How to open the menu for developers on Xiaomi Redmi 9: full instructions with pictures and tips

The developer mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a hidden control panel that gives access to dozens of additional settings. On the Redmi 9 model (including the Redmi 9A, 9C, 9T modifications), this mode allows you to fine-tune performance, debug applications, change animation settings and even unlock some of the limitations of MIUI. However, by default it is disabled - it must be activated manually through a special sequence of actions.

Many users mistakenly think that the developer menu is only for programmers, but it is also useful for regular Redmi 9 owners: it can speed up the interface, turn off unnecessary background processes or enable debugging over USB to transfer files without restrictions. The main thing is to know how to open it correctly and what settings should not be changed without needing. In this article, we will analyze all the activation methods, talk about the key functions of the mode and warn about the possible risks.

If you've tried to turn on a developer menu before, but you didn't succeed, don't worry. Most often, the problem is the wrong press sequence or the outdated version of MIUI. We tested the instructions on Redmi 9 with MIUI firmware 12, 13 and 14, so we guarantee that the method will work. And if something goes wrong, at the end of the article you will find a section with solution errors.

Why the Developer Menu is Hidden by Default

Xiaomi, like other Android device makers, hides the developer mode for several reasons: First, incorrect changes in parameters can lead to unstable smartphone operation: slowing down the interface, fast battery discharge, or even “drops” of system applications. For example, disabling application signature verification (USB Debugging security settings make the device vulnerable to malware.

Second, some of the features in the developer mode are designed to be tested and debugged, and they can conflict with optimizations. MIUI, Xiaomi is implementing to improve the user experience, such as forced inclusion. GPU-Acceleration for all applications (Force) GPU rendering) can cause graphic artifacts in games or even overheating of the processor.

Finally, hiding the developer menu is part of Google’s policy of unifying Android, which is disabled by default on all devices so that ordinary users can’t accidentally change critical settings, but that doesn’t mean that the developer mode is dangerous in itself, it just needs to be used consciously.

⚠️ Attention: Change of parameters OEM Unlocking or Mi Unlock status in the developer menu can result in Xiaomi resetting protection and locking the bootloader.This will make it harder to install custom firmware and can void the warranty.

Despite the risks, the Redmi 9 developer mode offers useful features:

• 🔧 Acceleration of animation: reducing the transition time between screens (Window animation scale, Transition animation scale).
• 📱 Debugging by USB: necessary for the operation of ADB, transferring files through a computer or using tools such as Scrcpy.
• 🔄 Background Processes: Limiting the number of running applications to save battery.
• 📊 Statistics CPU: Monitoring the processor in real time.

Preparing a smartphone before activating the developer mode

Before you open the developer menu on Redmi 9, make sure your device is ready for the changes.

• 📱 Battery charge: at least 30% In rare cases, activation of the mode may cause a reboot.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest patches.
• 🔒 Screen lock: set up PIN-This is required for certain functions (e.g., a code or a pattern lock, OEM Unlocking).
• 📁 Backup: Create a backup of important data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Pay special attention to the MIUI version. On Redmi 9 with firmware older than MIUI 12, the path to the developer menu may be different. For example, in MIUI 14, the About Phone section is called About the Device, and the MIUI version is hidden deeper. If you are not sure about the version, check it out this way:

1. Open the Settings.
2. Go to the phone (or device) about.
3. Find the MIUI version line and the number will be listed (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.2).

⚠️ If your Redmi 9 is running under control MIUI for Russia (RU), Some menu items may not be translated correctly, such as the Build number sometimes called the Build Number or the Build Version.

Also note that once the developer mode is activated, some features (such as OEM Unlocking) may require a Mi Account to be linked. If you don’t have one, register in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

How to open the developer menu on Redmi 9

Activation of the developer mode on Redmi 9 takes no more than a minute if you follow the exact sequence. Here is a universal method that works on all versions of MIUI (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T):

1. Open “Settings” (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device in MIUI 14).
3. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row.
4. After 3-4 taps, a notification will appear: You are almost at the target!
5. After pressing 7, the system will show a message: You became a developer!

If done correctly, a new section will appear in the main Settings menu — Additional → For Developers (or just for Developers in MIUI 14), and you can go there and customize the settings to suit your needs.

An important nuance: some firmware Xiaomi requires to enter a password or PIN-It's a standard security measure -- just confirm the action.

