The sound of the switch on on Xiaomi devices is one of the most annoying trifles for many users. This short jingle that plays out every time a Mi TV, a MIUI smartphone or even a Mi Band smartwatch starts can seem harmless...until it wakes up the household at night or attracts attention in public places. Unfortunately, the manufacturer has not provided an obvious βunplugβ button in the settings, but that doesnβt mean the problem is unsolvable.
In this article, weβll look at all the current ways to remove the start sound from different Xiaomi devices, from official methods (where they are) to hidden tricks for advanced users. Itβs important to understand that the approaches differ depending on the type of technology: Android smartphones with MIUI will require one algorithm, for Android TVs β another, and smart devices like Mi Band or Mi Home have their own nuances. We will also point out where you can do without root rights or factory resets, and where they are inevitable.
We warn you right away: some methods can cancel the warranty or lead to unstable system operation. You perform all manipulations at your own risk. If you are not sure of your skills, you should contact the Xiaomi service center or accept the melody. For the rest, we will proceed to a detailed analysis.
1. Turn off the on-set sound on Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV, Mi Box)
Xiaomiβs Android TVs (Mi TV 4/5, Mi TV Q1, Mi TV P1, etc.) play the default on sound, and thereβs no option in standard settings to deactivate it. However, there are a few workarounds that work on most models released after 2018.
The most reliable way is to turn off the system sounds through the developer.
- Go to Settings β About TV β Android TV version.
- Click on the version number 7 times in a row until the notification βYou became a developerβ appears.
- Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
- Find the option to turn off system sounds (or Disable boot sound in English firmware) and activate it.
If you donβt have this option, try the alternative method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge):
adb shell settings put global power_sound_enabled 0This command requires connecting the TV to the PC and enabling debugging mode over USB. For more information on setting up ADB, see the special section below.
β οΈ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall firmware (Indian version), turning off the on sound can cause animation downloads to fail.
2.Removal of the starting sound on Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI)
On Xiaomi smartphones (Redmi, POCO, Mi series), the sound of the switch on is sewn into the system file /system/media/audio/ui/poweron.ogg. You can delete or replace it only with root rights, but there are semi-official methods:
- π Shutdown through MIUI Hidden Settings (working on the MIUI 12-14): Install the app MIUI Hidden Settings, open the System section β Boot Sound and deactivate the option.
- π΅ Replace sound with a silent file (no root): Download an empty audio file (e.g. silent.ogg), rename it poweron.ogg, and replace the original via the ADB:
adb push silent.ogg /sdcard/
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
cp /sdcard/silent.ogg /system/media/audio/ui/poweron.ogg
chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ui/poweron.oggFor root users, the process is simplified: just use any file manager (such as Root Explorer) and delete or rename the poweron.ogg file.
Ensure that there is a backup copy of the data
Download an empty audio file (if the replacement method is selected)
Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings
Install ADB drivers on PC (when using commands)
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On smartphones with MIUI 14 and later (2023+), the manufacturer blocked access to system audio files even through ADB. The only working way is to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), but this cancels the warranty.
3. Features for smart watches and fitness bracelets (Mi Band, Mi Watch)
Xiaomiβs smartwatches and bracelets (Mi Band 5/6/7, Mi Watch, Mi Watch Lite) also play the sound when turned on, but the userβs capabilities are extremely limited.
The only working workaround is the use of alternative firmware:
- π For the Mi Band. 5/6: Amazonfit allows you to turn off all system sounds, including the starting one.
- β For Mi Watch: custom firmware WatchDroid (requires unlocking the bootloader).
The firmware process includes:
- Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 360 hours to wait).
- Installation of drivers and fastboot utility.
- Download alternative firmware and install it through the command fastboot flash system custom.img.
β οΈ Warning: Firmware smart watches third-party software deprives them of certification IP68 and may cause the sensors to work incorrectly (pulse, SpOβ). Also high risk of "bricking" the device in case of error during firmware.
4.Switching off sound on devices with Mi Home (smart lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaners)
Xiaomiβs smart devices from the Mi Home ecosystem (such as the Mi Robot Vacuum robot vacuum cleaner, Yeelight smart lamps) can also make sounds when turned on, and the algorithm depends on the type of gadget:
| The device | Method of shutting down | Is root/firmware required? |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Robot Vacuum (all models) | In the Mi Home app: Device settings β Sound signals β Disable | No. |
| Yeelight (lamps, lamps) | In the Yeelight app: Device β Settings β Sounds β Quiet Mode | No. |
| Mi Smart Speaker | Voice command: βSwitch off alert soundsβ or via Mi Home β Settings β Sound | No. |
| Mi Air Purifier | Physical button on the body (hold 5 seconds to go into silent mode) | No. |
For devices that don't support app-based audio switching off (such as some smart socket models), only the speaker is physically disabled, requiring disassembly of the case and may void warranty. For detailed instructions on disassembling specific models, see the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums.
5. Adjust ADB to turn off the sound (step-by-step instruction)
Many of the methods described above require the use of ADB (Android Debug Bridge).If you have never worked with this utility, follow the instructions:
- Download. ADB-Tools: For Windows: Platform Tools by Google. macOS/Linux: Install via brew install android-platform-tools or sudo apt install adb).
Enable debugging over USB on the device:
- On TV: Settings β About TV β Android TV β Click 7 times.
- On your smartphone: Settings β About Phone β MIUI Version β Click 7 times, then return to Additional β Developers β Debugging by USB.
- Connect the device to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
- Check the connection command: Adb devices should show up on the list.
If ADB does not see the device:
- π Check the cable (use the original cable) USB-Xiaomi cable).
- π₯ Install drivers for your device (e.g. Xiaomi) ADB/Fastboot Drivers).
- π Restart the device and PC.
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If after connecting to ADB, the Xiaomi TV stops responding to the remote, follow the command adb shell input keyevent 3 - this simulates pressing the Home button and unlocks the screen.
6. Alternative methods: from reset to hardware modifications
If none of the software has worked, there are radical measures, and let's look at the risk.
- π Reset to factory settings (sometimes helps on TVs): Settings β Additionally. β Resetting and remediation β Note: After reset, the sound may return after several switches.
- π± Installation of custom recaveri (TWRP) and manually removing system sounds: Requires an unlocked bootloader and is only suitable for smartphones.
- π§ Physical Disconnection of the Speaker (for TVs and smart speakers): You need to disassemble the device and unsold the speaker contacts or cut the wire. TV speaker soldered to the motherboard - in this case, you will need experience with a soldering iron.
β οΈ Warning: Hardware modifications cancel warranty and may result in loss of functionality (for example, on the TV will stop working all sounds, including media).Be sure to disconnect the device from the network before work and discharge the capacitors (for TVs).
What if the device does not turn on after the sound is turned off?
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When trying to remove the sound of the switch, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The ADB command is not executed (not found) | Wrong path to adb.exe or lack of rights | Run the command line on behalf of the administrator and specify the full path, for example: C:\platform-tools\adb devices |
| The sound returned after the firmware update | System files have been restored | Repeat the shutdown procedure or roll back the firmware to the previous version |
| The TV does not respond to the remote after ADB-team | Failure of the launcher | Follow the command adb shell am start -n com.android.tv.settings/.MainSettings to return to settings |
| On the smartphone missing the sound of notifications | System audio files deleted or damaged | Restore files from backup or reflash the device |
Another common mistake is using outdated instructions. For example, you can still find tips on forums to edit the build.prop file to turn off the sound, but on MIUI 13/14 and Android TV 11/12, this method does not work. Always check the up-to-date information and the firmware version of your device.
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Before any manipulation of system files, back up via TWRP or official Xiaomi tools to restore the device in case of a failure.