Xiaomi smartphone users often face the need to access deep system settings that are hidden from the standard interface. A hidden engineering menu known as the Main Menu or CIT (Customer Integration Test) provides access to hardware diagnostics, screen calibration, and communication module testing.
Enabling this functionality requires specific actions that may vary depending on the shell version. MIUI or HyperOS. Standard input methods USSD-codes are often blocked by carriers or the Android security system itself in new firmware versions, so it’s important to understand not only the sequence of actions, but also the reasons why this or that method may not work on your device.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of activating the main menu, from simple combinations of numbers to the use of debugging tools. You will learn how to safely diagnose a display, touch screen or sensors without risking disrupting the operating system. Remember, interfering with system parameters requires care.
What is the Main Menu Engineering Menu?
Main Menu on Xiaomi devices is a specialized diagnostic interface designed primarily for service center employees and engineers in the production. Unlike the usual “Developer” menu, which is available to most users, the engineering mode allows you to interact directly with the hardware components of the smartphone at a low level.
You can run automatic testing of all the modules, check the vibrator, speakers, microphones, and even change the color display settings on the screen. Often, this interface is used to calibrate the proximity sensor if standard reset methods do not help. Access to these functions is limited to prevent accidental changes in critical settings of the average user.
There is a misconception that Main Menu allows you to unlock a bootloader or get root rights. In fact, it is a testing and verification tool (CIT), not a hack. Although some hidden switches can affect the behavior of the system, their main purpose is to detect malfunctions of the hardware part of the device before sale or after repair.
⚠️ Warning: Changing unknown parameters in the engineering menu may cause communication modules or displays to malfunction%.
How is CIT different from the usual engineering menu?
Preparation of the device before activation
Before attempting to turn on the main menu, you need to make sure that the device is ready for diagnostic procedures. First of all, check the battery power: for a full test of all modules, especially the screen and vibration, the charge level should be at least 30%.
It is also recommended to disable all Bluetooth devices and third-party accessories that can interfere with sensor tests.If you plan to use ADB commands to access, make sure that the computer has Xiaomi USB Driver drivers and Android SDK Platform-Tools installed. Without this, a debugging protocol connection will not be possible.
☑️ Pre-launch checks
It is important to have a screen unlock password on hand, as some tests require interaction with a locked device or reset temporary security settings. If the phone is on Do Not Disturb mode, it is better to temporarily turn it off so that system notifications do not interrupt the process of launching hidden functions.
Input method USSD-code
The most common and easy way to get into the hidden menu is the use of special USSD-commands via the phone app, but in modern versions MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS have been blocked by operators or removed from the registry, but it’s worth the effort, especially on older models.
Open the standard caller and type one of the following combinations: enter the characters quickly, without pause. If the code is valid for your model and region, the menu will open automatically as soon as the last character is entered.
- 📞 ##6484## is the main code for entering the CIT Menu (works on most global versions).
- 📞 ##4636## - Testing and information menu (often used to check network and battery).
- 📞 ##64663## - Alternative code for engineering menus on some Redmi models.
If nothing happens after you enter the code, or if you see a message that says “Code is invalid,” it means that this method is blocked by your firmware, in which case you should not download dubious apps from the Play Market that promise to unlock these codes – they often contain advertising and do not have access to the system APIs.
💡
If the standard codes don’t work, it means a lockdown by the operator or manufacturer, not a phone breakdown.
Use of the Engineering Menu application through settings
In some assemblies MIUI The diagnostic login label is already built into the system, but hidden. To activate it, go to Settings and select About Phone. Find the line "Kernel version" or "Version" MIUI» and press it. 7-10 fast.
After that, a notice may appear, “You’ve become a developer,” or an additional menu will immediately open. Sometimes the desired shortcut appears in the “Advanced Settings” section called CIT or Engineering Mode. It’s also worth checking the Service & Feedback folder, which often contains a “Verify” or “Testing” button.
In newer versions of the shell, access to the full Main Menu through settings can be limited to a basic set of tests. If you only see a network or battery check, but there is no list of all hardware components, then you will need a more advanced activation method through ADB.
| Access method | Probability of success | Difficulty | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| USSD-code | 60% | Low. | Working SIM-map |
| Settings (7 clicks) | 40% | Low. | Access to the About Phone menu |
| ADB Teams | 95% | Tall. | PC, USB-cable, drivers |
| Assistant applications | 20% | Medium | Root-right (often) |
Activation via ADB and debugging via USB
The most reliable way to run almost all Xiaomi devices, regardless of the firmware version, is to run the activity of the engineering menu through a computer. USB, PC and installed ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
First, turn on the developer mode: go to Settings → About the phone and press 7 times on the "Version" MIUI». Then go to Settings. → Additional settings → For developers and activate the "Debugging by" switch USB». Connect your smartphone to your computer and allow access on the device screen.
Open the Command Prompt (CMD) or terminal on your computer in the ADB folder and enter the following command to run the master engineering menu:
adb shell am start -n com.miui.cit/com.miui.cit.CITActivityIf the command is successful, the full list of Main Menu tests will instantly open on the smartphone screen. In some cases, the batch name may differ, then try the universal command to start the test activity:
adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.HardwareInfo💡
Use the adb device command before you start to make sure your computer sees the phone. If the list is blank, check the drivers or cable.
Diagnosis and testing of components
Once inside the main menu, you'll see a list of all the modules available. Each item corresponds to a specific test. For example, select TouchPanel to check the touchscreen, you'll be asked to draw a line through all the points on the screen, which is the best way to identify dead zones.
The Display section allows you to check broken pixels and the uniformity of the backlight. The Vibrator test will turn on vibration for a few seconds, which is useful for checking the mechanism after a fall.
- 🎨 Color – check the display of colors and gradients on the screen.
- 🔊 Speaker/Receiver — test of the main speaker and the conversational dynamics.
- 📡 GPS/WiFi/BT — check of antennas and communication modules.
After passing each test, the system usually returns a Pass (successfully) or Fail (error). If you see a Fail on a seemingly serviceable device, try re-run the test. A single error can be a software failure.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to use the "Write" function IMEI» or «RF Tests without professional equipment, which can cause a signal loss or a device lock by the operator.
Possible problems and solutions
Often users are faced with a situation where the menu opens but tests don't start or the phone reboots.This can be a sign of software conflict or system files corruption. First of all, try clearing the CIT app cache through the application settings.
If the menu doesn't open at all, it's possible that the device has a Global ROM on Chinese hardware, where some diagnostic pathways have been changed, in which case only flashing to the corresponding region version or using custom recavers to access logs helps.
In rare cases, access is blocked by antivirus or system protection MIUI Optimization. Try temporarily disabling MIUI optimization in the developer menu ("Enable MIUI optimization"), but remember that this can change the way the interface and fonts look.