Debugging mode on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: how to turn on in 5 minutes (with photos and nuances)

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is still a popular budget-friendly device among customization enthusiasts — despite its release in 2017. But to install custom software, get root rights, or even just migrate files through ADB, you need to enable USB debugging mode, which is hidden in the developer menu, which is disabled by default in MIUI.

In this article, we will provide the current instructions for Redmi 4X on all versions of MIUI (including 14th) and Android 7.1.2, taking into account the features of Xiaomi firmware. We will analyze not only the standard way to enable, but also bypass possible locks (for example, if menu items are inactive), and also explain why debugging can be disabled after updating the software itself.

What is a debugging mode and why you need it on Redmi 4X

Debugging mode by USB (USB Debugging is an Android feature that allows the device to communicate with the computer at a low level through the protocol. ADB (Android Debug Bridge on Redmi 4X it is required:

• 🔧 Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.) via fastboot or TWRP.
• 📱 Getting root rights with Magisk or SuperSU.
• 🖥️ Controlling a smartphone from a PC (for example, via scrcpy to mirror the screen).
• 📁 Backup of data through ADB backup (including system applications).
• 🐞 Diagnostics of malfunctions using logs (logcat).

Without debugging enabled, many operations are simply impossible, for example, even unlocking a bootloader on a Redmi 4X through the official Mi Unlock Tool requires activating this mode.

⚠️ Attention: Including debugging by USB It reduces the security of the device. An attacker with physical access to an unlocked smartphone can extract data through the device. ADB, Even if the screen is locked with a password, turn off the mode after the work is completed!

On MIUI, debugging automatically deactivates after 7 days without using it – this is Xiaomi’s security mechanism.

Preparations for the incorporation of the debugging regime

Before activating debugging, follow several mandatory steps:

1. Check out MIUI. Open Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Redmi 4X is up to date with MIUI 8 (based on Android 6.0) to MIUI 14 (Android 7.1.2). The instructions below are suitable for all options, but the location of menu items may vary slightly.
2. Charge your smartphone. Make sure your battery level is at least 50 percent, which is critical if you plan to do ADB or bootload operations right after you turn on debugging.
3. Connect your device to your PC (optional). If you enable debugging to work with your computer, install Xiaomi or ADB drivers beforehand (for example, via Mi PC Suite or 15 seconds ADB Installer).

Also prepare. USB-Data-enabled cable (not all charging cables fit!) Original cable from Redmi 4X A quality substitute from a proven manufacturer (e.g. Anker) is the best choice.

Step-by-step: how to turn on the developer mode on Redmi 4X

The debugging mode is hidden in the developer menu, which is disabled by default, to activate it:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone.
3. Find the line MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row, after 3-4 clicks will appear pop-up notification: "You're almost there!", and after the 7th - "You became a developer!".
4. Return to the main Settings menu, and a new option will appear — Additional → Developer (or Advanced Settings → Developers in older versions of MIUI).

If the item for developers does not appear:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and repeat the steps.
• 📱 Check if the item in the search is hidden by settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top of the settings screen).
• 🔧 In rare cases, resetting settings helps (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and reset, but only use this method if other methods have not worked.

On Redmi 4X with Android 7.1.2 firmware (MIUI 9–14), the developer menu can be called “Developer Settings” or “Developer Settings” – this is normal.

Enabling debugging by USB: detailed instructions with photo

After activating the developer menu:

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers (or similar path in your version) MIUI).
2. Scroll down to the Debugging section.
3. Activate the USB Debugging switch, and you'll see a warning, press OK.
4. Confirm the inclusion by clicking Allow in the system dialog (if it appears).

The visual process looks like this:

You'll see on the screen:

1. Gray switch Debugging over USB (off).
2. After you click, a pop-up box says, "Let this computer debug over USB? Let this computer debug?" and checks "Always allow this computer."
3. After confirmation, the switch will become blue (on), and a debugging icon (android with debugger) will appear in the status bar.

⚠️ Note: If you are connected to a Redmi PC 4X Does not request debugging permission, check: Is the cable connected to the port USB 2.0 (certain ports) USB 3.0 may not recognize the device. ADB (Device Manager should not have exclamation points next to Android Device, whether it blocks access to antivirus or firewall (turn them off temporarily).

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If debugging does not turn on, try connecting Redmi 4X elsewhere USB-Sometimes the problem is a faulty hub or a port power shortage.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

When working with Redmi 4X users often encounter common errors.

If Redmi 4X is not defined in ADB even after debugging is enabled:

1. Open the command line on your PC and type: Adb devices If the list is empty, the problem is on the computer side.
2. Check if the phone is on the “Debugging by” notification USB If not, turn it off and turn on the debugging again.
3. Reboot both the smartphone and the PC.

Security: How to protect data after debugging is enabled

Debugging mode opens up potential vulnerabilities.

• 🔒 Turn off debugging after you've finished. → For developers and deactivate the switch.
• 🚫 Do not connect your smartphone to a public one. USB-Attackers can use them to attack through the airports, cafes, etc. ADB.
• 🔑 Use the lock screen (PIN, without it, access to data through ADB simplify.
• 📱 Limit your rights. ADB through settings → For developers → Configuration USB by default (select Only Charging).

If you are selling or selling your smartphone, you must:

1. Turn off the USB debugging.
2. Perform reset to factory settings (Settings → Restore and Reset → Reset settings).
3. If you plan to unlock the bootloader, link the device to your Mi Account (Settings → Xiaomi Account), otherwise, after resetting, the phone may be blocked.

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Never leave USB debugging enabled on a device with sensitive data (photos, passwords, banking apps) and even short-term access to an unlocked phone with active debugging can lead to leakage.

Additional settings for developers on Redmi 4X

In the menu for developers there are other useful options:

• 🔄 Do not turn off the screen – convenient for testing applications or firmware.
• 📶 Enable Wi-Fi log – helps diagnose connection problems.
• 🎯 Show touch – displays touch points on the screen (useful for screencasts).
• ⚡ Acceleration GPU — It can improve performance in games, but increases battery consumption.
• 🔗 Allow unlocking OEM — required to unlock the loader!

Option Allow unlocking OEM (OEM Unlocking is often a question:

• Unlock bootloader with Mi Unlock Tool.
• Installation of custom recavéri (TWRP).
• Unofficial firmware (for example, Global ROM on the Chinese version of the smartphone).

⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi firmware 4X (especially Chinese) option OEM Unlocking can be blocked.In this case, you need to link your Mi Account and wait 7-30 days to unlock (Xiaomi policy).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the debugging mode on the Redmi 4X