Developer mode on Xiaomi: how to enable and what the hidden settings MIUI

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, based on the MIUI proprietary shell, hide dozens of useful features from ordinary users — they can only be activated through the developer settings. This mode allows access to fine-tuning animations, USB debugging, background management and even the ability to unlock the bootloader. But how to turn it on if the menu item is hidden by default?

In this article, you will find the latest instructions for MIUI 14/15 (Android 13/14) that works on all modern devices of the brand – from the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra to the budget Redmi Note 12. We will also discuss which settings should be changed first and which should not be touched, so as not to disturb the stability of the system. If you have ever encountered the message “Debugging on USB is not enabled” or wanted to speed up the interface – this guide is for you.

Why you need the developer parameters on Xiaomi

Developer Options was originally designed to test applications and debug code, but has evolved into a powerful customization tool, and this is what you can do once it's activated:

• 🔧 Speed up animation: reduce the duration of transitions between screens (or turn them off completely) for a more responsive interface.
• 📱 Unlock the bootloader: a necessary step to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 🔌 Enable debugging on USB: without it, it is impossible to use ADB, Fastboot or connect the device to Android Studio.
• 📊 Control background processes: limit the number of running applications to save battery.
• 🎮 Emulate additional buttons: useful for gamers (for example, adding a virtual back key in games).

But not all functions are equally useful. GPU-rendering can lead to graphic artifacts, aforced activation 4K-Unaccompanied displays are allowed to overheat, and most settings are for power users, and misuse of these can disrupt the system.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Pro with HyperOS, after activation of the developer mode, a warning about an “uncertified device” may appear in Google settings. This is not critical, but may restrict access to some banking applications. To remove the warning, you just need to disable debugging on the Internet. USB post-completion.

Step-by-step: how to enable the developer parameters

The activation process is the same for all Xiaomi devices based on MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS, but may differ slightly on older versions (before MIUI 11).

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone (on some models – About Device).
3. Find the MIUI Version (or HyperOS Version for new devices) and tap it 7 times in a row.
4. After 3-4 clicks, a pop-up will appear with the countdown: “There are 4 steps left to become a developer!”.
5. Continue to click until you see a message saying, “You’re a developer!” or “Developer options are enabled.”
6. Return to the main Settings menu – now there will be a new section Additional → Developer options (or just for developers).

If the item does not appear immediately, try to restart the device. Some firmware (such as global versions for Europe) may require you to enter a password or pattern lock to confirm.

Check the battery power (minimum 30%)

Make sure there are no important unsaved data on the device

Remember password/pattern lock (required for confirmation)

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (to download additional drivers when debugging)-->

Where to look for developer options in different versions of MIUI

The menu layout can vary depending on the firmware version and regional build, and the table below shows the current path for popular versions:

If you don't find a section, try searching by settings (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner) and type "developer" or "developer" and the system will show a direct link.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices, additional confirmation via Mi Account may be required after activation of the developer mode. If you do not have a Xiaomi account attached, the system will prompt you to create or log in. This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to system settings.

Top.-5 Useful settings in the parameters of the developer

Once you activate the mode, you will see dozens of incomprehensible options, and we have selected the most useful and safe settings that will be useful for most users:

• ⚡ Accelerate animation: Go to Windows animation, transition animation and animation duration. Set the value Animation disabled or 0.5× It's going to make the interface visually faster.
• 🔄 Background Limit: In the background limit option, select a 2-3 process maximum, which will reduce battery load, but some applications may reboot when you return to them.
• 📶 Forced activation 4G/5G: In the Network section, select Network Type and install Only LTE or NR/LTE/TD-SCDMA (for 5G-This is useful if the phone is constantly switching to slow. 3G.
• 🔊 Turn off absolute volume: Find the option to turn off absolute volume and activate it, which will allow you to independently adjust the volume of media and notifications when connecting Bluetooth devices.
• 🛠️ Initiation of debugging USB: Without this item (Debugging of the USB) impossible to use ADB, Switch your device through Fastboot or test apps in Android Studio.

Beware of changing the settings associated with GPU-rendering, background check or demo mode – these can lead to unstable system operation, and it is not recommended to include the option Do not turn off the screen while charging – this reduces the battery life.

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If the animation settings change, the interface becomes glitchy (for example, no transitions between screens), return the default values or restart the device. In extreme cases, reset the settings through Settings → System → Reset settings (select Reset interface settings).

What to do if the developer’s settings are gone after the update

Sometimes, after a MIUI or HyperOS update, the developer settings section disappears, because the system resets the activation flag.

1. Check if the section appears elsewhere (e.g., in Settings → System → Advanced Settings).
2. If there is no item, repeat the activation procedure: go to About the phone → Version. MIUI/HyperOS and slip 7 once.
3. Some firmware (especially Chinese) may require resetting via Settings → Memory → Resetting (select Reset Network Settings or Reset All Settings, but not Delete All Data).
4. If nothing works, try entering the engineering code: open the Phone app and type ##4636##. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information and scroll down - there may be a link to the developer's settings.

On HyperOS devices, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account after resetting your settings. If you forget your password, restore it through Xiaomi’s official website (account.xiaomi.com).

Security: What developer settings can not be touched

Despite the temptation to experiment with all options, some of them can disrupt your device or even cause data loss. Here is a list of options you can’t change (unless you’re an expert):

• 🚫 Unlocking OEM: Activating this item resets the bootloader's protection, making the device vulnerable to malware. Only turn it on if you plan to install custom firmware.
• 🚫 Background check: Disabling this option may cause errors in system applications.
• 🚫 GPU-Acceleration: Forced hardware acceleration activation for all applications causes graphic artifacts and overheating.
• 🚫 Demo mode: Includes fictitious data (e.g. 100% battery charge), which interferes with normal diagnosis.
• 🚫 Disable permission monitoring: Makes the system vulnerable to viruses.

Also, avoid changes to the Network (e.g. carrier aggregation) and Hardware acceleration sections unless you understand their purpose, which are optimized by the manufacturer and do not require manual adjustment.

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If you accidentally changed the critical setting and the phone started to work unstable, return all settings to the default values via the menu (three dots in the upper right corner → “Reset settings”).

How to disable the developer settings on Xiaomi

If you no longer need advanced settings or want to hide them from outsiders, there are two ways to turn off mode:

1. From the settings menu: Open Settings → Additional → Developer Settings. In the upper right corner, click three dots and select Turn off Developer Settings. Confirm action (password may be required).
2. Through Settings Reset: Go to Settings → Memory → Settings Reset. Choose Reset Network Settings or Reset All Settings (without deleting data). Once you reboot, the developer settings section will disappear.

On some devices (e.g. POCO F5), after deactivating the developer mode, a “Developer Options Enabled” notification may remain in the curtain. To remove it, just reboot the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about developer options on Xiaomi