Developer mode on Xiaomi Redmi 7: how to turn on and what gives

Xiaomi Redmi 7 is one of the brand’s most popular budget smartphones, but even years after its release, its capabilities can be expanded.The hidden developer mode gives access to dozens of additional options, from fine tuning animations to debugging on USB.

In this article, you will find a step-by-step instruction with illustrations, understand why you need a developer mode on Redmi 7, and learn which settings can be safely changed and which ones should not be touched, and we will also tell you how to turn off the mode if it is no longer needed, and what to do if after changes the smartphone began to work unstable.

Important: The activation procedure is the same for all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 12/13/14), but some menu items may differ slightly. If you have custom firmware, check compatibility before changing system settings.

What is a developer mode and why you need it on Redmi 7

Developer Mode is a hidden Android settings section designed to test and debug apps. On Xiaomi Redmi 7, it lets you:

• 🔧 Speed up the interface – disable or reduce animation transitions between screens.
• 📱 Unlocking the bootloader is the first step to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).
• 🖥️ Enable debugging on USB — necessary for the operation of ADB, Firmware through Fastboot or Data Recovery.
• 📡 Change network settings – force activate 4G instead 3G or disable the automatic operator selection.
• 🔄 Reset Dalvik cache – helps with lags and errors of system applications.

But not all functions are equally useful. GPU-rendering can lead to graphic artifacts, and activation OEM Unlock will reset all the data on the device, so you should back up before you experiment.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 7s MIUI Global, some developer options may be blocked by the manufacturer. For example, it is impossible to disable MIUI Optimization without root rights.

Step-by-step: how to turn on the developer mode on Redmi 7

Activation takes less than a minute, but requires precise steps, and an error at any stage will result in the system not unlocking hidden settings.

1. Open Settings on your Redmi 7.
2. Scroll down and select About Phone.
3. Find the line Version MIUI (MIUI version) and tap it 7 times in a row.
4. After 4-5 taps, a notification will appear: “You’re almost there!”. Continue tapping until you see the message “You’re a developer!”
5. Go back to the main Settings menu, and now a new section will appear. → Developers (Additional Settings) → Developer options).

If the section does not appear, check:

• 📱 You were just walking the Version. MIUI, Not the Android version or the device model.
• 🔄 Restart your smartphone – sometimes changes are applied after a reboot.
• 🔒 Make sure there are no parental controls or corporate policies on the device (relevant for work phones).

Where to find the developer settings after activation

Once activated successfully, the partition can be hidden in different locations depending on the version of MIUI.

If the partition disappeared after the MIUI update, repeat the activation procedure (7 taps according to the firmware version), sometimes Xiaomi resets this option with large updates.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 7s MIUI China (Chinese version of firmware) the path may be different. Use search by settings by entering the query "developer".

What developer settings can be safely changed on Redmi 7

Not all settings in the Developer section are equally secure, and we've compiled a list of options that you can turn on without the risk of "bricking" the device:

• ⚡ Turn off animation scale (Window animation scale, Transition animation scale) - speeds up transitions between screens: 0.5x.
• 🔌 Stay awake (Do not turn off the screen when charging) – convenient for testing or watching videos.
• 📶 Forced to turn on 4G (Preferred network type – if the smartphone is constantly switching to the 3G.
• 🖱️ Show taps – visualizes the touch points on the screen (useful for creating instructions).
• 🔍 Enable a Bug report shortcut – allows you to quickly send a log to developers.

Here is what you should not touch without experience:

• 🚫 OEM Unlock – Unlocking the bootloader erases all data.
• 🚫 Force GPU rendering – can cause graphical glitches.
• 🚫 Disable HW overlays – leads to interface lags.
• 🚫 USB Debugging security settings – weakens protection when connected to a PC.

💡

If after changing the settings, the smartphone began to slow down, return all parameters to the “Default” state (button in the upper right corner of the developer section).

How to turn off the developer mode on Redmi 7

If hidden settings are no longer needed, they can be deactivated in two ways:

1. Through the menu: Go to Settings → For developers and translate the slider to the Off position (at the top of the screen).
2. Through Reset: Go to Settings → System → Settings Reset → Reset Network/Application Settings. This will remove all user settings, including developer mode.

Important: Turning off the developer mode does not reset the settings you have changed (such as the animations you have disabled).

If you plan to sell or transfer a smartphone, it is better to perform a full reset (Factory Reset), as some parameters (for example, the first time you have a smartphone) are not available, ADB-Debugging may pose a risk to the safety of the new owner.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the right developer mode activation, Redmi 7 users are facing problems.

If Redmi 7 starts spontaneously restarting after the developer mode is turned on, check:

• 🔋 Is the Automatic System Updates option activated in the developer settings.
• 📴 Is the smartphone connected to the ADB Computer (may cause conflicts).
• 🛠️ Are there incompatible Magisk modules installed (if there are root rights).

💡

If after changes in the developer mode, the smartphone stopped turning on, try to go to Recovery Mode (press Power + Volume Up) and reset the cache (Wipe Cache).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions