How to completely reset the developer’s options on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Developer mode on Xiaomi smartphones opens access to hidden Android functions, but often users turn it on accidentally - for example, trying to speed up animations or activate debugging over USB. After that, dozens of incomprehensible options appear in the menu, and the system can work unstable due to changed parameters. If you notice lags, fast battery discharge or just want to return the phone to standard settings - this instruction will help completely reset the developer's parameters without losing data.

Unlike a full factory reset that deletes all files, photos and apps, deactivating developer mode is a safe procedure.It returns hidden settings to default values, but does not affect user data. However, there are nuances: some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) may require re-activating some features, such as OEM Unlock or USB Debugging, after reset, if they were used before.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways, from standard shutdown through settings to forced reset via ADB (for power users), and you will learn what to do if the button “Stop Developer Mode” is inactive, and how to avoid common errors when working with system parameters.

Why you need to reset the developer settings on Xiaomi

Activating developer mode doesn’t harm your phone, but settings that aren’t right can lead to serious problems:

  • 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge – if the setting is not turned off, the screen or background activity of processes is not limited.
  • 🐢 Slowdown – changing the animation scale (Window animation scale, Transition animation scale) to non-zero values can cause lags.
  • 🚨 Security vulnerabilities - included debugging USB (USB Debugging allows you to connect to your device without confirmation.
  • 📱 Unstable Applications – Forcing GPU rendering or changing the size of the Dalvik heap VM It can lead to program departures.

Most users don't even know their phone is in "developing" mode, for example, if you've ever typed in ##4636## to check your network or battery information, the system could automatically activate hidden settings. Another common case is connecting your phone to your computer to transfer files over the Mi PC Suite, which sometimes involves debugging.

⚠️ Note: If you previously unlocked the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool, resetting the developer settings will not return the lock.

📊 Have you ever accidentally turned on a developer mode?
Yeah, when you set up the phone.
Yeah, through the engineering menu.
No, never.
I don't know what that is.

Method 1: Standard shutdown through settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in option in the developer menu. It works on all modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS:

  1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
  2. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row (if the mode is already activated, this step is skipped).
  3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional settings → For developers.
  4. At the top of the screen, find the Developer Mode switch and turn it off.
  5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After that, all the changed settings (for example, Background process limit or Force GPU rendering) will reset to the default values. However, there is a caveat: on some Xiaomi firmware, the shutdown button may be inactive. This is due to the MIUI security policy, which blocks deactivation if critical settings (for example, OEM Unlock) have been previously changed.

Check that the phone is at least 50 times charged%|Save important data (sets do not affect files, but it is better to be safe)|Disconnect the phone from the computer (if connected by USB)|Close all background applications-->

Method 2: Reset all settings (without data loss)

If the standard method didn't work, or you want to be guaranteed to return all settings to factory settings, use the Settings Reset feature, which doesn't delete photos, videos or apps, but returns to default values:

  • 📱 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile networks – you will have to re-enter passwords.
  • 🔊 Sound profiles – volume, notifications, vibration.
  • 🎯 Screen settings – brightness, color temperature, always on display (AOD).
  • 🔒 Security – fingerprints, pattern lock (not deleted, but may require reconfiguration).

Instructions:

Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings → Resetting all settings

You'll see a warning on the screen about what data is going to be reset, confirm the action and wait for the reboot, and once the phone is turned on, the developer mode will be completely turned off, and all associated settings will return to standard.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later after resetting, you may need to re-assign your Xiaomi account (if Find Device is enabled!

Method 3: Forced reset via ADB (for experienced)

If the first two methods did not work (for example, due to a blockage). MIUI), We can use the tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge.This requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.The method works on all Xiaomi models, including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark.

What you need:

  • 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
  • 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
  • ⚙️ Included debugging by USB (If it's off, this method won't work).

Step-by-step:

  1. Connect the phone to your PC and allow debugging over USB (a pop-up window on your phone screen).
  2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
  3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
  4. Execute the developer reset command: adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 0
  5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

If the developer mode is activated again after the reboot, the system has changed the settings, in which case only a complete reset to factory settings will help (see Method 4).

