combined cleaning (vacuum cleaner) + wash).

Clean

Start

If the remote is not working:

• 🔋 Replace batteries (usually 2)×AAA).
• 📶 Make sure there are no obstacles between the remote and the robot.
• 🔄 Reconnect the remote while holding the Power + Clean on the remote 5 seconds.

Buttons on the case|DU remote|Mobile app|Voice assistant|Another option-->

3. Voice control via Alice, Siri or Google Assistant

If your Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner is connected to a smart speaker or smartphone (even without the Mi Home app), you can use voice commands, which works if the device was previously tied to a Mi Account and added to the smart home ecosystem.

For Yandex Alice (on the column or in the Yandex app):

Alice, turn on the wet cleaning on [robot name]

Example: "Alice, start washing the floors on Xusha in the living room."

For Google Assistant (on Android or Nest column):

Okay, Google, start wet cleaning on [device name]

For Siri (if the robot is added to HomeKit via Home Assistant):

Hey Siri, turn on the floor washing mode on [robot name].

If the voice commands are not working:

• 🔗 Make sure the robot is tied to the same account as the speaker/smartphone.
• 📡 Check the robot’s Wi-Fi connection (the indicator on the case should burn blue).
• 🔄 Reboot your smart speaker or smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: Voice commands may not work if the robot is in Do Not Disturb mode or is discharged. Before using, check the status of the device through light indicators (blinking red) = mistake, blue = ready to work).

4. Use of third-party smart devices (Home Assistant, Yandex IoT)

For advanced users, there is a way to control Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaner through third-party smart home platforms like Home Assistant or Yandex IoT.This requires pre-tuning, but then allows for wet cleaning without the original app.

Through Home Assistant:

1. Add Xiaomi Miio integration to Home Assistant settings.
2. Get your robot's token (can be extracted from Mi Home backup or via mihome.dev).
3. In configuration.yaml, add vacuum: - platform: xiaomi_miio host: [IP-Robot address] token: [your token]
4. In the Home Assistant interface, select the device and activate mop mode.

Yandex IoT (if the robot is already attached):

1. Open the Yandex app. → Devices → pick a robot.
2. Press Control. → Cleaning regimes → Wet cleaning.
3. Confirm the launch (if required).

Advantages of this method:

• 📱 Managing from any device via a web interface.
• 🔄 Automation on schedule or triggers (for example, starting a cleaning service in the absence of a home).
• 🛠️ Access to advanced settings (washing intensity, cleaning areas).

⚠️ Note: When setting up Home Assistant, never share your token with third parties.This key gives you full access to device management, including potentially dangerous commands (for example, flashing).

5. Hidden service menu: manual activation of modes

On some Xiaomi models (especially older ones like Mi Robot Vacuum) 1S viomi V1) There's a hidden service menu that you can force to enable wet cleaning, and this method requires you to follow the instructions precisely, because the wrong actions can reset the settings.

How to open the service menu:

1. Turn off the robot by holding the power button for 5 seconds.
2. Press and hold the food. + Home (button with icon of the house) at the same time 10 seconds until you hear a double beep.
3. Release the buttons – the robot will issue a voice message in Chinese (or English) and go into settings mode.

Next:

• 🔢 Press Power once – the robot will voice the current mode (dry/wet cleaning).
• 🔢 Tap Power twice - switch to wet cleaning (hear confirmation).
• 🔢 Click Home to save settings and exit.

On Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop Essential models, the service menu allows you to adjust the water supply intensity (levels 1-3). To do this, after entering the menu, press Power three times, then select the level with the Up/Down buttons on the case (if any).

💡

The service menu resets all user settings (timetable, room maps) when the output is incorrect. Always save the changes with the Home button and wait for the audible confirmation.

6. Alternative methods for older models

If your Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner is released before 2019 (such as Mi Robot Vacuum 1 or Mi Robot Vacuum 2), it may not support wet cleaning out of the box.

Method 1: Installation of third-party firmware (Valetudo)

The Valetudo project allows you to take full control of the robot, including manual wet cleaning.

1. Take apart the robot and connect to it. UART-Port (sweater skills required).
2. Sweep through the alternative firmware via esptool.
3. Control the robot via the Valetudo web interface (mopping mode is available).

Method 2: Mechanical refinement

On some models, you can manually open the water supply valve if it is blocked by software:

• Remove the water tank and find a small plastic lever inside the compartment.
• Carefully put it with a screwdriver to fix in the open position.
• Install the tank back - the water will be supplied constantly (without intensity adjustment!).

⚠️ Warning: Mechanical interventions are insecure and can lead to leaks. Use this method only if other methods are not available, and monitor the water level in the tank during cleaning.

Method 3: Use IR-remote

Some remote controls (such as those from Xiaomi air conditioners) may coincide in frequency with robot vacuum cleaners.

1. Point the remote from another Xiaomi device at the robot.
2. Press the buttons alternately, observing the reaction (indicators, sounds).
3. If the robot reacted, remember the combination for wet cleaning.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if the instructions are followed correctly, the robot may refuse to turn on wet cleaning.

Problem 1: The robot doesn’t respond to the buttons

• 🔋 Check the battery charge (blinking red indicator) = discharged).
• 🔌 Connect the robot to the charging station for 10 minutes, then try again.
• 🔄 Reset settings by holding Power for 20 seconds (card data will be deleted!).

Problem 2: Water is not supplied during cleaning

• 💧 Check that the tank has water and it is properly installed.
• 🧼 Make sure the washing wipe is clean and tightly attached.
• ⚙️ In the service menu (section 5), set the water intensity level to a maximum.
• 🛠️ Clean the water supply nozzle with a toothpick (may be clogged with dust).

Problem 3: The robot starts cleaning, but stops immediately

• 🚫 Check if the sensors block obstacles (such as a carpet or threshold).
• 📏 Make sure that the cleaning area does not exceed the maximum for your model (usually 120-150 m²).
• 🔧 Update the firmware of the robot through USB (Instructions for a specific model look for 4PDA).

Problem 4: Voice commands are not working

• 📡 Check the robot's Wi-Fi connection (the indicator should burn blue).
• 🔗 Make sure the robot is tied to the same account as the smart speaker.
• 🗣️ Re-formulate the command (for example, instead of “wet cleaning” say “wash the floor").

💡

If the robot makes a mistake of "Error 10" or "Error 12" when trying to wet clean, it indicates a problem with the water pump. Solution: disassemble the tank, check the integrity of the tubes and contacts. In 80% of cases, simple cleaning of scale helps (put vinegar in the tank for 1 hour).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions