Enabling Developer Mode and Hidden Xiaomi Features: A Complete Guide for Technicians

Xiaomi is not just a gadget, it's a customization platform for a device developer. But by default, the manufacturer hides most of the tools needed to debug, test apps or modify firmware. Without activating developer mode, you won't be able to use ADB, Fastboot, unlock the bootloader, or even change display options that aren't available on the standard menu.

This article is not about basic power button switching on your TV or smartphone. Here we will discuss the technical methods for activating hidden functions for developers: from unlocking the OEM Unlock to enabling debugging on the USB on the MIUI and HyperOS. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances of working with Mi TV TVs and smartphones on Qualcomm/Mediatek chips, where the procedures may be different.

If you're planning to test your own apps, flash custom recovery (TWRP), or just want root access, you can't do without enabling developer mode, but be careful: doing the wrong thing can lead to a device lock or a loss of warranty.

This guide will only show current methods for 2026, tested on the latest firmware, and we will dispense with outdated advice like “click 7 times on the build number” (this still works, but now there are nuances with HyperOS), and focus on practical scenarios: debugging via Wi-Fi, unlocking the bootloader without waiting 7 days, and circumventing restrictions on Chinese versions of devices.

1. Activate Developer Mode on MIUI and HyperOS

Starting with MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS, the process of enabling developer mode has become a little more complicated. It is no longer enough to just tap the build number - the system may require additional authentication through a Xiaomi account.

Open Settings → About Phone (or About Tablet/About TV for Mi TV). Find the line "MIUI Version" (or "HyperOS Version"). Tap it with 7 once in a row at intervals of no more than 1 seconds. After 3-ZXPH0005QXZ presses, a pop-up window will appear with the countdown "You'reached NXXX!"

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Note: On some devices (e.g., Redmi Note 12 with HyperOS), after 7 clicks, the system will request a password from the Mi Account. If you did not link the device to the account, this step can block access to the developer mode, in which case you will first have to create a Xiaomi account and link the device.

After successful activation in the Settings menu, a new section "For developers" (or "Additional") will appear. → Developer settings on TVs. If you don't have one, check to see if it's hidden in the "developer" settings.

☑️ What to do if the "Developers" section does not appear

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2 Unlock OEM Unlock and enable debugging over USB

To work with ADB and Fastboot, it is not enough to simply turn on the developer mode, allow OEM to be unlocked and activate USB debugging, and on new devices, these options can be hidden or blocked until additional conditions are met.

Go to Settings → For developers and find the following parameters:

• 🔓 Unlock OEM – Allows bootloader modification (necessary for firmware TWRP or custom ROM). On some devices, this option only appears after the Mi Account is linked.
• 🐞 Debugging by USB – includes interaction with ADB. After activation, when you connect to a PC, a request for debugging permission will appear (be sure to tick "Always Allow from this computer"!).
• 🔄 Allow unlocking of the bootloader is a separate option on some models (e.g. POCO F5) that duplicates OEM Unlock.

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Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), unlocking OEM Unlock may require confirmation via SMS or waiting 72 hours after the first account is linked.

If the OEM Unlock option is inactive (grey), try:

1. Link the device to your Xiaomi account (unless previously done).
2. Connect the device to the Internet and wait for synchronization (can take up to 1 hour).
3. Reboot the device and check again.

On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 13T for the Chinese market), unlocking OEM Unlock is completely disabled at the firmware level.

1. Install Global ROM via Fastboot (Data loss guaranteed).
2. Use bypass utilities like Mi Unlock Tool with a patch to bypass restrictions (the risk of locking the device!).
3. Contact the service center for official unlocking (for developers of applications under MIUI).

3. Features of the inclusion of the developer mode on Mi TV

Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV A2, Q2, P1, etc.) are based on Android TV, but have a stripped-down settings interface. Activation of the developer mode here is different from smartphones and requires a remote control or a connected keyboard.

Turn on the TV and go to: Settings → About TV → Android TV version.

Slip the line with the version 5-7 times (some models need to hold the OK button on the remote), and then the Settings menu will appear in the section "Developers".

Inside you'll find options:

• 🖥️ Debugging by USB – to connect to a PC via ADB (OTG- cable required).
• 🔌 Network debugging – allows you to connect over Wi-Fi (convenient for remote debugging of applications).
• ⚡ Acceleration GPU — Includes hardware acceleration for gaming and heavy-duty applications.
• 📱 Display emulation – changes screen resolution (useful for testing adaptive interfaces).

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Note: On Xiaomi TVs with Chinese firmware (CN ROM), the "Developers" section can be blocked even after 7 taps, in which case only the Global ROM firmware via USB Burning Tool (instruction below) will help.

