Where the Android team went on Xiaomi and how to get it back: 7 working ways

You try to get into Xiaomi's hidden settings through an Android command, but the system doesn't recognize it? This problem is typical for devices with a MIUI shell or HyperOS, where the manufacturer purposefully hides technical menus from users. In 2023-2026, the company tightened its security policy, and many engineering codes stopped working through standard input.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven methods to circumvent restrictions and access hidden features, from simple key combinations to manual editing of system files. We will focus on the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13T models, where the problem is most common, and explain why the team can be absent from the Xiaomi TV Box and how to fix it without losing warranty.

Why Android is not working for Xiaomi

The reasons for the team's disappearance fall into two groups: software constraints from the manufacturer and technical failures. 90% of the time, the MIUI/HyperOS shell, which blocks access to the engineering menu through standard methods, is to blame.

• 🔒 Update: After switching to HyperOS (starting with the MIUI 14) many service codes have been deactivated to “simplify the interface».
• 📱 Regional restrictions: On devices for the Chinese market (China) ROM) Team may be absent due to local regulations.
• 🛠️ Rooting or modification: If custom firmware (such as LineageOS) was previously installed, system commands could be removed.
• 🔄 Resetting: After a hard reset, some service features require re-activation.

Xiaomi. TV Box (Models S 2, 4K Pro: Android command is often missing due to stripped-down version of Android TV, where the engineering menu is replaced by ADB-Alternative methods will be required (in the section on the subject of the TV-boxing).

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) Trying to enter ##4636## can result in 24-hour testing blocking».

Method 1: Alternative codes for logging into the engineering menu

If the standard Android command doesn’t work, try these combinations. They work on most Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO devices with MIUI 12–14 and HyperOS:

How to enter codes:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to the keyboard tab (do not enter the number!).
3. Dial the combination without spaces and press the green tube.
4. If the menu doesn’t open, try adding # to the beginning and end (e.g. #4636##*).

On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 Pro), code ##4636## can open a stripped-down version of the menu without a Battery partition. ADB (4).

Method 2: Access through Developer Settings

If the engineering codes are blocked, you can activate hidden options through the developer menu, which works on 100% of devices, but requires preconfiguration:

Activate Developer Mode (7 taps by Assembly Number)

Connect the device to Wi-Fi

Make sure the battery is charged >50%

Shut down. VPN (It can block system requests)-->

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI (or HyperOS version) version.
2. Tap on the item “Build Number 7 times until the notification “You became a developer!” appears.
3. Go back to the main Settings menu and open a new section for developers.
4. Activate switches: USB debugging (required!) OEM unlocking (if any) Do not turn off the screen while charging (for convenience)

Reset the device.

After that, additional items will appear in the menu for developers, for example:

• 📊 Process statistics (analogue #4636##)
• 🔧 Symbolic input (for keyboard testing)
• 📡 Radio Logs (network information)

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F5, Redmi K60) The developer section may be hidden after the update. To return it, reset your network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

Method 3: Using applications to access hidden menus

If the system methods don’t work, install one of these apps (available on Google Play or via APK):

• 🔧 MTK Engineering Mode – for devices running MediaTek processors (Redmi) 10C, POCO M5). Opens a complete engineering menu, including camera and sensor tests.
• 📱 Shortcut Master scans the system for hidden activities (e.g. com.android.settings.TestingSettings).
• 🔍 Secret Codes – a database of all service codes for Xiaomi, including regional versions.
• 🛠️ QuickShortcutMaker – creates shortcuts for hidden functions (e.g., Display Test or Battery Calibration).

How to use QuickShortcutMaker:

1. Download and install the application (USB debugging permission is required).
2. In the search box, enter engineering or testing.
3. Select an activity called com.android.settings.TestingSettings.
4. Click Create a shortcut and place it on the home screen.

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1

After restarting, repeat the search.-->

Method 4: Features for Xiaomi TV Box and Android TV

On Xiaomi Mi Box S, Mi TV Stick and other TV-boxes, the Android command is absent by default.

• 🖥️ ADB-The commands are via the computer: adb shell am start -n com.android.tv.settings/.MainSettings Opens the full settings menu, including hidden partitions.
• 🔌 Remote button combinations: Hold Menu + Home 5 seconds - Recovery opens. + Volume up - display test.
• 📦 Third-party launchers (e.g, ATV Launcher or Wolf Launcher that gives you access to system settings.

For Xiaomi TV Box 4K (models 2023-2026) there is a separate instruction:

Method 5: Manual editing of system files (for advanced ones)

If all previous methods failed, you can manually activate hidden menus through the editing of the build.prop file. This method requires root rights and is only suitable for experienced users!

Instructions:

1. Install Root Explorer or Mixplorer (with root access enabled).
2. Go to /system/build.prop and back up the file.
3. Add a line to the end of the file: ro.debuggable=1
4. Save the changes, set the rights 644 (rw-r-----).
5. Reset the device.

Then try to re-enter the code ##4636## or use ADB to access hidden features.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing build.prop can lead to bootloop. On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the file is protected by dm-verity, and changing it will require disabling verification through Magisk.

💡

Editing system files is an extreme method, and 90% of Xiaomi devices are only required to use ADB or alternative codes (methods 1 and 4).

Method 6: Reset to factory settings (if nothing helps)

If the Android command is missing after an update or crash, do a soft reset (no data loss) or a hard reset (complete cleanup).

• 🔄 Soft reset (saves files but resets settings): Go to Settings → The phone. → Select Reset All Settings (not Reset to Factory!) Confirm Action.
• ⚠️ Hard reset (removes everything, including photos and apps): Turn off the device. Keep Volume up + Power before the Mi logo appears. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data. Confirm reset and wait for reboot.

After reset, check the ##4636## command. If it still doesn't open, then the restriction is at the firmware level (see HyperOS section).

Method 7: Bypassing HyperOS Restrictions (for New Devices)

On HyperOS smartphones (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70 Pro), many engineering codes are locked at the kernel level to unlock them:

1. Activate Debugging over USB (see Method 2).
2. Connect the device to your PC and run ADB's command: adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.android.settings/.TestingSettings
3. If a SecurityException error appears, type: adb shell pm grant com.android.settings android.permission.DUMP and try again.

For models on Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 (for example, Xiaomi 13T Pro) works bypass through Diag ports:

Important: On HyperOS devices, MIUI Anti-Rollback protection can work after circumventing restrictions. To avoid blocking, do not lower the firmware version below the one installed out of the box.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)