How to turn on the developer menu on Xiaomi: hidden settings and secret features

Xiaomi’s developer mode is a hidden settings section that gives you access to dozens of additional features, from fine-tuning animations to debugging over USB and changing network settings. Without this menu, you can’t unlock the bootloader, flash custom software, or even just speed up the interface, but the manufacturer hides it from ordinary users — and for good reason.

In this article, you will find current ways to enable the developer mode for all modern versions. MIUI (including MIUI 14/15 Android-based 13/14), We will also look at which settings are really useful here and which can lead to irreversible damage to the system if used improperly. POCO — They are, and they are important.

Why do I need a developer mode on Xiaomi?

At first glance, additional settings seem unnecessary to most users, but even if you don’t plan to flash your phone, the developer mode allows you to:

• 🔧 Speed up interface animation – reduce the transition time between screens by 2-3 times.
• 📶 Forced activate 4G/5G on models where the operator restricts the network (for example, Redmi Note) 12 in some regions).
• 🔄 Disable background processes that eat up battery power (relevant to POCO F5 Xiaomi 13 with aggressive optimization MIUI).
• 🖥️ Connect your mouse or keyboard over Bluetooth without additional apps.

More experienced users use this mode to:

• 📱 Unlocking the loader before the firmware TWRP or LineageOS.
• 🔍 Inclusions ADB-debugging.
• 🎯 Changes in screen resolution (useful for Xiaomi Pad 6 when connected to monitor).
• 🚫 Bypassing restrictions MIUI, for example, locking the installation APK source.

⚠️ Attention: Some settings in the developer menu can disrupt the stability of the smartphone, such as turning off the device. MIUI Optimization at Redmi K60 Leads to camera lags, and changing Minimum width breaks the adaptive interface.

How to Enable the Developer Menu on MIUI 14/15

The standard method works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones running MIUI 12-15 (including Android 13/14). The instructions are the same for the 2020-2026 models, but there are nuances for Chinese firmware (China ROM) - we will discuss them below.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to About Phone (on some models – About the device).
3. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row.
4. After 3-4 taps, a pop-up notification will appear: “You are almost there!”
5. Keep pressing until you see the message: “You’ve become a developer!”

Now, the Settings menu will have a new section for developers (may be at the end of the list or in the submenu Additional).

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with Chinese firmware (for example, Xiaomi 14 Pro China) ROM) The path may be different: Settings → The phone. → All specifications → Version. MIUI. If after 7 clicks nothing happens, check if the partition is blocked with a password (relevant for corporate devices).

Alternative Incorporation Methods (if Standard Incorporated Does Not Work)

Sometimes the developer menu doesn't activate as standard, and there are many reasons, from firmware bugs to manufacturer constraints, and let's look at workarounds.

Method 1: Through ADB (for power users)

If the taps on the MIUI version do not work, you can turn on the developer mode through the ADB command. This method requires a computer and installed Xiaomi drivers.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB and enable File Transfer.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type:

adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 1

1. Reboot the phone. The developer section should come up.

Method 2: Reset settings (extreme case)

On some devices (such as the POCO X5 Pro with custom firmware), the developer menu may be blocked, in which case a factory reset will help, but note:

• 📌 All data will be deleted (take backup copy!).
• 🔄 After reset, update the firmware to the latest version.
• 🔐 If the phone was linked to the Mi Account, you will need to enter a login / password.

Where is the developer menu after activation?

Once successfully enabled, the Developer section can be hidden in different places depending on the MIUI version and the phone model.

If the partition does not appear even after activation, try:

• 🔍 Use the search by settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Update the firmware to the latest version.

💡

On some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu), the developer menu can be hidden behind an additional password. ADB Adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 1

Top.-5 useful functions in the developer menu

Not all settings are equally useful here. We've selected the 5 most popular options that ordinary users will need - without the risk of breaking the phone.

1. Accelerating interface animation

By default, MIUI uses 1x animation delays, which creates a "brake" effect.

1. Go to Settings. → For developers.
2. Find the items: Window animation scale → set 0.5x. transition animation scale → 0.5x. animator duration scale → 0.5x.

The effect is noticeable immediately - the phone will respond to gestures faster.

2. Compulsory 4G/5G Entry

If your Redmi or POCO is stubbornly clinging to 3G, even though a 4G/5G network is available:

1. In the developer menu, find Network Mode.
2. Select LTE only (for 4G) or NR/LTE (for 5G).

4. Enable debugging over USB (for firmware)

If you are planning to flash your phone through Fastboot or TWRP:

1. Activate Debugging on USB.
2. In the USB Configuration section, select File Transfer by default.

Change of screen resolution (for tablets)

On the Xiaomi Pad 6, you can forcefully set the resolution of 1920×1080 for compatibility with applications:

1. Find the minimum width.
2. Set the value of 500 dp (by default - 360 dp).

💡

Don't change the parameters. GPU-rendering or disabling HW-Overlays – This can lead to graphic artifacts and processor overheating!

What can’t you do on the developer menu?

Some settings seem harmless, but they can actually make your phone down.

• 🔥 Turn off the absolute volume level - will lead to distortion of the sound in the headphones.
• 📵 Turn off automatic brightness – the light sensor will stop working.
• 🔄 Resetting all settings in this menu will delete not only user data, but also service files MIUI.
• 🚨 Background check (in the Application section) – can break the work of system services.

It is especially dangerous to change the parameters in the subsections:

• Monitoring – can lead to a permanent reboot.
• Network – Mobile data always active settings will drain the battery in an hour.
• Input – Change Showing taps or Displaying touches will put a strain on the processor.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with Medatek processors (e.g. Redmi) 10C or POCO M5) change GPU-rendering often results in loss of performance in games. If you notice lags after editing settings, reset them to factory.

How to turn off the developer menu on Xiaomi

If you don't need a developer mode anymore, you can deactivate it.

Method 1: Through settings

1. Go to Settings. → For developers.
2. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Resetting Settings.

Method 2: ADB (if the first method does not work)

Enter the command:

adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 0

After that, the section will disappear from the menu, but on some firmware (for example, Xiaomi.eu), it may appear again after the reboot, in which case only a complete reset will help.

💡

Turning off the developer menu does not reset the settings you have changed! To return everything to factory settings, use Reset all settings in the main Settings menu (but this will delete all data!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the developer menu on Xiaomi