“Other” in Xiaomi: decryption of hidden settings and their purpose

Xiaomi’s device settings menu — whether it’s a smartphone, TV or smart lamp — often contains the cryptic “Other” item (or Other in English firmware) that seems secondary at first glance, but actually hides critical parameters, from technical data to experimental features. Why doesn’t the manufacturer bring them to the home screen? The fact is that these settings are designed for power users or service centers — changing them without understanding can lead to failures.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what exactly is hidden under the “Other” in different types of Xiaomi devices, how these parameters affect the operation of equipment, and in which cases they should (or should not) be touched. Particular attention will be paid to the hidden developer modes that are activated through the “Other” option in the MIUI settings – their incorrect setting can block access to some functions of the smartphone.

What is hidden by the item “Other” in Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI)

In smartphones running MIUI, the Settings section → About Phone → All settings → Other (or Settings → About phone → Additional settings → Other) contains up to 15 hidden options.

• 🔧 Developer Mode – Activation through multiple clicks on the Version MIUI (opens up access to debugging USB, unlocking the loader, etc.).
• 📡 Network settings - manual control of bandwidths 4G/5G, Selection of a preferred network type (e.g, NR/LTE/WCDMA).
• 🔋 Battery: Detailed discharge statistics by application (including system processes that are usually hidden).
• 🛠️ Diagnostics – tools for testing display, camera, speakers (used in service centers).

Importantly, some of the parameters here are duplicated with the basic settings, but with advanced features, for example, in the Battery section you can see the battery temperature in real time, which is not available in the standard energy saving menu.

💡

After the update MIUI missing items in the "Other", reset settings through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Settings (⚙️) → Reset. It will bring back hidden options without losing data.

Xiaomi TVs’ “Other”: Smart TV’s Hidden Features

In Xiaomi Mi TV or Redmi Smart TV, the Settings → Device → Other (or Settings → Device Preferences → Other) hides options that the manufacturer does not recommend changing users.

• 📺 Color calibration modes – manually adjusting gamma, color temperature and contrast for professional screen calibration.
• 🔊 Audio processor – the choice between standard sound and Dolby Audio/DTS (may require a reset).
• 🌐 Network protocols - on/off IPv6, Prioritizing traffic for streaming.
• 🔄 Reset to factory settings – there is a complete erasure option (removes even firmware updates).

⚠️ Attention: Change of parameters HDMI-CEC This section may lead to conflicts with other devices (e.g., sound bar or receiver).If after editing the TV has stopped responding to the soundbar remote, reset via Settings. → The device → Resetting and remediation.

Table: Comparison of the item “Other” in different devices Xiaomi

The “other” in smart devices: lamps, routers, watches

In the Xiaomi ecosystem, the Other item is also found in smart devices, where it performs specific functions:

• 💡 Smart lamps (Yeelight, Mi) LED): Here are hidden the color temperature settings in Kelvin (from the 2000K before 6500K), and also the strobe mode for photographers.
• 📶 Routers (Mi Router, Redmi Router): in the web interface at 192.168.31.1, the “Other” section allows you to configure port forwarding or turn on a guest network with a speed limit.
• ⌚ Smart watches (Mi Band, Xiaomi Watch): in the Mi Fitness application here you can reset pedometer data or calibrate the compass.

⚠️ Note: In smart lamps Xiaomi change the parameter PWM-The frequency (hidden in "The Other") can cause flickering that is harmful to vision. The optimal value is 1000 Hz and above.

How to safely use hidden settings

Before you change the settings in the “Other” section, follow these rules:

Backup your data (in MIUI: Settings → About Phone → Backup)

Remember the current parameters (take a picture of the screen)

Check the power stability (do not change settings when battery is low)

Use official Xiaomi documentation (e.g. support.xiaomi.com)

-->

If the device has not started working properly after the changes:

1. Return the parameters to the original state (if you remember the values).
2. Reset settings only for the problem partition (for example, Reset network settings for Wi-Fi problems).
3. Contact the service center if the reset does not help – some settings (for example, calibration of the TV screen) require special equipment.

💡

Never change settings marked [Only for engineer] or [Factory mode] – these are designed for testing in the workplace and can cause the device to fail.

Frequent mistakes when working with the “Other”

Even experienced users make mistakes when trying to optimize the device through hidden settings.

• 📵 Disabling system applications in the Other section (e.g. com.miui.analytics) may cause malfunctions. MIUI or loss of functionality (for example, the weather and exchange rates will cease to update).
• 🔌 Changing the charging voltage (hidden in the smartphone engineering menu) speeds up battery wear.optimal value for most models — 5V/2A.
• 🎮 Activating Game Turbo mode via Other without need causes processor overheating and trottling (automatic performance decline).

⚠️ Attention: In Xiaomi TVs, enabling the option “Show Mode” (hidden in “Other”) leads to constant screen operation at maximum brightness – this reduces the life of the matrix by 2-3 times. + 2580 on a digital keyboard).

How to Recover Access to the Other if It's Lost

Sometimes, after updating your firmware or resetting, the "Other" item disappears from the menu. Here's how to restore it:

For smartphones:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Settings app (icon) ⚙️) and select the Warehouse. → Clear the data.
3. Restart the device – the partition should appear.

For TVs:

1. Turn off the TV for 1 minute.
2. Hold the Menu button on the remote + the Volume + button on the TV body.
3. In the menu that appears, select Reset to Default (reset will not delete personal data).

💡

If Other doesn't come back, check the firmware version. In some regional MIUI builds (e.g. India), hidden settings are blocked at the software level. The solution is to install global firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions