Xiaomi Developer Menu: Where to Look and How to Activate Hidden Settings MIUI

You want to access the advanced settings of your Xiaomi smartphone but don’t know where the developer menu is located?This hidden section allows power users to fine-tune performance, debugging, animation and other system settings MIUI. Without it, it is impossible to activate debugging. USB, Change the animation speed or enable additional options for app developers.

Unlike standard settings, the developer menu is hidden by default in Xiaomi (including Redmi models, POCO It requires a simple but not obvious procedure to activate, and in this article we will detail where to look for this section, how to include it on different versions. MIUI, We will pay special attention to the nuances for new and old devices - from Xiaomi Mi 11 to Redmi Note 7.

What is a Developer Menu and Why You Need It

The developer menu (or Developer Options) is a hidden part of Android settings designed to test and debug apps. On Xiaomi smartphones, it is integrated into the shell. MIUI, but is disabled by default so that random changes do not disrupt the stability of the system.

Among the key functions:

  • 🔧 Debugging by USB — mandatory for work with ADB, Firmware through Fastboot or using tools like XiaomiTool.
  • ⚡ Accelerating animations – reducing the transition time between screens (useful for faster interfaces).
  • 📱 Secondary display simulation – for multitasking testing or adapting applications to different resolutions.
  • 🔄 Forced activation GPU-Acceleration – can improve performance in games or 3D-annexes.
  • 🛠️ Error Logistics – Collecting Debugging Information to Diagnose Problems.

It is important to understand that not all options are safe. For example, turning on Do not turn off the screen while charging can lead to overheating of the battery, and changing the parameters of the Background process limit can lead to sudden reboots.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) When you reset the developer menu, it automatically turns off.

Where is the developer menu on Xiaomi: the standard path

Most of the Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12/13/14 The developer menu appears in the main settings section, but only after it is activated:

  1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
  2. Scroll down and select About Phone (or About Device).
  3. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row.
  4. After the notification appears, you become a developer! return to the main settings menu.
  5. Now a new section will appear in the list - Additional (or Advanced Settings), and inside it - For developers.

On some firmware (e.g, MIUI Global for the European market, the way can be. If after 7 clicks the menu does not appear, check:

  • 📱 Version MIUI — on MIUI 14 and later sometimes requires 8 taps.
  • 🔒 Administrator rights – if the phone is managed through MDM (Enterprise device, access may be blocked.
  • 🌍 Regional settings - on Chinese firmware (MIUI China) menu may be called.
📊 What version? MIUI you have installed?
MIUI 14
MIUI 13
MIUI 12 or older
I don't know.

Alternative ways to open the developer menu

If the standard method didn't work, try one of the alternatives, which will be useful for devices with non-standard firmware or after resetting.

Method 1: Searching in the settings

At the top of the Settings menu, there's a search bar. Type in:

developer-room

Or in English:

developer options

If the menu is activated, the system will offer a direct transition to it, which works even if the partition is hidden in the depths of the submenu.

Method 2: ADB (for experienced users)

If you have access to ADB (For example, through a computer, you can force the developer menu to be enabled by a team:

adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 1

Once you've done the command, restart your phone, the partition will appear in the settings, and this method is useful if the touch screen is not working or the interface is not working. MIUI damaged.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB requires on-set debugging USB. If the developer menu is disabled, this method will not work, it will turn into a vicious circle, in which case only unlocking the bootloader and manual editing of system files will help.

Method 3: For devices with damaged screen

If the display doesn’t respond to touch, but the phone turns on, connect it to your computer and use the Mi program. PC Suite or Scrcpy for mouse control. Follow the standard menu activation instructions.

💡

In some models POCO (for example, POCO X3 Pro) after activation of the developer menu, a reboot is required to make the section appear in the settings.

What the developer menu looks like on Xiaomi: an overview of key features

Once activated, the Developer section contains dozens of options, divided into categories, and here are the most useful and frequently used options:

CategoryFunctionAppointmentRisks.
DebuggingUSB debuggingAllows connection to ADB firmwareMalware vulnerability when connecting to untrusted PCs
Withdraw debugging permitsResets the list of trusted computersCan block access to previously connected devices
ProductivityKeep the screen down.The screen remains on when charging.Overheating of the battery, reducing the service life
Forced. GPU-accelerationUses a graphics processor for rendering 2D-elementMay cause artifacts or overheating
Limitation of background processesLimits the number of applications running in the backgroundClosing important services, loss of notifications
Interface.Scale of animationSpeeds up or slows down transitions between screens... 0.5x possible interface glitches
Simulation of an additional displayEmulated second screen for testingIt may conflict with certain applications

On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro), an additional Hardware accelerated rendering section appears in the developer menu, allowing you to fine-tune the graphics performance.

Hidden functions that few people know about

  • 🔍 Show touches – displays visual marks when touching the screen (useful for recording reviews).
  • 📡 Aggressive Wi-Fi mode – improves connection stability in weak signal conditions.
  • 🔋 Charging in the off state – allows you to charge the phone even when it is completely off.
  • 🎮 Game controller simulation – converts touch gestures into gamepad buttons (for emulators).

💡

Changes to Window animation scale, Transition animation scale and Animator duration scale 0.5x Speeds up the interface, but can cause visual artifacts in some applications.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after successfully activating the developer menu, Xiaomi users face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Developer menu missing after update

After installing the new version MIUI (Especially major updates like MIUI 13 → MIUI 14) the menu may disappear, because the system resets some security settings:

  1. Repeat the activation procedure (7 taps on the MIUI version).
  2. If it doesn’t help, reset your settings through Settings. → System system → Resetting settings → Reset all settings (app data will be saved).

