Where on the phone Xiaomi Redmi 9: navigation on hidden features

When buying a budget smartphone, many users are faced with the question of where the Xiaomi Redmi 9 phone hosts key system functions. The MIUI shell installed on top of Android often hides important settings in non-obvious places or renames standard menu items, which is made to simplify the experience of beginners, but experienced users have to look for familiar options.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the structure of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 operating system so you can quickly find any parameters. We will look not only at standard sections, but also at hidden engineering menus that do not appear in normal mode. Understanding the logic of the interface will allow you to make the most of the capabilities of your device.

Many of the features that seem to be missing are simply moved to Advanced Settings or require activation through special codes. It is important to know the exact ways to avoid getting confused in the menu maze. Below are the instructions that are relevant for current versions of MIUI 12 and later.

Finding device information and IMEI code

The first thing users usually look for after buying is serial number and IMEI information. Unlike older versions of Android, where this data was immediately hung on the home screen, in MIUI it is hidden deeper. For quick access to technical data, you need to go to the About phone section in the main settings of the system.

This displays the MediaTek Helio G80 version of the processor, the amount of RAM and the operating system version. However, to see the full data, including IMEI, you often need to click on the MIUI logo or system version several times in a row, which opens a detailed card of the device.

There is also a universal method that works even if the phone is locked or does not load fully. USSD-It instantly displays all the necessary identifiers.

• 📱 Enter *#06# to display instantly IMEI and serial number.
• ⚙️ Go to Settings. → The phone. → All settings to view the detailed specification.
• 📦 Find the sticker on the original box where all the device codes are duplicated.
• 💾 Save a screenshot of the page with IMEI In the cloud, in case of loss of physical access to the box.

⚠️ Warning: Never pass the code on IMEI Knowing this number, attackers could theoretically try to clone the device or lock it through a carrier.

Location of network settings and data transfer

Management SIM-maps and mobile Internet in the shell MIUI It's a separate, well-structured unit, if you don't know where on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 phone to turn on. 4G or set up an access point, you should search for a section SIM-Maps and mobile networks. It's at the top of the main settings menu.

Inside this menu, you can not only turn on data transfer, but also assign priority. SIM-This is especially useful for users who are actively using tariffs of different operators.

For stable operation in areas of uncertain reception, you sometimes need to manually choose the type of network. Automated mode does not always correctly switch between 3G and 4G, causing connection breaks. Forced LTE on can solve the speed problem.

Special attention should be paid to setting up the Wi-Fi hotspot. In Xiaomi Redmi 9, this functionality is integrated directly into the SIM-card menu, which allows you to quickly share the Internet. You can also set a password and network name, as well as limit the number of connected devices.

Memory and file storage management

The question of where the file manager is and how to clean up the memory is a big one for models with 64GB of built-in storage. The standard app is called Explorer and has a yellow folder icon. However, the system cleanup is elsewhere.

To analyze the occupied space, you need to go to the settings and find the Memory item, the system automatically scans the device and prompts you to delete the cache, advertising files and duplicate photos, a built-in optimization tool that does not require the installation of third-party software.

If internal memory is not enough, Xiaomi Redmi 9 supports microSD card installation. Once the card is installed, a new storage partition appears in the system. It is important to properly configure the storage of photos and music so that they are written to an external medium by default.

Regularly cleaning the cache of messengers like Telegram and WhatsApp can free up a few gigabytes of space.These apps store all the media files you've viewed in your phone's memory, even if you've already deleted them from chat. Clearing the cache is secure and doesn't delete correspondence, only temporary files.

Hidden opportunities and the mode of the developer

For advanced users, there's a special menu on the system that's hidden by default, called "Developers," and to activate it, you need to look up the About Phone MIUI version and quickly click on it 7 times in a row.

Once activated, a new menu will appear in the “Advanced” section, where you can adjust the speed of the interface animation, which will visually speed up the smartphone, and there is also a USB debugging mode necessary for connecting to a computer for deep diagnostics.

This is also the important option, Don't turn off the screen when charging, which is useful if you're using your phone as a desktop clock or a navigator, but it's worth remembering that the display can burn out or overheat.

• ⚡ Customize window animation speed to speed up interface response.
• 🔌 Initiation of debugging USB work-in ADB-team.
• 👁️ Displaying touches on the screen to demonstrate actions.
• 🔄 Forced activation of dark theme for all applications.

⚠️ Warning: Changing the settings in the For Developers section without understanding their purpose can lead to unstable system operation.

Configure notifications and MIUI interface

The notification interface in MIUI is different from pure Android, and there's a division into "All" and "Important." If you don't see notifications from certain apps, it's possible they're hidden or they're enabled with "No Sound" mode, and you can manage that in the Notifications and Status bar section.

For each application, you can adjust the behavior of the indicator, sound and pop-ups. Xiaomi Redmi 9 also has the feature “Advanced notifications”, which allows you to respond to messages directly from the curtain without opening the application.

Desktop customization also has its own features: Where on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 phone to change the icon grid or add widgets? Long tap on the empty space causes the edit menu. Here you can add widgets, change the wallpaper or adjust the transitions between the screens.

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Use the Notes widget on your desktop to quickly access your shopping list, faster than opening an app every time you search for the right notebook.

Don't forget to check your lock settings. You can turn on fingerprint, face or (pattern lock) unlocking here, and this section also adjusts the watch style and date on the lock screen, allowing you to personalize the look of the device at first glance.

Diagnostics and engineering menu

If your smartphone is starting to behave strangely (sound is lost, sensor is not working, Wi-Fi is crashing), you should use the engineering menu, which is a hidden section designed to test hardware components, and you can access it through the code # # #6484## in the dialer.

It's going to open up a list of tests that can test vibration, screen colors, microphones and speakers, and it's a powerful tool for self-diagnosing before you go to the service center, and if the test shows an error, it's a hardware problem.

You can also see sensor information in the engineering menu, for example, if you don't have autobrightness, you can see the light sensor readings in the Sensor section, and if the numbers don't change when you close the top of the screen with your hand, the sensor is defective.

Commands for rapid diagnosis:


#6484## - Engineering Menu (CIT)


*#06# - Information about IMEI


#4636## - Testing menu (Android native)

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The engineering menu is not a toy, it's a professional tool, and if you don't know what the parameter is for, you better not change the value of the menu so that the radio module doesn't work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)