If you own a Xiaomi device — whether it's a MIUI smartphone or a PatchWall TV — you may need access to hidden features sooner or later. The Developer Options menu offers subtle customization, debugging, and even overclocking capabilities, but the default is hidden. Why? Manufacturers think that the average user doesn't need these options — they're designed to be used for testing, optimization, and experimentation.
In this article, we will look at where the developer menu on Xiaomi is based on the type of device (smartphone, tablet, TV box or TV), how to activate it, and what the most useful features are hidden there. You will also learn what settings can lead to unstable system operation if you change them without understanding the consequences.
What is a developer menu and why is it needed?
The developer menu is a hidden Android or PatchWall settings section that provides enhanced control over the system, which was introduced in early Android versions for debugging applications, but has become a tool for enthusiasts who want to get the most out of the device.
On Xiaomi devices, this menu is especially useful because:
- 🔧 Allows you to unlock the bootloader for installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
- 📱 Speeds up interface animation, making the smartphone visually faster.
- 🔌 Includes debugging by USB (ADB), computer-assisted.
- 🎮 Optimizes performance in games through forced use GPU.
- 📡 Changes network parameters (for example, compulsorily includes) 4G instead 3G).
Not all features are equally useful, however, such as changing the Dalvik VM settings or disabling application signature verification can lead to critical crashes, so before you change anything, it’s worth understanding what each option is responsible for.
Where is the developer menu on Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI)
On Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones and tablets, the path to the developer menu is standard for all versions of MIUI (12 to 14), the main thing is to activate it first, because by default it is hidden.
Instructions for inclusion:
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- Find the MIUI version and click on it 7 times in a row.
- The message will be: “You are a developer!”
- Return to the main Settings menu, and a new Developer section will appear (usually at the bottom).
If the menu does not appear, check:
- ❌ You have not clicked enough times (it takes 7 clicks).
- ❌ You have a lightweight version installed. MIUI (for example, MIUI Lite where some functions are stripped down.
- ❌ The device is blocked by corporate policy (relevant for work phones).
☑️ Check before activating the developer menu
After activation, the menu will be available along the way:
Settings → Additional → For DevelopersDeveloper menu on Xiaomi TVs and TV boxes (PatchWall)
On PatchWall devices (Mi TV, Redmi TV or Mi Box) the developer menu is hidden, but activated differently. There is no usual About Phone section, so the algorithm is different:
Steps for activation:
- Open the settings (cog on the main screen).
- Go to About Device (About in English version).
- Find the Build Number and click on it 7 times.
- A message will appear: "Developer Mode is on."
- Return to the main Settings menu – there will be a new item for developers.
On some models (such as the Mi TV 4S or Mi Box S), the path may be slightly different.
Settings → Device → About device → Assembly numberIf the menu doesn’t appear, try:
- 🔄 Reboot the TV (Power button on the remote hold 5 seconds).
- 📶 Connect to the Internet (some features require certificate verification).
- 📺 Update the firmware to the latest version (older versions of PatchWall may not have had a menu).
💡
On Xiaomi TV boxes, after activating the developer menu, you can enable debugging over USB and connect the device to the computer via ADB. This is useful for installing third-party launchers (for example, ATV Launcher) or manual firmware updates.
The Most Useful (and Dangerous) Features on the Developer Menu
Now that you know where the developer menu on Xiaomi is, let’s figure out what you can and should configure in it – and what is better not to touch.
We have divided the functions into three categories:
| Category | Function | What is responsible for? | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Safe. | USB debugging | Allows you to connect the device to a PC for debugging through ADB | Minimum (unless you install unverified software) |
| 🟢 Safe. | Keep the screen down. | The screen remains on when charging. | Battery discharge if you forget to turn off |
| 🟡 Careful. | GPU acceleration | Forced use of a GPU for 2D rendering | Can cause overheating or artifacts in games |
| 🔴 Dangerous. | Disable the application signature verification | Allows you to install unsigned APKs | High risk of viruses and unstable work |
| 🔴 Dangerous. | Background processes (limitation) | Limits the number of applications running in the background | There may be no notifications from messengers. |
Particularly careful should be treated with settings related to:
- 🚨 Restricting background processes – can break the work of messengers and system services.
- 🚨 Changing the scale of animation – if you put animation 0.5x, The interface will seem faster, but some applications may be buggy.
- 🚨 Unlocking. OEM — necessary for the installation of custom firmware, but resets all data on the device.
What happens if you turn on "Do not save actions"
How to reset the developer menu settings to factory
If you experimented with settings and the device began to work unstable (for example, began to lay down animations, notify or overheat the processor), you can reset the developer menu to standard values.
Resetting methods:
- Partial reset (Developer Menu only): Settings → For Developers → (three dots in the top right corner) → Reset settings
- Full reset (all device settings): Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Reset all settings ⚠️ Note: This method will delete all data, including photos and apps.
- Dumping through ADB (Adb shell settings reset global development_settings_enabled
If the developer menu disappeared from the settings after reset, it will have to be activated again (7 clicks according to MIUI version or build number).
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Before resetting, make sure to back up important data. On Xiaomi devices, this can be done through Settings → About Phone → Backup.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When working with the developer menu, users often encounter common errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
Problem 1: The developer menu doesn’t appear after 7 clicks.
- 🔹 Make sure you click on the version. MIUI (on smartphones) or Assembly number (on TV).
- 🔹 Check if a lightweight version of the firmware is installed (for example, MIUI Go).
- 🔹 Restart the device and try again.
Problem 2: After changing the settings, the device started to brake.
- 🔹 Return the standard values for animation scale (usually) 1x).
- 🔹 Turn off acceleration. GPU, if it was included.
- 🔹 Check if the Developer Mode is enabled in the “On” status (sometimes this in itself slows down the system).
Problem 3: Xiaomi TV doesn’t have USB debugging.
- 🔹 Make sure that the developer menu includes Debugging by USB.
- 🔹 Connect the TV box to your computer via the original cable.
- 🔹 Install the drivers. ADB on PC (you can download from the Xiaomi website or through the SDK Platform Tools).
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If the computer can’t see the device after enabling debugging over USB, try manually installing drivers through Windows or using the adb device command in the terminal to check the connection.
Additional features: Hidden commands and ADB
The developer menu is just the tip of the iceberg, and with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can get even more control over a Xiaomi device, for example:
- 📱 Unlock the bootloader for installing custom firmware: fastboot oem unlock
- 🔧 Remove built-in applications (bloatware): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.weather2
- 📡 Add the following: Adb shell settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0
- 🔒 Reset the pattern lock (if you forget): adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They can permanently damage the system if entered incorrectly, for example, deleting system files will lead to a "brike" (complete failure) of the device, XDA Developers) before execution.
If you want to dive deeper into Xiaomi’s customization through ADB, we recommend starting with simple commands:
Adb devices # Checking connected devices
adb shell # Entrance to the device shell
adb reboot bootloader #Reboot to fastboot mode