How to safely remove CIT Test on Xiaomi: all working methods

The China Inspection Test (CIT Test) is a service menu that appears on Xiaomi smartphones after firmware is used through informal tools or when hidden features are activated. It is designed to test the health of the device in production, but often remains active after purchase, interfering with normal use. If your Redmi, POCO or Mi screen constantly displays the CIT Test label, and unknown items appear in the settings, this is a sign of an activated test mode.

Removing CIT Test is not an easy task: standard methods like factory resets don’t work here. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to deactivate the test mode, including manual commands via ADB, flashing, and alternative solutions. It’s important to understand that wrong actions can lead to a bootloader lock or data loss — so follow the instructions carefully.

What is CIT Test and why does it appear on Xiaomi?

CIT Test Mode (or Factory Test Mode) is a diagnostic tool that Xiaomi uses to test devices before they are shipped to the market, which includes tests of display, camera, sensors, communication modules and other components, which normally turns off after passing all the checks, but sometimes remains active because of:

• 🔧 Unofficial firmware (for example, via Fastboot or TWRP)
• 📱 Activation via the engineering menu (#4636## or similar codes)
• 🔄 Failure to update software (especially on Redmi Note models) 8/9 Pro)
• 🛠️ Interferences with system files (e.g., deletion of com.xiaomi.cit applications)

The main signs of the activated CIT Test:

• 📵 Permanent inscription CIT Test in the status bar
• 🔧 Emergence of the paragraph CIT Factory Test in the settings
• 🚫 Inability to update through OTA (mistake MIUI version cannot be installed on this device")
• 📱 Hanging on the Mi logo when rebooting

In some models (for example, POCO X3 NFC Redmi Note 10 Pro mode can block access to Google Play Services, cause problems with Widevine L1 (downgrad L3) or off NFC. It is important to note that CIT Test ≠ Test Point (hardware method of unlocking the bootloader) is a software function, and its removal does not require opening the device.

Preparing for CIT Test Removal: What to Do in Advance

Before you start removing the test mode, follow the necessary preparatory steps to avoid a device breeze (complete failure) or data loss.

Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make sure that the battery charge is > 50%

Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website

Prepare the cable. USB PC with Mi Flash Tool drivers installed-->

Pay special attention to unlocking the bootloader. On most Xiaomi devices, it is locked by default, and you will need to unlock the firmware through Fastboot.

fastboot oem device-info

If the answer is Device unlocked: false, it means that the bootloader is locked. Unlocking takes up to 72 hours (requires binding Mi Account).

⚠️ Note: On Redmi Note 11 and later, unlocking the bootloader may cause data loss on the internal drive. SD-backup.

Also check if the device is activated Mi Cloud Lock (reset protection). If so, after firmware, the phone may require you to enter a password from the previous Mi Account. You can find out the lock status in the Settings menu → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Find the device.

Method 1: Remove CIT Test via ADB (without firmware)

If the test mode appeared after installing unofficial software or manipulating system files, it can be disabled via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on most devices with the bootloader unlocked and does not require complete flashing.

First, turn on the USB debugging:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to activate the Developer Mode.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

Next, run commands in ADB (via Command Prompt or Terminal):

adb shell


su




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.cit




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.cit




settings put global cit_mode 0




reboot

If the CIT Test inscription remains after the reboot, try an alternative method through the build.prop file editing:

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




echo "ro.cit_mode=0" >> /system/build.prop




mount -o ro,remount /system




reboot

⚠️ Warning: Changing the build.prop file can lead to a cyclical reboot if a syntax error is made.Before editing, back it up with the cp command /system/build.prop /sdcard/build.prop.bak.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13+), these commands may fail due to system partition protection, in which case move to a full firmware method.

💡

If ADB can't see the device, try reinstalling the Mi USB Driver drivers or using the original cable from the kit, and check if the antivirus or firewall is blocking access.

