Where are the developer options on Xiaomi Redmi: the complete guide

Modern Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are powerful devices that hide under the shell of MIUI (or HyperOS) a huge layer of settings that are only partially available to the average user. However, for enthusiasts, app testers or simply advanced gadget owners, there is a hidden section that allows you to control the behavior of the system at a deep level, this is a menu that is by default hidden from the owner’s eyes to prevent accidental change of critical settings.

Many users are faced with having to activate USB debugging to transfer files to a computer, change the speed of the interface animation to speed up work or force the background processes to close to save battery power. All these functions are concentrated in one place, but the path to them is not obvious. You will not find this option in a standard settings search until you follow the steps to activate it.

In this article, we will go into detail about the hidden menu activation algorithm, look at the location of key parameters and explain what each of them is responsible for. Data security and system stability are directly dependent on a correct understanding of the functions you are going to change. We will also discuss issues related to risks and features of the MIUI environment.

Activation of hidden mode on MIUI and HyperOS

The process of enabling developer capabilities on Redmi and Xiaomi devices is standardized, but requires careful execution of the sequence of actions. Unlike standard versions of Android, the MIUI shell adds an additional layer of verification through the Mi Account account, which is a company security measure. First you need to go to the basic settings of your device.

Find a section that is usually called About Phone or About Device, and that's where you get the technical information about the model, Android version, and build number. MIUI» (or "Version" OS» To activate the mode, you need to quickly click on this line. 7-10 After a few clicks, the system will start counting, and then a notification of successful activation will appear.

If you have password or pattern lock protection enabled, the system may request it to be entered to confirm your actions, and then a new item will appear in the settings menu. In some versions of the firmware, it may be called “Additional Settings”, in others it will be entered in a separate menu “Special features”. It is important to understand that the developer mode is now active, and you get access to tools that affect the kernel of the system.

⚠️ Warning: Activating this mode opens up access to functions that may cause an interface to be unstable or data loss. Do not change the values of parameters that you do not know the purpose of.

Location of the menu in the settings system

After successfully activating the hidden partition, many users are lost, as the new option does not always appear on the main settings screen. In current versions of Xiaomi shells, the path to this menu is most often through the subsection “Additional settings.” This is logical, since the functions contained there are designed for extended use, not for everyday use.

You need to go back to the main settings menu and scroll down the list. Look for "Additional Settings." When you go in, you'll see a list of options like "Date and Time," "Language and Input," and "Developers." If you didn't find this item right away, search by settings by typing in the phrase "Developer" -- the system will redirect you to the right place.

It’s worth noting that in some custom builds or regional firmware versions (e.g. Global vs China), the menu structure may be slightly different. In rare cases, the item may be hidden inside the Advanced Settings section or even System Applications. If the standard path doesn’t work, try using search, as it is a universal navigation tool in MIUI.

• 🔍 Go to "Settings» → «About the phone and press 7 times on the version MIUI.
• 📂 Open "Settings» → «Additional settings».
• 🛠 Find the “Developers” item in the list.
• ⚙️ Log in to the menu and make sure the switch at the top is active.

Remember that having access to these settings puts you in charge of keeping your smartphone running smoothly. The system will no longer alert you to every change, so be careful when experimenting with rendering options or network settings.

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If you can’t find the option “Additional Settings”, use the search bar at the very top of the settings menu and type “Developers” – this is the fastest way to get to the desired menu.

Configure debugging over USB and work with ADB

One of the most popular features in this section is “Debugging by the USB». This parameter allows the computer to interact with the Android operating system at a deep level, transmitting commands through the interface. ADB (Without this option, the computer sees the phone only as a media device or drive, without access to system logs and commands.

When you first activate debugging, the MIUI security system will issue a warning of potential risks, you will need to confirm the action, and you may also need to allow access for a particular computer when you connect the cable, so that attackers cannot connect the device to a public charging station and access the data. The debugging interface is a powerful tool in the hands of a professional.

