The hidden engineering menu in Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 smartphones is a powerful tool for hardware diagnostics, sensor calibration and fine-tuning of the system. It is designed for service centers and power users, but is available to every device owner. Unlike standard Android settings, you can test it here. LCD-screen, check the accelerometer, calibrate the battery or even change the parameters of modem communication.
However, not all features on this menu are safe. Incorrect actions can lead to loss of warranty, malfunction of the smartphone or even its βbrickingβ. This article will help you understand how to enter the engineering menu on Redmi Note 7, which sections are useful for the average user and which are better not to touch without special knowledge. We will also tell you how to exit the menu if something went wrong, and give tips on backup before experimenting.
What is an Engineering Menu and Why You Need It
The Engineer Mode (or Engineer Mode) is a hidden section. MIUI, It's a low-level setup for the hardware of the smartphone, and it's divided into several tabs, each of which is responsible for specific components:
- π§ Hardware Testing β Iron Testing (screen, speakers, cameras, sensors);
- π‘ Telephony - mobile communication settings (GSM, LTE, signal, antennae);
- π Battery - battery data, calibration, charge control;
- π± System β system logs, debugging, firmware information.
Main use cases:
- π Diagnosing faults (for example, why it doesnβt work) NFC gyroscope);
- β‘ Optimization of battery operation (statistic reset, calibration);
- πΆ Manual switching of networks (2G/3G/4G) in areas with poor coverage;
- π― Fine tuning of sensors (for example, correction of the proximity sensor).
It's important to understand that the engineering menu is not a secret lab for overclocking a processor or hacking a system. Most of the parameters here are for testing, not for permanent changes. For example, you can check if the vibrator is running at full power, but you can hardly change its frequency forever.
β οΈ Note: Changing settings in Telephony partitions (especially Band Selection) may cause network loss.
Official and unofficial ways of entry
There are two main ways to get into the engineering menu on the Redmi Note 7:
- Through the code of the set (works on most firmware) MIUI);
- Through the application "Phone" (alternative version for some versions).
The most universal way is to use service code.
- Open the standard phone application;
- Go to the keyboard tab;
- Enter the combination: ##4636##
- The Testing menu will appear on the screen (this is a simplified version of the engineering menu).
For full access to Engineer Mode, use a different code:
##36446337##Once you enter it, you'll see an extended menu with tabs on Hardware Testing, Telephony, and others, and if the code doesn't work, try the alternative:
##3644633##Some of the major versions (especially the global versions) MIUI) These codes can be blocked, and then installing the app will help. MTK Engineering Mode from Google Play (MediaTek-only) for Redmi Note 7 on Snapdragon 660, this method will not work.
Detailed guide to sections of the engineering menu
After you log in, you'll see a few tabs, and we'll look at the most useful and safe ones.
| Tab | Appointment | What can I do? | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware Testing | Testing of hardware components | Check the screen, speakers, cameras, sensors | Minimum (only reading data) |
| Telephony | Mobile communication settings | View information about the network, signal, SIM-card | Medium (changes in frequencies may disrupt communication) |
| Battery | Battery information | Find out the real capacity, temperature, voltage | Low (if you don't reset the statistics for no reason) |
| Location | Data data GPS and location sensors | Check the work GPS, GLONASS, BEIDou | Low. |
| System | System information and logs | View the software versions, error logs | High (not recommended to change parameters) |
The safest tab for experimentation is Hardware Testing, and you can:
- π Check it out. LCD broken pixels (color test);
- π Testing the speakers and microphone;
- πΈ Ensure the efficiency of the front and main cameras;
- π§ Check the accelerometer, gyroscope and compass.
On the Telephony tab, it is useful to see:
- πΆ Signal level in dBm (norm: from -70 before -110);
- π‘ Current cell and operator;
- π History of network reconnection.
β οΈ Attention: In the Telephony section β Band Mode can manually disable support for certain frequencies (e.g., band mode, LTE Band 20. This can lead to a complete loss of communication if there are no alternative bands in your region. Sometimes you can only return the settings back through a reset to the factory.
Check the performance of sensors
View information about the battery (capacity, charge cycles)
Find out the signal level of the mobile network
Test the screen for broken pixels
Reset battery statistics (only for real charge problems)-->
How to Reset Battery Statistics and Why You Need It
One of the most popular queries among Redmi Note 7 owners is how to reset your battery data.
