How to log into the system menu on Xiaomi: hidden features and engineering settings

Hidden system menus on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO) allow you to access engineering settings, diagnostic tools and advanced settings that the manufacturer usually hides from the average user. These menus are useful for testing hardware components, changing network settings or restoring the device after a crash, but not everyone knows how to get into them — especially with the constant updates to MIUI and changes in the interface.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to log in to the system menus on Xiaomi devices (including models from 2023-2026), explain the difference between the engineering menu (Engineer Mode), service menu (Service Menu) and Fastboot mode, and warn against dangerous actions that can lead to a bootloader lock or loss of warranty.

What are the different menus on Xiaomi?

There are several types of hidden menus on Xiaomi smartphones, each of which performs its own functions, which are often confused, but they are fundamentally different:

• 🔧 Engineering Mode – contains low-level configurations of the communication module, tests of hardware components (display, cameras, sensors) and network parameters.
• 🛠️ Service Menu – used to diagnose and calibrate equipment (e.g., check touchscreen or speakers) and usually opens with a combination of buttons.
• 🔄 Fastboot mode is not a menu in the usual sense, but allows you to flash the device, unlock the bootloader or restore the system.
• ⚙️ Hidden settings MIUI — Extended firmware settings that can be activated through Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (push-up).

It's important to understand that not all menus are available on all models. 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12 The engineering menu can be opened differently than on the POCO F5. Some functions are also blocked by the manufacturer in new versions. MIUI 14/15 security considerations.

Method 1: Entering through USSD codes (the easiest method)

The fastest way to get into an engineering or service menu is to use secret ones. USSD-They work on most Xiaomi devices, regardless of the version. MIUI, But some codes may be blocked in new firmware.

Open the Phone app and enter one of the following codes (as if you were dialing):

Once you enter the code, the menu will open automatically. If the code doesn't work, try dialing it without stars (e.g., 4636 instead of ##4636##) or use the MTK Engineering Mode app (for MediaTek-based devices).

⚠️ Note: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu unless you understand their purpose. For example, incorrectly configuring Band Mode in the Telephony section can lead to loss of network.

Method 2: Button combinations to log into the service menu

If USSD-The codes do not work (for example, on Xiaomi). 12T or Redmi K60), You can try logging into the service menu with hardware buttons, a method that is often used to test a display, speaker, or camera for repairs.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the button combination: 🔘 Loudness up + Power – to log into Fastboot (not a service menu, but sometimes required to unlock). 🔘 Loudness down + Power - on some models opens Recovery, where there is an Advanced item → Service Test. 🔘 Loudness up + Loudness down + Power is rare, but may work on older models (e.g. Redmi) 4X).

Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until the menu appears.

In the service menu you will see a list of tests:

• 📱 Touch Screen Test – Sensor Testing.
• 🔊 Speaker Test – Test of the speakers.
• 📷 Camera Test – Diagnostics of Cameras.
• 🔋 Battery Info - Battery data.

⚠️ Note: On new models (Xiaomi 14, POCO F6) If nothing happens after 20 seconds of holding, try another method.

Method 3: Use of ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can log in to the system menus via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and enabling debugging over USB, but gives you access to advanced features.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until you become a developer!

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → For Developers

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings

This command will open the developer menu where you can include additional options.

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

If the commands fail, try an alternative method via MTK Engineering Mode APK (for devices on MediaTek) or Qualcomm QPST (for Snapdragon).

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If ADB Does not recognize the device, update the drivers Xiaomi USB Drivers or try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).

Method 4: Hidden MIUI settings (without root)

Not all useful features are hidden in the engineering menu. There are hidden settings in MIUI itself that can be activated without special codes, such as advanced network settings or displays.

How to open them:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 5-7 times on the MIUI version (as for the developer mode).
3. Go back to the main settings menu and find a new section Additional or Hidden Settings.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader (Xiaomi blocks it by default), some changes to the engineering menu can lead to a hard brick (complete failure.

How to exit the system menu and get it back?

If you accidentally changed your settings or want to just close the menu, follow these steps:

1. To exit the engineering menu, press the Back or Home button. Changes apply automatically.
2. If you have changed critical parameters (e.g. Band Mode), return them to their original state or reset: adb shell am start. -n com.miui.engineermode/.activities.EngineerMode adb shell input tap 500 500 # (coordinates of the "Reset" button")
3. To exit Fastboot, use the command: fastboot reboot
4. If the device is frozen, hold the Power button for 10-15 seconds for a forced reboot.

If the smartphone stopped working normally after the changes (for example, the network is lost or the screen is not turned on), try:

• 🔄 Reset network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings.
• 📱 Perform reset to factory settings via Recovery (hold Volume up) + Power on-set).
• 💻 Reflash the device via the Mi Flash Tool (requires an unlocked bootloader).

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If the sound is lost after the changes in the engineering menu, check the Audio → Normal Mode settings and reset them to the default values.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi system menus