Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones hide advanced system settings — so-called developer settings — from users, allowing you to activate features to debug, optimize performance, and even unlock hidden features of the device, but by default it is disabled, and many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi don’t know how to find it.
In this article, you will learn not only where to look for developer options on Xiaomi, but also how to activate them correctly, what settings are hidden there, and why the manufacturer hides them from ordinary users. We will analyze step-by-step instructions for different versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14/15), warn against dangerous changes, and show how to return everything if something goes wrong.
Why the developer’s options are hidden in Xiaomi
Android device makers, including Xiaomi, are deliberately hiding the developer menu for several reasons:
- 🔧 Protection against accidental changes: most of the settings in this section can disrupt the stability of the system if they are changed without understanding the.
- 🛡️ Security: Functions like USB-debugging OEM open access to the device for third-party programs, which is risky if used carelessly.
- 📱 Google Compliance: Some settings (e.g. Force) GPU Rendering) can affect performance in benchmarks, which distorts test results.
However, access to these settings is necessary to:
- 🔄 Unlock the bootloader before the firmware.
- 🖥️ Connecting a smartphone to ADB debug.
- ⚡ Optimize animation and speed up the interface.
- 📡 Testing network parameters (e.g. forced VoLTE activation).
⚠️ Change settings such as Background Process Limit or Force 4x MSAA without understanding the consequences can lead to overheating of the device, rapid battery discharge or malfunctions in the application.
How to enable the developer settings on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
The developer menu activation on all Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and other models) is done through a hidden combination of taps in the settings. The algorithm is the same for MIUI 12/13/14/15, but may differ slightly on older versions (for example, MIUI 11 and below).
Follow this instruction:
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Go to About Phone (or About Device on some models).
- Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row.
- After 3-4 taps, a pop-up notification will appear: “You are almost there!”
- Keep tapping until you see a message saying, “You’re a developer!”
If the menu doesn't appear:
- 🔄 Make sure you are using the version. MIUI, not on other points.
- 📱 On some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) You may need to tap the Assembly Number.
- 🔒 If the device is locked with a password, unlock it before activating it.
Make sure the battery is charged > 30%|Connect to Wi-Fi (for downloading drivers) ADB)|Close all background applications|Make a backup copy of important data-->
After successful activation, a new section will appear in the main Settings menu – Additional → Developer Settings (or simply For Developers in new versions of MIUI).
Where to look for developer parameters after activation
The menu location depends on the MIUI version and the smartphone model, and below are the current paths for different firmware:
| MIUI version | The path to the menu | Examples of models |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 14/15 | Settings → Additional → Developer Parameters | Xiaomi 13/13T, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 |
| MIUI 12/13 | Settings → About the phone → Additional → Developer parameters | Mi 11, Redmi 10, POCO X3 Pro |
| MIUI 11 and below | Settings → Advanced settings → For developers | Mi 9, Redmi Note 8, POCO F1 |
If the menu is not displayed even after activation:
- Reset the device.
- Check if it is hidden in the search for settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen).
- Update MIUI to the latest version (some builds may not have menus due to bugs).
MIUI 15|MIUI 14|MIUI 13|MIUI 12 or older |I don't know-->
The most useful settings in the parameters of the developer Xiaomi
The developer menu contains dozens of options, but most of them are designed for testing and debugging, and we selected only those settings that will be useful to the average user:
- ⚡ Windows animation, transition animation, animation duration: reducing the value to 0.5x or disabling (Animation disabled) will speed up the interface.
- 🔌 USB-Debugging: Necessary to connect to a PC through ADB (For example, to unlock the loader or install custom firmware).
- 📶 Modem mode: allows you to force on 4G or 5G, if the network is unstable.
- 🔒 Unlocking OEM: mandatory item for unlocking bootloader (turn it on before firmware!).
- 🎮 Force GPU Rendering: Compulsory use GPU rendering 2D-graphics (may speed up games but increase battery load).
- 📱 Do not turn off the screen while charging: useful for testing or watching video in charging mode.
Attention! Setting up the Background Process Limit can cause applications to close spontaneously, and the optimal value is the Standard Limit.
Some settings require the device to restart to apply the changes, such as after switching on. USB-debugging may require connecting the smartphone to the PC and confirming the debugging permission.
Dangerous settings: what not to change without the need
Not all settings on the developer menu are harmless, but some changes can be made to:
- 🔥 Induce overheating of the processor (e.g., Force) 4x MSAA or disable HW overlays).
- 📉 Reduce battery life (settings) GPU background).
- 🚫 Failure to perform camera or sensor functions (e.g., Disable Camera Sounds on some models).
- 🔄 Reset the network settings (Mobile data is always active or Aggressive Wi-Fi to Mobile handover).
⚠️ Warning: Disable permission monitoring setup disables application permissions control, making the device vulnerable to malware. Never activate it unless absolutely necessary.
If after the changes, the smartphone began to slow down or overheat:
- Return all settings to the default state (Reset button in the developer menu).
- Reset the device.
- If the problem remains, reset to factory settings (Settings → About phone → Reset settings).
What if the smartphone stopped turning on after the changes?
How to disable the developer settings on Xiaomi
If you don't need a developer menu anymore, you can hide it.
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
- Find the Settings app (com.android.settings) and open it.
- Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.
- Confirm the action and restart the device.
This method will reset all settings of the Settings app, including activating the developer menu. The alternative is to reset to factory settings, but it will delete all data from the device.
If you plan to use the developer options again in the future, just don’t click on the MIUI version – the menu will remain hidden, but it can be activated again using the same instruction.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When working with the developer's settings, users often encounter typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Developer menu does not appear after 7 taps | Wrong version of MIUI or system failure | Check the path to the MIUI version or update the firmware |
| USB-debugging doesn't work | ADB drivers are not installed on PC | Download Mi PC Suite or Google USB Driver |
| The smartphone is overheating after the changes | Activated settings of GPU or background processes | Return Force GPU Rendering and Background Process Limit to default |
| Unlocking the OEM does not work | The device is tied to the Mi Account | Untie your account in Settings → Accounts → Mi Account |
If after changes to the developer menu Xiaomi stopped working correctly Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS, try:
- 🔄 Reset the device.
- 📱 Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).
- 🔧 Return all developer parameters to default values.
💡
Before you change any settings, take a screenshot of your current settings, which will help you quickly get it back if something goes wrong.