Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI shells or the new HyperOS are complex computing devices with a huge number of hidden functions. The standard interface that the average user sees only hides the tip of the system capabilities iceberg. Deep customization, hardware diagnostics, or specific features often require access to hidden sections of the interface that are not displayed in the standard application list.
Understanding how to open a menu on a Xiaomi phone can be required in a variety of situations, from checking the quality of the cellular signal to resetting the fingerprint counter or calibrating the display. It is important to distinguish between the standard settings menu, the developer menu and the engineering menu, since each of these levels provides a different set of tools and requires varying degrees of caution when using.
In this guide, we will go into detail all the legal and safe ways to access hidden functions of your smartphone. We will look at the methods of activation through standard settings, using special codes and working with a computer.
Access to the standard hidden developer menu
The most secure and most commonly used section for advanced users is the developer menu, which allows you to manage debugging over USB, select display emulation, set a limit to background processes, and enable other useful features. To activate this partition, you don't need to enter complex codes or connect your phone to your computer. All actions are performed directly in the device interface.
The activation process is simplified by Xiaomi engineers for the convenience of testers and enthusiasts. → You'll find the line "Version" here. MIUI» Or "version of the OS" and quickly click on it 7-10 The system will notify you of the number of clicks remaining until the message "You became a developer" appears».
Once activated successfully, the new item will appear in the main settings menu, usually at the bottom of the list or inside the "Additional" section, which is where the tools for creating screenshots without delay, adjusting the screen refresh rate and managing Bluetooth codecs are located.
- 📱 Debugging by USB — allows you to transfer data between the computer and the phone, install applications through ADB.
- 🎨 The width of the smallest width changes the density of pixels (DPI), making the interface more compact or large.
- 🚀 Acceleration of animation – changing the scale of animation windows and transitions to visually speed up the system.
You don't want to change things that you don't know what you're doing, like changing Minimum Width to too little can make the interface unreadable, and it's hard to get it back without resetting the settings. You can reset the developer menu at the very top of the same section with the Reset button.
Engineering menu and codes for diagnostics
The engineering menu is a deep level of diagnostics designed for service centers, where you can check the operation of the sensor, speakers, vibromotor and communication modules. On Xiaomi devices, access to it is often closed or requires special conditions, but the basic diagnostic codes work on most models.
To call the engineering menu or diagnostic mode, you use a standard phone. Enter the code ##6484## (corresponding to the letters CIT on the keyboard). If the code is suitable for your model and firmware version, the CIT (Customer Integration Test) menu will open. Here are the tests for each hardware component.
There are other codes that can be useful, like #4636##, which opens up a testing menu where you can see detailed battery usage statistics, Wi-Fi information, and network details, and in the Phone Information section, you can force a network type switch, such as selecting only LTE Only if the signal is unstable.
⚠️ Warning: On menu 4636, do not change the radio settings unless you are sure of the action. LTE» in areas where there is no coverage 4G, will cause complete loss of communication before rebooting or manually returning settings.
Some codes, such as ##7780###, can trigger a reset. On newer versions of MIUI, this code is often blocked or requires confirmation of the Mi Account password. Always check the relevance of the code for your particular model before entering.
Using ADB to open hidden settings
When standard methods and codes don’t work, debugging comes to the rescue. ADB (Android Debug Bridge is a powerful tool that allows you to control your smartphone from your computer via the command line, and you need to activate the developer menu and include the Debugging by Debugging option in it. USB».
First, connect your phone to your computer through a high-quality cable, and you'll see a request for debugging permission on your device screen, you'll check "Always Allow" and press "OK." The computer will have ADB drivers installed and a minimum set of platform tools installed.
☑️ Preparation for work with ADB
Adb shell commands are used to open hidden settings that do not have a graphical interface, for example, to hide or show certain icons in a status bar, you can use the command:
adb shell settings put global icon_blacklist battery,syncYou can also open specific application activity through ADB, and if you know the name of the package and activity class, the adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings command will run the desired menu, which is useful for accessing hidden setting pages that have been removed from the interface but remain in the system code.
- 🔍 Search for hidden activities – use launcher apps or ADB-Search for hidden activity.
- ⚙️ Global settings – changing system variables through settings put.
- 📦 System garbage removal – secure removal of undeleteable applications via pm uninstall.
Specificity of access on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi regularly updates its shell, and with each major update (MIUI 12, 13, 14, HyperOS) the paths to hidden features may change.What worked on the Redmi Note 9 with Android 10 can be blocked or moved to the Xiaomi 14 with HyperOS.
Recent firmware versions tend to shut down the engineering menu for ordinary users, codes may stop working, and new warnings appear on the developer menu, for security and stability reasons.
On Global ROM devices, access may differ from the Chinese version (China ROM), and Chinese versions often have a more open architecture for local services, while global stricter ones are privacy and security.
| Model / Version | CIT code (##6484##) | Developer menu | Note |
|:--- |:---: |:---: |:--- |
| Redmi Note 10 (MIUI 12) | Operating | Standard | Full access |
| Xiaomi 13 (HyperOS) | Operating | Standard | Limited network access |
| POCO F5 (MIUI 14) | Operating | Standard | Mi Account | Required
| Redmi 9A (MIUI 12) | Operating | Standard | Basic functionality |
Why isn't the code working?
Alternative methods and applications-assistants
If the built-in tools don't work, you can use third-party software. There are many apps in the Google Play store that create shortcuts for hidden Android activities. These apps don't hack the system, but simply provide a user-friendly interface to call existing but hidden menus.
One popular solution is to use launchers or specialized utilities like Hidden Settings or Activity Launcher, and once you install an application, you get a list of all the available activities, and if you find the right one (like Hardware Testing), you can launch it with a single touch.
However, it is worth remembering the risks of installing third-party software. Apps from unverified sources may contain advertising or collect data, always check the permissions the application requests, and read reviews from other users.
⚠️ Note: Apps that promise to “unblock all menus” for money are often fraudulent.
Using these shortcuts is especially convenient when you need to switch between network modes often or run speaker tests. You can put the desired shortcut on the desktop for quick access.
Precautions and system restoration
Changes in critical parameters in the engineering menu or through ADB can lead to a “boot” (cyclical reboot), loss of data or inoperability of communication modules.
If you've done something wrong, the first step is to restart the device, and in most cases, the system will roll back the wrong settings, and if the problem is more serious, you may need to reset to factory settings via the Recovery menu.
💡
Before changing any settings in the engineering menu, take a screenshot of the original parameters values, which will allow you to quickly return everything as it was if something goes wrong.
To enter Recovery mode on Xiaomi, you usually need to turn off your phone and press the volume buttons (up or down) and the power button at the same time. In this menu, you can select the "Wipe Data" option for a complete reset. Remember, this will delete all your files, photos and contacts.
- 🔄 Resetting – a universal way to fix errors after incorrect changes.
- 💾 Backup is a mandatory step before any experimentation with the system.
- 🔋 Battery Charge – Do not perform risky operations if the phone charge is below 50%.
The rule is, don't change your settings randomly, understand what each setting is for before you activate it, and if you're not sure what you're doing, you'd better leave it as it is.
💡
The security of your data and the stability of your smartphone are more important than experimenting with hidden features. Use the engineering menu only when you need it.