How to run an engineering menu on Xiaomi: hidden features and codes

Many smartphone owners do not even realize that inside their device there is a powerful toolkit for diagnosing and fine-tuning the system. The engineering menu on Xiaomi is not just a list of obscure lines, but the key to checking the health of all hardware modules without installing third-party software. This is where you can conduct deep analysis of the sensor, check the work of microphones and see real data from the proximity sensors.

The average user is rarely faced with the need to access this data, but in situations where the phone behaves strangely, this section becomes indispensable. For example, if the speaker stopped working after the fall or the screen started to "glutch", this is where you will find the answer, the problem is software or you already need to go to the service center. USSD-team-up USB.

It should be noted that interference with system parameters requires caution. Incorrect calibration of sensors or resetting important identifiers can lead to malfunction of the device. However, if you just want to run a hardware test (CIT), there is nothing to fear - this is a standard feature available on all Redmi and Mi models. Below we will discuss in detail all the ways of entering and the main functions of this hidden interface.

What is it? CIT-Menu and why you need it

CIT, or Customer Integration Test, is a hardware tester built into MIUI firmware. Unlike the standard settings menu, which is hidden from the eyes of the average user, it's a factory-based interface for engineers and service center employees. It's a collection of tools to test each component of a smartphone individually. The launch of Xiaomi's engineering menu allows you to isolate the problem: if the speaker is working in the test and the system is not, then there's a malfunction in the software or a particular application.

This section covers almost every node in the device, so you can check the touchscreen response, test the vibration, evaluate the sound recording quality, and even check the accelerometer. For professionals, it's a way to quickly diagnose a malfunction without disassembling the case. For advanced users, it's an opportunity to make sure that the gadget you bought from your hands is fully functional and has no hidden defects.

⚠️ Note: Some items on the menu may contain reset calibration functions (Reset/Calibrate), if you are not sure of your actions, as it is difficult to return factory parameters without special equipment.

It's important to understand the difference between an engineering menu and a developer mode, and the developer mode allows you to manage debugging, animations and process work, whereas CIT-The menu works directly with the hardware controllers, which is why access to it is often limited or hidden by standard system tools, requiring the use of special code combinations.

Ways of entering through USSD-code

The easiest and fastest way to open the hidden diagnostics section is to use special character combinations in the Phone app, which work on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with MIUI or HyperOS shells. You don't need root rights or a computer connection, just dial a sequence of numbers.

The main command that should work on current versions of firmware looks like this:

##64663##

Once the last star is entered, the menu should open automatically, without having to press the call button. If this code didn't work, your version of the MIUI shell may have limitations or a changed structure, in which case it's worth trying an alternative combination that was often found on older devices:

##4636##

This code usually opens a testing menu where you can see battery information and usage statistics, but access to the full range of the code. CIT-There is also a code #3646633## that is relevant for some models with MediaTek processors, although modern Snapdragon devices are more likely to respond to the former option.

• 📱 Make sure you type the code in the Phone app (green handset) and not in a contact search.
• 🔢 Codes are sensitive to register and symbols, enter them carefully, without pause between clicks.
• 📶 For the operation of certain tests (for example, GPS net) SIM-The card must be active, although the basic CIT launches without her.

If none of the codes respond, your carrier may block processing of such requests or a specific version of the firmware (e.g., Chinese global or custom build) is installed, in which case a more complex but reliable method will come to the rescue via a computer.

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If the code doesn't work, try typing it in the horizontal position of the screen, which affects character sequence recognition on some versions of MIUI.

Starting with ADB and computer

When standard codes do not work, debugging comes to the rescue. USB. This method is considered more professional and allows you to run the Xiaomi engineering menu even when software restrictions block input. USSD-You'll need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) to do that), USB-cable and installed drivers ADB.

The first step is to activate the developer mode on your smartphone. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on the MIUI Version (or OS Version) until the notification “You’ve become a developer” appears. Then go to Settings → Additional Settings → For Developers and turn on the USB Debugging Toggle.

