How to enable the developer settings on Xiaomi: secret settings and features

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones hide a powerful tool from ordinary users: developer parameters. This menu section allows you to fine-tune the MIUI system, speed up animations, test new features and even unlock hidden CPU capabilities. But why does the manufacturer hide these settings? The thing is security: improper changes can lead to malfunctions, overheating or even a “brick” of the device.

The inclusion of developer mode on Xiaomi is different from standard Android – there are some nuances. For example, on some models after the update of MIUI 14/15, the path to activation has changed, and on devices with a MediaTek processor, some of the functions can be blocked by the manufacturer. In this article, you will find current ways to unlock for all modern smartphones of the brand, including Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and POCO F6.

⚠️ Important: Some functions in the developer settings (e.g, OEM Unlock or USB Debugging) can be used to hack into a device, only enable them if you understand the risks!

Why you need the developer parameters on Xiaomi

Many users mistakenly believe that this section is only for programmers, but in fact, it has some useful features for ordinary users:

• 🔄 Speeding up the interface: disabling animation makes the smartphone noticeably faster (especially relevant for budget Redmi with 60 Hz screen).
• 📶 Hidden networks: forced inclusion 4G/5G in regions with unstable coating.
• 🔋 Charge savings: limiting background processes to increase operating time.
• 🖥️ For gamers: forced activation of Game Turbo mode for any applications.
• 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader: the first step to install custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS).

For example, on Xiaomi 13 Ultra, you can use the developer settings to enable the “Desk Mode” mode, a full-fledged desktop with mouse and keyboard support that is officially only available on tablets. And on POCO X6 Pro, you can also use the screen color profile setting that is not on the standard menu.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for Russia (firmwareware) RU) Some of the developer's functions may be blocked at the request of local law, for example, it is not possible to enable the development of the software. USB Debugging without additional manipulation.

Official way to include MIUI 14/15 (2026)

The standard method works on all modern Xiaomi smartphones, including the latest models. You don't need root rights or a computer, it's all done through the phone's settings.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the About Phone section (usually at the bottom of the list).
3. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row.
4. After 3-4 pressing, a pop-up window will appear with the countdown: "You are almost at the target!".
5. After pressing 7, you will see a message saying, “You are a developer!”

Now, a new section will appear in the main Settings menu — Additional → Developer Settings. On some firmware (e.g. MIUI EU), it may be called For Developers.

💡 Tip: If nothing happens after 7 taps, check if your device has a lightweight version installed. MIUI In this case, the developer parameters can be completely removed from the firmware.

Alternative methods for older models

On Xiaomi’s 2018-2020 smartphones (like the Redmi Note 7 or Mi 9), the standard way may not work due to the firmware features.

Method 1: Engineering Mode (for MediaTek)

MediaTek processor devices (such as Redmi 9A or POCO C31) have a hidden engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##36446337##.
3. In the menu that appears, select MTK Settings → Developer Options.

Method 2: Through ADB (for blocked firmware)

If the manufacturer has blocked access to the settings (relevant for some regional firmware), you can use ADB:

adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 1


adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings

These commands force the developer menu to open even if it is hidden.

Top.-5 useful functions in the parameters of the developer

Now that you have access, let’s talk about the most useful hidden settings. Remember: only change the settings that you understand the purpose of!

1. Accelerate animation (making the smartphone faster)

By default, MIUI uses 1x latency animation, which can be reduced or turned off completely:

• The scale of the animation window → 0.5x or Otkl.
• Transition animation scale → 0.5x
• The scale of the duration of animation → Otknocked.

⚠️ Note: On weak devices (e.g. Redmi) A2+) Disabling animation can lead to slowdowns due to lack of RAM.

2. Compulsory 4G/5G Entry

If your smartphone is constantly switching to 3G in regions with unstable coverage:

1. Find the item Networking technologies.
2. Select LTE Only or NR/LTE/TD-SCDMA... for 5G.
3. Reset the device.

3. OEM-unlocking permission (for firmware)

If you are planning to install custom firmware, turn on:

• Unlocking OEM → On.
• Debugging on USB → On.

⚠️ Warning: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) after-in OEM Unlock resets all data from internal memory!

Enabling Desk Mode (desktop)

Activates a full desktop interface when connected to the monitor:

• Forced Enablement of Desk Mode → On.
• Connect the device via USB-C → HDMI.

5. Optimizing the battery for gaming

For gamers on POCO and Black Shark:

• Turn off optimization MIUI → specific games.
• Background process limit → Standard constraint.

💡

On Xiaomi Pad 6, the developer’s settings are hidden under the “Force peak refresh rate” setting – it allows you to force 144 Hz to be turned on even in the menu, where 60 Hz is the default.

Dangerous settings: what not to touch

Some parameters can permanently disable the device or make it vulnerable to hackers, and this is something you should not change unless absolutely necessary:

• 🚨 Mock Locations – allows you to fake GPS (It can block banking applications).
• 🔥 Disable HW overlays – forced use GPU for rendering (will cause overheating).
• 📵 Stay awake – the screen is always on when charging (kills the battery quickly).
• 🔓 USB Debugging Security Settings – Disables protection when connected to a PC.
• 💀 Disable permission monitoring makes the system vulnerable to viruses.

💡 Example: Redmi Note 10 Pro user includes Disable HW Overlays for "game speed." After 20 minutes, Genshin Impact warmed up the processor to 95.°C, after which the smartphone went into thermal throttling and began to spontaneously turn off.

💡

If you accidentally change a dangerous setting, immediately restart the device in safe mode (press the power button → “Safe Mode”) and reset the developer settings.

How to disable the developer parameters

If you no longer need these settings, you can deactivate them in two ways:

Method 1: Through the menu

1. Open the Developer Settings.
2. In the upper right corner, press the switch (should turn gray).
3. Confirm the blackout.

Method 2: Through resetting settings

If the first method does not work (relevant to MIUI 14):

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Additional → Resetting.
2. Select Reset all settings (does not delete files!).

⚠️ Note: Some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mix Fold 3) may lose access to the developer’s settings after disabling the developer’s settings. USB Debugging even after you re-activate, and then you can only reset it to factory settings.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after successful activation, users are confronted with bugs, and here are the most common bugs and ways to fix them:

💡 Advice POCO F4 GT: If after turning on Game Turbo through the developer settings, the game starts to lay, try disabling Force. 4x MSAA — This setting forcibly includes smoothing, which overloads GPU.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions