Xiaomi Developer Mode: Where to Find and How to Enable it in 2026

You're trying to activate hidden features on your Xiaomi, but you can't find Developer Options in the settings? No wonder -- this is the default section hidden by the manufacturer. The developer mode gives you access to dozens of advanced settings, from animation acceleration to USB debugging and bootloader unlocking. But where do you look for it in the MIUI shell, which regularly changes the location of elements?

This article is an up-to-date 2026 guide to the latest versions of MIUI 14 and Android 13/14. We’ll look at not only the standard way to turn on, but also alternative methods for cases where the developer menu suddenly disappears after an update. And you’ll learn what settings in Developer Options can lead to unstable smartphone performance if used improperly – and how to avoid this.

Why the developer mode is not in the settings Xiaomi

Smartphone makers, including Xiaomi, are hiding Developer Options for two key reasons: First, most users simply don’t need these settings — they’re designed to test software, debug apps, and fine-tune the system. Second, careless changes to settings (such as turning on Force GPU rendering or disabling MIUI Optimization) can lead to:

• 🔄 Slowing down the interface due to conflicts of the graphics accelerator
• 📵 Problems with connecting to mobile networks or Wi-Fi
• 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge when background debugging is activated
• 🚨 Failures in the operation of the camera or sensors (gyroscope, compass)

So Xiaomi requires the user to act consciously — repeatedly clicking on the build number — to confirm a conscious desire to access these settings, a kind of “fool protection” that reduces the number of calls to service centers due to incorrect manipulation.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ Xiaomi 13 Ultra, after resetting to factory Developer Options, automatically shuts down.

The standard way to include Developer Options on Xiaomi

The developer mode activation algorithm on most Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark) is the same, but there are nuances depending on the version of MIUI.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone (on some models – About Device).
3. Find the MIUI version and click on it 7 times in a row, and the screen will display a notification: "You became a developer!".
4. Return to the main Settings menu – now there will be a new section Additional settings → Developer settings.

If nothing happens after 7 taps, check:

• 📱 Model of device: on POCO F5 Xiaomi 14 may need to click on the build number (not the version) MIUI).
• 🔒 Password/fingerprint: some versions MIUI Requires confirmation of unlocking the screen before activation.
• 📲 Firmware region: Global (Global) and Chinese (China) versions may have different paths.

Alternative activation methods (if the standard one does not work)

Sometimes Developer Options don't appear even after multiple clicks on the firmware version.

• 🛠️ Custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) where the path to the developer menu is changed.
• 🔄 Failure after. OTA-Updates when system files are damaged.
• 📦 Restrictions on corporate policies (on working phones with the MDM).

In such cases, try one of the alternative methods:

Method 1: Through ADB (for power users)

If you have access to the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), follow the command:

adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 1

After the device is restarted, the Developer Settings section should appear in the settings.

Method 2: Resetting settings (extreme case)

If the developer menu is missing after the update, try:

1. Make a backup of the data.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select Reset all settings (not to be confused with Delete all data!).

After the reboot, repeat the standard activation procedure (7 taps on the MIUI version).

⚠️ Note: On devices with locked bootloader (Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi K60) Resetting may require you to enter a Mi Account tied to your phone.Make sure you remember your login and password!

Where to look for Developer Options after activation

Once the developer mode is successfully enabled, you still need to find it, and depending on the version of MIUI, the path may differ:

If you don’t see the section even after activation, try searching by settings:

1. Open the Settings.
2. Slip the icon of the magnifier (search) in the upper right corner.
3. Enter the query: Developer or developer settings.

💡

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+), the Developer Options section may be hidden behind an additional swipe to the right in the Additional Settings menu. Check all tabs!

What settings in Developer Options can be changed without risk

Not all settings on the developer menu are equally dangerous, but here are the safe settings that can be changed without any system consequences:

• ⚡ Animation of windows / Animation of transitions: reducing the value to 0.5x speed up the interface.
• 🔄 Don’t turn off the screen: Useful when watching long videos or reading.
• 📱 Allow the imitation of a secondary display: you need to stream the screen on the PC.
• 🔊 Turn off absolute volume: fixes problems with Bluetooth headphones.
• 📡 Enable Wi-Fi log: Helps diagnose connection issues.

Here are some dangerous parameters that you should not touch without a clear understanding:

• 🚫 Shut down. MIUI Optimization: Can lead to lags and errors in the shell.
• 🚫 Force GPU rendering: will cause overheating and accelerated battery discharge.
• 🚫 Background process limit: limiting background processes will disrupt the work of messengers.
• 🚫 Disable HW overlays: Enables software-based interface drawing, which will slow down the phone.

💡

Changing the OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging settings requires you to link your Mi! account without this, unlocking the bootloader will not be possible.

What to do if Developer Options disappears after update

The problem of missing a developer menu after a MIUI update is one of the most common, most often when you upgrade to a new version of Android (for example, from 12 to 13).

1. Check the path to the menu: after the update, the section may move. Use the search by settings (see section above).
2. Activate again: Sometimes you need to re-click 7 times on the MIUI version.
3. Reset your app settings: Go to Settings → Apps → App management. Slip three points in the corner → App reset. Reboot your phone and check for Developer Options.
4. Install a patch through Recovery (for advanced users): Download the official patch for your model. reboot to Recovery Mode (Power) + Volume up. Select Apply update → Choose from storage and specify the path to the file.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and Android 13+ After resetting, you may need to connect to the Internet to verify your Mi Account. Without this, some features (including: OEM Unlocking) will be blocked.

How to turn off Developer Options on Xiaomi

If you no longer need a developer mode, you can deactivate it, and the options depend on whether you want to completely delete the partition or just hide it:

Method 1: Resetting settings (complete shutdown)

This method will remove all changes made to Developer Options:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (does not delete user data).
3. After the reboot, the Developer Settings section will disappear.

Method 2: Disconnecting through ADB

For those who do not want to reset the settings, the team is suitable:

adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 0

Method 3: Manual shutdown (not on all models)

On some devices (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50) in the upper right corner of the Developer Settings menu there is an On/Off switch. Just switch it to the OFF position, and the section will disappear from the settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Developer Options on Xiaomi