How to go to Xiaomi developer mode: a complete guide with hidden chips

Have you ever wondered why your Xiaomi smartphone isn't as fast as you'd like it to be? Or why some apps require "USB debugging" but you don't know where to turn it on? The answer lies in the hidden developer mode, a powerful tool that the manufacturer specifically hides from ordinary users. It's not a bug, but a feature: it protects newcomers from accidental changes that can disrupt the stability of the system.

In this article, we're not just going to show you how to activate a developer mode on a Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Mi 11, we're going to reveal 3 little-known features of this mode that even advanced users often miss. For example, did you know that it can force 4K@60fps to record video on models where this option is blocked by default? Or that there's a tool for testing the fingerprint sensor? But about everything in order.

What is the developer mode on Xiaomi and why it is needed

Developer Mode (or Developer Mode) is a hidden menu in MIUI designed to test and debug a device, which was introduced in early Android as a tool for engineers, but has become useful to ordinary users over time.

• 🔧 Debugging by USB: Without this, it is impossible to connect your smartphone to ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for deep tuning or data recovery.
• 🎮 Unlock FPS: Some models POCO and Black Shark can turn on 120 Hz even if the system artificially limits them.
• 📱 Hidden network settings: for example, forced selection of a communication standard (2G/3G/4G/5G) or disabling aggressive switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
• 🔄 Acceleration of animation: Reducing the transition time between screens to 0.5x makes the interface visually faster.

But there is a downside: careless changes to this menu can lead to overheating of the processor, accelerated battery discharge or even soft-brick (when the smartphone turns on, but does not load beyond the logo).

Step-by-step: how to turn on the developer mode on Xiaomi

The activation procedure is the same for all devices on MIUI 12/13/14, including Redmi, POCO and Mi. It is important to check before you start that your smartphone is at least 30% charged – this will prevent a sudden shutdown during setting up.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone (or About Device on some firmware).
3. Find the line MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row, after 3-4 clicks, a pop-up notification will appear: "You're almost there!"
4. After pressing 7, you will see a message saying, “You’ve become a developer!” and the mode is activated, but the menu has not yet appeared in the settings.
5. Go back to the main Settings menu and find the new section Additional to → Developers (or just Developers in MIUI 14).

If the partition doesn’t appear right away, restart your smartphone. Some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50) may need to wait up to 5 minutes – this is due to background MIUI optimization.

⚠️ Warning: Devices with MIUI Global Stable may be alerted to a “potential security threat” after activation of the developer mode. This is OK — just press OK and continue. But if you see a message saying “This action is not allowed in your region,” your smartphone is tied to a regional firmware (e.g., Chinese or Indian), and you will need to change region via ADB to unlock.

Where is the developer menu after activation?

Depending on the MIUI version and the smartphone model, the path to the menu may vary slightly. Here are the current options for 2026:

If you don't find the menu on the paths indicated, try searching by settings (the magnifier icon at the top of the screen).

💡

On some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), the developer menu can be hidden until you turn on the switch at the top of the screen. Don't be alarmed if the partition seems empty after activation - just tap on the switch!

Top-5 Hidden Features of Developer Mode on Xiaomi

Now that you're on the menu, let's figure out which settings are really useful and which ones are better left out. We've selected the 5 most popular options that don't require deep technical knowledge, but can greatly improve the smartphone experience.

1. USB Debugging and Why It’s Not Just for Developers

This feature allows you to connect your smartphone to your computer for:

• 📱 Recover deleted files via ADB.
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader before the firmware.
• 🎮 Use emulators to run mobile games on PCs (e.g. BlueStacks or MuMu).

To include:

1. Go to Settings. → For developers.
2. Find Debugging over USB and activate the switch.
3. Confirm the resolution by pressing OK in the pop-up window.

2. Accelerate interface animation

By default, MIUI uses animations that are 1x long, which creates a smooth effect, but slows down.

• 🔍 Find the points: Window Animation Scale, Transition Animation Scale, Animator Duration Scale.
• ⚡ Set the value 0.5x for all three parameters.

Effect: The interface will respond to touch almost instantly, but visually switching between screens will become less smooth.

