Smartphone owners Xiaomi i Redmi often face a situation when a floating icon in the form of a man or a square with dots. This interface element can overlap content in games, interfere with reading, or simply be annoying with its presence. Most often, users do not know where this function came from and how to deactivate it, believing that it is a virus or a system failure.
In fact, this “little man” is a standard tool accessibility of the operating system Android, adapted for the shell MIUI or HyperOS. It is designed to make device management easier for people with disabilities, but may be accidentally activated by default or installed by third-party applications. Removing it is quite simple if you know the correct path in the settings.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the possible reasons for the appearance of the icon and provide step-by-step guide for removing it. We will look at standard methods of disabling through the phone menu, as well as ways to deal with intrusive elements from third-party apps. It is critically important to understand the difference between the system accessibility menu and modules masquerading as useful functions.
What is a floating accessibility icon
Interface Android includes a set of functions designed to help users with visual, hearing, or visual impairments motor skills. One of these functions is Accessibility menu. Visually, it can be displayed in different ways: as a silhouette of a person, a floating button with a gear, or a set of dots. On devices Redmi this element is often called simply the "accessibility button."
The main purpose of this tool is to provide quick access to functions such as screenshotlocking the screen, controlling the volume, or bringing up the shutdown menu without using physical buttons. For many people, this is an indispensable assistant. However, for an ordinary user who accidentally activated this option, it becomes an extra element that takes up useful space on the display.
Sometimes the appearance of the icon is associated not with system settings, but with installed applications. Some launchers, screen recorders or memory "optimizers" require permission to overlaying on top of other windows. As a result, they create their own floating widgets, which can visually resemble the system's stickman. It is important to correctly identify the source of the appearance of the icon before trying to remove it.
Disabling through the main settings of the smartphone
The most reliable and correct way to remove an intrusive element is to use the standard settings menu of your Redmi. The path to the desired switch may differ slightly depending on the shell version MIUI (12, 13, 14) or new HyperOS, but the general logic remains the same. You will need to find the section responsible for advanced management capabilities.
First, unlock the device and find the application icon Settings. It is usually located on the home screen or in the notification shade. In the menu that opens, scroll down the list to item Advanced settings or Advanced. In some firmware versions, this section may be called simply “Special Features” and located at the very top of the list or in the “System” category.
Inside the section, find the item Accessibility menu. By clicking on it, you will see the switch that is currently active (highlighted in blue or green). It is he who is responsible for displaying that same little man in the corner of the screen. Move the toggle switch to the inactive position, and the icon will instantly disappear from the display.
☑️ Algorithm for disabling the function
If you cannot find the item you need by searching by name, use the built-in search bar at the top of the settings screen. Search for "accessibility" or "accessibility". The system will automatically highlight the desired section, which will save you time and eliminate the need to wander through complex menus.
Control through quick settings and gestures
In addition to deep dive into the menu, the shell MIUI allows you to control some accessibility features in faster ways. Often, users activate the accessibility menu accidentally by using a combination of buttons or gestures. Knowing these combinations will help you not only disable the function, but also prevent it from being enabled again in the future.
Check the settings of the volume buttons. In the Settings → Advanced settings → Accessibility section there is an option that allows you to call up the accessibility menu by long pressing both volume control buttons. If this feature is enabled, you could activate the person simply by holding the phone in your hand. It is recommended disable this shortcut to avoid accidental triggering.
Also It is worth paying attention to gestures. In newer firmware versions, certain actions, such as three-finger swiping or double-tapping the back cover (if supported), may trigger different scenarios. Make sure that the settings Gestures and buttons do not assign actions that duplicate the functions of the accessibility menu.
If the icon disappears, but appears again after a reboot, check your installed applications. Often, third-party apps themselves activate this function upon first launch.
Another quick access method is the control panel. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification shade and control center. Find a tile with a person icon or the words "Special Features." Clicking on it can turn on or off the corresponding mode. If there is no such tile, you can add it by clicking on the edit icon (pencil) in the corner of the panel.
Third-party applications and screen overlays
The source of the problem does not always lie in the system settings Android. Quite often, users install applications from Google Play or download APK files from unverified sources that require permission to display on top of other windows. apps such as memory cleaners, game boosters, or screenshot tools can create their own floating buttons.
To identify the culprit, you need to go to the permissions section. Follow the path Settings → Privacy protection → Special access → Display on top of other applications. Here you will see a list of all apps that have the right to draw over the system interface. Carefully study the list and look for suspicious or recently installed utilities.
If you find an application that should not have such rights (for example, a simple calculator or flashlight), immediately deny it access. Click on the name of the app and move the switch Allow display on top of other applications to the "Off" position. After this, the icon should disappear.
| Application type | Probability of icon creation | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| System menu MIUI | High | Disable in accessibility settings |
| Screen recording | Medium | Check floating window settings |
| Gaming accelerators | High | Disable in Game Turbo |
| Messengers (chat heads) | Low | Configure within the application |
Particular attention should be paid to game accelerators, such as Game Turbo. In game mode, they often display a floating window for quick access to recording or blocking notification functions. This element may appear as a transparent bar or icon that, when clicked, expands into a menu. Its settings are located inside the application itself Security, preinstalled on the smartphone.
How to find hidden permissions?
Some applications mask their permissions. If you don't see a clear source for the icon, try entering Safe Mode. To do this, hold down the power button, and when the reboot menu appears, long press on the “Turn off power” item. Third-party applications do not work in Safe Mode. If the icon disappears, the problem is definitely in the installed app.
Setting up the Game Turbo control panel
For gamers and active smartphone users Redmi The question about the toolbar that appears during games is relevant. While it's not exactly the same "person" from the accessibility menu, visually these elements may be similar to an inexperienced user. Game Turbo Adds a sidebar or floating button for managing productivity and calls.
To customize or remove this element, open the app Security on your device. Scroll down the screen to the Game Turbo (or "Games") section. Inside this section, find the settings, usually indicated by a gear in the corner. Look for the item responsible for “Sidebar” or “Floating Window”.
You can not only completely disable the panel, but also customize its behavior. For example, select the games in which it will appear, or change the degree of transparency. This allows you to maintain functionality for complex projects, but remove visual noise in simple applications.
⚠️ Attention: MIUI and HyperOS shell updates often change the location of menu items. If you do not find the settings described above, search through your phone settings by entering the keywords "Game Turbo", "Games" or "Panel".
Sometimes the toolbar remains active even after exiting the game. This may be due to the service hanging. In this case, forcing the application to stop Security through the app menu or simply rebooting the smartphone will help. Do not delete the application itself Securityas it is a system component.
Diagnostics of problems when deleting an icon
There are situations when standard methods do not help. The user disables the accessibility menu, but the icon returns after a few minutes or immediately after a reboot. This may indicate deeper problems in the system or the presence of malware that disguises itself as system services.
The first step in such a situation should be to check the list of installed applications. Sort them by installation date and remove any suspicious apps that appeared before the problem occurred. Often the culprits are "cleaners", "battery savers" and dubious antiviruses from unknown developers.
If deleting applications does not help, try resetting your accessibility settings. Go to Settings → Advanced settings → Accessibility. In the upper right corner there may be a menu (three dots) where the option to reset the settings of this section is available. This will return all accessibility settings to the factory state without deleting your personal data.
In extreme cases, when nothing helps, you may need to completely reset the device to factory settings. Before this procedure, be sure to back up all important data, photos and contacts. Path to reset: Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Delete all data.
If the icon returns after every time you turn on the phone, it is most likely activated by a malicious application script. Scanning with an antivirus and deleting recent downloads is mandatory.
Optimizing the interface for comfortable work
After you have managed to remove the interfering element, it is worth taking time to generally configure the interface to prevent similar situations in the future. The shell MIUI offers many customization tools that can make using your smartphone more convenient and cleaner.
It is recommended to disable unnecessary recommendations and advertising in system applications. Go to the settings of each system application (Music, Themes, Explorer) and find the “Get recommendations” item, then turn it off. This will reduce the number of pop-ups and accidental clicks.
- 🧹 Regularly clear the application cache through the "Security" menu to avoid the accumulation of temporary files that can cause interface crashes.
- 🔒 Check the access rights for all installed apps and revoke permissions to "Change system settings" from those applications that do not need it necessary.
- 🔄 Follow the system updates. Xiaomi often releases patches that correct errors in the display of interface elements and bugs in the accessibility menu.
It is also useful to customize the navigation. If you use control buttons at the bottom of the screen, try switching to gestures. This will free up additional display space and minimize the risk of accidentally pressing system elements such as the Home button or task switcher.
⚠️ Warning: A factory reset will delete all your data, including photos, contacts, and installed apps. Be sure to create a backup in the Mi Cloud or on your computer before starting the procedure.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to move the little person to another location on the screen rather than removing it?
Yes, if you need this function, but the current location is in the way, you can change the position. Hold the accessibility menu icon with your finger and drag it to any convenient corner of the screen. The system will remember the new location.
Why does the icon only appear in certain applications?
This may be due to the settings of a specific application or the Game Turbo function. Check to see if the application has been added to the games list, and examine the floating window settings inside the problematic application itself.
Is it safe to disable the accessibility menu?
Absolutely safe. This will not affect your phone's performance, processor speed, or other features. You will simply disable the visual shortcut for quick access to certain commands.
What if the settings button is locked and cannot be pressed?
If the switch is grayed out, the device administrator or profile may have restricted changes. Check the settings in the "Security" section → "Device Administrators" or try logging into the smartphone owner's account.
Does this icon affect battery consumption?
The icon itself consumes a negligible amount of energy. However, the processes behind it and the constant rendering of the layer on top of the interface can make a minimal contribution to the discharge, especially on older smartphone models.