How to turn on the developer menu on Xiaomi Redmi 9: secrets of hidden settings

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even it hides from users a powerful tool for fine-tuning the system. The developer menu (or "Developer Mode") allows you to activate functions that are not available in the standard interface, from debugging by USB to changing the animation of the interface and control of the processor. However, many owners of Redmi 9 do not know how to open it, because by default this section is hidden.

In this article, you will find not only step-by-step instructions for activating the developer mode, but also give advice on why the average user needs it. We will talk about the hidden capabilities of MIUI, warn about potential risks (for example, improper setting the OEM Unlock option can block the bootloader on some versions of the firmware), and also give tips on how to safely use advanced features. If you want to squeeze out your Redmi 9 maximum, read on!

Why do I need a developer mode on Xiaomi Redmi 9?

Many people mistakenly believe that the developer menu is for programmers or testers, and in fact, even the average user can use it to:

• 🔧 Accelerating the smartphone – disabling unnecessary animations or limiting background processes.
• 🔄 Debugging by USB — Without it, it is impossible to connect the device to ADB for installing custom firmware or data recovery.
• 📡 Network settings - forced inclusion 4G instead 3G Change of network type (for example, roaming).
• 🔋 Battery Charge Control – Displaying the exact percentage of charge or turning off fast charging to extend battery life.
• 🎮 Gaming Optimizations – Forced Use GPU for rendering or enabling Force mode 4x MSAA graphical.

In addition, you can include OEM Unlock, a mandatory step before unlocking a bootloader on Xiaomi, without which you can not install custom recovery (TWRP) or alternative firmware like LineageOS.

⚠️ Note: Some settings in the developer menu can lead to unstable smartphone performance, for example, changing the Minimum width value can break the display of the interface. MIUI, a Force activation GPU rendering increases battery consumption.

How to open the developer menu on Redmi 9

Activation of the developer mode on Xiaomi Redmi 9 takes less than a minute, but requires accurate follow-up to the algorithm. The main thing is not to miss a single step, otherwise the system will not unlock hidden settings.

Follow this instruction:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen or in the app menu).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone (sometimes called About Device).
3. Find the MIUI version line and tap it 7 times in a row. After the first 3-4 clicks, a pop-up notification will appear, "There are 4 steps left to become a developer!"
4. Continue to click until you see a message: “You are a developer!” or “Developer Mode is activated!”
5. Return to the main Settings menu, and a new option will appear in the Addition (or System) section, For Developers.

If nothing happens after 7 taps, check:

• 📱 You're just tapping the Version. MIUI, Not on the phone or Android version.
• 🔄 You may need to press 10 times on your firmware (relevant for some custom builds).
• 🔒 Make sure there are no parental controls or restrictions on your phone from your Mi Account.

Where is the developer menu after activation?

Once activated successfully, the new partition can be hidden in different locations depending on the version of MIUI.

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

1. Use the search by settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen) and enter the query "developer".
2. Restart the phone – sometimes the partition only appears after the reboot.
3. Check if the section in Settings is hidden → Applications → Application Management → Settings → Reset.

💡

If the developer menu disappeared after the MIUI update, repeat the activation procedure (7 clicks on the firmware version).This is due to Xiaomi's security policy resetting some settings when upgrading.

Top.-5 Useful features in the developer menu for Redmi 9

Now that you’ve opened up the hidden settings, let’s see which ones are really useful for Redmi 9. Not all settings are safe, so we’ve only selected the verified options:

1. USB Debugging (USB Debugging)

It is required to connect to ADB, install custom firmware or restore data through the Mi Flash Tool.

1. Go to For Developers → Debugging by USB.
2. Activate the slider.
3. Confirm the permission in the pop-up window.

After that, when connecting to your computer, select File Transfer (MTP) or PTP.

2. Unlocking OEM (OEM Unlocking)

A mandatory step before unlocking the bootloader, without which you can't install TWRP or custom firmware.

• Find the OEM Unlock option.
• Activate the slider.
• Confirm the action with a password or pattern lock.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI (This option can be blocked, in which case you will need to link the device to the Mi Account and wait 7-30 days (Xiaomi policy for protection against theft).

3. Accelerating interface animation

By default, MIUI uses smooth animations that slow down the phone, which can be accelerated or disabled:

• Find the points: Window animation scale (set 0.5x or Recursion) Transition animation scale (recommended 0.5x) Animator duration scale (optimally 0.5x)

This will make the interface more responsive, especially on the Redmi 9 with its modest 4GB of RAM.

4. Forced use of the GPU

If there are lags in games or heavy applications, you can force the system to use a GPU for rendering:

• Activate Forced Use of the GPU.
• Enable Force 4x MSAA (Improving graphics but increasing battery load)

These settings are useful for gamers, but remember: they reduce battery life.

5. Displaying battery charge in percentage

By default, MIUI hides the exact percentage of charge in the status bar to return it:

• Find the Status String. → Battery charge.
• Choose a percentage.

💡

Not all features on the developer menu are equally useful, for example, turning on Do not turn off the screen while charging can lead to overheating, and activating the Background process without restrictions can lead to a quick battery discharge.

Dangerous settings: what not to touch in the developer menu

Some of the options can disrupt the stability of the Redmi 9, or even lead to data loss, and we have compiled a list of the riskiest options that you should not change without a clear understanding of the consequences:

• 🚫 Turn off the absolute volume level – can break the sound adjustment in headphones.
• 🚫 Do not save actions - disables the transaction log, which prevents debugging.
• 🚫 Background processes without restrictions - leads to lags and overheating.
• 🚫 Simulating additional displays – can cause display errors.
• 🚫 Disable access control – security threat (apps will get uncontrolled access to data).

It is especially dangerous to change the parameters associated with:

• The core of the system (e.g., CPU input booster)
• Network protocols (e.g., Mobile data is always active)
• Memory settings (e.g. Don't keep activities)

If you accidentally changed the dangerous parameter and the phone started to glittle, try:

1. Return the setting to its original state.
2. Reset the device.
3. In extreme cases, reset the settings to factory (Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset).

How to turn off the developer menu on Xiaomi Redmi 9

If you no longer need advanced settings or want to return your phone to factory status, you can deactivate the developer menu.

Method 1: Resetting through settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Settings app (cog icon).
3. Select Warehouse → Reset (or Clear Data).
4. Confirm the action.

After that, the Developer section will disappear, but any changes you made will remain active (such as USB debugging or accelerated animation).

Method 2: Complete resetting of settings

If you want to return all settings to factory settings (including changes to the developer menu):

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Full reset will remove all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps. pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and Reset or Mi Cloud.

If you want to simply hide the developer menu but save the changes, use the first method. Use the second method only in extreme cases (for example, before selling a phone).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 9 developer menu