What if the ADB can’t see the device?
Make sure that the debugging is enabled USB If the problem persists: 1. Check the drivers (use Mi). PC Suite for automatic installation). 2. Try another one. USB-cable (not all cables support data transfer). 3. Switch the connection mode on the phone from Charging to File Transfer» (MTP). 4. disable firewall/antivirus on PCs – they can block ADB.

Method 4: Complete reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

This is an extreme measure that should only be resorted to if other methods have failed, and a complete reset removes all data from the phone, including:

Type of dataRemoved?Recovering after resetting?
Photographs and videos✅ Yes.❌ Not (unless there was a backup copy)
Contacts✅ Yes.✅ Yes (if synchronized with) Google/Xiaomi)
Installed annexes✅ Yes.✅ Partially (via Mi Cloud or Google Play)
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings✅ Yes.❌ No.
Developer parameters✅ Yes.❌ No (dropped to factory floors)

How to perform Hard Reset:

  1. Back up your important data (via Settings → System & Device → Backup or manually).
  2. Open Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Delete all data.
  3. Enter your Xiaomi account password (if required).
  4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the phone will turn on in a boxy state, the developer mode will be completely disabled, and all system parameters will return to factory values, which is guaranteed to solve the problem, but it takes time to reconfigure the phone.

💡

Before resetting, write down your phone's IMEI (type *#06#). In rare cases, network settings may need to be restored after Hard Reset, and knowing IMEI will speed up the process.

Method 5: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If a Xiaomi smartphone is stuck on the logo, constantly reboots or does not respond to touch, but goes into recovery mode, you can reset the developer’s settings through it. This method is also suitable if you forget your pattern lock or password.

Instructions:

  1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
  2. Press the Power Button + Volume up and hold until the Mi Recovery logo appears.
  3. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
  4. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (complete reset).
  5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

On new models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12) instead of the standard Recovery can be installed Fastboot.

Connect your phone to your PC → Open the command line → Enter:


fastboot erase userdata




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: Recovery or Fastboot resets all data, including files on internal memory. If the phone is recognized by the computer, try copying important information first.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you reset developer settings, users often face typical problems, and here's how to prevent them:

  • 🔄 Developer mode is turned on again after restarting → That means that the system has changed its settings. Try resetting through ADB or full hard reset.
  • 🔒 Inactive button “Switch off Developer Mode»** → On some firmware MIUI It's connected to the on. OEM Unlock. Turn it off manually before deactivating mode.
  • 📱 The phone stopped turning on after the reset. → The procedure may have been interrupted in Recovery.Try repeating the reset or flashing the phone through the Mi Flash Tool.
  • 🔋 Fast battery discharge after discharge → This is a temporary phenomenon: the system needs 1-2 charging cycles to calibrate the battery.

Another common mistake is to try to reset settings through third-party applications (e.g., Developer Options Reset from Google Play), which often require root rights that are difficult to obtain on Xiaomi (you need to unlock the bootloader), and even more, they may contain malicious code.

💡

If after resetting the developer’s settings, the phone is slower than usual, perform additional optimization: open Settings → Apps → Clean up and run a deep cache cleanup.

Can I reset the developer’s settings without losing data?
Yes, the first three ways in this article (standard disable, reset, ADB) don't delete user files. Only Hard Reset and Recovery reset erase all data.
Why did some functions (e.g. unlocking the bootloader) disappear after the reset?
Some options, such as OEM Unlock or USB Debugging, require re-activation after reset.This is a MIUI security measure to prevent unauthorized access to system functions.
How to check if the developer mode is disabled?
Open Settings → Additional settings. If the "Developers" item is not on the list, the mode is deactivated, and you can also search for "Developer" in the settings search, if there are no results, it's okay.
Will the developer reset the unlocked bootloader remove the developer’s parameters?
No, unlocking the bootloader is a separate procedure, unrelated to the developer's settings. To lock the bootloader back, you need to use the Mi Flash Tool and the official firmware.
Can I reset the developer settings to Xiaomi via a computer without ADB?
Yes, with Mi PC Suite, plug your phone into your PC, open the Device tab, and select Restore, which will trigger the reset process to factory settings (similar to Hard Reset).