Activity Launcher on Xiaomi Redmi 9: How to open hidden MIUI menus and manage system functions

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with extensive customization options, but not all features are available through the standard menu. Many useful tools are hidden by the manufacturer to avoid accidental changes in system parameters. Here comes Activity Launcher, a utility that allows you to run any system components of Android and MIUI, even those that are not displayed in the interface.

In this article, you will learn how to install and use Activity Launcher on Redmi 9, what hidden features you can activate, and how to avoid typical errors when working with system settings. We will also understand which operations are safe and which can lead to unstable device operation. If you want to gain full control of your smartphone without obtaining root rights, this guide is for you.

What is Activity Launcher and Why You Need It on Redmi 9?

Activity Launcher is an application that provides access to all Activity (screens and dialogues) installed programs, including system ones. In MIUI, as in other Xiaomi firmware, many functions are hidden from the user to simplify the interface or prevent incorrect settings.

• 🔧 Open hidden developer menus (even if they are not activated through settings)
• 📱 Run diagnostic utilities to check sensors and hardware components
• ⚙️ Modify system parameters not available in the standard interface (e.g., USB-debugging settings or ADB)
• 🔄 Restore deleted or disabled features (e.g. older versions of menus or utilities)

This is especially true on Redmi 9 (model M2003J15SS or M2004C3LGG, as MIUI 12/13 often restricts user settings to a simplified interface. For example, Activity Launcher can return the old screen settings menu with advanced color options or enable the engineering menu mode to test the NFC or IR- blaster module.

It is important to understand that not all Activity is safe to change, and some system settings can cause crashes or even loss of data if changed without understanding the consequences, so it is recommended to back up data before using Activity Launcher.

How to install Activity Launcher on Xiaomi Redmi 9

Activity Launcher does not require root rights, but installing it has its own nuances on Xiaomi devices.

1. Download the APK- file from an official source (e.g. Google Play or APKPure).Redmi 9 may not have access to Google Play, so use alternative stores or direct download APK.
2. Allow installation from unknown sources: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Application Settings (cog at the top) → Install unknown applications. Select the browser or file manager you will install APK through and enable permission.

Install the app

If Activity Launcher doesn’t display system Activity after installing, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Update the list (update button in the upper right corner of the app).
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone — sometimes MIUI blocks access to system components before restarting.
• 🔧 Check permissions: go to Settings → Applications → Activity Launcher → Permissions and grant all necessary rights.

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If Activity Launcher doesn’t show you the right system menus, try installing an alternative version of the app, QuickShortcutMaker, which has similar functionality, but sometimes works better with MIUI.

Activity Launcher: What you can set up on Redmi 9

Once you install Activity Launcher, you’ll have access to hundreds of hidden menus, and consider the most useful ones for Redmi 9:

One of the most popular features is access to the Engineering Mode, which allows you to:

• 📶 Check the signal quality of the mobile network and Wi-Fi.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery sensor (useful if the percentage of charge is incorrect).
• 🎤 Test microphone, speakers and vibration.

However, beware: changing the settings in the engineering menu can lead to loss of warranty or unstable operation of the communication module. For example, improper setting of Band Selection in the network menu can make the smartphone invisible to the operator towers.

How to Open Hidden Menus with Activity Launcher

Let’s take a look at how to access the advanced developer settings and engineering menu on Redmi 9:

Create a backup copy of the data|Charge your smartphone at least 50%|Disable important notifications|Close the background annexes-->

1. Open Activity Launcher and select All Activities tab.
2. Find the system application: For the developer menu: com.android.settings → DevelopmentSettings. For the engineering menu: com.android.settings → TestingSettings.

Click on the right item.

Activity

ADB

Change the settings.

Example of a way to enable debugging over USB (if hidden in the standard menu):

com.android.settings → DevelopmentSettings → EnableAdb

If the menu is not on the list, try:

• 🔍 Search in Activity Launcher (magnifying glass icon).
• 📲 Update the Activity list (swipe down or update button).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and repeat the search.

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Not all hidden menus work the same on different versions of MIUI. For example, in MIUI 13, the path to the engineering menu may be different from MIUI 12. Always check the relevance of the information for your firmware.

Which settings can be changed and which cannot be changed

Not all hidden features are equally secure, and the following is a risk table for popular operations on Redmi 9:

Critically, changing the settings in the EngineerMode → Hardware Testing → RF Tool menu can cause permanent loss of mobile network signal.

If you are not sure about the consequences of changing the parameter, use the following tips:

• 📝 Take a picture of your current settings before you change.
• 🔄 Change one setting and check for stability.
• 🛠️ Use Safe Mode for testing (press the Power button → Safe Mode).

⚠️ Warning: In some versions of MIUI for Redmi 9, changing the parameters in EngineerMode → Hardware Testing → Sensor may cause sensors to malfunction (gyroscope, accelerometer). This will manifest in the game or applications with AR. To return the original settings, a factory reset is required.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with Activity Launcher, Redmi 9 users often face the following problems:

1. The app does not show system menus Solution: Update Activity Launcher to the latest version. Check if MIUI Optimization is blocked (disable in the developer settings).
2. After the settings were changed, the smartphone began to slow down the Solution: Return the changed parameters to the original state. Clear the cache in Settings → Apps → Activity Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache. Reboot the device.
3. Loss of signal after changing network settings Solution: Reset network settings to Settings → SIM- Cards and Mobile Networks → Reset. If that doesn’t help, reset to factory settings (with loss of data).

Another common mistake is to try to run Activity, which is intended for other Xiaomi models. For example, the setting menu of the AMOLED- screen will not work on the Redmi 9 with IPS- matrix, and trying to open it can lead to graphic artifacts.

⚠️ Warning: If Redmi 9 stopped booting after changing the hidden settings (hangs on the MIUI logo), try Power + Volume Up and do Wipe Cache Partition. If that doesn't work, you'll need a full reset (Wipe Data).

Activity Launcher Alternatives for Redmi 9

If Activity Launcher doesn’t work or work on your device, consider the following alternatives:

For experienced users willing to work with ADB, you can use commands to run hidden menus directly. For example, to open the sensor testing menu, do:

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

If you are looking for maximum risk-free functionality, we recommend combining Activity Launcher with QuickShortcutMaker – this covers 90% of the hidden features of MIUI.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions