Developer mode on Xiaomi: how to enable and what functions it opens

Developer mode on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is a hidden settings section that gives access to advanced features of the MIUI operating system. Without it, it is impossible to debug over USB, unlock the bootloader, change the interface animation or test new features before their official release. However, many users face difficulties when trying to activate this mode: somewhere there are not enough clicks, somewhere the system does not respond to actions, and sometimes the developer menu suddenly disappears after an update.

In this article, we will discuss not only the standard way to turn on the developer mode, but also alternative methods for cases where the option is gray or not on the menu. We will pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14), and also tell you how to return access to the settings if they are lost after reset or firmware. For convenience, we have collected all the commands and paths in interactive widgets – you will only have to follow the instructions.

Why you need a developer mode on Xiaomi

Developer mode is not just a "geek thing," it's useful even for ordinary users if you want to:

  • πŸ”§ Speed up the smartphone – disable the animation of transitions between screens, which makes the interface more responsive.
  • πŸ“± Unlock the bootloader is a mandatory step for installing custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) or obtaining root rights.
  • πŸ”„ Testing beta versions MIUI β€” Some features (such as new gestures or camera modes) appear first in developer mode.
  • πŸ–₯️ Connect to a PC for debugging - without switching on USB-debugging is not possible ADB, Fastboot or tools like Scrcpy to control your phone from a computer.

In addition, the developer menu hides useful tools for diagnosis:

  • πŸ“Š CPU usage monitoring – shows which processes load the processor in real time.
  • πŸ“΅ Imitating a bad connection – helps test how apps work on a weak internet.
  • πŸ”‹ Battery Logs – detailed discharge statistics that the standard power consumption menu does not show.

⚠️ Attention: Some settings in developer mode can lead to unstable smartphone performance. 4K-permissions on unaccompanied displays will cause artifacts, and shutdown MIUI Optimization will disrupt proprietary features such as Second Space or Game Turbo).

πŸ“Š Why you want to turn on the developer mode?
Speed up the smartphone
Unlock the loader
Connect to the PC
Testing new functions
Other

Standard way to enable developer mode

The main activation method works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the model - whether it is the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra or the budget Redmi Note 12. MIUI (It's not custom. It's a version-friendly manual. MIUI 12–14, including global (Global) and Chinese (China) builds.

Steps to include:

  1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
  2. Go to About Phone (on some models – About the device).
  3. Find the MIUI version string and tap it 7 times in a row.
  4. After the seventh press, a notification will appear: β€œYou became a developer!”
  5. Return to the main Settings menu, and a new Developers Item (or Advanced Settings β†’ Developers on older versions) will appear.

If nothing happens after 7 clicks, check:

  • πŸ”Ή You're just tapping the Version. MIUI, Not on the phone or Android version.
  • πŸ”Ή The message β€œAccess is forbidden” does not appear on the screen – this means that the device has a password / pattern lock, and it must be entered before activation.
  • πŸ”Ή You don’t use guest mode or Second Space, they include a separate developer mode.

β˜‘οΈ Preparation for the inclusion of the developer mode

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Alternative Incorporation Methods (if Standard Incorporated Does Not Work)

Sometimes the MIUI version is not on the menu or does not respond to clicks.

  • πŸ”„ Updates to firmware with major changes (for example, with MIUI 12 on MIUI 14).
  • 🧹 Resetting settings to factory.
  • πŸ› οΈ Custom recaveri installations (TWRP) or unofficial firmware.

In such cases, try one of the alternative ways:

Method 1: Through ADB (if USB-The debugging has already been included)

If you previously activated the developer mode but it disappeared after the update, you can return it using the ADB command:

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

How to do this:

  1. Connect your phone to your PC and allow USB-Debugging (if it was included before resetting).
  2. Open the command prompt (CMD) or terminal on your computer.
  3. Enter the command above and press Enter.

After execution, the developer menu will open, even if it is not in the main settings.

Method 2: Engineering menu (for advanced users)

On some models (e.g. POCO F5 or Redmi K60), you can enable the developer mode via the engineering menu:

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After entering this code:

  1. The Testing menu will open.
  2. Go to the tab Information about the phone.
  3. Slip on the Assembly Number 7 times (similar to the standard method).

⚠️ Warning: The engineering menu contains options that may disrupt the phone (e.g. resetting) IMEI or disable the communication module. Do not change the settings unless you are sure of their purpose.

What if nothing happens after 7 clicks?
If after multiple taps on the Version MIUI Developer mode is not activated, try: 1. Reboot phone. 2. delete application data Settings (c Settings) β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Settings β†’ Warehouse β†’ Clear the data. 3. Update the firmware to the latest version (sometimes bugs are fixed in new builds).

Where to look for a developer menu after activation

Once successfully enabled, the developer mode can be in different places depending on the MIUI version:

MIUI versionThe path to the developer menuNotes
MIUI 14 (Android 13/14)Settings β†’ Additional β†’ For DevelopersOn some models, the item is called Advanced settings.
MIUI 12.5–13 (Android 11/12)Settings β†’ About the phone β†’ Additional β†’ For developersYou may need to scroll down the screen.
MIUI 12 (Android 10)Settings β†’ System β†’ Advanced β†’ For developersThe Chinese route may be different.
MIUI 11 and olderSettings β†’ Additional β†’ For DevelopersOn some devices, the menu is hidden – you need to enter the developer in the search.

