How to go to the engineering menu on Xiaomi: full instructions with codes and tips

Why do you need to access the engineering menu on Xiaomi?

The Engineering Mode on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is a hidden section that the manufacturer leaves behind for testing hardware components, calibrating sensors and diagnosing faults. Unlike standard settings, you can change settings that are usually locked to the user, from color correction to manually adjusting the NFC module or checking the battery status.

But it's important to understand that not all of the features on this menu are safe. Some of the settings can cause a device to malfunction if you change them without understanding the consequences. For example, incorrect calibration of the proximity sensor can disrupt the automatic screen shutdown during a call, and changing the settings of the radio module can worsen the quality of communication.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to log into the engineering menu on different Xiaomi models, including devices based on MIUI and Android One, as well as what features are available there and how to use them without risk.

How to enter the engineering menu on Xiaomi

There are several methods for opening the engineering menu, and the choice depends on the smartphone model and the firmware version. The most universal way is to use secret USSD- codes, but it does not work on all devices. Alternative methods include button combinations or special applications.

Let us examine each of them in detail.

Method 1: Secret codes for entry

The easiest way is to enter one of the standard codes in the Phone app:

• 🔢 ##4636## is a universal code for Android, opens a menu with battery information, usage statistics and network tests. Works on most Xiaomi and Redmi.
• 🔢 ##36446337## is an alternative code for accessing the engineering menu on some models (e.g. Mi 8 or Mi 9).
• 🔢 ##6484## is a code for sensor testing (accelerometer, gyroscope, compass) useful if you want to check the sensors after a phone drops.
• 🔢 ##64663## is a menu for diagnosing communication modules (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS) used to check signal strength and troubleshooting.

If nothing happens after you enter the code, your Xiaomi model doesn’t support this method, so try alternative methods.

⚠️ Warning: Some firmware (e.g., MIUI Global or MIUI EU) may have secret codes disabled. If you enter the code and you see a message saying "Connection is impossible," move to the next method.

Method 2: Sign in via settings (for MIUI 12 and later)

On smartphones with MIUI 12 and above, you can access the engineering menu through the standard settings:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row (you should see the message "You became a developer").
3. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional → for developers.
4. Activate the developer mode switch.
5. Scroll down and find the Engineer Mode (Engineer Menu) item.

If you don't have an Engineering menu, your firmware doesn't support this, so try using special applications.

Battery charge of at least 50%|Make a backup copy of the data|Close all background applications|Use the original cable (if you need a PC connection)-->

Method 3: Applications for accessing the engineering menu

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities.

• 📱 MTK Engineering Mode — for smartphones running MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi Note 8, POCO M3).
• 📱 Qualcomm Engineer Mode — for Snapdragon chip devices (Xiaomi Mi 11, Redmi K40) Requires root rights on some firmware.
• 📱 Shortcut Master is an application for finding hidden menus and features, and can find direct links to the engineering menu even without root rights.

Check the reviews and rating of the app before installing – some utilities may contain ads or request unnecessary permissions.

⚠️ Warning: Apps to access the engineering menu may not work on Xiaomi with a locked bootloader. If the utility does not open the menu after installing it, try unlocking the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website.

Redmi Note 10/11/12|POCO X3/X4/X5|Mi 11/12/13|Redmi 9/10/13C|Another model-->

Engineering menu functions: what can be customized?

The engineering menu provides access to dozens of options, but most of them are for professionals, but there are also some useful features for ordinary users. Let's look at the main sections and their features.

One of the most popular features is to check the status of the battery.

• 🔋 Real battery capacity (in mAh) – useful if the phone is running out quickly.
• 🔄 Number of charging cycles – helps estimate battery wear.
• 🌡️ Battery temperature – important if the device overheats.

Important: If the actual battery capacity is less than 80% of the declared capacity (for example, 3200 mAh instead of 4000 mAh), the battery needs to be replaced.

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Before testing the battery, charge the phone fully, then discharge it to 20%, which will give you more accurate data on capacity.

How to check sensors and hardware components?

One of the most useful parts of the engineering menu is Hardware Testing, where you can test all the hardware components of a smartphone without any additional applications. Let's look at how to do that.

Screen testing

To check the screen for broken pixels or color rendering problems:

1. Go to Hardware Testing → Display.
2. Select the Color Test – the screen will alternately be filled with red, green, blue and white colors.
3. Examine the display for defects (broken pixels, stripes, uneven backlight).

If you find broken pixels, you can try to “cure” them with special programs (for example, JScreenFix), but there is no guarantee.

Sensor checks

For the diagnosis of sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, proximity sensor):

1. Open Hardware Testing → Sensors.
2. Select the sensor you want from the list.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen (e.g., tilt the phone for the accelerometer test).

If the sensor doesn't respond or shows incorrect values, this may indicate a hardware malfunction, for example, if the Proximity Sensor always shows "1" (activated), the screen will not turn off during the call.

Camera testing

In the engineering menu, you can check all the camera modules, including wide-angle and telephoto:

1. Go to Hardware Testing → Camera.
2. Select a camera (e.g. Rear Camera 1 is the main module).
3. Press Start Test and the preview will open.
4. Check focus, color reproduction and no artifacts.

If the image is blurry or noise-free, it may indicate a lens contamination or module malfunction. Try cleaning the camera with a soft wipe.

Network and communication setup in the engineering menu

The Telephony section allows you to manually configure mobile network settings, which can be useful in areas with poor coverage. However, incorrect settings can lead to loss of communication, so change them carefully.

How to change the type of network (2G/3G/4G/5G)

If your Xiaomi is not catching 4G or constantly switching to 3G, you can try to fix the desired communication standard:

1. Open Telephony → Network Select.
2. Select Preferred Network Type.
3. Set the desired mode: 📶 LTE only — only 4G (recommended for cities). 📶 3G only — only 3G (can help in rural areas). 📶 Auto (LTE/3G/2G) — automatic selection (by default).

When you change your settings, restart your phone. If the network is gone, return the settings to their original state.

Signal strength and IMEI check

In the engineering menu, you can find out the exact strength of the network signal (in dBm) and check the IMEI:

1. Go to Telephony → Signal Strength.
2. Look at the RSSI (signal) and RSRP (connection quality 4G/5G).
3. To check for IMEI, select Telephony → IMEI Information.

If you are not sure about the setting, don’t change it; you should look for information about the specific setting in official documentation or forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

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The engineering menu is a powerful tool, but most of its features are for professionals, change only the parameters you believe in, and always back up before experimenting.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users experience problems after changing the settings in the engineering menu, and let's look at the typical errors and how to solve them.

Mistake 1: Mobile network goes missing

If after changing the parameters in Telephony smartphone stopped catching the network:

1. Try to return the settings to the original state (usually there is a Reset button in the menu).
2. Reboot the phone.
3. If the network does not appear, reset the network settings in standard settings (Settings → SIM- Cards and mobile networks → Reset network settings).

Mistake 2: The touch screen is not working

If, after testing the screen in Hardware Testing, the sensor stopped responding:

• Restart the device – often it helps.
• If the screen isn’t responding at all, connect your phone to your PC and try resetting through ADB: adb shell reboot recovery.
• In extreme cases, you will have to refashion the device through Fastboot.

Error 3: Phone will not turn on after changes

If Xiaomi does not boot after manipulations in the engineering menu:

1. Try to go to Recovery Mode (clip Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Select Wipe Data (Data Reset).
3. If this doesn’t help, run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool with the official firmware.

In most cases, the phone can be recovered, but it will take time and skill.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions