How to go to the menu for developers on Xiaomi: all the ways and hidden features

Xiaomi's developer mode is a hidden control panel that gives you access to dozens of additional operating system settings, and without it, you can't debug the app, overclock the processor, enable USB debugging, or change the screen settings that the manufacturer has hidden from ordinary users. But how do you get there if the "Developers" item isn't on the standard menu?

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to activate the developer mode on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices – from the classic method through “About the phone” to workarounds for locked or non-standard firmware, and you will learn what hidden MIUI functions become available after turning on this mode and how to avoid typical errors when setting it up.

Why do I need a developer mode on Xiaomi?

Many users mistakenly believe that the developer menu is only for programmers, and it is actually useful for ordinary smartphone owners, and here are some examples where it is essential:

• 🔧 Debugging by USB — It is mandatory to connect to the PC through ADB, Firmware through Fastboot or using tools like XiaomiTool.
• ⚡ Accelerating animations – reduces delays when opening applications by making the interface visually faster.
• 📱 Change screen resolution – useful for testing app adaptability or forced on FHD+ budget-based.
• 🔒 Unlocking the bootloader is the first step before installing custom firmware or obtaining root rights.
• 📡 Compulsory incorporation 4G/5G — If the network is automatically switched to 3G in regions with unstable coating.

Moreover, some MIUI features are disabled by default precisely because they are placed in the developer menu, such as the option “Do not turn off the screen while charging” or “Show clicks on the screen” (useful for creating training videos), without activating this mode, you simply will not know that they exist.

Classic way: how to turn on the developer menu through "About the phone"

This is the most reliable and versatile method that works on all versions of MIUI - from 8 to 14. The instructions are the same for the Xiaomi Mi 11, Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F4 and other models.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone (sometimes called About Device).
3. Find the line "Version" MIUI" And press 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!”

If done correctly, the main menu will be a new item - "For developers" (may be in the "Additional" or "System and device"), on some firmware it is called "Developer settings".

Alternative ways of inclusion (if the standard does not work)

Sometimes the classic method doesn't work. It can be related to:

• 🔄 Custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) where the path to the menu is changed.
• 🔒 Blocked settings (found on corporate devices).
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI (below 8th), where the activation algorithm is the other.

In such cases, try one of the alternative methods:

Method 1: Through ADB (if USB-debugging is already on)

If you previously had USB debugging activated, but the "Developers" item disappeared, you can restore it by the command:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings

Once this command is executed in ADB, the developer menu will open directly.

Method 2: Reset settings (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked and access to the menu is critical (for example, to unlock the bootloader), reset to factory settings. After the reboot, try activating the developer mode again.

Where is the developer menu after activation?

Depending on the MIUI version and the smartphone model, the location of the item may vary.

If you do not find the item in the specified sections, search by settings (the magnifying icon in the upper right corner). Enter the query "developer" or "developer" - the system will show a direct link to the menu.

💡

On some models (such as the Xiaomi Mi A2 with pure Android), the developer menu is called “Developer Options” and is located in the Settings → System section.

Top.-5 Hidden features that should be included in the developer menu

Now that you have access to the advanced settings, let’s take a look at the most useful options that you should activate:

1. Debugging by USB (USB Debugging – mandatory for working with ADB, Firmware via Mi Flash or using utilities like Scrcpy to manage your phone from a PC.
2. Stay awake is useful for long-term video watching or using your phone as a navigator in the car.
3. Show taps -- displays circles at touch points, essential for creating screencasts or teaching materials.
4. GPU-acceleration (Force) GPU rendering – can speed up the interface, but increases battery consumption.
5. Allow unlocking OEM (OEM unlocking) - a must-have point before unlocking the bootloader.

Be careful about settings related to processor performance or limiting background processes. Incorrect values can lead to overheating of the device or sudden reboots.

💡

Enabling the "Allow OEM Unlock" option is the first step before installing custom firmware, and without it, the Mi Unlock Tool will give you a "Couldn't unlock" error.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with the developer menu, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to brake or overheat after activating the developer mode, check the Background Process and Animation settings. Too aggressive values (e.g., "No Animation" or "Unlimited Processes") can disrupt system stability.

• ❌ The item "For developers" disappears after the reboot - it is a bug of some versions MIUI 12.Solution: Repeat activation via About Phone or reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).
• ❌ The debugging doesn't work. USB — Check if the “Debugging” option is enabled USB" and whether drivers are installed ADB You can also try changing the cable or port. USB.
• ❌ You can not change the settings of the screen - some parameters (for example, DCI-P3 or sRGBs are locked on budget models, and you can only get around this through ADB.

If you accidentally changed a critical setting (for example, turned off all animations or set the wrong screen resolution) and the phone stopped working normally, reset the developer menu settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Settings app and select Storage.
3. Click Clear Data – this will reset all settings, including the developer’s settings.

How to turn off the developer menu (and should I do it?)

Many users are wondering whether it is worth turning off the developer mode after use, on the one hand, it does not affect performance or security, on the other hand, random change of settings can lead to unstable operation of the device.

If you decide to deactivate this mode, do the following:

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 window that appears.

After that, the "Developers" item will disappear from the settings menu, and to return it, you will have to re-click on "Version". MIUI" under the heading “On the telephone".

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global Stable) when you turn off the developer mode, you reset all of its settings, which means that when you reactivate, you have to re-enable it. USB debugging, OEM unlocking and other options.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the developer menu on Xiaomi