How to completely turn off the developer mode on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Developer mode on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones POCO — It's a powerful tool for power users, but not everyone needs it all the time, and once activated, it stays in the settings, takes up space on the menu, and can be accidentally turned on when you click, OEM-unlocking USB) They pose a security risk if the device falls into the wrong hands.

In this article, we will discuss how to completely disable the developer mode on any Xiaomi device, from old models on MIUI 9 to the latest flagships with HyperOS. You will learn why the standard “turn off” of the switch doesn’t always work, how to remove the item from the settings menu, and what to do if the system blocks changes.

Why is the developer mode not disabled by the tumbler?

Many users are faced with the situation: they put the slider in the "Off" position, rebooted the smartphone, and the "Developers" item still hangs in the settings. What's the matter?

The reason lies in architecture. MIUI Unlike “pure” Android, where the developer mode is deactivated immediately after the switch is turned off, Xiaomi firmware retains access to the menu as long as the user is not able to use the device:

• 🔄 The activation counter will not be reset (hidden parameter in the system).
• 📱 No update to the version. MIUI/HyperOS (Sometimes even minor updates help).
• 🧹 There will be no cleaning of the cache of the application "Settings".
• 🔧 Adb rights will not be revoked if they have been issued previously.

In addition, some models (such as Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F5) Developer mode can automatically turn back on after connecting to a PC with Android installed SDK Or using applications like Shizuku, because it remembers the developer's fingerprint in a file. /data/property/persist.sys.dev_mode.

Method 1: Standard shutdown through settings

If you’ve turned on developer mode recently and haven’t made major changes to the system, try the classic method:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. 7 times click on the MIUI version (or HyperOS version on new devices) until the notification You became a developer! – this will reset the activation timer.
3. Go back to the main settings menu and find the option Additional → For Developers (or Settings → System → For Developers in HyperOS).
4. Transfer the switch to the position "Off." (top of the screen).
5. Reset the device.

If you've lost the Developer Fork after you reboot, congratulations! But 60 percent of the time (as per the 4PDA forum) it doesn't work. Then move on to the next ones.

Make sure the debugging is done USB switched off|Close all applications with root rights|Disconnect the smartphone from the PC|Make a backup copy of important data-->

Method 2: Reset the settings of the Settings application

One of the most effective methods is to clean the cache and data of the system application com.android.settings. This will not delete your personal files, but will reset all user settings (wallpaper, sounds, shortcuts).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System.
3. Find the Settings app (or Settings on English firmware).
4. Select Warehouse → Clear cache and Clear data.
5. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

After you restart, check for the Developer Item, if it's missing, the problem is solved. If it's not, try it again.

• 🔧 Enable and disable Developer Mode again (as in Method 1).
• 📦 Remove updates for the Settings app (if available).

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, you will have to connect to your smartphone via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a PC and minimal command line knowledge, but is guaranteed to remove the developer mode even on blocked firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools.
2. Activate Debugging via USB in the developer menu (if it is disabled, turn it on temporarily).
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and type in the command line:

adb devices

(Your device must have a serial number.)

1. Run the command to disable the developer mode:

adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 0


adb shell settings put global adb_enabled 0

1. Reset the device:

adb reboot

Once you reboot, the Developer Fork should disappear. If not, try the extra command:

adb shell pm clear com.android.settings

1. Install Xiaomi USB Drivers drivers manually.

2. switch USB connection mode to "File Transfer".

3. execute the command adb kill-server and repeat the attempt.-->

Method 4: Reset all settings (last resort)

If none of these methods worked, the radical solution is factory reset, which will remove all data from the device, including the developer mode, but require a complete reinstallation of the applications and restoration of backup.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After restarting, perform the initial device setup.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro) may require re-assigning your Mi Account to unlock after reset!

Even if the reset didn’t help (which is unlikely), the problem may lie in:

• 🛠️ Custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 🔒 A blocked loader with incorrect flags.
• 📱 Hardware damage (occurs on devices after falls or moisture ingestion).

What if the developer mode is turned on by itself?

Some users are faced with a situation where the developer mode returns after the update. MIUI This is because the system stores the developer's tag in a file. /data/property/persist.sys.dev_mode. To avoid automatic activation:

If the problem persists, try clearing the cache through Recovery:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

💡

If the developer mode is turned on spontaneously, check the installed apps for those that use adb or root.Frequent culprits are: Tasker, MacroDroid, Game Guardian and mods for games.

Risks and consequences of improper disconnection

Before experimenting with disabling developer mode, it is important to understand what problems it can cause:

• 🚨 Lockdown OTA-Updates: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11) disable developer mode via ADB This can cause the error "Can't check the update" to be solved by re-activating the mode and manually installing the update.
• 🎮 Gaming crashes: If you have previously enabled the option to not turn off the screen while charging or configured GPU-rendering, disabling them can cause lags in games such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile.
• 🔋 Charging problems: Fast charging settings in the developer menu are sometimes reset to standard values, which increases charging times on the device. 20-30%.
• 📡 Network loss: On devices with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi Note 9), disabling the developer mode can reset the modem settings, which will lead to the disappearance of the mobile network. APN.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously unlocked the bootloader through developer mode, disabling it will NOT block the bootloader back. However, some features (such as Fastboot) may become unavailable before reactivation.

To minimize the risks, before disabling the developer mode:

1. Write down all the changed settings (for example, take screenshots of the developer screen).
2. Turn off the debugging. USB and OEM-manually unlock.
3. Check the key functions (calls, mobile internet, Wi-Fi) after shutting down.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi developer mode