Xiaomi’s MIUI 12 developer mode gives you access to dozens of hidden settings that the manufacturer hides from ordinary users, where you can activate USB debugging, change animation settings to speed up the interface, enable unlocking the bootloader, or even limit background processes to save battery power. But how do you get there if the default menu item is hidden?
Unlike the newer versions of MIUI 13/14, where the switching algorithm could change, MIUI 12 retains the classic About Phone activation scheme. However, many users face problems: the build number does not want to click, then after a few clicks nothing happens. In this article, we will analyze all the working ways to turn on the developer mode on Xiaomi, including solutions to typical errors, and also tell you what settings should be changed first – and which ones should be avoided.
Why is the developer mode hidden by default?
Smartphone manufacturers, including Xiaomi, deliberately hide the developer mode from the average user, and the reason is simple: the wrong changes in these settings can lead to unstable system operation, accelerated battery discharge, or even a “brick” of the device (complete loss of performance), for example, activating the “Do not turn off the screen while charging” option in combination with some applications can cause the battery to overheat.
However, the developer mode is necessary to:
- 🔧 Debugging by USB (plug-in ADB, Fastboot or work with Android Studio)
- ⚡ Speed up the interface by disabling animations or rescaling transitions
- 📱 Unlock the bootloader before installing custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)
- 🔋 Optimizing energy consumption by limiting background processes
It is important to understand that MIUI 12 can behave differently on devices with different processors (Qualcomm Snapdragon vs MediaTek Helio) or regional firmware (Global, China, EEA). For example, on some models (Redmi Note 9 Pro, Poco X3 NFC) after activation of the developer mode, it may be necessary to reboot the item to appear in the main settings menu.
Preparation: checking the version of MIUI and smartphone model
Before you start activating the developer mode, make sure that your Xiaomi has MIUI 12 installed.The fact is that in newer versions (for example, MIUI 13 or HyperOS), the on-board algorithm may differ.
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Scroll down and select About Phone.
- Find the MIUI version and the device model.
If you have MIUI 12.0.x or MIUI 12.5.x, the instructions below are appropriate. For MIUI 11 and older, the process is similar, but the location of menu items may vary slightly. On Poco models (such as the Poco F3 or Poco X3 Pro), the path to the developer settings is sometimes duplicated in the Additional section.
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If you have Xiaomi with China ROM, some menu items may be in Chinese. Use a translator or install Global ROM for convenience.
| Xiaomi model | Supported version of MIUI 12 | Features of activation |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 9/9 Pro/9S | 12.0.1–12.5.7 | 5-7 presses are required on the Assembly Number |
| Mi 10/10 Pro/10 Lite | 12.0.3–12.5.5 | After activation appears in Additional settings |
| Poco X3 NFC | 12.0.8–12.5.3 | It may need to be rebooted. |
| Mi 9T/9T Pro | 12.0.2–12.5.4 | On some firmware, it requests PIN-code |
Step-by-step instruction: how to turn on the developer mode
Now, to the point of activating the hidden menu, the whole process takes less than a minute, but it requires precision.
- Open the settings on your Xiaomi.
- Scroll down and select About Phone.
- Find the MIUI version and tap it 5-7 times in a row (on some models - up to 10 times).
- After a few clicks, a notification will appear: “You’re almost there!” or “X steps left.”
- Keep pressing until you see the message: “You’ve become a developer!”
If done correctly, a new section will appear in the Settings menu, for developers (or Developer options in English firmware), and on some devices it may be in the Additional submenu or System.
Check that you are clicking on the "version" MIUI", not on "Device model"|
Make sure there is no lock on the screen (swipe up to unlock)|
Restart your phone and try again.|
Check if you have a password/pattern lock (some firmware requires unlocking)
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⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12 for the Chinese market (China) ROM) After activation of the developer mode, you may need to link your Mi Account without this, some options (for example, Unblock the developer mode). OEM») will not be available.
Where to find the developer’s settings after activation?
Once activated successfully, the Developer Form can be hidden in different places depending on the model and firmware version.
- 📱 Main Settings menu: Scroll down – the item will appear next to System or Applications».
- 🔍 Search by Settings: Swipe down in the Settings menu and type in the search bar “Developer».
- ⚙️ Additional settings: on some models (Poco) M3, Redmi 9A) section hidden in Settings → System system → Additionally.
If the item never appears, try:
- Reboot the phone.
- Check if the partition is hidden through the “Show System Applications” settings (in some launchers).
- Update the firmware to the latest version of MIUI 12 (via Settings → About Phone → System Update).
What if the “Developers” section disappeared after the update?
What settings can be changed safely?
Developer mode offers more than 50 options, but most of them are designed for testing and can disrupt the stability of Xiaomi. We selected the 5 most useful and safe settings that will not harm the system:
| Setting up | What do you need? | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| USB debugging | Connecting to a PC for firmware, ADB-Teams, working with Android Studio | Insert (if necessary) |
| Animation scale (0.5x) | Accelerating the opening of applications and transitions between screens | 0.5x or Turn off (for maximum speed) |
| Do not turn off the screen during charging | Useful for watching videos or using a navigator in the car | Turn on (but watch out for overheating!) |
| Limit background processes | Saving battery power by closing unnecessary applications | Maximum 2-3 process |
| Insert error log | Helps diagnose application failures | Enable (if you are a developer) |
Here are some options you should stay away from:
- ❌ «Unlocking OEM» — If you don’t plan to install custom firmware, this option weakens the protection of the phone.
- ❌ «Simulating additional displays" - can cause graphic artifacts.
- ❌ «Choice of regime GPU» — Incorrect settings will lead to overheating and lags.
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Changing the parameters of “Scale of animation” and “Limiting background processes” gives the greatest performance gains without risk to the system.
Mistakes and Solutions: What to Do When Nothing Works?
Even with the exact instructions, Xiaomi users sometimes encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:
⚠️ Warning: If after activation of the developer mode, the phone began to brake or overheat, return all settings to the default state (the “Reset” button in the upper right corner of the menu For developers).
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Does not respond to the pressing of the MIUI version | Screen locking or sensory issues | Unlock your phone, clean your screen, try to press slower. |
| There's a message "No rights" coming up. | Restricted firmware (e.g. corporate) | Update your firmware to the latest version or reset your settings |
| The developer section disappeared after the update | Resetting settings when updating | Repeat the activation procedure (5-7 clicks on the MIUI version) |
| Some options are blocked (in gray) | There is no Mi Account or PIN-code | Link your Xiaomi account in settings or set a PIN |
If none of these methods worked, you may have modified firmware installed on your device (e.g., from third-party developers).
- Install the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
- Contact the Xiaomi service center (if the phone is warranty).
How to turn off the developer mode?
If you no longer need to adjust or want to return the phone to its original state, you can deactivate the developer mode.
- Open the Settings. → For developers.
- In the upper right corner, press the switch (it will turn gray).
- Confirm the action if a request appears.
After that, the section will disappear from the settings menu, and to return it back, you will have to re-click on the MIUI version.
If you plan to sell or transfer your phone to another person, we recommend that you also:
- 🔄 Reset all settings to factory (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings).
- 🔐 Delete the attached Mi Account (if it was).
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Before resetting, save a backup of your data via Settings → System → Backup or Mi Cloud.