How to completely reset the developer settings on Xiaomi: 5 safe ways

Developer mode on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is a powerful tool for fine-tuning the system, but sometimes activating it leads to unexpected problems. Users face slowdowns, application errors or even blocking some functions after experimenting with these parameters. A developer reset may be required in several cases: after unsuccessful manipulation of system parameters, before selling the device or to fix software failures.

Unlike standard factory resets, which affect all data on the device, deactivating developer mode allows you to return only system parameters to the original state, saving personal files, applications and settings. However, this process has nuances depending on the version of MIUI and smartphone model. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from manual disabling to full reset via ADB, and explain what the consequences can have each method.

Why you may need to reset the developer settings

Developer mode allows you to access hidden Android features that are normally blocked.

• 🔧 Debugging by USB — necessary for the operation of ADB, It can become a vulnerability to malware.
• ⚡ Speeding up animation – changing the animation scale (Window animation scale, Transition animation scale) often leads to visual bugs.
• 📡 Fictitious Locations – Activation of this parameter can disrupt geolocation services.
• 🔄 Background processes – limiting the number of background apps sometimes breaks notifications.
• 🛠️ Unstable experimental functions, such as Force GPU rendering or disable HW overlays.

Even experienced users are not immune to errors, such as activating Don’t keep activities can cause applications to close immediately after they are folded, and turning on Force 4x MSAA can cause overheating and accelerated battery drain. If the device starts to work unstable after a change in the developer’s settings, resetting these parameters is the first step to solving the problem.

⚠️ Note: Some developer parameters (e.g, OEM Unlocking) can remain active even after reset if enabled via fastboot.

Method 1: Manually disabling the developer mode

The easiest way is to manually deactivate the developer mode, which is fine if you remember the device password and have access to the settings. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Open the settings on your Xiaomi.
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device on some models).
3. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row – this will open access to the developer mode (if it is not already activated).
4. Return to the main Settings menu and select Additional → For Developers.
5. At the top of the screen, move the developer mode slider to the off position.
6. Confirm the action if the system requests a password or PIN-code.

Once disabled, all changes made in this section will be reset to default values, but this method does not work if:

• 🔒 The device is locked with a pattern lock or password that you have forgotten.
• 📱 Developer settings are hidden due to system failure.
• 🔧 Certain parameters (e.g, USB debugging) remain active even after the mode is turned off.

Is the developer mode disabled in the settings?

Are important data (photos, contacts) stored?

Battery charge at least 30%?

Do you know the password on the device?

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If manually shutting down didn’t help or access to settings is blocked, proceed to the next method.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode

The Recovery Mode allows you to reset the developer’s settings without completely cleaning the device, a method that is suitable for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO based on MIUI 12/13/14. Importantly, this method will not delete personal data, but return the system parameters to factory ones.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (on some models, the item may be called Reset settings).
5. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
6. After the process is complete, click Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: On some devices with MIUI 14 and later, Wipe All Data can reset all data, not just settings. Before using this method, back up through Settings. → System system → Backup.

Method 3: Using ADB to reset settings

If manual methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a computer debugging tool that requires pre-setting, but allows you to reset the developer's settings point by point without losing data.

Preparation:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes ADB and fastboot).
2. Turn on USB debugging in the developer settings (if the mode is not already disabled).
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).

Resetting instructions:

adb shell settings delete global development_settings_enabled


adb shell settings delete global stay_on_while_plugged_in




adb shell settings delete global adb_wifi_enabled




adb shell pm clear com.android.development

These teams:

• 🔄 Turn off the developer mode (development_settings_enabled).
• 🔌 Resetting debugging settings by USB and wifi.
• 🧹 Clear the cache of the com.android.development application, responsible for the developer’s parameters.

Once you have completed the commands, restart the device. If ADB issues a device unauthorized error, check that a window appears on the smartphone screen requesting trust in this computer (you need to confirm access).

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If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try reinstalling Mi USB Driver drivers or using a USB 2.0 port instead of USB 3.0 (blue ports often cause problems).

Method 4: Complete reset to factory settings

If previous methods have failed or the device is extremely unstable, it will be a hard reset that will delete all data, including apps, photos and accounts, so use it only as a last resort.

How to do this:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select to erase all data (factory recovery).
3. Enter the password from the Mi Account (if linked).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-15 minutes).

Some models (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5) may require re-activation of the device via your Mi Account after reset.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader, a full reset may result in the activation of Anti-Rollback protection.This means that after the reset, you will not be able to install the old version. MIUI — The only one that was available at the time of the last update.

Method 5: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires command line work and can lead to loss of warranty if the device is warranty.

• 🔧 Developer mode has blocked access to settings.
• 📱 The device does not turn on or hangs on the Mi logo.
• 🔄 You need to reset your settings without losing data (in some cases).

Instructions:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Fastboot drivers.
2. Turn off your smartphone and put it into Fastboot mode, clamping Power + Volume down.
3. Connect the device to your PC and open the command line in the folder with fastboot.
4. Run the command to reset the developer settings: fastboot erase config
5. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

The fastboot erase config command deletes configuration files, including the developer's settings, but does not affect user data. However, on some devices this can lead to a reset of regional settings (for example, a return to Chinese firmware on global models).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you reset your developer settings, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

Another common problem is that Chinese is coming to the Recovery menu on global devices, and it's happening because of a regional setting failure.

adb shell setprop persist.sys.language en


adb shell setprop persist.sys.country US

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

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If problems persist after resetting the developer settings, the cause may be incorrect firmware or application conflict, in which case it is recommended to update MIUI to the latest version through Settings → System Update.