Regime. USB Debugging (debugging by USB) — This is a hidden Android feature that opens up access to advanced smartphone capabilities through a computer, POCO and Black Shark) this mode is required for firmware through Fastboot, unlock the bootloader, install custom recovery (TWRP), And also to work with tools like this. ADB But it's not that easy to turn it on: first, you need to activate the developer mode, which the manufacturer hides from ordinary users.
In this article, you will find the current instructions for all modern versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14/15 on Android 13/14), as well as solutions to typical problems — from the lack of a “Debug by USB” item to PC connection errors. We will understand why some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 12 or POCO F5) process is different, and what to do if the computer does not see the device even after the mode is turned on. If you plan to flash the phone, install root or test software — without USB Debugging.
Why do you need USB Debugging Mode on Xiaomi?
USB debugging isn't just a geek thing, it's a practical thing to do.
- 🔧 Firmware via Fastboot: No USB Debugging cannot unlock the bootloader or install official/custom firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
- 📱 Installation TWRP OrangeFox: Castomic recovery requires a PC connection to transfer files and execute commands ADB.
- 🖥️ PC management: Tools like Scrcpy (watching your phone on your computer) or Vysor only work with debugging enabled.
- 🛠️ Diagnostics and repairs: Service centers use USB Debugging for testing hardware components through ADB or QC Tools.
- 🔓 Getting root rights: Programs like Magisk or KingRoot require a PC connection to install.
However, there are risks: if you use USB Debugging incorrectly, you can erase data, lock the device or even turn it into a brick, for example, if you interrupt the firmware process or enter the wrong ADB command. So turn on this mode only when necessary and turn off after work is completed.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) K50 Xiaomi 13 after activation USB Debugging may receive a warning about loss of warranty.This is due to the manufacturer's policy: any manipulation of system files (including unlocking the bootloader) will void warranty obligations.
📊 What are you turning on for? USB Debugging at Xiaomi?
Firmware/unlocking
Installation of TWRP/root
Working with ADB/Scrcpy
Diagnosis of malfunctions
Other
Preparation: how to turn on the developer mode on Xiaomi
Before you activate USB Debugging, you need to unlock the hidden menu "For developers" on Xiaomi this is done through the system settings, but the process may vary depending on the version of MIUI.
The standard algorithm for most models (Redmi Note 11, POCO X5, Xiaomi 12T, etc.):
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- Find the item Version. MIUI and press it 7 times in a row (some firmware may require the input of a pattern lock or PIN-code).
- After the notification “You became a developer!” appears, return to the main Settings menu.
- Now there will be a new section – Additional → For developers (or just for developers in new versions of MIUI).
On some devices (such as the Black Shark 5 or the POCO F4 GT), the path may be different:
- 📱 Settings → System system → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 taps).
- 📱 Settings → Memory. → Version. MIUI (rare, but found on old firmware).
⚠️ Note: If you have 7 clicks on the Version MIUI Nothing happens, check if you have power saving disabled for the Settings app, and some firmware may require you to pre-connect to the Internet without it, the system blocks the activation of the developer mode.
Step-by-step: how to enable USB Debugging on Xiaomi
Once the developer mode is activated, you can start debugging over USB. Importantly, the location of the item may differ on different versions of MIUI. Below is a universal algorithm that is suitable for most devices (Redmi, POCO, Xiaomi and Black Shark).
Step 1. Open Settings → Additional → For Developers (or just for Developers if there is no “Additional” subsection).
Step 2. Scroll down to the Debugging block and find the Debugging on USB. Transfer the switch to the On position.
Step 3: A risk warning will appear. Press OK to confirm.
Step 4: Connect your phone to your computer through the original USB-The cable (preferably the one that came with it) will be asked to allow debugging from that computer on the phone screen. Check the box Always allow from that computer and click Allow.
If the USB Debugging option is not in the developer menu, try the following:
- 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the menu doesn’t update immediately after the developer mode is activated.
- 🔍 Use the search by settings: enter in the search bar (at the top of the Settings screen) the request "USB debugging".
- 📱 Update. MIUI: on older versions of the firmware (for example, MIUI 12 and below) paragraph may be referred to as Debugging USB without the word "po".
What to do if there is no “Developers” item?
If after 7 taps on "Version" MIUI" No section appears, check: 1. MIUI: Some regional firmware (e.g. India) may require a reset. 2. Mi Account: Some models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra) require a Mi Account binding before activating the developer mode. 3. Manufacturer restrictions: on devices with a locked loader (for example, POCO M5 for the European market) you may need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.** Table: where is the device located USB Debugging on different versions MIUI Location of the debugging item USB It may vary depending on the version of the shell. Below is a summary table for popular versions MIUI: Version. MIUI The way USB Debugging Features MIUI 14/15 (Android 13/14) Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB Mi Account confirmation is required on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13 Pro). MIUI 12.5 (Android 11/12) Settings → The phone. → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB On some firmware, the item is hidden - you need to first enable Allow unlock OEM. MIUI 11 and below the settings → Advanced settings → For developers → Debugging USB Older versions may not have permission requests when connecting to a PC. POCO Launcher (any version) Settings → System system → For developers → Debugging by USB Nana POCO Sometimes additional confirmation is required through security. Black Shark (Gaming Smartphones) Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 taps) → For developers → Debugging by USB On Black Shark 5 Pro, you may need to disable Game Mode before activating. MIUI not listed in the table, use the search by settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen) with the request "USB Debugging" or "debugging. Frequent errors and their solutions Even after switching on USB Debugging users often face problems connecting to the PC. Consider typical errors and how to fix them. 1. The computer does not see the phone in debugging mode If after connecting the device is not determined in the Debugging mode. ADB Or the Mi Flash Tool, follow the following steps: 🔌 Check the cable: use the original USB-cable (not all cables support data transmission). 🖥️ Install drivers: download Mi PC Suite or drivers ADB from the official Xiaomi website. 🔄 Change Connection Mode: When connecting to your PC in the notification curtain, select File Transfer (MTP) Instead of just charging. 🔧 Check the developer settings: make sure that the Allow Unblock option is enabled OEM (In some models, it is hidden before you connect to a PC. 2. Unauthorized error (not authorized) If you see unauthorized status when you type in the adb device command, it means that the phone has not given permission to debug from that computer. Solution: Disconnect the phone from the PC. On the phone go to Settings → Annexes → Application management. Find settings. → Memory. → Clear the data (to reset the list of authorized PCs). Connect the phone again and confirm the debugging request. 3. Item “Debugging of the USB" Inactive (grey) If the switch is debugged by USB blocked, the reasons may be as follows: 🔒 Loader is blocked: on some models (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) requires pre-unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool. 📱 Find Device is active: turn it off in Settings → Xiaomi account → Find Device. 🔋 Low battery power: on some firmware, debugging is blocked when charged below 20%. ⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) after being enabled USB Debugging may notify you that you have blocked certain features (such as Mi Pay or Face Unlock. 💡If the phone is not identified in ADB, First, check the connection in Windows Device Manager.The device should show up as Android. ADB Interface or Xiaomi Composite MDB Interface. If there's an exclamation mark, the driver problem is how to turn it off. USB Debugging on Xiaomi after completion of work with ADB Or the firmware recommends that you turn off debugging mode to improve security. → Additionally. → For developers, find the Debugging item. USB And you turn the switch to off. Confirm the action by pressing OK in the window that appears. USB Don’t be afraid, this is normal behavior. MIUI. To return it, it is enough to do 7 taps on the version again. MIUI You can also turn off the developer mode completely: 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management. 🔍 Find the Settings app and select Storage. 🧹 Click Clear Data – this will reset all developer settings (including: USB Debugging). Please note that after cleaning the data, other settings (such as screen or sound settings) may also reset. Therefore, it is recommended to back up through Settings before performing this operation. → System system → Backup. USB Debugging on a locked bootloader: what you need to know On all modern Xiaomi devices (released after 2018), the bootloader is locked by default. USB Debugging is not possible: 🚫 Install custom recovery (TWRP). 🚫 Switch your phone through Fastboot. 🚫 Get root rights without official unlocking. To unlock the bootloader, you need: Link the device to Mi Account (required!). Download the official Mi Unlock Tool utility from Xiaomi. Connect the phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clamp Volume down). + Power with the phone turned off). Follow the instructions of the program (it may take 7-30 days to unlock). Important: unlocking the bootloader erases all data from the device! So make a backup before the procedure (POCO F3, Redmi K40) After unlocking the bootloader, a warning may appear about the loss of support OTA-This means that the official updates "over the air" will no longer come - you will have to install them manually through Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool. How to check the status of the bootloader?To find out if the bootloader is blocked on your Xiaomi, follow the following steps: 1. Turn off the phone. 2.Put the Volume down. + Power to log in to Fastboot. 3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command: fastboot oem device-info 4. If the answer has a line Device unlocked: false - the bootloader is blocked. FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions Can I Include USB Debugging without developer mode? No, it's impossible. USB Debugging is the part of the developer menu that is hidden by default. First, you need to activate the developer mode (7 taps MIUI), And then you'll be able to turn on the debugging. USB Debugging phone is not defined in ADB? There could be several reasons: 🔌 Not original. USB-cable (try another one). 🖥️ There are no drivers. ADB on PC (install Mi) PC Suite or Google USB Driver). 🔄 Not selected File Transfer Mode (MTP) plug-in. 🔒 The phone doesn't confirm the debugging request from this computer, and check if the "Allow Unlock" option is enabled. OEM It's in the developer menu. USB Debugging on Xiaomi with a Broken Screen? If the screen isn’t working, but the phone is turning on, you can try the following methods: Connect the phone to the PC and use it. ADB For control (if debugging was enabled earlier). Commands: adb shell input text "Password OUT EKRAN BLOCK" adb shell input keyevent 66 (where 66 is the Enter key code). If debugging was not enabled, try connecting the mouse via OTG-You can use the adapter and control it. In the extreme case, you can run the phone through the Fastboot (you need to unlock the bootloader). If the screen is completely dead (no backlights), you can't debug it without repairing or replacing the display. USB Debugging after resetting? No, after hard reset (reset to factory settings) developer mode and USB Debugging is off. You'll have to re-activate Developer Mode (7 taps per version) MIUI). Turn on Debugging. USB. Confirm your permission to debug from your computer, except that if you backed up your settings through Mi Cloud and restored it after reset, some settings (including debugging) may be saved. USB Debugging through a computer without access to a phone? USB Debugging remotely (e.g., via PC or over the network) is not possible. This mode is activated manually through the phone menu. If you do not have physical access to the device, the only option is to use alternative methods of connection (e.g., Wi-Fi). ADB, But you need to access the phone to set it up, except that some firmwares with root rights already in place can manage settings through the phone. ADB, But it requires prior preparation.