How to get out of developer mode on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Developer mode on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is a powerful tool for fine-tuning the system, debugging applications and testing new features. However, once activated, this menu remains available in settings, which can lead to random changes in parameters that affect the stability of the device, for example, improperly configuring animations or enabling debugging over USB without needing increases the risk of data leakage or MIUI failures.

If you accidentally activate the developer mode or just want to return the phone to its standard appearance, it can be easily turned off. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways, from simply hiding the menu to completely resetting the settings (if standard methods did not work). It is important to understand that leaving the developer mode does not always mean resetting all the changed parameters - some settings can be saved until manually returning to the default values.

Why does the developer mode not disappear after the shutdown?

Many users are faced with a situation where, after disabling the developer mode through the settings, the Developer Menu continues to appear in the list of parameters. MIUI:

• 🔹 Cache system: MIUI Stores data on the options enabled even after they are turned off to speed up re-access.
• 🔹 Incomplete shutdown: Some parameters (e.g., Debugging by USB) require separate manual shutdown.
• 🔹 Firmware errors: In older versions MIUI (Below 12.5), a bug may occur with an incorrect menu hiding.

If you've disabled the mode through Settings → Additional → For developers, but the item is still visible, try rebooting the device. 90% of the time, that solves the problem. If not, read on.

Method 1: Standard shutdown through settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for most models, including the Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and other devices based on Android 11-14.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About the Phone (or About the Device on some firmware).
3. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row, and the system will show the message: "You are already a developer!" (this is confirmation that the menu is active).
4. Return to the main Settings menu and select Additional (or Advanced Settings).
5. Find the Developer section and open it.
6. At the top of the screen, move the developer mode slider to the off position.
7. Confirm the action if the system requests a password or PIN-code.

After that, the Developer Menu should disappear from the settings list, and if it doesn't, reboot the device and check again.

💡

On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12T), the "Developers" item may be in the "System and Device" section → "Additional".

Method 2: Reset settings (without data loss)

If the standard shutdown didn’t work, try resetting the developer mode-only settings without affecting personal data, which works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later.

Instructions:

1. Open the settings → Additional → for developers.
2. Scroll down and find Reset developer settings (or Restore default settings).
3. Slap it on it and confirm the action.

Once reset, all the options in the developer menu will return to factory values, and the menu itself will disappear from the interface. Importantly, this method does not delete application data or user files, but resets all the parameters you have changed (for example, animation speed, background processes, etc.).

Check that important parameters (e.g. debugging by USB) switched off|

Take screenshots of current settings if you plan to restore them |

Make sure there is enough charge on the device (minimum 30%)|

Close all background applications for stable operation of the system-->

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool to control your device via a computer, which is suitable for users who previously enabled USB Debugging.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the computer and allow debugging over USB (a request will appear on the smartphone screen).
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 0

1. Reboot the device with the command:

adb reboot

After you reboot the Developer Menu should disappear. If the team doesn't work, try the alternative:

adb shell am broadcast -a com.android.settings.action.DEVELOPMENT_SETTINGS_DISMISS

Method 4: Complete reset to factory settings

If none of the methods worked, the last resort is hard reset, which is guaranteed to remove all traces of the developer mode, but also erase all user data (photos, apps, contacts, etc.) and only use it if:

• 🔄 The phone is unstable due to the changed parameters.
• 🔒 You plan to sell or transfer the device to another person.
• 🛠️ Other methods have failed, and the developer menu is interfering with the work.

How to reset:

1. Back up your important data (via Settings → Google → Backup or manually).
2. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select to erase all data (factory recovery).
4. Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: After the reset, the device will return to the “out of the box” state, you will need to reconfigure your Mi Account, connect to Wi-Fi, and restore data from the backup (if it was created).

What if the developer mode is activated by itself?

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the Developer Menu appears without their participation, this can happen for the following reasons:

• 🤖 Automatic turn on when connecting to a PC: Some programs (for example, Mi Flash Tool or Xiaomi) ADB/Fastboot Tools) can activate debugging by USB.
• 📦 Error after update MIUI: In rare cases, resetting during an update leads to a developer menu.
• 🔧 Viral Software: Some malware applications attempt to gain developer rights to covertly access the system.

To prevent spontaneous inclusion:

1. Check the list of installed applications for suspicious programs.
2. Turn off USB debugging in the developer menu (if it’s active).
3. Update MIUI to the latest version via Settings → System Update.

💡

If the developer menu appears after each update, it may indicate an unstable firmware. Try to reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode.

How to check if the developer mode is turned off?

Sometimes the Developer Menu disappears from the interface, but some features remain active. To make sure the mode is completely deactivated, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter Settings and select the Settings app.
3. Go to Warehouse and Cache → Space Management.
4. Check if there is a item on the list. development_settings. If it's not, the mode is off.

You can also use the ADB command:

adb shell settings get global development_settings_enabled

If you get 0, the developer mode is off. If 1, it's still active.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi developer mode