How to use Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: from basic setup to advanced chips

What the Redmi Note 9 can do and why it is still relevant

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, released in 2020, remains one of the most popular budget smartphones due to balanced characteristics: MediaTek Helio G85 processor, 5020 mAh battery, 48 MP quadruple camera and 60 Hz refresh rate display. Despite the release of new models, Redmi Note 9 is actively used thanks to stable updates MIUI (the latest version is MIUI 14 based on Android 12) and maintainability.

This article is not about “review” or “characteristics” – it’s a collection of practical information for owners, from initial setup to solving typical problems. We will learn how to properly configure the battery, improve the camera, speed up the system, connect the device to the Xiaomi smart home and even restore the smartphone after a failure. Particular attention will be paid to hidden functions MIUI, which are not documented in official instructions, but greatly simplify the use.

If you just bought a Redmi Note 9 or faced a specific problem (for example, fast discharge, lags in games, broken NFC), here you will find step-by-step solutions. For convenience, materials are divided into thematic blocks - select the desired section from the table of contents.

Initial Setup: What to Do Immediately After Purchase

Even if you’re a Xiaomi power user, the initial setup of the Redmi Note 9 has nuances. Start with a firmware update: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Update. The current version at 2026 is MIUI 14.0.4.0 (Android 12). If the system offers an update, agree: new versions fix security vulnerabilities and optimize battery life.

The next step is to set up your Mi Account, without which you won’t be able to use cloud storage, Find Device, and some MIUI+ features to link your account:

1. Open Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Enter your email or phone number (we recommend email – more reliable).
3. Confirm the mail via a code letter.
4. Enable synchronization of contacts and notes (optional).

Now optimize the system for your needs:

• 🔄 Disable unnecessary apps: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management and remove preinstalled software (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Credit, if you are not using it).
• 📶 Set up a mobile network: in Settings → SIM- maps and mobile networks, select priority 4G (not Auto) to save charge.
• 🔋 Activate Battery Mode: in Settings → Battery → Battery Modes, select Balanced (for most tasks) or Energy Saving (if you need to extend autonomy).

⚠️ Warning: If you bought the Redmi Note 9 by hand, be sure to reset to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset).The previous owner could leave a tied Mi Account, which will block access to the features after flashing.

Update MIUI to the latest version

Linking a Mi Account Account

Remove unnecessary applications

Set up the battery mode

Check the operation of sensors (gyroscope, NFC)

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Battery Optimization: How to Prolong Autonomy Up to 2 Days

The Redmi Note 9 is famous for its long battery life, but by default, MIUI does not always manage power efficiently. The main charge eaters are background processes, automatic synchronization and unoptimized applications. Here's how to fix:

1. Limit background activity:

Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Use.

Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Background Limitation.

Add to the list apps that shouldn’t work in the background (e.g. social media if notifications aren’t needed).

2. Set up "Autostart Permits":

- In Settings → Applications → Application Management → Permissions → Autorun disable autorun for unnecessary applications.

Leave only messengers and system services.

3. Use the dark theme:

There is no AMOLED- display in the Redmi Note 9, but the dark theme still reduces the load on the processor when rendering the interface.

Activate it in Settings → Display → Dark theme.

⚠️ Warning: If the battery starts to run out too quickly (e.g., from 100% to 0% in 6-8 hours without active use), check the battery status in Settings → Battery → Battery Condition. If the capacity has fallen below 80%, consider replacing (the original battery for the Redmi Note 9 costs ~1,500–2000 rubles).

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To quickly check which application is draining the battery, go to Settings → Battery → Battery Use and sort the list by consumption for the last 24 hours. If the first place is not the system process (Android System or MIUI), and a third-party application – limit its background activity.

Camera: how to take professional photos on a budget smartphone

The main camera Redmi Note 9 at 48 MP (Samsung GM1) is able to produce high-quality images when the right settings, the main problem users have is sunrise and noise in the dark.

1. Set up HDR mode:

In the Camera app, tap on the icon ⚙️ (settings) and turn HDR into the Auto position.

For portraits, turn off HDR – it can blur the boundaries of the face.

2. Use the 48 MP mode:

The camera takes 12 MP (pixel binning) pictures by default. To activate full resolution, turn on High Resolution in the camera settings.

- Photos in 48 MP take ~15-20 MB each, but contain more detail when pruned.

Night shooting:

In the dark, use the Night mode (moon on the toolbar).

Keep your smartphone as still as possible or use a tripod – exposure can last up to 5 seconds.

• 📸 For portraits: Use Portrait Mode and adjust background blur (bokeh effect) in the gallery after shooting.
• 🌄 For landscapes: Enable Wide-angle Mode (8 MP) to capture a larger area.
• 🎥 For video: Remove the limit on the duration of the videos in the camera settings (Video quality → Video length → No restrictions).

Performance: How to speed up the Redmi Note 9 and get rid of lags

Over time, even the Redmi Note 9 on the Helio G85 begins to slow down, especially when multitasking, for reasons like full memory, fragmented storage, or background processes.

1. Clear the cache:

- Go to Settings → Storage → Cache data and click Clear.

Repeat this once every 1-2 weeks.

2. Turn off the animation:

Activate Developer Mode (in Settings → About Phone tap 7 times on the MIUI version).

- Go back to Settings → Additional → For developers and install:

- Window animation → Off.

- Transition animation → Off.

- Duration of the animator → Off.

3. Reset the graphic settings:

- In the same menu for developers, find Reset graphics settings and confirm the action.

This will bring back standard rendering options that could have been changed by games or apps.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the phone starts to brake

Never clean.-->

⚠️ Warning: If your smartphone gets too hot and off when you're loaded (like in games), check the heatpaste on your processor. It dries over time. Replace it with service -- disassembling yourself without experience can damage the plumes.

Hidden MIUI features you didn’t know about

The MIUI hides a lot of useful features that are not obvious at first glance.

• 🔍 Search by settings: There is a search bar at the top of the Settings menu. Type in a keyword (e.g., "NFC" or "Gesturals") to quickly find the section you want.
• 📱 App Duplicate: In Settings → Apps → Duplicate apps, you can create a second account for instant messengers (e.g., two WhatsApp or Telegram).
• 🔊 Sound amplifier: In Settings → Sound → Sound amplifier, turn on this option for louder playback through speakers.
• 🌐 Parallel space: In Settings → Special features → Parallel space can create an isolated copy of the system with separate applications and data (useful for work and personal use).

Another little-known feature is Game Turbo, which optimizes performance in games:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Game Turbo
2. Add games to the list and activate the mode.
3. In Game Turbo settings, turn off notifications, block gestures, and turn on Performance for maximum FPS.

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Parallel Space creates a full-fledged copy of the system with a separate desktop and apps, which allows you to use two Instagram or VK accounts simultaneously without third-party apps, for example.

Typical Problems: What to Do When You...

Even the reliable Redmi Note 9 can fail, and here are the solutions to some of the most common problems.

If the smartphone does not turn on or hovers on the MI logo:

1. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds for a forced reboot.
2. If it didn’t help, go to Recovery (click Power + Volume up when the phone is off) and select Wipe Data (reset).
3. In extreme cases, run your smartphone through Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions