How to enable MIUI developer options

Most smartphones already come with dozens of features that allow their users to personalize their daily mobile experience. However, there are some “hidden” features in the developer options that you can use to fix a problem or just experiment with your phone. Xiaomi’s MIUI also offers these options to its users.

As Xiaomi smartphones continue to develop, some changes could leave users lost in their new interfaces. Thus, this article will explain where to find developer options on your Xiaomi phone and what they offer to the user.

How to enable developer options in MIUI

Whether you have a Xiaomi, POCO or Redmi phone, enabling developer options is just a few steps away.

1. Go to “Settings” on your phone.
   
2. Go to “About phone.”
   
3. Search for “MIUI version” and tap it seven times until the “You are now a developer” notification appears on your screen.
   Note: Once you start tapping, the phone should notify you how many more times you need to tap “MIUI Version” to enable the setting.
   
4. Go back to the main settings.
   
5. Scroll down until you find “Additional Settings.”
   
6. Go to “Developer options”.
   
7. Tap the switch to enable the setting.
   

Some MIUI versions may differ when it comes to finding your MIUI version. If you can’t find it in the tutorial above, follow these steps to enable developer options on your phone.

1. Open “Settings” on your smartphone.
   
2. Go to “About phone.”
   
3. Select “Detailed information and specifications”.
   
4. Search for “MIUI Version” and quickly tap it seven times until a message appears saying you are now a developer.
   Note: When you tap settings the first few times, a message should appear indicating how many taps you have left to become a developer.
   
5. Go back to the main settings.
   
6. Tap “Additional Settings.”
   
7. Press the button next to “Developer Options” to enable the setting.
   You can now access all the different features available as a developer. To turn off developer options, go back to the same section and tap the toggle to turn it off.
   

Types of MIUI Developer Options

Once you have enabled developer options on your Xiaomi phone, you will be able to allow and access inpidual settings. Now you might be wondering what these developer options do. Even though it sounds like they hold unimaginable secrets from the world of smartphones, they’re mostly run-of-the-mill setups that you probably don’t need all that often.

Many developer options come in handy when you are trying to resolve a problem with your Xiaomi phone. However, some should not be touched as they can actually ruin your phone rather than improving your overall user experience.

There are dozens of options for developers. The following sections will explain just a few of them so you know what to expect if you enable any of them.

Debugging options

One of the most essential settings in the developer options is the debugging options. These include revoking USB debugging authorizations, selecting a debugging application, and enabling the GPU to debug layers. But perhaps the most useful are USB debugging and USB installation.

USB debugging allows you to troubleshoot a problem by connecting your Xiaomi phone to a computer running an Android software development kit (SDK). This way, you can perform more advanced operations. However, please note that some phone apps may not work while USB debugging is enabled. So use it only when necessary.

The second option that uses USB is to install applications via USB. You can install apps on your computer and transfer them to your phone via a USB connection.

Network options

Developer options present many network settings. You can enable detailed Wi-Fi logging, activate WLAN coverage extension, and make sure your mobile data is always on.

Bluetooth options

Bluetooth Developer Options mainly refers to the sound quality of devices connected to your phone via Bluetooth. You can also adjust the audio channel mode, audio bits per sample, and audio sample range.

Enable OEM unlock option

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Unlocking allows you to unlock your bootloader. A locked bootloader ensures that all core and relevant operating system data is loaded once the phone boots. Unlocking it will allow you to install custom ROM, custom kernel, etc.

However, it is recommended not to touch this option unless you have at least some technical knowledge. Unlocking your bootloader can cause you to lose all your data and your phone to not work properly.

Entry options

Developer input options include showing touches and pointer locations. With taps, you’ll be able to see where your finger moves on the screen in the shape of a small circle. Similarly, pointer location shows you where your finger moves on the screen by drawing a line.

Enabling any of the options will begin the moment you tap the button next to it.

Drawing options

Developer options include numerous drawing options that allow you to customize the phone’s layout and animations. You can also simulate different screen sizes or have the window border light up when content is updated.

Stay awake option

The “Stay Awake” option on your Xiaomi device will allow the screen to stay on during charging instead of turning off.

Skip screen lock option

The bypass screen lock option allows you to directly access the home screen. However, it won’t work if you have a password or other form of authentication set up.

Hardware accelerated rendering options

With hardware-accelerated rendering options, you can configure a new graphics processing unit (GPU) renderer, force GPU rendering, and display GPU view and hardware layer updates. You can also simulate the color space, that is, change the entire interface color to black and white, red-green, etc.

WebView Implementation Option

The WebView implementation allows you to display web content in the application. In the developer options, you can customize these settings.

Desktop backup password option

With this developer option, you can set a password that protects backups on your phone. It encrypts your data using the Android SDK mentioned above.

Frequent questions

Does OEM unlocking void my Xiaomi warranty?

Unlike other smartphone companies, Xiaomi allows OEM unlocking and will not void your warranty.

How do I fix the USB installation error?

If you receive a notification that says “This device is temporarily restricted” when you try to enable the “Install via USB” option, you can resolve this issue in three different ways.

One is to switch from Wi-Fi to your mobile data. Another solution is to install a VPN that supports Chinese web and apps. However, this option is not recommended unless you are actually a developer as it can lead to data leaks. The third option requires several steps including disabling MIUI optimization.

Experiment with MIUI Developer Options

Developer options can be a fun feature when you know what you’re doing. There is a good reason why they are described as “developer” and “hidden” options for regular users. If you have problems with your Xiaomi that can only be solved with some of the developer options described, leaving it in the hands of a professional might be a better idea.

Have you already tried to access MIUI developer options? Which one did you try? Tell us in the comments below.