How to turn on the developer mode on Xiaomi: hidden settings MIUI

Developer mode on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones opens access to dozens of hidden features that the manufacturer hides from ordinary users. It's not just a "secret menu" - it's a full-fledged tool for fine-tuning the system, debugging applications and even overclocking hardware. But why Xiaomi blocks these options by default? It's about security: improper changes can lead to failures, overheating or even "brick" of the device.

In this article, you will learn not only how to turn on the developer mode on any Xiaomi (including the 2026 models on MIUI 15), but also which features should be activated first and which should not be touched. We will analyze the nuances for different versions of the firmware, warn against typical errors and show how to return everything if something goes wrong. No water is only validated data and screenshots from real devices.

Why do I need a developer mode on Xiaomi?

Many users mistakenly think that this mode is only necessary for programmers, in fact, even the ordinary owner of Xiaomi, it can be useful for:

• 🔧 Acceleration of animations – reducing the transition time between screens to 0.5x (Especially important for the weaker models of the Redmi type. 9A).
• 📱 Unlocking the bootloader is the first step to install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
• 🔄 Forced activation 4K/60fps Video recording (on some Xiaomi models) 13 Ultra works even without root rights).
• 🛠️ Debugging by USB — Without it, you won't be able to use it. ADB, Fastboot or connect the device to Android Studio.
• 📡 Manually changing the network region – useful for unlocking additional bands 4G/5G.

But there’s a flip side: some settings can disrupt the stability of MIUI, especially if you change the parameters of the kernel or graphics accelerator. For example, activating the Force GPU rendering option on weak chipsets (Snapdragon 4xx) often leads to artifacts in games.

⚠️ Note: On devices with HyperOS (new firmware from Xiaomi), some of the developer options are moved to the Special Features menu. Don't confuse them - this section does not contain dangerous parameters for the system.

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

The activation process is the same for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, but there are nuances for different versions of MIUI/HyperOS.

1. Open Settings → About the phone (on HyperOS, the path can be called About the device).
2. Find the MIUI Version (or HyperOS Version) string and tap it 7 times in a row, and the system starts counting: "5 steps left to developer status."
3. After the 7th tap, a notification will appear: You are now a developer!
4. Return to the main Settings menu, and a new Developer Options section will appear.

If the section does not appear, check:

• 🔍 Did you click on the Version correctly? MIUI, Not a phone model.
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes the system doesn’t update the menu right away.
• 📱 In some models (POCO F5, Xiaomi 12T) You need to first unlock Additional settings in the upper right corner of the screen About the phone.

Check the battery charge (minimum 30%|Make a backup copy of important data|Make sure there is no child account on the device|Shut down. VPN (It can block access to settings)-->

On HyperOS (firmware for new models in 2026), the path is a little different:

Settings → About phone → Software Information → HyperOS version (stamp 7 times)

Where is the developer menu after activation?

Once successfully enabled, the Developer section can be "hidden" depending on the firmware version.

If you don’t see the section even after the reboot, try:

1. Enter the search for the settings of the request developer (or developer in English firmware).
2. Check if the partition is hidden through the Settings function → Home Screen → Hidden Settings (relevant to MIUI 14).
3. Set regional settings for India or Russia – on some firmware menus are hidden for European regions.

MIUI 14|HyperOS 1.0|MIUI 13 or older|Custom firmware (LineageOS, etc.)|I don't know.-->

Top.-5 useful functions in the developer menu

Not all options are equally useful. We have selected the 5 most popular features that will not harm the system, but will significantly improve the user experience:

1. acceleration of animation (Window animation scale)

By default, MIUI uses 1x animation, which creates a "brake" effect when switching between applications.

• Window animation scale → 0.5x
• Transition animation scale → 0.5x
• Animator duration scale → 0.5x (if)

The effect is that the interface will react instantly, like an iPhone, on weak devices (Redmi Note 10), this gives an increase in speed of up to 30%.

2. enable debugging over USB (USB debugging)

Without this option, it is impossible:

• 🖥️ Connect to Android Studio to Develop Apps.
• 🔧 Use it. ADB fitting APK, backup or unlock the loader.
• 📱 Manage your phone from a PC via Scrcpy or Vysor.

After activation, do not forget to confirm the PC permission on the first connection!

3. Unlocking OEM (OEM Unlocking)

This option is mandatory for:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader via Fastboot.
• 📱 Installations of custom Recovery (TWRP, OrangeFox).
• 🔄 Firmware informal ROM (Pixel Experience, CrDroid).

On the newer models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+), this option can be hidden until you link your Mi Account to your device and wait 7 days (anti-theft protection).

4. Forced 4K/60fps on for camera

On flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Mix Fold 3), this feature is often blocked by default.

1. Activate Disable HW overlays (disables hardware acceleration graphics).
2. Enable Force 4x MSAA (Ammolishing for Games)
3. Restart the device and check the camera settings – 4K@60fps should appear.

⚠️ Warning: On weak processors (Snapdragon) 7xx) This can cause overheating and automatic shutdown of the camera.

Change of network region (Preferred network type)

If your Xiaomi isn’t catching 5G or some 4G bands, try manually specifying the region:

1. In the developer menu, find the Set preferred network type.
2. Select LTE/NR (5G) or Global instead of Automatic Mode.
3. Redmi Note 12 and later may require a reboot.

💡

If the mobile Internet is lost after the network change, return the settings to Automatically and restart the phone. Sometimes resetting the APN (in the Mobile Network menu) helps.

Dangerous settings: what not to touch

Not all options on the developer menu are harmless, but here is a list of options that can lead to:

• 🔥 Overheating (e.g. Force) GPU rendering on weak chipsets).
• 🔄 Cyclical reboot (change Minimum width for the DPI).
• 📵 Network loss (incorrect settings Mobile data is always active).
• 🔋 Refresh battery discharge (activation of Stay awake or Background process limit).

Especially dangerous:

• 🚨 Disable permission monitoring – disables permission control for applications (virus risk).
• 🚨 Force allow apps on external – may cause data loss SD-map.
• 🚨 Enable MiFreeForm – Experimental multitasking mode, often causing lags.

⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS devices, changing the Kernel version or Build number settings may result in air-blocked updates (OTA). Restoring access to updates will only be possible through a full reset.

How to turn off the developer mode

If you no longer need advanced settings, you can deactivate them:

1. Go to Settings. → For developers.
2. In the upper right corner, press the switch (it should turn grey).
3. Confirm the disconnection in the dialog window.

On some firmware (MIUI 14 for Redmi Note 11), the section will disappear from the menu immediately.

• Clean the cache of the Settings app (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings → Clear the cache).
• Reboot the device.

If the partition is still visible, try resetting your phone to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset), but remember that this will delete all data!

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Turning off the developer mode does not reset the parameters you have changed (e.g., accelerated animations).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the developer mode is activated correctly, users encounter bugs.-5 problems and ways to correct them:

If your problem is not on the list, check:

• 📱 Compatibility of your model with a variable parameter (for example, 4K@60fps Not supported on Redmi 10A).
• 🔄 Firmware Version – on beta versions of HyperOS, many developer functions work unstablely.
• 🛠️ Root rights – some options require Magisk or SuperSU.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions