How to open the settings for developers on Xiaomi: from MIUI 8 to MIUI 15

Developer mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a hidden settings section that gives access to dozens of additional system parameters. Here you can fine-tune the interface animation, debug performance, enable USB debugging to work with ADB, and activate functions that the manufacturer has hidden from ordinary users. Without this section, you can perform many operations from manual firmware updates to unlock the bootloader.

Unlike standard settings, the developer mode is not activated with a single click — it must first be unlocked through a special sequence of actions. However, the process may differ depending on the version of MIUI and device model: on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 15, the path will be one, and on the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 12 – another. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to enable the developer mode, including bypassing possible errors and nuances for different versions of firmware.

Why you need settings for developers on Xiaomi

Many users mistakenly believe that the developer mode is only for programmers or those who are engaged in firmware modification, in fact, even a regular user can use it to:

• 🔧 Acceleration of the system – disabling animation transitions and background processes.
• 📱 Unlock the bootloader (required for custom firmware installation such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 🔌 Debugging by USB — Without it, you will not be able to connect to the PC through ADB or Fastboot.
• 📡 Manual network settings – choosing the type of mobile network (2G/3G/4G/5G) or priority SIM-map.
• 🎮 Emulations of pressing – useful for automatic testing or playing with macros.

Moreover, some Xiaomi features are blocked by default and become available only after the developer mode is activated. For example, on some POCO models, you can not turn on 90 Hz or 120 Hz without first unlocking hidden settings.

⚠️ Attention: Some parameters in developer mode can cause the device to operate in an unstable way if they are changed without understanding the consequences. MIUI Optimization on older firmware often caused problems with notifications and gestures.

How to open the developer settings on Xiaomi: a universal way

The standard method works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 8 and later.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to About Phone (may be called About Device or Phone Information).
3. Find the MIUI version string and tap it 7 times in a row.
4. After the seventh press, a notification will appear: “You became a developer!”
5. Return to the main Settings menu – there will be a new section Additional → For developers.

If nothing happens after 7 taps, check:

• 📱 The model of the device - on some POCO The path may be different (see the next section).
• 🔄 System updates - if MIUI It is outdated, you may need to update first.
• 🔒 Password/pattern lock – Some firmware versions require proof of screen unlock before activation.

Check that you are using the "Version" MIUI", Not "Assembly Number"

Make sure you don’t have a child regimen or guest profile installed.

Restart the device and try again.

Update your firmware to the latest version via Settings → System Update-->

On some devices (such as the Xiaomi Mi A1/A2 or POCO F1 with pure Android One), instead of the MIUI version, you need to tap the build number, which is because these models use Google’s stock firmware rather than MIUI.

Features of activation on different models Xiaomi

Despite the universality of the basic method, some devices have their own nuances. Below is a table with features for popular lines:

If your model isn't in the table, try the standard method. On Xiaomi with MIUI 15 (2026), the path may be slightly different due to the updated interface, but the principle remains the same: you need to find information about the firmware version and tap it several times.

Xiaomi 13/14 Series

Redmi Note 10/11/12

POCO F3/F4/F5

Xiaomi Mi A1/A2/A3 (Android One)

Black Shark

Another model-->

What to do if the "Developers" section is missing after the update

One of the common problems is that the partition disappears after the MIUI update, and that's because the system resets some of the settings in major updates.

1. Repeat activation – go to About Phone → MIUI version and tap again 7 times.
2. Check the path – after the update, the section could move. Try: Settings → Additional → Settings for developers → System → Advanced Settings → Developer Settings → Memory →... (three dots) → Developers (on some firmware)

Reset the settings.

Settings → System → Resetting settings → Reset all settings

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 14+ The developer partition may be hidden due to security policy, in which case only manual firmware updates via Fastboot or contacting the service center will help.

If the partition never appears after the reset, check to see if the device has enterprise or test firmware installed. These builds often restrict access to developer mode. You can find out the type of firmware in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version — if the name contains the words Stable, Developer or Beta, it is standard firmware. If the company or Enterprise is specified, access to developer mode can be blocked.

The most useful features in the Xiaomi developer mode

When you activate the developer mode, you'll see dozens of settings, and we've selected the most useful ones for the average user:

• ⚡ Disabling animation – speeds up the interface: The scale of window animation → Disable Transition Animation Scale → Disable the duration of animation → No animation.
• 🔋 Battery Limitation – Extends battery life: Battery charge limitation → Set 80% or 90%
• 📶 Manual network setup – for better signal: Network type → choose LTE only if 4G works more stable 5G) Carrier aggregation → Turn on to speed up the mobile Internet
• 🖥️ Initiation of debugging USB — work-in ADB: Debugging by USB → Turn on the slider Allow unlocking OEM → necessary to unlock the loader
• 🎯 Setting the sensitivity of the screen – if the sensor is not responsive: Show touch → Visualizes the touches of Pointer Location → responsiveness

Be wary of the options associated with MIUI Optimization and Background Process Limit. These changes can lead to interface freezes or notification problems. If the device starts to slow after changing the settings, return everything to factory values or reset through Settings → System → Reset settings.

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Before changing critical settings (e.g., Don’t Turn Off the Screen or Background Processes), back up via Settings → System → Backup. This will help you quickly restore your health if something goes wrong.

How to turn off the developer mode on Xiaomi

If you don't need the advanced settings anymore, you can deactivate them.

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers.
2. In the upper right corner, click on... (three dots) and select Turn off.
3. Confirm the action if necessary.

On some firmware (MIUI 14+), the developer section can remain on the menu even after you turn off, but all changes are reset to standard. To completely remove the item from the settings, reset via Settings → System → Settings Reset → Reset all settings.

⚠️ Warning: Turning off the developer mode does not reset the parameters you have changed (e.g., battery cap or animations disabled) and must be manually returned before deactivation.

If you plan to sell or transfer the device to another person, it is recommended not only to turn off the developer mode, but also to perform a complete reset via Settings → System → Resetting → Delete all data. This will delete all personal data and return the smartphone to factory state.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When working with the developer mode, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

If none of these solutions worked, check to see if the device has a parental control app or antivirus that blocks system settings, which may restrict access to developer mode.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

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Xiaomi's developer mode is not just a tool for programmers, but also a way to fine-tune your device to your needs, and the rule of thumb is to change only the parameters that you understand, and always fix the initial values.