- π The smartphone suddenly turns off when 20-30% charge;
- β‘ The percentage of charge "jumps" (for example, from 50% immediately to 20%);
- π The battery is running out too fast for no apparent reason.
To reset the statistics:
- Open the engineering menu (code #4636###)
- Go to the Battery Information tab;
- Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Battery calibration.
- Confirm the reset (a password may be required).
After discharge:
- π Reboot your smartphone;
- π Charge it to 100% without interruption;
- π± Use until full discharge (until automatic shutdown);
- π Repeat the charging-discharge cycle 2-3 once.
This procedure helps to recalibrate the battery controller, but does not restore the physically worn-out cells. If the battery capacity has fallen below 70% of the nominal (for example, from 4000 mAh to 2800 mAh), the only solution is to replace the battery.
β οΈ Attention: Resetting battery statistics is not a magic cure for quick discharge. If the problem is caused by background processes or battery wear, calibration will not help. β Battery.
π‘
Before calibrating the battery, turn off charging optimization in MIUI (Settings β Battery β Settings β Turn off "Adaptive Charging" to help you better determine the actual capacity.
What to do if the engineering menu does not open
If the service codes do not work, the reasons may be as follows:
- π Operator Blocking β Some Mobile Providers Restrict Access to Engineering Menus;
- π± Update MIUI β In new versions of the firmware, the codes may change;
- π‘οΈ Security Policy β Access is blocked on corporate or work phones;
- π§ Damaged system files β after failed firmware or root rights.
Decisions:
- Try the alternative codes: ##3644633####8255## (for testing purposes) GPS)
- Use the apps: π± MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek only); π§ Shortcut Master (Search for Hidden Menus); π Activity Launcher (Running System Activity).
Update the firmware:
If nothing works, the radical method is to unlock the bootloader and install custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu), where the engineering menu is usually available, but this voids the warranty and requires technical skills.
What to do if after entering the engineering menu smartphone freezes?
Dangerous sections: what not to touch without experience
Some of the tabs on the engineering menu can permanently disable a smartphone or make it unusable for everyday use.
- π‘ Change Band Mode settings to Telephony: Disable the main frequencies (e.g., disable the main frequencies, LTE Band 3 or Band 7 may deprive you of mobile communication. In some cases, you can only return the settings through firmware.
- π§ Change the parameters in the System β Log & Debugging: Activating debugging logs can clog up a smartphone's memory and cause lags.Some logs contain sensitive information (IMEI, network).
- π Manually edit Battery Thresholds: Setting the wrong charge thresholds (e.g., limiting to 80%) can cause the smartphone to not charge above this value even after the restriction is lifted.
- π± Throw it off NV Telephony Data: This Will Lead to Loss IMEI and not being able to call. IMEI Snapdragon without special equipment is extremely difficult.
It is especially dangerous to experiment with sections where there are:
- π’ Parameters with names Write, Erase, Reset;
- π Fields for entering numerical values (for example, RAT Mode);
- π Options that require rebooting after a change.
π‘
If you are not sure what the parameter is, donβt change it. Most of the useful features of the engineering menu are available in read-only mode (for example, checking sensors or signal level).
How to Get Out of the Engineering Menu and Get Everything Back
If you accidentally changed the settings and the smartphone started to work incorrectly, there are several ways to return the original state:
- Soft reset: Reboot the device β some temporary changes (such as sensor tests) will reset automatically.
- Network Reset: If you have communication problems, go to Settings β SIM-maps and mobile networks β Resetting network settings.
- Recovery through Recovery: Clutch Power + Volume up, select Wipe & Reset β Reset settings (does not delete data, but resets system settings).
- Flashing: If the smartphone is not turned on or lost IMEI, I'll have to reinstall. MIUI Fastboot with the Mi Flash Tool.
To get out of the engineering menu:
- Press the Back or Home button;
- Close the application through recent tasks.
- Some firmware works with a swipe gesture up from the bottom edge of the screen.
If after changes in the engineering menu, the smartphone became worse to work (for example, to discharge faster or catch the network poorly), try:
1. roll back changes (if you remember what you changed);
2. reset the network settings;
3. Perform reset to factory through Settings β About Phone β Reset settings.