After connecting your smartphone to your PC and confirming debugging permission on your phone screen, open the command line on your computer. Enter the following command to start the activity test menu:

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

In some cases, especially on newer versions of Android, the path to activity may be different. CIT-menu:

adb shell am start -n com.miui.cit/.cit.CitActivity

If the command is successful, the test interface will instantly open on the smartphone screen, a technique that ignores keyboard locks and allows you to run a specific activity, even if the shortcut is hidden from the launcher.

Main functions and tests of equipment

Once inside the interface, you'll see a list of all the modules available. Each item is responsible for a specific component. For example, the TouchPanel will check the touchscreen: the screen will turn a certain color, and you'll need to swipe your finger to make sure there are no dead zones. The Receiver test and Speaker will play back different frequency beeps to check the speakers.

Special attention should be paid to the parts associated with the sensors. At the ProxSensor checks the proximity sensor — if it works incorrectly, the screen may not go out during a conversation or, conversely, do not turn on when you remove the phone from your ear. Calibration here often helps to solve the problem of “phantom” presses in your pocket.

Also on the menu is often the Version section, which displays detailed information about the firmware version, bootloader and hardware revisions of the board, which is useful when flashing the device to make sure you are using the correct image of the software for a specific hardware revision.

Sensor calibration and error resetting

One of the most popular features of the engineering menu is calibration. If your phone stopped automatically turning the screen or the brightness stopped responding to light, the problem can be in the downed calibration data. In the Sensor section, you can often find the Calibration button. The process is simple: you put the phone on a flat horizontal surface and press the start button.

The system reads the accelerometer and gyroscope at rest and records them as reference (zero). After that, the sensors should recover. Similarly, calibration of the light sensor works: the phone asks you to cover the top of the screen with your hand, and then open it to fix the minimum and maximum values.

⚠️ Warning: Do not calibrate the phone with your hands or on an uneven surface, this will result in the recording of incorrect data, and the sensor will operate with a large error rate.

It is important to note that Error Log Clear on this menu can clear the system's failure history. This is useful if you want to check if new errors appear after repairs by clearing old records. However, if you plan to contact the warranty service, it is better not to do this, as the error history may be the only proof of factory defects.

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Calibration of sensors through the engineering menu is a safe way to fix auto-turn and auto-brightness problems without completely resetting the phone.

Frequent problems and their solution

Users often face a situation where the menu is blocked. On modern versions of MIUI (especially since version 12 and above), Xiaomi has strengthened security measures. Code ##64663## may simply not respond, in which case installing a special code calculator application from the Google Play store that emulates dialing, or using the ADB method described above helps.

Another problem is the test crashes when it starts, which can happen if system files are damaged or access rights are limited, so rebooting the device to safe mode (clamping the off button and selecting the appropriate item) can help run the test by eliminating the impact of third-party applications. It is also worth checking for system updates, since new security patches may block or restore access to Xiaomi’s engineering menu.

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone before you try to log in – this solves 80% of the problems with the freeze processes.
• 🔋 Make sure your battery is above 20%, some tests (such as cameras or flashes) are energy intensive and may not start when the charge is low.
• 🚫 Antiviruses and memory cleanup apps can block access to system activity, try disabling them temporarily.

If nothing works, and access to diagnostics is critical, all that remains is a complete Wipe Data reset or a flashing device through the Mi Flash Tool to clean all the data, but this is an extreme measure that should only be resorted to with complete confidence in your actions.

Safety and risk of use

While the test menu itself is safe, it has sections marked with red or warning signs, usually for IMEI resets, RF calibration, or changing display settings, and interfering with these parameters without special equipment or knowledge can cause the phone to stop catching the network or work with image artifacts.

The rule is, if you don't understand what a particular parameter is doing, don't change it. Your goal is to diagnose, not reprogram the controllers. The Single test is completely safe, because it only reads data or turns on components in test mode without writing new values into permanent memory.

Use the hidden capabilities of your Xiaomi smartly, and they will help extend the life of the device, timely detecting malfunctions. Remember that the best diagnosis is regular prevention and attentiveness to the signals that your gadget gives.