Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Where to Find, How to Enable and What You Can Configure

Developer mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a hidden section of settings that opens access to advanced operating system functions MIUI. It's designed to test applications, debug, optimize performance and fine-tune the device. Without activating this mode, you won't be able to unlock the bootloader, change the interface animation, or enable debugging. USB — functions that are often required for customization or repair.

However, this section is not easy to find: by default, it is hidden in the settings menu. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to enable the developer settings on any Xiaomi device (including Redmi, POCO And Black Shark, what features are available there, and we'll warn you against dangerous actions that could lead to system failures. MIUI — old MIUI 10 to current MIUI 15 (and higher).

How to turn on the developer mode on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Activation of the developer mode takes less than a minute, but requires precise execution of steps. An error at any stage (for example, the wrong number of clicks) will lead to the fact that the partition will remain hidden.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone (on some firmware - About Device).
3. Find the line Version MIUI And you can press it 7 times in a row, and every time you press it, you'll see a countdown that says, "There's 6 steps left," "There's 5 steps left," and so on.
4. On the 7th tap, a notification will appear: “You are a developer!” (or a similar message in English: “You are now a developer!”).

If nothing happens after 7 taps, check:

• 🔍 Version MIUI: on MIUI 12 and later, you may need to enter a password or pattern lock after activation.
• 📱 Model of the device: on some POCO The path may be different (for example, settings) → System system → The phone).
• 🔄 Updates: if the system has not been updated for a long time, the partition may not be activated due to bugs (solution - update the firmware).

Check the MIUI version in the settings

Make sure your phone is at least 30% charged.

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (to download additional modules if required)

Remember the password from your Mi Account (may be needed to unlock some features)-->

After successful activation in the main menu Settings will appear a new item – Additional settings → Developer settings (or just Developer settings) If you don't have one, try rebooting your device or search for settings (the magnifier icon at the top of the screen).

Where to look for developer settings in different versions MIUI

Interface. MIUI It's updated regularly, and the location of the partition can change. Below is the current table for popular firmware versions. If your version isn't on the list, search by settings (type "developer" or "developer»).

On the devices. POCO (for example, POCO F5 or POCO X6 Pro) the path may be different due to the customized shell POCO Launcher. If the standard method doesn't work, try it:

1. Open Settings → System system → The phone.
2. Click on the build number (not the version) MIUI) 7 times.
3. Go back to the main settings menu and find the Developer section.

MIUI 12 or older

MIUI 13–14

HyperOS (MIUI 15+)

I don't know my version.-->

Top.-10 useful features in the settings of the Xiaomi developer

Developer mode offers dozens of options, but most of them are for professionals. We have selected the 10 most useful features that ordinary users will need to optimize the smartphone experience. Include them at your own risk - some parameters can affect the stability of the system.

• ⚡ Accelerating animation: reducing window animation time (Scale of window animation, Scale of transition animation) to 0.5x Disabling (without animation) will make the interface faster.
• 🔋 Background processes: limiting the number of background applications (process limits) will extend battery life.
• 📱 Debugging by USB: It is necessary to connect to the PC through ADB (For example, for the installation of custom firmware).
• 🔒 OEM unlocking: allows you to unlock the bootloader for installation TWRP or LineageOS.
• 🎮 Simulation of additional displays: useful for testing applications at different resolutions.
• 📡 Wi-Fi log inclusion: Helps diagnose network connection problems.
• 🔊 Turning off absolute volume: allows you to independently adjust the volume of media and notifications.
• 🖥️ GPU-Acceleration: forced use GPU rendering 2D-graphics (can improve performance in games).
• 📶 Network Selection: Manual Selection of Mobile Network Standard (2G/3G/4G/5G) charge-saving.
• 🔄 Resetting battery meters: useful after replacing the battery to correctly display the charge level.

⚠️ Warning: Change settings Do not turn off the screen or background check may result in accelerated battery discharge!

💡

If after changing the settings, the smartphone began to slow down, return all parameters to the default state (the Reset button in the upper right corner of the section).

Dangerous settings: what not to touch without experience

Some of the options in developer mode can disrupt the system, cause data loss, or even “brick” the device, and we have compiled a list of the riskiest options that we recommend not changing without a clear understanding of the consequences:

• 💀 Disable Signature Checking (Signature Verification): Allows you to install uncertified applications APK, But it opens the door to malware.
• 🔥 Forced shutdown of system applications: can cause a cyclic reboot (bootloop).
• 🛠️ Change the kernel settings (CPU, GPU): Incorrect values will cause the device to overheat or turn off.
• 📵 Disconnecting radio modules (off mobile data): can block the network before flashing.
• 🔄 Resetting all settings from this section: removes not only user data, but also system configurations.

It is especially dangerous to experiment with settings related to:

• Booter (OEM Unlock) if you don’t plan to install custom firmware.
• Root access (Root rights), as this cancels the warranty and increases the risk of infection with viruses.
• Settings ADB, If you don’t understand how fastboot or shell commands work.

⚠️ Note: on HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) Some of the hazards of the function are blocked at the system level, but this does not mean that they can be included without consequences - the restrictions are removed after unlocking the bootloader.

How to return the standard developer settings

If after the experiments, the smartphone began to work unstable (for example, quickly discharges, brakes or overheats), return all parameters to factory values.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Developer settings.
2. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Resetting Settings.
3. Confirm the action (a password may be required).

Method 2: Completely reset the device (if the first method did not help)

This method will delete all data from the phone, so make a backup copy of the following:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Reset and confirm the action.
3. After the reboot, the developer will not be able to turn it on again (7 clicks on the version). MIUI).

If the reset didn’t help (for example, after a failed firmware), manual recovery via the Mi Flash Tool may be required.

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power) + Volume Down when enabled).
3. Use the Mi Flash Tool to flash it (instructions are available on the forums) 4PDA or XDA Developers).

💡

Resetting the developer's settings doesn't delete user data, but returns all system settings to factory values. A complete device reset is a last resort if other methods have failed.

Secret teams and chips for developers

In addition to the standard settings, the MIUI There are hidden commands and combinations that are only available once the developer mode is activated, which allow you to test hardware, get detailed information about the system, and even unlock additional features.

Useful teams ADB

These commands will be required to be executed. ADB (Android Debug Bridge and Connecting Your Phone to PC:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1 # Unlock hidden API


adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings # Quick access to developer settings




adb shell dumpsys battery set ac 1 # Simulated charging from the network (for testing)

Hidden Testing Menus

These codes are entered in the standard Phone app (as if you were calling):

• #4636## - battery information, networking and usage statistics.
• # #6484## - Sensor test (accelerometer, gyroscope, compass).
• #64663## - Display test (check for broken pixels).
• ##0*## - Test LCD (color stripes for screen diagnostics).

⚠️ Note: Test codes may vary depending on the model and the firmware region, and some (e.g. ##7780###) perform factory resets without warning!

How to Enable Hidden Functions MIUI

Some possibilities MIUI are disabled by default, but can be activated through the developer mode or ADB:

• 📲 Double tap to wake up: Settings → Lock screen → Double tap to wake up (activation required in developer settings).
• 🔊 Monitoring of use CPU: Turn on Show the loading CPU in the developer settings to see the load graph in the notification panel.
• 📡 Compulsory incorporation VoLTE/VoWiFi: in the developer settings, find Enable VoLTE and Enable VoWiFi (if the operator supports the technology).

💡

To quickly find the right setting in developer mode, use search (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner). This will save time, especially if you are looking for rarely used options.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after you activate the developer mode correctly, users are faced with errors, and let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The Developer section is gone after the update

After updating MIUI The developer's settings may disappear:

1. Repeat the activation procedure (7 clicks on the MIUI version).
2. If it doesn’t help, reset your phone to factory settings (pre-return).
3. On some firmware (e.g, MIUI 14 for Redmi Note 11) section hidden – search by settings.

Problem 2: USB debugging does not work

If you connect to the PC there is an error "Debugging by USB Not included, check it out:

• 🔌 Is the phone connected in the file transfer mode (MTP) (Not "Only charging»).
• 🔑 Have you allowed debugging on your phone screen (a request will appear when you first connect).
• 🖥️ Are drivers installed on the PC ADB (You can download from the Android Studio website).

Problem 3: Error "OEM unlock not available"

This error occurs if:

• 🔒 Mi Account is not linked to the device (authentication required).
• ⏳ Less than 7 days have passed since the first account was linked (Xiaomi’s security restriction).
• 📱 Device purchased in China (on global firmware, unlocking may be prohibited).

Solution: link Mi, wait a week and try again. If the error persists, check if your model supports official unlocking (the list is available on the Mi Unlock website).

Problem 4: Phone overheats after changes in settings

If, after the option is included, GPU-acceleration or background processes, the device began to overheat:

1. Return the settings to the original state (see the section "How to return the standard settings").
2. Check which apps consume the most resources (Settings) → Battery → Battery utilization).
3. Turn off unnecessary background processes and limit the activity of “gluttonous” programs.

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If the phone starts to behave unstable after the developer changes, the first thing you do is turn off all the options on and restart the device, which solves the problem 90% of the time.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions