Xiaomi Interface: What it is, how it works and how it differs from pure Android

When you first turn on a Xiaomi smartphone, Redmi or POCO, You see a bright, rich interface with a lot of unfamiliar icons, gestures and menus. It's not standard Android, but a company shell — MIUI (Many users confuse it with the operating system, think it's "Chinese Android," or even try to "delete" it. MIUI", I don’t know if it’s an integral part of the scaling.

In fact, Xiaomi's interface is a deeply redesigned version of Android with unique design, additional features and optimizations for the company's hardware, it affects everything from the appearance of the lock screen to the operation of background processes. In this article, we will examine what Xiaomi's interface is, how it is built, how it differs from "naked" Android, and how to set it up correctly for maximum convenience, and also reveal secret chips that the manufacturer does not mention.

What is it? MIUI HyperOS: What's the difference?

Until 2023, all Xiaomi smartphones worked on the shell MIUI (Mi User Interface is a proprietary firmware developed by an Android-based company, but with a radically changed design and functionality. MIUI It was released in 2010 and has since passed 14 major versions — MIUI 14).

At the end of 2023, Xiaomi announced a new system, HyperOS. MIUI, It's a fundamentally different platform, built on Android, but with elements of Xiaomi's own operating system (developed for IoT devices). K70, In 2026, it began to spread to older models through the OTA-update.

• 📱 MIUI — It's a classic Android shell with a bright design, lots of themes and deep customization, suitable for those who like to customize everything for themselves".
• ⚡ HyperOS is a new system with a focus on performance, smoothness and integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem (smart home, wearables.
• 🔄 Transition from MIUI HyperOS is mandatory for new models, but owners of older smartphones can stay on the same platform MIUI (Redmi Note 11 will not get HyperOS).

The main difference between HyperOS and MIUI — For example, the new system has removed some “extra” animations, optimized memory, and the interface has become closer to “stack” (pure Android), but retaining the Xiaomi branded chips.

What the Xiaomi interface looks like: the main elements

Xiaomi’s interface consists of several key blocks that are also found in the MIUI, And in HyperOS (with minor changes.

1. Lock screen

Here you'll see:

• ⏰ Date and hours (style can be changed in the settings).
• 📱 Notifications (swipe up opens the notification panel).
• 🔒 Unlock buttons: PIN, pattern lock, fingerprint or Face Unlock (depending on the model).
• 🎵 Music widgets (if the track is played).

In HyperOS, the lock screen has become more minimalistic: gradients have been removed, and fonts have become thinner. MIUI You can choose from dozens of design styles, and in HyperOS there are fewer options, but the system works faster.

2. Main screen (Launchpad)

Unlike pure Android, Xiaomi’s interface doesn’t have apps on the menu — all icons are placed directly on the home screen (like iOS), which is called a “wireless launcher.”

What can be customized:

• 📂 Folders – Drag icons onto each other to create a folder.
• 🎨 Themes – Change wallpaper, icon style and fonts in Settings → Topics.
• 🔄 Gestures – new swipes are added to HyperOS (for example, a swipe down the center of the screen opens a search).
• 🔍 Search for MIUI It was a separate widget, and in HyperOS, search is integrated into the swipe down.

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To return the app menu (as in pure Android), install the Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher launcher from Google Play. MIUI/HyperOS, But it'll change the way icons are displayed.

3. Notification panel and control center

The swipe down opens two panels:

• 📲 Notification panel (left) – messages, missed calls and system alerts are displayed here.
• ⚙️ Control Center (right) – fast switches Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, flashlight, etc.

In HyperOS, these panels are combined into one (as in iOS) and in the MIUI They're separated. And the new system has dynamic switches -- for example, the "Game Mode" button only appears when you start a game.

4. System settings

The settings menu in the Xiaomi interface is different from the standard Android:

• 🔧 More sections (e.g. Special Opportunities) → It also hides rare functions).
• 🔍 There is a built-in search for settings (at the top of the screen).
• 📊 Battery section shows detailed statistics of consumption by application.
• 🛡️ In Privacy hidden tools to block applications and hide files.

How is Xiaomi’s interface different from pure Android?

Many people ask, "Why is my Xiaomi not like Google Pixel or Samsung?" The thing is, Xiaomi is deeply modifying Android by adding its chips and removing the standard elements.

The advantages of the Xiaomi interface:

• ✅ More opportunities for customization (themes, gestures, sounds).
• ✅ Additional features (e.g. Reading Mode, Second Space).
• ✅ Quick security updates (more often than many competitors).

Cons:

• ❌ Excess pre-installed apps (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Community).
• ❌ Advertising in system applications (in some regions, such as India).
• ❌ Higher battery consumption due to background processes.

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HyperOS solves some of the problems MIUI: The new system has less advertising, optimized battery life, and smoother animations, but some users miss the heavy design. MIUI with its bright colors and many themes.

Hidden features of the Xiaomi interface that you didn’t know

Xiaomi’s interface is filled with hidden features that aren’t obvious at first glance.

1. Second Space (Second Space)

It's a completely isolated profile with separate apps, files and settings, useful if you want to:

• 🔐 Separate work and personal data.
• 👶 Give your child a phone without fear of deleting important files.
• 🛡️ Hide confidential information from outsiders.

How to turn on: Settings → Special facilities → Second space.

2. "Lite" mode (Light mode)

If your smartphone is slowing down, activate Lite mode, which turns off animations, simplifies the interface, and speeds up the system. 4X, Redmi Note 5).

Path: Settings → Battery and productivity → Lite mode.

3. Hidden gestures

V MIUI HyperOS has undocumented gestures that make it easier to work with:

• 👆 Double swipe up on the home screen – opens the search.
• 👉 Swipe left on the lock screen – launches the camera.
• 🔄 Rotating the phone in a horizontal position on the lock screen – activates the flashlight.

4. Screen sensitivity adjustment

If the sensor does not respond well to touch (especially in cold or with a protective glass), increase the sensitivity:

1. Go to Settings → Display.
2. Choose the sensitivity of touch.
3. Switch the slider to High.

5 Hidden codes for diagnosis

Enter these combinations in the Phone app to access the service menu:

• #4636## - battery information, networking and usage statistics.
• ##6484## - Sensor test (multi-touch check)
• #64663## - hardware diagnostics (memory, camera, speakers).

Make sure the second space is off (if not needed)|Try the double swipe gesture up|Check the sensitivity of the screen|Run the sensor test using code ##6484##

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How to customize the Xiaomi interface for yourself?

One of the main advantages MIUI And HyperOS is deep customization. That's what you can change:

1. Modification of themes and design

Go to Settings. → Topics. Here you'll find:

• 🎨 Wallpaper - static, live, gradients.
• 🖼️ Style of icons - round, square, 3D-effects.
• 📝 Fonts – more than 20 options (including handwritten ones).
• 🎵 Sounds – ringing, notifications, alarm clocks.

HyperOS is smaller, but they are optimized for dark mode and AMOLED-screen.

2. Customization of gestures

V MIUI HyperOS can change the way you manage it:

• 👆 Classic buttons (navigation bar at the bottom).
• 👌 Gestures MIUI (swipes instead of buttons).
• 🆕 HyperOS gestures (new animations similar to iOS).

Path: Settings → Display. → Navigation panel.

3. Optimization of productivity

If the phone brakes:

1. Turn off animations: Settings → Special facilities → Remove animations.
2. Limit background processes: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Auto-start.
3. Enable Performance Mode in Settings → Battery.

4. Removal of pre-installed applications

Many system applications (Mi Music, Mi Browser) can be disabled or removed:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select the unnecessary app.
3. Click Remove or Disable (if deletion is blocked).

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To completely remove system applications, root rights are required, but it's risky, you can disrupt the system, you can just disable unnecessary programs.

Common problems with the interface Xiaomi and their solution

Even the most advanced interfaces sometimes fail, and here are the typical problems and ways to fix them:

1. The interface brakes or lags

Possible causes:

• 🗑️ Completed memory (less than 1 GB free).
• 🔄 Too many background processes.
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI/HyperOS.

Decision:

1. Clear the cache: Settings → Memory → Clear the cache.
2. Turn off auto-run of unnecessary applications.
3. Update the firmware: Settings → Update of the PO.

2.Gesturals don't work

If swipes don't work:

• Check if gestures are enabled: Settings → Display. → Navigation panel.
• Make sure there is no conflict with third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher).
• Reboot the phone.

3. Icons or widgets are missing

This is a common problem after an update.

• Keep an empty space on the main screen → Screen settings → Reset the launcher settings.
• Check if the icons are hidden in the settings → Annexes → Hidden applications.

4. Advertising in system applications

In some regions (for example, India or China) MIUI The advert is shown. How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Advertising Services.
2. Turn off Personalized Ads and Advertising Notices.
3. For individual apps (such as Mi Browser), turn off ads in their settings.

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If the ad appears after the update, try resetting the ad settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Advertising services → Reset the Advertising ID.

⚠️ Note: Some “instructions” on the Internet advise to disable advertising by changing the region to Europe or Russia, this can lead to loss of functionality (for example, stop working Google Pay or Mi Pay.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's interface