How to turn on the demo mode on the Xiaomi phone

Modern smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi have a huge number of hidden features that are not visible to the average user in the standard interface. One such feature is the so-called demo mode, which was originally created by engineers to demonstrate the device in electronics stores. However, this feature is also of interest to developers, testers and advanced enthusiasts who want to learn more about the operating system. MIUI.

Activating this mode opens up access to specific settings that allow you to simulate different scenarios of use of the gadget. Demo mode on Xiaomi is not intended for everyday use by ordinary owners, as it can limit the standard operation of the device or impose certain content on the lock screen.

In this article, we will discuss the mechanisms for activating hidden functions, discuss the risks and provide step-by-step instructions. It is important to understand that interfering with system settings requires caution and accurate follow-up to the algorithms of actions so as not to disrupt the stability of Android.

What is a demo mode and why you need it

Demo mode (or Retail Mode) is a special state of smartphone software that is activated by manufacturers or sellers for storefronts. When you pick up a phone in a store, it often works in this mode, showing bright wallpaper, limited features and constantly repetitive commercials. On Xiaomi and Redmi devices, this functionality is built deep into the system, but by default is hidden from the eyes of the end user.

The main purpose of this mode is to protect the device from random changes in settings by customers and show its best sides. The system automatically resets any changes made by shoppers when you reboot. For application developers and testers, it is a valuable tool to test how the software behaves in a restricted environment or in specific demonstration scenarios.

There is a misconception that turning this mode on a personal device can somehow speed it up or open up "secret" possibilities. In fact, the demo mode often just imposes restrictions: it can block the installation of applications from unknown sources, prevent resetting settings or force certain video files to run.

⚠️ Warning: Activating retail demo mode on a personal smartphone may make it impossible to fully use the device without flashing it. Be extremely careful when choosing options in the engineering menu.

In the context of debugging and testing, users often refer to demo mode as enabling developer mode or special debugging functions, and these are the tools that allow you to log, test interfaces, and manage the system at a low level. Next, we'll look at how to access these hidden partitions safely.

Preparing the device for activation of hidden functions

Before you start any manipulation of system settings, you need to properly prepare the smartphone.This minimizes the risk of data loss or accidental failure of the MIUI operating system. The first step should always be to back up important information, as accessing deep settings sometimes requires a data reset.

You’ll need a stable internet connection, as some features may require checking your Mi Account account or downloading additional components, and make sure your battery is at least 50% so that your device doesn’t turn off at a critical time of setup.

• 📱 Make a full backup of your data via the Mi Cloud cloud or locally to your computer.
• 🔋 Charge your smartphone to at least 60% for stable performance during changes.
• 🌐 Check for system updates in the settings menu and install the latest version.
• 🔒 Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account, as it may be required to confirm the actions.

On global versions of MIUI (Global ROM), some features may be trimmed or run differently than on Chinese versions (China ROM). If you plan to use debugging tools, knowing the exact version of the software will become critical.

After preparation, you can proceed to activate hidden menus, and do not ignore this step, as the absence of a backup can lead to the loss of contacts, photos and messages in the event of an unforeseen system failure.

How to Enable Developer Mode on Xiaomi

To access most engineering features, often confused with demo mode, you need to activate the Developer Menu.This is standard procedure for all Android devices, including Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. Without this step, access to debugging via USB and other important settings will be closed.

The activation process is simple, but it requires precision. You need to find the build number in the About section and quickly click on it several times, the system counts the number of clicks and after the seventh click reports successful activation.

Once you turn on the main settings menu, you'll see a new option called "Advanced" or "Advanced Settings" where you'll find a menu, and you'll find a lot of options like interface scale, animation speed, and, most importantly, USB debugging.

The inclusion of USB debugging allows the computer to interact with the phone at a deep level, sending commands through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) interface, a basic tool for professionals to install applications bypassing standard restrictions, make full backups and modify system files.

⚠️ Warning: Never turn on the debugging on USB This can give attackers access to your data through a debugging interface.

Some users mistakenly believe that the developer menu can find a switch "Retail Demo" In modern versions of MIUI, this switch is hidden or removed from the interface for ordinary users to avoid accidental activation of the storefront mode.

Activation of the demo mode through the engineering menu

If your goal is Retail Demo, it's almost impossible to turn it on on an unlocked device using standard interface settings, but there's a way to access an engineering menu that hides these features, and this method requires you to type special codes into the Phone application.