If the developer menu does not appear, check:

• 🔍 Did you click on the Version correctly? MIUI (Not on the Model Number or Android Version).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes changes apply after a reboot.
• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (instruction above).

Where is the developer menu after activation?

Once activated successfully, the Developer Form can be located in different locations depending on the version of MIUI. Here are all the possible paths on Redmi 9:

If you don’t see the section even after activating it correctly, try searching by settings:

1. Open the Settings.
2. Slip the magnifying glass icon (search) in the upper right corner.
3. Enter the request: for developers or developers.
4. The system must provide direct access to the menu.

On MIUI firmware 14.0.3 and later, the section “For Developers” can be hidden if you have not confirmed your Mi Account. To see it, go to “Settings → Xiaomi Account” and sign in.

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If the developer menu is gone after the MIUI update, repeat the activation procedure (7 taps on the MIUI version).

The main settings of the developer mode: what can and cannot be changed

Now that the developer menu is activated, we're going to figure out which options are good for a regular Redmi 9 user and which ones are better left out.

1. Safe (can be changed): 🎨 Window animation scale, Transition animation scale. 🔋 Background process limit (useful for battery saving). 📱 Force GPU rendering – forced use GPU (It can improve performance in games).
2. Caution (exchange with risk understanding): 🔓 OEM Unlocking – unlocking the bootloader (needed for custom firmware, but resets data). 🐞 USB debugging - debugging by USB (Opens access to the system through the computer). 🔄 Stay awake – the screen does not turn off when charging (accelerates wear of the display).
3. Dangerous (not recommended): ⚠️ Disable HW overlays – can cause graphical glitches. ⚠️ Force RTL layout – mirrors the interface (mixes the settings). ⚠️ Disable Bluetooth A2DP hardware - breaks the work of Bluetooth headphones.

The most popular setting among Redmi 9 users is to speed up animations, to make the interface faster:

1. Open the Settings. → For developers.
2. Find the items: Window animation scale (Window animation scale), Transition animation scale (Engineering animation) Animator duration scale (Engineering duration)

0.5x

Disconnected.

The effect will be noticeable immediately: apps will open faster, and transitions between screens will become smoother. However, note that when disabled, some animations can look sharp.

⚠️ Warning: Changing the Minimum width setting in the developer menu will cause some apps to display incorrectly, a popular UI stretching trick, but it often breaks the layout on instant messengers and social media.

How to turn off the developer menu on Redmi 9

If you no longer need a developer mode or want to hide it from outsiders, there are two ways to turn it off:

Method 1: Resetting through settings

1. Open the Settings. → For developers.
2. In the upper right corner, tap on three points (menu).
3. Select Reset or Turn Off (depending on the MIUI version).

Method 2: Complete reset (if the first method did not work)

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Confirm the action (the data will not be deleted, only the settings will be reset).

Once disabled, the Developer section will disappear from the settings menu, and to return it back, you will have to re-click 7 times on the MIUI version.

Important: If you have enabled OEM Unlocking or USB debugging, their status will reset only after the phone is completely reset to factory settings (with loss of data).

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Turning off the developer menu does not affect the performance of the phone.All changes you made (such as speeding up animations) will remain active until manually reset.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you're working with the Redmi 9 developer menu, you're going to have a few common mistakes, and we've put together solutions for the most common cases.

• 🔍 Menu does not appear after 7 taps: Check that you tap on the Version MIUI, Update the firmware to the latest version, restart the phone and try again.
• 🔒 Password required, but you didn't set it: This is standard protection MIUI. Use the same one. PIN-If you forget your password, reset it through Settings. → Password and security.
• ⚠️ After changing the settings, the phone overheats: Return Force settings GPU rendering and background process limit to the original state. Check if resource-intensive applications are running in the background.
• 📱 It's not working. USB-Debugging: Make sure that the developer menu includes an item USB Debugging. On your computer, install Xiaomi drivers (you can download from the official website). USB-cable (preferably original).

If Redmi 9 starts to slow down or reboot after a change in the developer menu, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings. → For developers.
2. Click on the three dots in the top corner and select Reset Settings.
3. If that doesn’t help, make a full reset via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

In extreme cases, you can use the recovery mode (Recovery Mode):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Reset Settings (Manage volume buttons, confirmation – power button).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions