Developer mode on Xiaomi Redmi: how to turn it on and why it is needed

The developer’s hidden settings in Xiaomi Redmi smartphones open up access to dozens of additional features that the manufacturer hides from ordinary users. It’s not a bug or a secret life hack — it’s a standard Android tool designed to test, debug and fine-tune the system. Without it, you can’t unlock the bootloader, flash custom software or even just speed up the interface animation.

In this article, you’ll find the 2026 update that works on all Redmi models, from the budget Redmi A2 to the flagship Redmi K70 Pro. Not only will we be able to turn on developer mode, but we’ll also be able to see which options to activate first and which ones to avoid, and why these settings may suddenly disappear after the MIUI update and how to get them back.

Why you need to set up a developer on Xiaomi Redmi

Most users don’t even realize that their smartphone can do much more than the standard menu.Developer Options reveals the capabilities that Xiaomi hides for two reasons: first, to protect inexperienced users from random changes, and second, to comply with Google’s policy to restrict access to system features.

Here’s what you can do with these settings:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader for installing custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)
• 🐞 Enable debugging on USB work-in ADB, Fastboot and tools like Scrcpy
• ⚡ Speed up the animation of the interface (reduce the transition time between screens)
• 📡 Forced activate 4G/5G on non-certified operators
• 🔄 Disable background restrictions MIUI application
• 📱 Emulate other screen resolutions to test app adaptability

But there is a downside: careless changes can lead to unstable system operation, accelerated battery discharge or even locking the device, for example, activating the option Do not turn off the screen while charging will lead to overheating if you leave the smartphone on charge for the whole night.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MIUI 14+ Some of the developer options (for example, OEM Unlock can be blocked until you link your Xiaomi account to your device.

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

The activation process is the same for all Xiaomi Redmi smartphones, regardless of the model and version of MIUI. The main thing is to know the correct sequence of actions and not miss a single step. If you have previously tried to enable these settings and you failed, chances are you made a mistake at one of the stages.

Follow this instruction:

1. Open the Settings app on your Redmi.

If nothing happens after 7 clicks:

• 🔹 Make sure you are using the version. MIUI, Not the device model or Android version.

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After successful activation, a new section, Developer options, will appear in the main Settings menu, and may be hidden inside the Additional settings subsection on some firmware.

Where to find the developer settings after switching on

Depending on the MIUI version and the Redmi model, the layout of the developer menu may vary. The manufacturer periodically changes the structure of the settings, so even if you have previously used these features, after the update they can “move”.

Here are all the possible access routes:

If you do not see the "Developers" section** after successful activation:

1. Update MIUI to the latest version – in old builds there are bugs with display.

⚠️ Note: On some models of Redmi Note 12 and later with MIUI Developer section 14 can be hidden if you don’t link your Xiaomi account to your device.

MIUI 14|MIUI 13|MIUI 12.5|Old version (MIUI 12 or lower) |I don't know-->

What options can and cannot be included in the developer

Now that you've found the menu, the main question is: what can be touched and what is better left alone? Some options are harmless and useful for ordinary users, others can lead to a loss of warranty or lock the device (for example, unlocking the bootloader on some Redmi models resets DRK - protection against theft).

Let’s look at the most popular and safe functions:

🔧 Useful options (can be included)

• 📱 Debugging by USB (USB Debugging – needed to work with ADB, Scrcpy, firmware via Fastboot.
• ⚡ Animation of windows/transitions (Window/Transition/Animator Duration scale - decrease to 0.5x speed up.
• 🔄 Stay awake – convenient for watching video or navigating in the car (but watch out for overheating!).
• 📡 Forced to turn on 4G/5G (Preferred network type – if the network is lost automatically.
• 🔇 Disable Absolute Volume – Fixes Bluetooth headphone problems.

⚠️ Dangerous options (only turn on if you know why)

• 🔓 Unlocking OEM (OEM unlocking – required for firmware, but resets all data and can block the device without a tied Xiaomi account.
• 🛠 Background process limit: Limiting processes will kill multitasking.
• 📵 Disable authentication USB (Disable USB audio routing – can break the sound in headphones.
• 🔄 Mobile data always active – will lead to increased battery consumption.

Be especially careful about security and firmware options, for example, enabling Advanced reboot seems harmless, but on some Redmi models, it can lead to data loss when you randomly select a Fastboot item.

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Before changing any developer settings, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. This will take 5 minutes, but save your photos and contacts if you crash.

How to return the developer settings after a reset or update

Once you reset to factory settings or major MIUI upgrades, the developer mode may disappear. That's okay, you'll have to turn it on again.

1. If you have made a hard reset, all the developer settings will reset and you will need to activate them according to the instructions above.
2. After updating MIUI via OTA, the partition may remain, but some options (such as OEM Unlock) will be disabled.
3. On models with MIUI 14+, you may need to re-assign your Xiaomi account after the update to access some features.

If the section “For Developers” is missing after the update:

1. Check if it is hidden elsewhere (see the table above).
2. Restart the device – sometimes the menu appears after the reboot.
3. If nothing helps, try manually enabling the developer mode through ADB: adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 1 adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings

⚠️ Attention: Redmi with MIUI Global Stable after the update can work Anti-Rollback protection, which blocks access to some options of the developer, in this case, only a full reset or firmware through Fastboot will help.

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

Even experienced users sometimes have problems with the developer mode, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

🔹 «You can’t touch 7 times, nothing happens»

Causes and solutions:

• 📱 Too slow pressing – tap faster, with an interval of no more than 1 second.
• 🔒 Locked screen – unlock the device before pressing.
• 🔄 Gluck MIUI — Restart your phone and try again.

🔹 «Developer settings are available, but options are grey and inactive»

It's because of:

• 🔓 No Xiaomi Account Linked – Link your account to Settings → Accounts.
• 📵 Active Guest Mode – exit the Guest Profile.
• 🛡 Security policies – on some firmware (for example, MIUI China) some options blocked.

🔹 «After the debugging is activated, USB The computer doesn't see the phone»

Decisions:

• 🖥 Install the drivers. ADB (Download Mi. PC Suite or Google USB Driver).
• 🔌 Check the cable – use the original USB-C Xiaomi cable.
• 🔄 Change the connection mode to File Transfer (MTP).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

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Developer Mode is a tool, not a magic button, to speed up your phone. Most options are for testing and debugging, not everyday use. Only include features you know how to do!