Problem 2: Inactive menu items

Some options (for example, OEM Unlocking) can be blocked in gray:

  • 🔒 The device is linked to a Mi Account with restrictions (e.g. a corporate phone).
  • 📱 The phone was purchased in China and works on MIUI China without global firmware.
  • 🛡️ Reset Protection (Factory Reset Protection).

Solution: Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires account binding and waiting). 7-15 days).

Problem 3: Error "Debugging by Debugging" USB doesn't work"

If a message appears when connecting to a computer USB Debugging Not Authorized, Follow the Following Steps:

Turn off and reconnect the cable. USB|Restart your phone and computer|In the developer menu, revoke debugging permissions (Revoke permissions) and confirm a new connection.|Install the latest Mi drivers USB Driver on PC-->

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi Note 11) for stable performance ADB need to USB-Configuration in Transfer Files (MTP). Only charging mode blocks debugging.

Security: What is the developer menu settings best not to touch

While many features are useful, some parameters can disrupt system stability or create vulnerabilities, and here are some options that you should not change without a clear understanding of the consequences:

  • 🚫 Screen inactivity – if you set too high, the phone won’t lock, which risks draining the battery in a few hours.
  • 🚫 Background processes - limitation to 1-2 processes will lead to constant reboot of applications.
  • 🚫 Strict mode - flashing screen with background processes quickly irritates and increases charge consumption.
  • 🚫 Do not save actions – disables activity caching, which slows down multitasking.
  • 🚫 Forced Application Shutdown – Can Remove Critical System Services.

Particularly careful should be treated to the settings associated with unlocking the bootloader (OEM Unlocking) and superuser rights, activating them without proper preparation can:

  • Lead to loss of warranty (on some Xiaomi models this is checked by Bootloader status).
  • Call soft-brick (the phone is turned on but does not load beyond the logo).
  • Open access to data when the device is stolen (if encryption is not configured).
What if the phone stopped loading after changes to the developer menu?
If after changing the settings (for example, Don’t keep activities) the phone is stuck on startup the logo MIUI, try: 1. Hold the power button. 10-15 second-on-second forced reboot. 2. Go to Recovery Mode (Power buttons) + Volume up) and select Wipe cache. 3. If it doesn’t work, you need to flash through Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool.

Developer menu on different Xiaomi models: features

While the general principle of activating the developer menu is the same for all Xiaomi devices, there are nuances on some models: they are related to the firmware version, hardware platform or regional settings.

Xiaomi Mi 11 / Mi 12 / Mi 13 Series

On the flagships with Snapdragon 888/8 Gen 1/8 Gen 2 The developer menu contains additional options to adjust the performance of the processor:

  • 🔥 Thermal profile – Selecting cooling mode (e.g. Performance mode for games).
  • 🔄 CPU Input booster – Accelerating touch processing in games.

Force option is also available on these models. 90Hz/120Hz forcing high-frequency screen refresh in all applications.

Redmi Note 10 / Note 11 / Note 12 Series

Budget models often lack some features, such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro missing:

  • ❌ Wireless debugging (wi-fi debugging).
  • ❌ Desktop backup password (backup password).

But there is a unique option Auto-brightness adjustment for fine tuning adaptive lighting.

POCO F3 / F4 / F5 series

Linear devices POCO They often come with custom firmware, where the developer menu can already be activated by default:

  • ⚡ Fast charging switch – forced fast charging shutdown to extend battery life.
  • 🎮 Game Turbo Optimizations – Additional settings for gamers.

Xiaomi Pad 5 / Pad 6

On Xiaomi tablets, the developer menu contains unique options for multitasking:

  • 🖥️ Force desktop mode – forced interface start in desktop mode.
  • 🔄 Secondary display simulation – testing applications on a virtual second screen.

💡

On devices with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Redmi) 10C) Some developer menu options may be translated incorrectly or missing due to local restrictions.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

The developer menu is on, but it's not displayed in the settings. What do you do?
Try the following steps: Reboot your phone. Check if the partition is hidden through search in the settings (enter "developer"). MIUI China, switch the system language to English — sometimes the sections are only displayed in it. → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting all settings).
Can I turn on the developer menu without access to the screen (for example, if the sensor is broken)?
Yes, there are two ways: Connect your phone to your computer and use Scrcpy to control it through your mouse. ADB It was activated earlier, run the command: adb shell settings put global. development_settings_enabled 1 If ADB not on, you will need to repair the screen or connect an external keyboard through OTG (Some models are supported by navigation with keys).
Why does the computer not see the phone after USB debugging?
Causes and solutions: 🖥️ No drivers: Install Mi USB Driver or Google USB Driver. 🔌 Wrong Connection Mode: In the notification curtain, select Transfer files (MTP). 🔒 Antivirus Block: Temporarily Disable Protection on PC. 📱 Old permissions: In the developer menu, click Revoke debugging permissions and connect again.
How to turn off the developer menu if it is no longer needed?
To hide the partition, do one of the following: Reset your phone settings (Settings) → System system → Reset settings. Use ADB-Adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 0 Note that turning off the menu does not reset the parameters you have changed (such as animation speed.
Can the developer menu overclock the processor or GPU?
No, the standard Xiaomi developer menu doesn't have overclocking options, but some models (like Black Shark) have hidden settings for overclocking: 🎮 Game Mode: Forced use of maximum frequency GPU. ⚡ Thermal Throttling: Turning off temperature restrictions (risk of overheating!). Real overclocking requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom core (e.g. KernelSU).