How to enable and where to find the developer settings on Xiaomi: detailed instructions with pictures

Developer mode on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones POCO — This is a hidden settings section that opens access to advanced features. MIUI. You can activate it here. USB-debugging ADB, Change the interface animation, enable unlocking OEM But many users are faced with the problem of where to find these parameters and how to turn them on correctly?

In this article, we will not only show you the exact path to the developer menu on all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS), but also explain which settings are really useful for the average user and which are better not to touch without emergency. You will learn how to avoid common errors when activating the mode, what to do if Suddenly options disappear after the update, and how to return factory settings if something went wrong.

Why the developer’s settings are hidden by default

Xiaomi (like other Android device makers) is specifically hiding the developer menu from ordinary users, and it’s done for a reason – incorrect changes in these settings can:

• 🔧 Violate the stability of the smartphone (for example, disabling optimization) MIUI This will result in a quick discharge of the battery)
• 🛡️ Reduce security (unlock) OEM It allows you to install uncertified software)
• 📉 Deteriorating productivity (forced) GPU-rendering can cause overheating on weak chipsets)
• 🔄 Fail to update (change settings) ADB occasionally OTA-updates)

However, access to these parameters is necessary to:

• 🔌 Connecting a smartphone to ADB or Fastboot for firmware
• 🎯 Testing applications in developer mode (for example, Do not save actions)
• 🖥️ Display emulation settings for screen recordings without watermarks
• 🔍 Diagnostics of sensor or network problems through hidden logs

⚠️ Note: On devices with HyperOS (new firmware from Xiaomi), the path to the developer parameters may differ from the classic one. MIUI. We will look at both options below.

How to enable the developer settings on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Activating the developer menu takes less than a minute, but requires precise steps to be followed. Here is a universal method for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 and others):

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon)
2. Go to About Phone (usually at the bottom)
3. Find the MIUI version (or the HyperOS version on new devices)
4. Tap on this item 7 times in a row with an interval of no more than 2 seconds
5. After 3-4 clicks, a notification will appear: “You are almost at the target!”
6. After pressing 7, the system will show: “You became a developer!”

If you’ve done everything right, a new section will appear in the main Settings menu Additional → Developer Settings (on MIUI 12-14) or System → Developer Settings (on HyperOS).

Tapnull on MIUI/HyperOS 7 times | Notification "You became a developer!" | New section visible in settings |Rebooted phone (if partition does not appear)

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⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A1/A2 With pure Android, the way is different: Settings → System system → The phone. → The assembly number, you need to tap it by the assembly number, not the version. MIUI.

Where to look for developer parameters after activation

The menu location depends on the firmware version. Here are the current paths for different versions:

If you do not see the section after activation:

1. Check if it is hidden in the search for settings (enter in the search bar "developer")
2. Reset the device
3. Update MIUI/HyperOS to the latest version (sometimes bugs hide the menu)
4. Reset the Settings app settings through Settings → Apps → App management → Settings → Storage → Reset

MIUI 12/13/14|HyperOS|Android One (Mi A series)|Other/I don't know

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Top.-5 Useful settings in the parameters of the developer

Not all options are equally useful here. We have selected the 5 most popular features that will be useful to the average user without the risk of breaking the system:

• 🔄 USB-debugging (Debugging by debugging) USB) — mandatory for work with ADB, Fastboot firmware or utilities like the Mi Flash Tool. Only enable when connected to a verified PC!
• 🔓 Unlocking OEM (Unlocking the loader) - necessary for installing custom Recovery (TWRP) LineageOS requires a Mi Account to be linked on new devices.
• ⚡ GPU-acceleration (forced use) GPU) — It can speed up the rendering of the interface, but it increases the battery load. 9A, POCO C31).
• 📱 Emulation of the display (minimum width) - allows you to change DPI It's a screen that displays more information, optimal for most devices: 411dpi or 440dpi.
• 🚫 Turning off the absolute volume level (turn off the absolute volume level) – solves the problem of too quiet sound in Bluetooth headphones on some models.

Here is what is not recommended to include without extreme necessity:

• ❌ Not saving actions – results in loss of application data after closing
• ❌ Background processes → Without restrictions – will cause overheating and rapid discharge
• ❌ Turn off optimization MIUI — Disrupting the Energy-Saving Algorithms
• ❌ Turn it on. 4x MSAA — Deteriorates performance in games on weak chipsets

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If after changing the settings, the smartphone began to slow down or overheat, return all settings to the default state with the Reset button in the upper right corner of the developer menu.

What to do if the developer’s settings disappear after the update

The problem of missing a developer menu after a MIUI/HyperOS update is quite common. Here are 3 proven ways to return access:

1. Re-activation: Sometimes resetting after an update turns off developer mode. Just repeat the tap procedure on the MIUI version (7 times).
2. Clean the Settings Cache: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings → Storage → Clear the cache. After rebooting the menu should appear.
3. Reset all settings (extreme): If nothing works, reset through Settings → About Phone → Reset → Reset settings → Reset. This won’t delete your data, but it will return all system settings to factory settings.

On devices with HyperOS, an additional step can help:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Cleanup


2.Push Deep Cleanup.




3. Reset the device




4. Re-activate the developer mode

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi.eu or custom firmware, the developer menu may be hidden intentionally.In this case, check the firmware settings in the About section. → Custom ROM Settings.

How to disable the developer settings on Xiaomi

If you no longer need advanced settings, you can deactivate them in two ways:

Method 1: Through the Developer Menu

1. Open Developer Options
2. In the upper right corner, press the switch (should turn grey)
3. Confirm the disconnection in the dialog window

Method 2: Through resetting settings

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings
2. Select Reset Settings (Do not Reset to Factory!)
3. Confirm the action.

After disabling the section will disappear from the settings menu, but it can always be turned on again according to the instructions above.

Security: What Developer Settings Can Hurt Your Xiaomi

Some of the options on the developer menu can seriously disrupt the device or even make it vulnerable to attacks.-3 dangerous options that are better not to touch without understanding the consequences:

• 🔓 Allow unlocking of the loader (OEM Unlock – opens the possibility of installing uncertified software, which can lead to: Loss of warranty Blocking banking applications (due to the SafetyNet trigger) Unstable system operation
• 🐞 Don't keep activities - kills all background processes when you leave the application. This: Reset all unsaved data Will cause constant reboots of applications May disrupt the messengers (no notifications will come)
• 🔄 Turn it on. 4x MSAA (Improved antialiasing - enforced antialiasing in all applications. on weak devices (Redmi) 8A, POCO C3) This will cause: Strong lags in games CPU overheating Accelerated battery discharge

Also beware of options related to:

• 📡 Mobile data transfer (can break the job) LTE/5G)
• 🔊 Absolute volume level (risk of damage to speakers)
• 🔋 background processes (will lead to overheating)

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If you're not sure what the setting is, you better not touch it. Most of the optimizations in the developer menu are already in MIUI/HyperOS by default.

FAQ: Frequent questions about developer options on Xiaomi