Also in this section, settings are often found «USB-Configuration. By default, the phone can charge or run in file transfer mode. By changing this setting, you can force the device to go into file transfer mode. MIDI, RNDIS (Network adapter or audio source, which is especially useful for users who connect a smartphone to car radios or specialized equipment.

adb devices


adb shell




adb pull /sdcard/file.txt

Using ADB commands requires a PC-mounted set of platform-tools. Once you connect the cable and enable debugging, you can execute commands to install apps bypassing the store, make full system backups, or remove system software that cannot be removed in the usual way.

⚠️ Warning: Never turn on the debugging on USB This can allow third parties to gain full control of your device and steal personal data.

Management of animation and interface performance

Visuals are part of Xiaomi Redmi heavily relies on animations. Switching between windows, opening apps, and folding tasks all come with graphical effects. For many users, these effects seem redundant and slow down the device. In the developer menu, you can find options to speed up the visual experience of the interface.

You're going to need three basic parameters: Windows animation, transition animation, and animation duration. By default, they're all set to 1x. By changing them to 0.5x, you'll cut the playback time in half, which will create the illusion of faster CPU performance. Some enthusiasts set the value of "No animation," but that makes the interface dry and less touch-sensitive.

And then there's the Minimum Width (or DPI) setting, and by changing that, you can make the interface elements smaller, so you can display more information on the screen, or larger, which is convenient for people with low vision. Be careful: setting a DPI too high can make the interface unreadable, and it's hard to get it back without resetting.

Changing these settings doesn't require rebooting the device, and it takes effect instantly, and you'll notice how the smartphone reacts more vividly, but it's worth remembering that this is just a visual illusion of speed, and the actual performance of the processor will not increase.

Background Process Limits and Energy Consumption

One of the eternal problems of mobile devices is the battery discharge of background applications. In the Xiaomi developer section, you can tightly control this process. The option “Background Process Limit” allows the user to specify the maximum number of applications that can remain active in memory when you are not using them.

By default, the system manages this setting itself, but you can force the number of background processes to 1, 2 or 3. This can be useful on older Redmi models with a small amount of RAM, where a lot of open applications cause lags. However, on modern devices with 6-8 GB of RAM and more aggressive memory management can lead to the opposite effect.

If you restrict background processes too strictly, instant messengers can stop receiving real-time notifications, and music players can stop playing when switching to other tasks. The system will constantly “kill” applications, and when they return to them they will be loaded again, which, paradoxically, can increase the power consumption of the processor.

• 🔋 «No background processes – all applications close immediately after release.
• 📱 «No more than 1 process – only the last open application remains in the background.
• ⚙️ «Standard Limit: The system decides how many processes to hold (recommended).
• 🚫 «Do not perform" - a complete ban on background activity (extreme mode).

Use these settings wisely. For most users, the best choice is the Standard Limit, as MIUI algorithms are pretty good at balancing performance and autonomy.

⚠️ Attention: Setting a hard limit on background processes can disrupt the navigation, fitness trackers and instant messengers. If you notice missed calls or messages, return the standard settings.

Resetting settings and returning to the original state

Experimenting with system parameters sometimes leads to unpredictable results: the phone starts to work unstable, the sound disappears, or the interface becomes unusable. In such cases, you need to know how to quickly return all the developer settings to factory values. Fortunately, Xiaomi has a simple reset procedure.

At the top of the Developer Menu, there's usually a switch that activates or deactivates the entire partition. Simply turning off the switch switch turns off all the changed settings, but doesn't always reset them. To completely reset, you often need to find the Reset button at the bottom of the list, or just turn off the developer mode and turn it on again.

If the changes affect DPI or system fonts and the interface becomes unreadable, it can help to restart in Safe Mode or completely reset the phone through the Recovery menu. However, in 99% of cases, it is enough to simply find the switch “On” at the top of the developer menu and move it to the “Off” position.

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The quickest way to fix bugs after experimenting is to completely turn off the Developer Mode at the top of the menu, and then turn it on again, which will return most settings to factory values.

Always remember that any changes to your system settings are at your own risk. Although MIUI is protected from critical errors, the human factor has not been canceled.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)