How to completely disable the developer menu on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

The developer menu on Xiaomi smartphones is a powerful tool for power users to configure hidden system settings, debug applications and change device behavior. However, once activated, this section remains in the settings, which can cause discomfort for ordinary users: random changes in parameters can lead to MIUI failures, performance deterioration or even locking the device. In addition, some features (for example, OEM Unlock or USB Debugging) pose a potential security threat if the smartphone falls into the wrong hands.

In this article, you will find 5 working ways to disable the developer menu on any Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO — From simple resetting through settings to radical methods like reset to factory settings, we'll also look at why the standard "switch off" of the developer's settings doesn't always work, and what to do if the menu continues to display after all the manipulations. Instructions are relevant to versions MIUI 12, 13 and 14, including global and Chinese firmware.

Why does the developer menu not disappear after the shutdown?

Many users are faced with a paradoxical situation: they go to Settings → Additionally. → The developer's settings, they switch the slider to off, but after the device reboots, the menu reappears. MIUI:

• 🔧 Cached settings: The system saves the menu state in temporary files, and simply turning them off doesn’t clear them.
• 📱 Active debugging sessions: If previously enabled USB Debugging and connected software like ADB Mi Unlock Tool, the system can automatically reactivate the menu.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: After installing new firmware versions, some hidden parameters are reset, but not completely removed.

Moreover, on some models (such as the Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi Note 11), the developer menu is tied to the Mi Account. If you previously logged in and synchronized settings, the system can restore them after rebooting. This is not a bug, but a feature of MIUI, designed to simplify the work of developers, but creating difficulties for ordinary users.

Method 1: Standard Switch Off Through Settings (Works 60% of the time)

The most obvious method is to deactivate the menu via the MIUI interface, which will work if you haven’t changed critical settings (e.g., haven’t enabled Root access or blocked system applications).

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device on some models).
3. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until the notification you become a developer! (this is to make the menu visible again if it is hidden).
4. Return to the main Settings menu and select Additional → Developer Settings.
5. Move the slider at the top of the screen to the off position.
6. Reset the device (required!).

If you re-start the menu, it's been restored from the backup, so move on to the next way.

Turn it off. USB-debugging in developer parameters

Make sure there are no active ADB connections

Save important data (in case of reset)

Check the version. MIUI (practicable ADB)-->

Method 2: Reset developer settings via ADB (for advanced)

If the standard method does not work, you can use the Android Debug Bridge tool (ADB). This requires you to connect your smartphone to your computer, but it's guaranteed to remove all traces of the developer's menu. USB-debugging in the settings, otherwise the system can block access.

Instructions:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. Connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-cable (use the original cable for connection stability).
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device appears in the list, go further.
5. Reset command: adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 0
6. Reboot your smartphone: adb reboot

After the reboot, the developer menu should disappear, and if not, check if the sync with the Mi Account is active (it can restore settings).

Method 3: Remove through the Settings Editor (without root)

On some MIUI firmware, the developer menu stores its state in a settings database, and you can use Activity Launcher (available on Google Play) to remove it, which does not require root rights, but it does not work on all models.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Open the application and find in the Settings list.
3. Tap on the item.DevelopmentSettings (may be called Developer Settings).
4. In the menu that opens, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Clear Data.
5. Confirm the action and restart the device.

This method works if the developer menu is not tied to system services. On Xiaomi with MIUI 14, the method is about 40% efficient, so if nothing has changed, move on to the next method.

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Before using Activity Launcher, create a restore point in Settings → System → Backup. This will help you return the settings if something goes wrong.

Method 4: Complete resetting (radical method)

If all the previous methods didn't work, the last option is factory reset, which will remove not only the developer menu, but all user data, applications and settings. Use this method only as a last resort!

How to perform the reset:

1. Save important data (photos, contacts, messages) to an external drive or to the cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
4. Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.
5. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the device will restart and the developer menu will be completely removed.

• 📲 Remove all installed applications.
• 🔑 Reset passwords from Wi-Fi and accounts.
• 📁 Cleans internal memory (photos, videos, documents).

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Factory reset is the only method guaranteed to delete the developer menu 100%, but only use it if other methods fail, as it will result in the loss of all data.

Method 5: Firmware rollback (for power users)

In rare cases, a developer menu can be stitched into firmware (e.g., on MIUI test or custom builds). If you are sure that the problem lies in the version itself, you can roll back to a more stable firmware, which requires an unlocked bootloader and knowledge of working with Fastboot.

Instructions:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Unclose the firmware file in a folder from fastboot.exe.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume down + Power when the device is off).
4. Run the command for firmware: fastboot flash all name file firmware.img
5. Wait until the device is finished and restart.

⚠️ Attention: Wrong firmware can turn a smartphone into a brick. Use this method only if you know exactly the device model and firmware version. On Xiaomi with a locked bootloader, this method will not work.

Table: Comparison of methods of disabling the developer menu

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you try to disable a developer menu, users often encounter typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

• 🔄 Menu returns after reboot: Reason - active sync with Mi Account. Solution: disable sync in Settings → Xiaomi account → Synchronization before switching off the menu.
• 🔌 ADB Does not see the device: Make sure the mode is on USB Debugging and drivers installed. Windows may require manual installation of the Mi driver ADB Interface.
• 📱 Activity Launcher Resets: On some models (e.g., Activity Launcher, POCO F4) This method is blocked. Try alternative applications like QuickShortcutMaker.
• 🔒 Requested. PIN After the reset: If you forgot PIN from your Mi Account, restore it through the official website before resetting.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously activated OEM Unlock in the developer menu, disabling it can block the ability to unlock the bootloader in the future.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions