Developer mode on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones POCO — It's a powerful tool for power users, but it's often turned on by accident. USB-Debugging, unlocking the bootloader or testing features, but now you want to return the standard interface – this instruction will help. Disabling the developer mode not only hides unnecessary menu items, but also increases the security of the device, since some settings can be used by attackers.
Unlike other manufacturers, Xiaomi does not provide a direct “Disable Developer Mode” button, instead requiring a series of actions that reset developer status or hide menus. In this article, we will look at all working methods, from simple reset through settings to radical methods such as reset to factory settings. MIUI (12, 13, 14 and smartphone models.
Why is the developer mode not disabled in the standard way?
Many users are faced with the fact that after disabling the slider, the developer mode in the menu settings continues to appear. MIUI:
- 🔹 Turning on the developer mode is locked into the system files. Simply turning off the slider does not remove this tag.
- 🔹 Some settings (for example, USB-debugging or unlocking OEM) They remain active even after the “switch off” mode.
- 🔹 In versions. MIUI 12-14 reset algorithm has changed: now you need not only to turn off the mode, but also to remove its “trace” in the system.
Moreover, on devices with an unlocked bootloader, the developer mode can automatically activate after a reboot, which is protection against accidental changes in critical parameters.
Method 1: Disconnect via basic settings (for MIUI 12–14)
This is the simplest method that works on most modern Xiaomi devices, which is suitable if you haven’t changed critical settings like OEM unlocking:
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row, and it should be a message that says, "You're already a developer!"
- Return to the main settings menu and open Additional settings → Developer settings.
- At the top of the screen, move the developer mode slider to the off position.
- Reset the device.
Once you reboot, the Developer Settings item should disappear from the menu. If that doesn't happen, move on to the next one.
Close all applications that use USB-debugging
Disconnect the device from the computer
Make sure that the battery charge is > 30%
Make a backup copy of important data-->
Method 2: Reset developer settings without data loss
If the first method didn't work, try resetting only the developer's settings without affecting user data. MIUI 13/14:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the search bar, enter Settings and select the system application "Settings".
- Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
- Confirm action. This will delete all user settings (wallpaper, sounds, brightness), but will not affect files and applications.
- After cleaning, restart the smartphone.
After the reboot, check for the Developer Settings item. If it's gone, mode is off. If it's not, you've got active developer flags (e.g., enabled). USB-debugging).
What if after resetting the developer mode returned?
Method 3: Complete reset to factory settings
A radical but guaranteed method is hard reset, which deletes all data, including the system flags of the developer mode, and is suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models:
⚠️ Warning: Full reset will delete all data on the device, including photos, contacts and apps. pre-backup through Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud Backup.
- Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Select Delete all data.
- Enter the password (if set) and confirm the reset.
- After the reboot, the device will be like new — without developer mode.
This method will also help if you accidentally change critical settings (e.g., disable DM-Verity), which has led to a cyclical reboot.
| Method of disconnection | Data retention | Works at MIUI 12-14 | Demands a PC. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection through settings | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. |
| Resetting the settings of the Settings application | ✅ Yes (except for custom settings) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. |
| Full reset (hard reset) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. |
| Disconnection through ADB | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (requires) USB-debugging) | ✅ Yes. |
Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)
If standard methods do not help, and you do not want to reset the settings, you can turn off the developer mode through ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method requires a computer and enabled USB-debugging:
First, prepare the device:
- Activate. USB-Debugging in Developer Parameters.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (use the original cable for a stable connection).
- On your computer, install ADB Tools (or use the Mi Flash Tool for Xiaomi).
Then execute commands in the terminal (command line):
adb shell
settings put global development_settings_enabled 0
settings put global adb_enabled 0Once you've done the commands, restart the device. The Developer Settings should disappear. If not, check if it's active. USB-debugging.
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If, after the execution, ADB-When the developer mode is back, try to execute the adb shell pm clear com.android.settings command. This will clear the Settings cache, which sometimes helps.
Method 5: Manually Delete Flags through System File Editor
For advanced users with root rights or custom recovery (TWRP), it is possible to manually remove the developer mode flags, a method that is risky and can lead to unstable system operation if executed incorrectly.
Instructions:
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
- Go to: /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
- Open the settings.db file in the SQLite editor (for example, via the SQLite Editor application).
- Find the global table and delete the rows with the parameters: development_settings_enabled adb_enabled
Save the changes, restart the device.
⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop or loss of functionality.This method is recommended only for users with experience with root and Nandroid backups.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When you turn off the developer mode, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:
- 🔄 Mode returns after reboot. Reason: active USB-debugging or unlocking OEM. Solution: Disable these options before deactivating the mode.
- 🔌 ADB The reason is that Xiaomi drivers are not installed or Charging through is enabled. USB. Solution: Install Mi PC Suite and select File Transfer Mode.
- 📱 The reason: no backup was created. Solution: use Mi Cloud or Google Drive for automatic backup.
If none of these methods worked, check to see if the device has custom software (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), in which case the developer mode logic may be different from the standard MIUI.
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On devices with the bootloader unlocked, the developer mode can be activated automatically when you connect to a PC. To avoid this, turn off OEM Unlock in the developer settings before deactivating the mode.