Method 2: Complete firmware with the Mi Flash Tool

If the CIT Test is not removed via ADB, the most reliable way is to flash the device with the official version of MIUI through the Mi Flash Tool, which will work even on a locked bootloader (but will require unlocking for some models).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery).
2. Uncancel the firmware file into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI\).
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Mi USB Driver.
4. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode.
5. Connect the device to the PC and in the Mi Flash Tool press Refresh – the device should be determined.
6. Select the firmware folder and click Flash. To completely remove the CIT Test, select the Clean all option (erase all data!).

It takes 5-10 minutes, and when it's done, it'll reboot to a clean system without a test mode.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a MediaTek processor (e.g., Redmi Note 11 or POCO M4 Pro) Fastboot firmware may lead to an error BROM ERROR: SLA AUTHENTICATION. In that case, use it. SP Flash Tool with an authorization file.

If the CIT Test is left behind, check the firmware version: sometimes you need a downgrade (downgrading the MIUI version) to an earlier stable build. For example, for the Redmi Note 9 Pro, a rollback from MIUI 14 to MIUI 12.5 can help.

💡

Firmware via the Mi Flash Tool is the most reliable way to remove the CIT Test, but it requires caution. Always choose the version of MIUI that corresponds to the region of your device (Global/China/EEA).

Method 3: Alternative methods (for experienced users)

If the standard methods didn't work, you can try alternative solutions, which are suitable for users with experience with TWRP or modified firmware.

Method 1: Removal via TWRP

If the device has a custom TWRP recap, follow the following steps:

1. Boot to TWRP (click Volume Up + Power).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Delete files: /system/app/CIT/system/priv-app/CIT/data/data/com.xiaomi.cit

Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache

Reset the device.

Method 2: Using Magisk

If you have Magisk installed, you can disable CIT Test via modules:

1. Download the module. Disable_CIT_Mode.zip (available XDA Developers).
2. Install it with Magisk → Modules → Install from storage.
3. Reset the device.

Method 3: Manual editing of the vendor section

On some models (e.g. POCO F3), the CIT Test is spelled out in the vendor section to remove:

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /vendor




rm -rf /vendor/overlay/CIT*




rm -rf /vendor/app/CIT*




reboot

Possible Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you delete the CIT Test, users often encounter common problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

One of the biggest problems is blocking your Mi Account after you've firmware, and that happens if you've activated Mi Cloud Lock on your device and you've reset through Fastboot.

• 🔑 Try to enter a password from your previous Mi Account.
• 📧 If your device, contact Xiaomi with a check for your purchase.
• 🛠️ If the phone is purchased by hand, contact the previous owner to unlock it.

Another common error is this package is for "xxx" devices; this is a "yyy." It means you're trying to flash the firmware for another model. Always check for compatibility by device code (e.g., ginkgo for Redmi Note 8 or surya for POCO X3 NFC).

fastboot getvar product

How to avoid the recurrence of the CIT Test

Even after successful removal of the CIT Test, it may reappear again. To prevent this from happening, follow these guidelines:

• 🚫 Do not install unofficial firmware without checking (especially from forums) 4PDA or XDA).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI only through official OTA Or Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔧 Do not delete system applications (e.g. com.xiaomi.cit) without backing up.
• 📱 Avoid using engineering codes (##...) without needing to do so.
• 🔒 Regularly check the integrity of the system partition TWRP Or OrangeFox.

If you often experiment with firmware, create a full backup through TWRP:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f /sdcard/backup.ab

This backup can be restored in the event of a failure.

On devices with MIUI 14 and later, Xiaomi has introduced additional protection against modifications – Dynamic Partitions. This means that any changes to the system or vendor partitions can lead to automatic reset or locking. If you plan to flash the device often, consider switching to custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, where CIT Test is not available by default.

💡

The most reliable way to avoid CIT Test is to use official firmware and not interfere with system files unnecessarily.

FAQ: Frequent questions about CIT Test on Xiaomi