The hidden engineering menu on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO) is a powerful tool for diagnosing, testing hardware components and fine-tuning the system, allowing you to check the operation of sensors, communication modules, screen and even change parameters that are not available in standard settings. However, not all users know how to get there – the manufacturer deliberately hides this section to prevent accidental changes in critical parameters.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to log into the engineering menu on Xiaomi devices (relevant to the 2018-2026 models), including universal codes, methods through applications and even bypassing locks on new versions of MIUI. You will also learn which settings can be changed without the risk of “bricking” the phone, and which are strictly not recommended. Important: on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), access to the engineering menu may be limited due to the security policy of MIUI 14+.
What is an Engineering Menu and Why You Need It
The Engineer Mode (or Engineer Mode) is an Android service section designed to:
- 🔧 Testing of hardware components: checking the operability of sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, compass), cameras, microphone, speakers.
- 📡 Network Diagnostics: Signal Analysis 4G/5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, frequency band settings.
- 🔄 Sensor calibrations: resetting the gyroscope settings, adjusting the sensitivity of the touchscreen.
- 🔋 Battery control: checking real capacity, charging cycles, temperature.
- 🛠️ Hidden functions MIUI: debugging USB, Change of regional settings, testing the display for broken pixels.
For example, if your GPS is not working well or your battery is running out quickly, the engineering menu will help you identify the problem without going to the service center, but it is not safe to change all settings - some settings can cause your phone to malfunction or even "brick".
⚠️ Note: Changing the parameters in the BandMode section (network frequency settings) can lead to loss of communication with the operator. MIUI 13+ Some menu items are blocked for editing.
Universal codes for entering the engineering menu Xiaomi
The easiest way to open the engineering menu is to enter a special code in the Phone app, which works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, but may vary depending on the MIUI version and model:
| Code. | Description | Supported models |
|---|---|---|
| ##4636## | Main Engineering Menu (Testing) | All models on Android |
| ##36446337## | Information about firmware and hardware | Xiaomi Mi 8–Mi 11, Redmi Note 9–Note 11 |
| ##6484## | Sensor test (accelerometer, magnetometer) | Models with MIUI 12 and newer |
| ##2664## | Screen test (colors, touchscreen) | All models with AMOLED-display |
| ##232338## | MAC-Wi-Fi address and Bluetooth | All models. |
To use the code:
- Open the standard phone application.
- Go to the keyboard tab (as for dialing).
- Enter one of the codes above and click on the call button.
- If the code works, an engineering menu or test section will open.
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F5) Codes may not work due to blocking by the MIUI. In this case, try the alternative methods described below.
How to access the engineering menu through the application "Testing" (MTK Engineer Mode)
If standard codes don’t work, you can use the official MTK Engineer Mode app (for MediaTek-based smartphones) or Qualcomm Engineer Mode (for Snapdragon chips), which are pre-installed on most Xiaomi devices but hidden from the user.
To find them:
- Open Settings → All applications.
- Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System.
- In the list, find an app called EngineerMode, MTK Engineer Mode, or Qualcomm Service Mode.
- Run it and confirm access to the rights of the superuser (if requested).
If the application is not available, it can be installed manually:
Download APK from MediaTek|'s official website Allow installation from unknown sources in security settings | Install the app and run it | Grant permissions to access phone functions-->
Inside the MTK Engineer Mode, you will find advanced settings:
- 📶 Network Testing – Network Testing 2G/3G/4G/5G.
- 🔊 Audio Testing – checking microphone and speakers.
- 📱 Hardware Testing – Sensor and Camera Diagnostics.
- 🔋 Battery Info - detailed information about the battery.
💡
If the MTK Engineer Mode app doesn’t start, try to enter the ##36446337## code first, which may unlock access.
Alternative ways to enter (for new Xiaomi models)
On Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 13/14 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 processors (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro), standard codes are often blocked.
Appendix "CIT" (China Mobile Test)
This is the official diagnostic software from Xiaomi, which is installed in the factory, to find it:
- Go to Settings. → The phone.
- Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version until the message “You are a developer!” appears.
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Activate the Local Testing (CIT) option.
- In the main settings menu, a new section “Testing” will appear – this is CIT.
2. button combination when loading
On some models (such as the POCO F3 or Redmi K40), you can open the engineering menu when you turn on the phone:
- Turn off the device.
- Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds.
- When the MI logo appears, release the buttons – the Fastboot menu should open.
- Select Engineer Mode (if any) with volume buttons and confirm the choice with the power button.
⚠️ Note: This method does not work on all models and can cause a reset if you choose the wrong item!
What settings in the engineering menu can be changed without risk
Not all of the parameters on the engineering menu are equally safe, and here's what you can test and adjust without consequences:
| Section | What can I do? | What can't be done |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware Testing | Check sensors, camera, microphone, speakers | Change calibration values manually |
| Battery Information | Watch the real capacity, temperature, charging cycles | Reset the cycle counter (can knock down charging algorithms) |
| Network Testing | Check the signal level, test the speed of the Internet | Change your BandMode settings (risk of losing your network) |
| Display | Test the screen for broken pixels, check the colors | Change the Touch Panel settings (may knock the calibration) |
Here is what is not recommended to touch:
- ❌ NV-parameters (in section) CDS Information – are responsible for the operation of the modem, their change can “kill” the network.
- ❌ RF Calibration – Calibration of radio frequencies, wrong values will cause communication loss.
- ❌ Factory Reset in the engineering menu is not a regular reset, but a complete reflash with the risk of data loss.
What happens if you change BandMode?
How to exit the engineering menu and what to do if the phone freezes
To safely exit the engineering menu:
- Press the Back button (the arrow at the bottom of the screen) several times until you return to the home screen.
- If the button doesn’t work, press Home (round button at the bottom) or make a gesture up from the bottom edge of the screen.
- On some models, you need to press Menu → Exit (if there is such a menu).
If the phone is frozen after changes to the engineering menu:
- 🔄 Soft reset: clamping down on the power supply + Volume down for 10-15 seconds until the device restarts.
- 🔋 Forced Reboot: If the screen doesn’t respond, hold power for 20-30 seconds.
- 🛠️ Fastboot Recovery: If the phone doesn’t turn on, connect it to your PC and use the Mi Flash Tool to flash it back.
⚠️ Note: If the sound is lost after the changes in the engineering menu, the network or sensor is not working, do not try to fix it yourself - contact the service center.
💡
Before entering the engineering menu, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. This will help you recover information if something goes wrong.