4. Enable debugging over Wi-Fi (wireless ADB)

Wi-Fi debugging is convenient when physical USB connectivity is difficult (e.g., on TVs or when testing applications on multiple devices at once) to activate this mode:

1. Connect your device to your PC via USB and make sure that ADB is working (the adb device team should show your device).
2. Follow the command: adb tcpip 5555 This will put ADB in network mode on port 5555.
3. Disable the USB- cable and connect via Wi-Fi: adb connect IP_USTORY:5555 To learn IP, use the adb shell ip route or look in the Wi-Fi settings on the device.

For permanent use, add to ~/.bashrc (or ~/.zshrc) alias:

alias adbwifi='adb connect 192.168.1.100:5555'

(Replace 192.168.1.100 with current IP).

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Note: On HyperOS, after restarting the device, the 5555 port is reset. To avoid reconnecting via USB, use the command: adb shell settings put global adb_wifi_enabled 1 This will save the debugging settings over Wi-Fi after the reboot.

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If the device is not visible on the network, check that both devices (PC and Xiaomi) are connected to the same Wi-Fi subnet. Routers with AP Isolation function can block local interaction.

5 Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader) for firmware

Without an unlocked bootloader, you can't install TWRP, Magisk or custom firmware. Xiaomi officially allows unlocking, but the process is complicated to protect against fraud. Here's the current guide for 2026:

1. Make sure that the developer mode is enabled: 🔓 OEM Unlock 🔄 Mi Unlock Status (should be Add Account and Device).

Mi Unlock Tool

6.5.406.24

Mi

Fastboot

Loudness down + Nutrition

Unlock

HyperOS

72 hours

On devices with a Mediatek chip (such as Redmi 12 or POCO M6), unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool can result in an error of 0xc0030005. In this case, you will need to use alternative methods such as MTK Bypass or firmware via the SP Flash Tool with an authorized account.

6. Enabling hidden menus of engineering mode

In addition to the developer mode, Xiaomi devices have engineering menus that allow you to test hardware, calibrate sensors or change network settings, accessed through secret codes or button combinations.

The most useful engineering menus:

• 📡 Network test: type in the dialer ##4636###. Here you can force to switch network types (2G/3G/4G/5G), test ping and check the SIM- card information.
• 🔧 Engineering menu MTK (for Mediatek): ##36446337##. Allows you to calibrate the accelerometer, gyroscope, camera and display.
• 📱 Sensor test: ##0*## (on some models) Touchscreen, color screen and speaker.
• 🔋 Battery menu: ##44336##. Shows real battery wear and charging history.

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Note: Some engineering codes may not work on HyperOS devices, and instead use the MTK Engineering Mode (for Mediatek) or Qualcomm Service Menu (for Snapdragon) app, which you can download from APKMirror.

For Xiaomi TVs, the engineering menu opens as follows:

1. Turn off the TV.
2. On the remote control, press the Menu + Volume buttons down at the same time and hold for 10 seconds.
3. Turn on the TV with the power button, without releasing the other buttons.

In the engineering menu, you can test the backlight, sound, ports of HDMI and even change the MAC- address of the network adapter.

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Engineering menus are designed for diagnostics and may contain options that cause the device to work in an unstable way. Don't change the settings unless you're sure they're there!

7. circumventing restrictions on Chinese versions of devices

Xiaomi’s Chinese-market devices (CN ROMs) often have severe limitations: blocked OEM Unlock, no Google Services, and no ability to change region.

Method 1: Firmware Global ROM via Fastboot

1. Download the official Global ROM for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Unpack the archive and find the file. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
3. Connect the device in Fastboot mode and start the script. Attention: this will completely erase the data!

Method 2: Bypass ADB (for some models)

If firmware is not possible, try manually enabling OEM Unlock via ADB:

adb shell settings put global oem_unlock_enabled 1

On some devices, this will work, but after the reboot, the setting may reset.

Method 3: Use of the Mi Unlock Tool

For devices with Mediatek (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro CN), you can use a modified version of the Mi Unlock Tool to bypass account verification. However, this is risky: Xiaomi can block the device for suspicious activity.

Xiaomi

Global ROM

• 📵 Some models (e.g., Xiaomi 13 Ultra CN) have hardware frequency limits 5G that won't fix after firmware.
• 🔄 Updates over the air (OTA) may not arrive or crash the system.
• 🚫 The warranty is void if the device was purchased in China.

It is better to flash the Global ROM only on models that are officially sold outside of China (for example, the POCO F5).

FAQ: Frequent questions about enabling a developer mode