3. Forced 4K@60fps on for video

On many Xiaomi smartphones (such as Mi 10T or POCO F3), video recording in 4K@60fps is blocked by default due to CPU limitations or overheating.

1. In the developer menu, find the Video Recording Resolution (or Video Resolution).
2. Select 4K UHD (2160p) and set a frame rate of 60 fps.
3. Save the settings and restart the camera.

⚠️ Warning: On the Redmi Note 9 Pro and similar Snapdragon 720G processor models, forcing 4K@60fps to overheat can cause overheating in 5–7 minutes of recording. Watch the temperature of the case!

4. Disable aggressive battery optimization

MIUI is known for severely limiting the background activity of applications to save power, which leads to:

• 📵 Delays in receiving notifications (e.g., Telegram or WhatsApp)
• ⏳ Interrupting downloads in the background.
• 🎵 Stop music when the screen is locked.

To ease the restrictions:

1. In the developer menu, find the Background Process Limitation.
2. Set the value of Standard Limit or No Limits (at your own risk!).
3. Also disable Adaptive Battery and MIUI Optimization in the main battery settings menu.

5. Testing of fingerprint sensor

If the fingerprint scanner on your Xiaomi has become worse, there is a diagnostic tool in the developer mode:

1. Find the Hardware Test (or Hardware Test) item.
2. Select the Fingerprint test.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to check the sensor sensitivity.

If the test shows errors, try clearing the scanner's cache in the security settings or resetting the fingerprint settings.

💡

Not all developer mode features are secure. Changing the GPU- rendering settings, disabling application signature verification, or unlocking OEM can cause the system to malfunction.

What not to do in developer mode (risks and warnings)

Despite its usefulness, the developer menu is fraught with dangers, and here are 3 critical mistakes that users make most often:

1. Enabling Disable Signature Verification, which allows you to install modified APK- files, but also opens the door to malware, such as Trojans masquerading as legitimate apps (such as Google Play Services) and stealing bank card data.
2. Changing the settings of GPU- rendering.Options like Force GPU rendering or Disable HW overlays can speed up rendering graphics in games, but on weak chipsets (for example, Snapdragon 660 in Redmi Note 8 Pro) this causes artifacts on the screen and overheating.
3. Unlock OEMs without needing to. This option is only for customized recaps (TWRP) firmware or rooting. If you turn it on just in case, an attacker with physical access to the phone can reset a password or install spyware via Fastboot.

Also avoid changes in the following points:

• 🚫 Background process limit: The limitation of background processes (can break multitasking).
• 🚫 Force RTL layout is a forced mirror display of the interface (leads to bugs in applications).
• 🚫 Stay awake – The screen will not turn off when charging (the risk of pixel burnout on AMOLED).

How to turn off the developer mode on Xiaomi

If you no longer need advanced settings or want to return the smartphone to factory status (for example, before selling), the developer mode can be deactivated.

Method 1: Hiding the menu (without resetting the settings)

This method simply removes the section from the settings, but any changes previously applied (e.g., accelerated animation) will remain:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots at the top and select Show System.
3. Find the Settings app (com.android.settings) and clear its cache and data.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

After that, the section For developers will disappear, but to reactivate it, you just need to tap the MIUI version again 7 times.

Method 2: Complete reset of the developer settings

If you have changed critical settings (e.g. USB debugging or OEM- unlocking) and want to return everything to factory values:

1. Open the developer menu.
2. Scroll down and find Reset to defaults.
3. Confirm the action.

This will return all settings to the standard, but will not turn off the mode itself - the menu will remain in the settings.

Method 3: Hard reset (if the smartphone has become unstable)

If after changes in the developer mode Xiaomi began to brake, overheat or fly out in the bootloop, only a complete reset will help:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Hard reset will delete all data, including photos, contacts and apps. Pre-backup through Settings → Google → Backup.

Developer mode on different Xiaomi models: features and nuances

While the general principle of developer mode activation is the same for all Xiaomi devices, some models have unique nuances.

On devices with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Redmi 10C or POCO M4 Pro), some options may be blocked due to regional restrictions, in which case changing the firmware region through ADB will help:

adb shell settings put global region [code region]

Where [region code] is, for example, US for the US or IN for India.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi developer mode