The “Other” in the Xiaomi phone: what is this section and why you need it

Xiaomi smartphone owners often encounter the mysterious “Other” (or Other in the English version of MIUI) item in the device settings. This section hides a whole arsenal of tools that the manufacturer does not bring to the fore, either because of their technical specificity or because they are designed for power users. But what exactly lies behind this concise inscription? Why are some features here duplicated from other menus, and others are not at all in the standard interface?

In practice, Xiaomi’s Other section is a backdoor for accessing low-level Android settings, debugging tools, and MIUI experimental chips that don’t have a separate button in the main menu. You can find everything from special features management to hidden network settings that aren’t displayed in the SIM card and mobile network section. However, not all features are safe for inexperienced users — some changes can lead to smartphone malfunctions or even data loss.

In this article, we will discuss in detail:

• 🔍 Where is the “Other” section in different versions MIUI And what's it called in English?
• ⚙️ Hidden features that are only available through this item (and why they were hidden)
• ⚠️ Dangerous settings that are better not to touch without needing
• 📱 Differences between Redmi models, POCO and flagships Xiaomi

Where to look for the “Other” section in MIUI

The location of this item depends on the firmware version and smartphone model. In recent versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the path has become more unified, but in older builds (for example, MIUI 12), the section could be “hidden” in different places.

The standard path for most devices:

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Scroll down to the System and Device block.
3. Slip on the item Additional or Other (in English - Additional settings or Other).

On some models (e.g. POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12), the section may be called Advanced Settings or be inside About Phone → MIUI (you need to tap the build number several times to activate the developer mode).

If you don't find a section, try searching by settings (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner), type in another or other, the system will tell you the exact location.

Hidden features in the “Other” section: what can be included

This section is a treasure trove for those who like to customize their smartphone, and it's a collection of tools that didn't make it to the main menu for reasons ranging from under-design to potential security risks.

Here are the most useful and interesting functions:

• 🔄 Developer mode: activation of debugging options, including USB-debugging, unlocking OEM And it's a simulation of additional displays, and without this partition, you can't run custom software or get root rights.
• 📡 Hidden Network Parameters: Manual Control of Network Types (2G/3G/4G/5G), priority SIM for data, access to the engineering menu to check the signal level (##4636##).
• 🎯 Customization of the interface: changing the animation of the system, the speed of transitions, the inclusion of the mode for left-handed or color inversion (useful for people with visual characteristics).
• 🔋 Energy saving: Hidden battery consumption profiles that don’t show up in the standard battery menu.

For example, in the Other → Special features section, you can find the “Color filter” (for colorblind people) or “Screen enlargement” (for visually impaired people), which are not duplicated in the basic accessibility settings.

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If you have activated the developer mode but don’t see it in the main menu, check the Other section – sometimes it “hides” there after the MIUI update.

Dangerous settings: what not to touch without need

Not all of the features in this section are safe, and some options may include:

• 🚨 Failure of the system (e.g., change of the system) DNS-servers without understanding the consequences).
• 🔓 Reset to factory settings (Reset settings are sometimes duplicated here with dangerous options).
• 📵 Disrupt the network (manual modification) APN or types of authentication).

Particularly risky items:

⚠️ Note: If you see a "Other" item in the "Other" section MIUI Debugging or Engineer Mode, don't activate it unnecessarily.These tools are designed for Xiaomi engineers and can cause a smartphone to run unstable.

Differences between Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models

The manufacturer differentiates the functionality depending on the line of the device.

• 📱 Flagships (Xiaomi 14, Mix Fold 3): Here, the Other section often contains additional options for a high refresh rate display or cooling control (e.g., Game Turbo in extended form).
• 💰 Budget models (Redmi) 12C, POCO M6): Many features are simplified or missing (for example, no manual configuration) 5G SA/NSA).
• 🎮 Smartphones (Black Shark, POCO F5): In the Other section, unique options for performance in games appear (for example, X Mode or LiquidCool).

Also in POCO-The device section may be called POCO Labs and contain experimental features that are tested before release to the main firmware.

How to Use “Other” to Diagnose Your Phone

This section is useful not only for setting up, but also for diagnosing hardware problems.

1. Check the battery status (Battery → Condition in some versions of MIUI).
2. Run the sensor test (gyroscope, accelerometer, compass) through Engineer Mode.
3. View the logs of the system (useful when contacting the service center).

For example, if your Xiaomi is running out quickly, look at Other → Battery → Battery Use. This shows hidden processes that are not visible in the standard menu (e.g., mediaserver or android.system).

Check the status of the battery in the "Other"

Run the sensor test using Engineer Mode

Save system logs (Settings → About Phone → Error Report)

Reset your network settings (if there is a communication problem)-->

If you suspect a hardware malfunction (for example, the speaker is not working), in the Other → Equipment Testing section, you can run a check of each component separately.

What to do if the “Other” section disappears after the update

Sometimes, after a MIUI or HyperOS update, a section disappears from the menu.

• 🔄 Changes in the configuration structure (the manufacturer has moved the functions to other points).
• 📱 Regional restrictions (Global and Chinese versions of firmware have different menus).
• 🔧 System failure (solved by resetting settings or flashing).

To return the section:

1. Try resetting the Settings app settings (in the Apps menu → Application Management).
2. Install firmware updates through Settings → About the phone.
3. If nothing helps, use the search by settings – perhaps the functions have been moved to another section.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi for the European market), the “Other” section may be hidden due to requirements. GDPR. In this case, it can only be returned through ADB-commands or customization.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi’s “Other” section

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The Other section is not just a customization trash can, but a powerful tool for power users. But most features here are undocumented, so experiments are fraught with consequences. Always back up before changing hidden settings!