If the developer menu is not displayed in the specified sections, use the search by settings:

  1. Open the Settings.
  2. Slip the icon of the magnifier (search) in the upper right corner.
  3. Enter the request: for developers or developers.

πŸ’‘

On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) The developer menu can be called (KāifāzhΔ› xuǎnxiΓ ng). Use an interpreter if you are not sure what the points are.

The main settings of the developer mode: what can and cannot be touched

There are more than 50 options on the developer menu, but most of them are for testing and debugging, and we have highlighted useful features that will not harm the device, and dangerous options that can cause malfunctions.

Safe settings (we recommend trying)

  • ⚑ Disconnect animation: The scale of window animation β†’ Disable Transition Animation Scale β†’ Disable the duration of animation β†’ Disable This will speed up the opening of applications and make the interface more responsive.
  • πŸ”„ Inclusion OEM-Unlocking: Unlocking option OEM It's needed to unlock the bootloader. TWRP custom-made.
  • πŸ–₯️ USB-Debugging: Allows you to connect to the phone through ADB run commands from PC.
  • πŸ“‘ Change of frequency region: Network choice β†’ Only LTE Global will help if the phone does not catch the network in roaming.

Dangerous settings (change at your own risk)

  • 🚨 Shutdown MIUI Optimization: This will cause failures in the work of proprietary functions (Second Space, Game Turbo, navigation gestures).
  • πŸ”‹ Background Battery Check: Disabling this option will speed up battery drain.
  • πŸ“΅ Imitating a lack of network: Can disrupt mobile internet and calls.
  • πŸ”„ Reset all settings: The option to Reset the developer settings will return all settings to factory, but will not affect user data.

πŸ’‘

Before changing any settings in developer mode, back up your data through Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Backup and Reset. This will save you from losing important information when crashes.

How to turn off the developer mode

If you no longer need advanced settings, you can deactivate the developer mode.

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ For developers.
  2. In the upper right corner, tap the switch (it will turn gray).
  3. Confirm the disconnection in the dialog window.

After that, the Developer For option will disappear from the settings menu, and to return it, you will have to re-tap the MIUI version (as described at the beginning of the article).

If you want to completely reset all the changes made in developer mode:

  1. Open the Settings. β†’ For developers.
  2. Scroll down and select Reset Developer Settings.
  3. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling Developer Mode does not reset previously modified settings (e.g., disabled animation or unlocked animation) OEM). To return to factory settings, use Developer Settings Reset or a full phone reset.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after successful activation of the developer mode, users face difficulties.

Problem 1: Developer menu missing after update

This is due to the reset of hidden settings when major MIUI updates.

  1. Repeat the activation procedure (7 taps according to the MIUI version).
  2. If it doesn't help, use it. ADB-team (described above).
  3. In extreme cases, reset settings (Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Resetting), but this will delete all data.

Problem 2: The option "For developers" is inactive (grey)

So that means that the developer mode is on, but access to it is limited.

  • πŸ”’ Password/pattern lock is installed on the phone – unlock the screen and try again.
  • πŸ‘€ You are logged in to guest mode or Second Space – switch to the main profile.
  • πŸ“± The device is managed via Mi Cloud (e.g. parental controls) – disable remote management in your Xiaomi account.

Problem 3: It's not working. USB-debugging

If you do not have a request for debugging permission when connecting to the PC:

  1. Check if the option is on. USB-debugging.
  2. Install the official Xiaomi drivers on your PC (you can download it on the MIUI Download website).
  3. Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).
  4. In the developer menu, activate Debugging over USB (security options) and select Allow Always from that computer.
What if your PC doesn’t see your phone in ADB?
1. Open Device Manager on PC. 2. Find a device with an exclamation mark (usually Android Phone β†’ Android ADB Interface). 3. Update the driver manually by specifying the folder with Xiaomi drivers. 4. Reboot the phone and PC.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I turn on the developer mode on a locked phone (without entering a password)?
No. To activate the developer mode, you need to unlock the screen. If you forget your password, first reset via Mi Account (if you have a Xiaomi account attached) or Fastboot (you need a PC).
Will there be a reset if you turn off the developer mode?
No, disabling the developer mode doesn't cause a data reset, but if you manually click Reset the developer settings, all the options in this menu will go back to factory settings, but the user files and applications will remain intact.
Why not after the switch on USB-The PC still can’t see the phone?
There are several reasons: ADB drivers are not installed on your PC (download Minimal ADB and Fastboot or Xiaomi USB Driver). The cable does not support data transfer (try the original Xiaomi cable). The developer menu does not include the option Debugging over USB (security options). Antivirus blocks ADB (add an exception for adb.exe).
Can I turn on the developer mode on Xiaomi without SIM-map?
Yes, availability SIM-The card does not affect the activation of the developer mode, the main thing is that the phone is unlocked and has enough battery power (>10%).
What happens if you accidentally change the settings in the developer mode?
Most parameters won't hurt, but some can: Disrupt the network (e.g., simulate no connection); increase battery consumption (disable background optimization); cause disruptions MIUI (shutdown MIUI If the phone is unstable, reset the developer settings or complete a reset.