Dial the code ##6484## or ##4636##. First code opens. CIT-The second code opens the menu for testing phone information and usage statistics, and it's in the second menu that you can sometimes find hidden switches, although in the latest versions, you can find hidden switches. MIUI 13/14 their presence is not guaranteed.

In the testing menu (#4636##) go to "Use Statistics" or "Phone Information" and there may be items associated with the demo, but they are often blocked by system rights.

There is also an adb shell am start -n com.miui.mishop.connectivity/.activity.DemoModeActivity command that can be executed via a computer by connecting to a phone via ADB. This command tries to directly trigger the activity responsible for the demo mode. However, if the corresponding component is removed from the firmware (which often happens on Global ROM), the command will not give a result.

It is important to understand the difference between a developer mode and a demo mode: the first is for debugging code and managing the system, the second is for windows only. Confusion in terms often leads users to try to include unnecessary features that only interfere with normal smartphone operation.

Using ADB to manage system modes

The most professional way to influence hidden settings is to use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) toolkit, which requires a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and an installed driver for your device.

To start the work, you need to install platform-tools on the computer and enable debugging USB And you can see it in the developer menu, as described earlier, and when you connect your phone with a cable to your PC and you confirm the request on your smartphone screen, you have full control of the device.

adb devices


adb shell pm list packages | grep demo

The first team checks the connection, and the second tries to find packets associated with the demo mode in the system. If a packet is found (for example, com.mi.retail.demo), it can be tried to activate or deactivate. However, modern versions of MIUI have protection against such manipulation, and simple commands can be ignored without root rights.

You can also change the global settings of your system through ADB, for example, you can try to change the setting that determines the type of device or its behavior on the network, but it is worth remembering that incorrectly entering commands can lead to a “brickling” of the phone or endless restart (bootloop).

• 💻 Install current drivers ADB For your processor (Qualcomm, MediaTek).
• 🔌 Use quality original USB-stable-connection.
• 🛡️ Before entering commands, be sure to study their action in the official documentation of Android.

Using ADB puts a powerful tool in the user’s hands, but requires high skill. An error in the team’s syntax can lead to the removal of system applications or disruption of critical services.

Possible risks and problems with activation

Interfering with Xiaomi system modes carries a number of serious risks. The most common consequence of improperly activating demo mode is locking the device. The smartphone can go into a state where it requires a special store administrator password to exit, which the average user does not know.

In addition, activation of the showcase mode often leads to aggressive power consumption: the screen may not go out, the brightness is twisted to the maximum, and the background processes constantly update the demonstration content, which leads to rapid wear and tear of the battery and possible overheating of the device.

⚠️ Warning: Attempting to reset a device that is in active Retail mode via the Recovery menu may not help.The device may re-activate the demo mode after connecting to Wi-Fi, as binding often occurs at the server or secure partition level.

Another problem is the loss of warranty: If the service center finds traces of interference with the system software or activation of hidden engineering modes that led to a breakdown, warranty service may be denied, especially in cases where the user tried to obtain Root rights to activate hidden functions.

Also worth mentioning is the instability of work: demo mode can conflict with regular user applications, for example, notifications may stop working, incoming calls may be blocked or access to the file system is restricted. Restoring normal work often requires a complete flashing of the device with all data cleared.

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Tip: If you accidentally activate demo mode and your phone is locked, try entering the code ##7780### or perform a full reset via Recovery (Wipe Data). If this doesn't work, you'll need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode.

How to exit the demo mode and return the settings

If you find yourself in a situation where the demo mode has been activated and interferes with work, you need to take steps to turn it off. The easiest way, if the device is not locked with a password, is to find the Demo Mode option in the settings (often hidden in the About Phone section when you repeatedly click on the MIUI version or in special menus) and select "Stop Demo Mode".

In the case when the interface is locked or settings are not available, only a full reset will help. Go to the Recovery menu (pressing the volume button up and the power button when the phone is turned off). Select a language (if available) and click Wipe Data -> Wipe All Data. This will delete all user data and return the phone to factory state.

If that doesn't work, you'll need a computer, a Mi Flash Tool, and a Fastboot ROM for your model, and the process is as follows:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool on your PC.
2. Download Fastboot ROM for your phone model.
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (clutching the volume button down and connecting the cable to the PC).
4. In the program, select the firmware file and press the "Flash" button.
5. Wait until the process is over, the phone will restart with a clean system.

Once successfully flashed, the phone will be like new, with no trace of demo or storefront restrictions, a guaranteed way to bring the device back to life, but it takes time and a computer.

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The only guaranteed way to completely remove the showcase mode is to clean flashing the device (Clean All) through Fastboot.