Buying a new Xiaomi gadget is always an exciting moment, especially when you unpack the box and see the modern one. AMOLED-But before we get into the world of apps and settings, many users ask themselves, how exactly do you charge your device for the first time? There are many myths surrounding this process that go back to the age of old nickel batteries, which required a long-term "swing" of power".
Modern lithium polymer batteries in Redmi and Poco work on a completely different principle: mishandling the device in the first hours of operation may not kill the battery instantly, but it can knock the calibration of the power controller, which will cause the smartphone to show an unexpected percentage of charge or turn off at 10-15%.
In this article, we will discuss the technical nuances of primary charging, explain why deep discharge is harmful to modern electronics, and give you a clear instruction on how to prepare your Mi-smartphone for a long and active life.
Myth-Breaking: Should Xiaomi Charge 12 Hours?
The most common myth, dating back to the days of the button-phone, is that a new phone needs to be charged continuously for 8-12 hours immediately after purchase, a claim that was relevant for Ni-Cd and Ni-Mh batteries, which had what is known as the “memory effect.”
Modern Xiaomi devices use Li-Pol (lithium polymer) and Li-Ion (lithium-ion) batteries. They have no memory effect, and they do not require long-term activation by chemical processes. Moreover, the charge controller built into the motherboard automatically turns off the current when the battery reaches 100%.
If you leave your phone charging for 12 hours, it will not be bad because of the protection system, but it will not be good either. On the contrary, the prolonged heating of the device, which inevitably occurs when the controller is working, can negatively affect the life of the electrolyte.
⚠️ Warning: Leaving your phone on charge all night or all day in the first days of operation makes no technical sense and can lead to overheating of the case, which is harmful to the adhesive joints of the display.
Manufacturers, including Xiaomi, charge batteries to about 50-60% from the factory, which is the optimal level for long-term battery storage without losing capacity, so your task is not to "rock" the battery, but just start using it normally.
Where did the myth of the 12 hours come from?
Preparation for the first inclusion: check of completeness
Before connecting the device to the power grid, you need to make sure the integrity of the charging kit. In boxes with new Xiaomi models (starting with the 12 series and some versions of the Redmi Note), the power adapter may be missing for environmental reasons.
If the adapter isn't in the box, you'll need to use the original power supply or certified analogue with support for fast charging protocols like Quick Charge or Power Delivery.Using cheap Chinese units without certification can lead to unstable voltage.
Carefully inspect the USB Type-C connector on the smartphone itself, it should not get dust or pile from the box, also check the cable for clamps. For the first turn on, you should use the cable that comes with the kit, as it is guaranteed to withstand the declared current.
- 🔌 Check the availability of the power adapter in the box (for models until 2022 release).
- 🔍 Check the charging port for factory film or debris.
- ⚡ Make sure the cable sits tightly in the connector and doesn't hang around.
- 🌡️ Make sure the room temperature is in the range of +10. +30 degrees.
If you brought your phone from the cold or it was lying in the sun, let it lie at room temperature for about 30 minutes before connecting to the network.
Step-by-step: how to charge the new Xiaomi
The primary charging process is as simple as possible, but requires a sequence of actions to ensure that the power controller works correctly. First connect the cable to the power supply, and then insert the plug into the smartphone, which will avoid a voltage surge during the connection.
The charger should appear on the screen and the MI or Redmi logo, and if the phone is completely discharged (0%), it may not turn on immediately, in which case leave it to charge in the off state until the indication appears at least 5-10%.
When the device turns on, don't rush to play heavy games or download gigabytes of data. Let the system safely complete the initial setup and update the service files in the background. At this time, the phone may get a little warmer - that's normal.
☑️ First-charge algorithm
The best scenario would be to charge the device to 100% when it's off or asleep, and then use it until it drops to 15-20%, which would help the system calibrate the percentage display, and not wait for the phone to turn off completely (0%).
| Phase | Action. | Expected output |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Connection | Connecting the cable to the network and phone | The indicator lights up, the vibrating response |
| 2.Heating | First 15-20 minutes | Light increase in body temperature (normal) |
| 3.Achieving 100% | The indicator turned green. | The charge current is stopped, only the screen is working. |
| Calibration | Discharge to 15-20% | Correctly displaying interest in the future |
Once the indicator shows 100%, you can turn off the device. Modern Xiaomi controllers are able to stop the charge, but it is better not to hold the phone on the wire for days to avoid microscopic charging cycles that heat the battery.
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The main purpose of the first charge is not to “swing” the chemical composition, but to allow the software controller to record the correct values of the minimum and maximum voltage of the battery.
Optimizing MIUI to extend battery life
Once you have charged the new Xiaomi, the system will suggest you do the initial setup, at which point it is important to pay attention to the parameters related to power consumption. The MIUI shell (or the new HyperOS) has powerful tools for controlling the battery.
Immediately after turning on, go to the Settings → Battery menu. Here you should activate the function "Optimize Charging." The system learns your habits, and if you charge your phone at night, it will stop charging by 80% and pick up the remaining 20% only before you wake up.
It's also worth checking out the list of apps that are allowed to work in the background. New phones often come with pre-installed software that isn't needed immediately. Disabling background activity for redundant programs will reduce the load on the processor and reduce heat.
- 📱 Enable “Optimize charging” in the battery settings to protect against overcharging.
- 🚫 Disable auto-update applications via mobile network.
- 🌐 Set up energy saving mode for rarely used programs.
- 📉 Reduce the screen refresh rate to 60Hz if autonomy is more important than smoothness.
System updates are not to be ignored. In the first batches of firmware on new Xiaomi models, bugs are often encountered that (lead to) increased energy consumption, and updating to the current version of MIUI often corrects these problems.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install cleaners and accelerators from third-party sources. MIUI Optimization works more efficiently and does not create unnecessary load on the system.
Fast charging technologies: harm or benefit?
Xiaomi’s HyperCharge fast-charging technology, which allows you to recharge your battery from 0 to 100% in 20 to 30 minutes, is a feature many users are afraid to use, believing that it “kills” the battery.
Technically, fast charging does generate more heat than standard charging, but Xiaomi engineers implement sophisticated thermal control systems, so if the battery temperature exceeds a safe threshold, the charging speed automatically decreases.
The use of the original cable and power supply is critical. Third-party cables may not support special voltage matching protocols, which will either lead to slow charging or unstable controller operation.
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For long-term battery safety, avoid using Turbo Charge (120W or higher) overnight, and keep fast charging for emergency power needs during the day.
For daily use, if you have time, you can use a conventional 18-30 W charging. It heats the device less, which has a positive effect on the degradation of the battery chemistry over time.
Frequent errors in the operation of a new smartphone
Even with the rules, users often make mistakes that shorten the life of the gadget, one of the most common being using the phone while charging for resource-intensive tasks, and playing heavy graphics with the charger connected causes double heating, from the processor and from the chemical reaction in the battery.
Another mistake is a full discharge to zero. Lithium batteries do not tolerate deep discharge. If the phone turns off itself, try to put it on charge as soon as possible. Prolonged storage of a discharged device can cause the voltage to drop below a critical level, after which the controller will block charging for safety reasons.
Also, do not neglect protection against moisture and dust, even if the rating is IP53 or IP68. Over time, the tightness of the case deteriorates, and moisture on the charging port contacts can cause a short circuit.
Remember, a battery is a consumable, and even if you take perfect care in 2-3 years, it's going to drop to 80 percent of its original capacity, and it's a normal physical process, and replacing the battery in the service center will solve the problem of autonomy.