Xiaomi special features: how to open the engineering menu and hidden features

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones hide many useful features from users that can significantly enhance the device’s capabilities, including an engineering menu for iron diagnostics, developer modes for fine-tuning the system, and hidden test options that the manufacturer leaves for service centers, but access to them is often blocked — not because of technical limitations, but by the company’s decision.

In this article, we will discuss all the legal ways to unlock special features on Xiaomi, from the standard activation of the developer mode to work with the engineering menu through codes and ADB. You will learn how to safely activate hidden functions without risking damage to the firmware, which options should be used to diagnose the device and which should not be touched. Particular attention will be paid to models with MIUI 14/15 and the latest smartphones of the Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi 13/14 series, where locking algorithms have become more difficult.

What are the “special opportunities” on Xiaomi and why they are needed

The term “special features” on Xiaomi usually refers to three types of functions:

• 🔧 Developer Mode is the official Android debugging tool that allows you to change system settings (such as animation speed, background processes, USB-debugging).
• 🛠️ Engineering menu (#4636##) – a hidden section for testing hardware components (display, battery, sensors, network).
• 🔒 Service codes – combinations for accessing diagnostic modes (e.g., camera test, check-up) IMEI, resetting network statistics).

These features are useful in different scenarios:

• 📉 Diagnostics of faults: checking the operation of sensors, battery test, network signal analysis.
• ⚡ Performance optimization: disabling background processes, changing parameters GPU.
• 🔄 Unlocking additional options: for example, activation 4K-shooting on budget models or the inclusion of hidden gestures.

⚠️ Note: Some of the options in the engineering menu (MTK Engineer Mode or Qualcomm Diag may result in a loss of warranty if you change the settings associated with RF modules (for example, Band Selection.

On new Xiaomi models (such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro+), access to the engineering menu is often blocked at the firmware level, due to the tightening of MIUI security policies after 2023.

How to Enable Developer Mode on Xiaomi (MIUI 12–15)

Developer mode is the first step to unlocking special features. Without it, you can’t use ADB, change system settings, or activate USB debugging. The on-board procedure is the same for all Xiaomi models, but the path in the menu can vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row.
3. After the notification “You became a developer” appears, go back to the main settings menu.
4. Now there will be a new section additionally → For developers.

If the item for developers does not appear:

• 🔍 Check if it is hidden in the settings search (enter “developer” in the search bar).
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes the partition appears after the reboot.
• 📱 In some models (for example, POCO F5) The path may be different: Settings → System system → Additionally. → For developers.

In the section For developers, be sure to include:

• USB Debugging (required to work with ADB)
• Unlock OEM (if you plan to unlock the bootloader).
• Do not turn off the screen during charging (useful for diagnosis).

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 15 (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Pro) when the Debugging is enabled USB The system can request confirmation via Mi Account, and if you don't link the device to your account, you won't be able to turn on this option.

Secret codes for accessing special features Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphones support dozens of service codes that provide access to diagnostic menus, which are universal for most MIUI-based models, but some may not work on new devices due to manufacturer restrictions.

How to enter codes:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination as if you were dialing a number.
3. Press the call button and the menu will open automatically.

On newer models (such as Xiaomi 14), some codes can be blocked, in which case the ADB bypass, which we will discuss in the next section, will help.

Unlocking the engineering menu via ADB (for new models)

If standard codes don’t work (e.g., on the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a computer debugging tool that requires pre-configuration, but opens up access to all hidden menus.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Platform Tools on your PC (download and unpack the archive).
2. Enable USB debugging on your phone (see the section on developer mode).
3. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools and type:

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings

This command will open the Developer section even if it's hidden. Use:

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.android.settings/.TestingSettings

If you need to run a hardware component test (for example, to check a display or battery), use:

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.miui.cts/.CtsTestActivity

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) after input ADB-You may have a request to unlock through Mi Account, and if the device is not tied to the account, this method will not work.

💡

If ADB Does not recognize the device, try reinstalling the Mi drivers USB Driver or use another driver USB-cable (preferably original).

Hidden camera settings: how to unlock 4K, RAW and night mode

MIUI firmware often artificially limits the camera’s capabilities on Xiaomi’s budget models (like the Redmi Note 11 or POCO M5), but these limitations can be removed through engineering menus or modified apps.

Methods of unlocking:

• 📸 From the Engineering Menu: Open the menu with ##6484## (for MediaTek) and go to Camera. 4K Video and RAW Support.

Through ADB

Qualcomm

adb shell setprop persist.camera.raw.support 1


adb shell setprop persist.camera.uhd.video 1

After entering the commands, restart the device.

Through modified GCam

Google Camera

BSG GCam

Wichaya GCam

RAW

Night Sight

On Xiaomi 12T and later, unlocking 4K through the engineering menu can cause the processor to overheat due to lack of firmware optimization. Before activating, check the temperature of the device in shooting mode.

Battery and network diagnostics: MIUI hidden tools

Xiaomi’s engineering menu allows you to check battery status, network signal strength, and even “zero” charge statistics if the phone doesn’t display battery percentage correctly.

How to check the battery:

1. Open the engineering menu with code ##4636##.
2. Go to the Battery Information tab.
3. Note the parameters: Charge level (should match the indicator in the status bar); Health status (Good is normal; Unknown requires calibration); Temperature (normal: 25-40 °C).

If the battery is discharged too quickly or the percentage of charge is “jumping”, calibrate:

1. Charge your phone to 100% and don’t turn off charging for another 1-2 hours.
2. In the engineering menu, look for the Battery Info → Calibration option (if available).
3. Discharge the device to 0% and charge again to 100% without interruptions.

To diagnose the network:

1. In the engineering menu, go to the Network Information tab.
2. Check parameters: Network type (LTE, 5G, HSPA) Signal level (in dBm: closer to 0, the better) SIM status (should be Ready).

Risks and Warnings When Working with Special Opportunities

Despite the usefulness of hidden features, their misuse can lead to:

• 🔋 Warranty Loss: Change of Radio Frequency Modules (Band Selection, RAT Mode) is logged and is the basis for refusal of warranty repairs.
• 📉 Unstable work: For example, unlocking 4K on weak processors (Redmi) 9A) may cause lags and overheating.
• 🚨 Device locking: Incorrect commands ADB (For example, fastboot oem unlock without unlocking the bootloader can lead to a “brick” (impossibility to turn on the bootloader).

What can't be done:

• ❌ Change the Modem settings or RIL In the engineering menu, this can disrupt the network.
• ❌ Activate options related to Bootloader if you don’t plan to unlock.
• ❌ Remove system applications through ADB backup.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 15 (e.g. Xiaomi 14) when trying to change settings NFCEE (NFC) or Secure Element through the engineering menu can work protection Mi Protect, which will block access to these options forever.

💡

Before any changes to the engineering menu or through ADB, back up your data and make sure your battery is above 50%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's special features