Resetting Xiaomi’s Engineering Menu: A Complete Guide to Safe Techniques

Xiaomi’s engineering menu is a powerful tool for fine-tuning your smartphone, but careless changes can cause malfunctions in the device. From improperly exposed network settings to disrupted sensor calibration, the consequences are different. If your Redmi, POCO or Mi start to behave unstable after experimenting with Engineer Mode or ##4636#, resetting the engineering menu is often the only solution.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of resetting, from standard methods through MIUI to advanced tools like Fastboot and ADB. Particular attention will be paid to the models of 2023-2026 (Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5, Xiaomi 14), where the procedure may differ from the old instructions, and you will learn how to avoid common errors that will turn a simple reset into a complete flashing of the device.

What is Xiaomi’s Engineering Menu and When to Reset It

The Engineering Menu (or Engineer Mode) is a hidden settings section available on all Xiaomi smartphones through special codes or applications.

• 📶 Testing the network (GSM, LTE, 5G) manually select the operator
• 🔊 Calibrate speakers, microphones and vibration output
• 📱 Check the operation of sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, compass)
• 🔋 Control the battery and charging parameters
• 🖥️ Customize the display (color gamut, refresh rate)

However, even experienced users sometimes face the need to reset, and here are typical symptoms that indicate problems with engineering settings:

• ⚡ The smartphone has stopped catching the network or constantly switches between the two 4G/3G
• 🔇 The sound is missing or the microphone is not working in the calls.
• 📉 Battery discharges 2-3 times faster for no apparent reason
• 🎚️ The screen is too dark/bright despite the brightness settings
• 🤖 Sensors (such as automatic screen rotation) are not working properly.

⚠️ Note: If problems have occurred after the update MIUI, Resetting the engineering menu may not help, and this requires a full reset to factory settings via Recovery.

Method 1: Reset through the standard engineering menu (no root)

The safest method is to use built-in reset options, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14.

Steps for discharge:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636## Some models (e.g. POCO F4/F5) may require a code: ##3644633###
2. In the menu that opens, select Usage statistics.
3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Factory data reset.
4. Confirm the action. The phone will reboot and the engineering menu settings will reset.

If the code doesn’t work, try an alternative method:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone.
• 🔧 Press 5-7 times on the version MIUI, Notice: “You have become a developer"
• 🔄 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers
• 🔍 Find the option Resets the settings of the engineering menu (on some firmware it is hidden)

Method 2: Reset via MIUI Hidden Settings (for advanced users)

If the standard code didn’t work, you can use the Hidden Settings hidden MIUI app, which is found in all Xiaomi smartphones, but does not appear in the menu.

Instructions:

1. Install any file manager with access to system folders (e.g. Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/app/HiddenMenu/HiddenMenu.apk or for new models: /system/priv-app/EngineerMode/EngineerMode.apk
3. Copy the.apk file into any folder and install it as a regular application.
4. Start Hidden Settings, select Engineer Mode and find the Restore Defaults option.

On Xiaomi 13/14 and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ models, the path may be different. If you can't find a file, try an alternative method:

adb shell pm list packages | grep -i engineer

This command will display the name of the engineering menu package that can be run through ADB:

adb shell am start -n com.qualcomm.engineermode/.EngineerMode

⚠️ Note: Delete or modify files in the folder /system root without permission can cause a download to fail. Use this method only if you are confident in your actions.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for models with a locked bootloader)

If Xiaomi’s smartphone doesn’t boot or the engineering menu isn’t available, the Fastboot reset option remains, which works even on a locked bootloader, but requires a computer and drivers installed.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the official tool from Xiaomi).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect the device to the PC via USB.
4. Open the command line in the folder with the Mi Flash Tool and execute: fastboot erase modemst1 fastboot erase modemst2 fastboot flash fsg fsg.img (fsg.img file must be from your firmware)
5. Reboot your phone with the command: fastboot reboot

For the POCO X5 Pro and Redmi K60 models, an additional command may be required:

fastboot erase config

💡

Before working with Fastboot, always check the phone model with the command fastboot getvar product. The wrong command can lead to a "brick" (breakdown) of the device.

Method 4: Reset via ADB (without data loss)

If the phone is turned on but the engineering menu is not available, you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root rights and saves user data.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → For Developers.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. In the command line, run: adb shell su rm /data/.estrongs/engineermode/* rm /data/property/persist.* reboot.

For Xiaomi on Android 13/14, you may need another command:

adb shell cmd phone reset-engineermode

If you have a Permission denied error, you don't have root rights, and then you can only reset via Fastboot or flash it.

💡

Resetting via ADB is the safest method for a working phone, as it does not affect user data in the /data section.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when resetting the engineering menu, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔌 Reset IMEI: Commands like fastboot erase nvram on some models (Redmi 9, Note 8) are erased IMEI. Always check the team’s compatibility with your model.
• 🔋 Discharge during process: If the phone turns off during reset via Fastboot, damage to the modem partition may occur. Charge the device to at least 70%.
• 📱 Incompatible firmware: Use of files fsg.img or cust.img different version MIUI This will lead to a cyclical reset.
• 🔑 Mi Account Lock: On some models (Xiaomi) 11T, 12 Pro) Fastboot reset may require a password from Mi Account.

If you have new problems after reset (for example, the network is lost or the camera is not working), try:

1. Perform a complete reset through Recovery (Loudness up + Nutrition).
2. Flash your phone with the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Contact the service center if critical sections are damaged (modem, persist).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions