How to start using the new Xiaomi Redmi: Start with the right step

Buying a new gadget is always accompanied by pleasant excitement, but also a slight confusion: where to start, so as not to miss important opportunities? Modern devices of the Chinese giant, working on the basis of the shells MIUI or HyperOS, have many settings that are hidden from the eyes of the average user when you first turn on.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at the whole way from unpacking to comfortable daily use, you will learn how to properly set up an account, which Google services are mandatory and which are better to abandon, and how to transfer all contacts and photos from an old phone without losing data.

There is a critical step in the initial screen calibration and power adjustment that even experienced users often forget, and skipping this step can lead to sensor malfunction or rapid discharge in the first weeks of use.

Initial activation and region selection

After removing Xiaomi Redmi from the box and insert SIM-The first important thing about the maps, the device, is that you can choose the language and the region, and the region you choose affects the topics you can find, the way some system applications work, and the frequency of promotional offers. Power users often choose India or Indonesia, but for stable operation in our latitudes it is better to leave your home region or switch to Singapore if you want to minimize unnecessary notifications.

The next step is to connect to a Wi-Fi network, and it is highly recommended to use a wireless connection for initial setup, as downloading security updates and system patches can take up a significant amount of traffic. Mobile Internet may be unstable or limited, which will interrupt the update process.

When activated, the system will prompt you to log in to an existing Mi Account or create a new one. This is a key point for the Xiaomi ecosystem: without a Mi Cloud account, you will not be able to search for a device, synchronize notes and some Smart Home features. If you already have an account, just enter the data, otherwise register a new one by linking your phone number.

• 🌍 Region: affects the set of pre-installed widgets and the work of the voice assistant.
• 📡 Network: Wi-Fi is a must for fast downloading security updates.
• 🔐 Security: Mi Account is required to lock a lost device.
• ⏱ Time: Automatic time synchronization through the network will eliminate errors in applications.

It is important to understand that choosing the wrong region can block access to certain features, such as NFC in payment systems or specific processing topics. If you plan to use a smartphone for payments, make sure that the region corresponds to the country of the bank’s location.

Security and biometrics setting

Modern data protection standards require careful adjustment of unlocking methods. Unlike older models, the new Redmi offers a wide range of options, from classic pin code to face unlock and fingerprint. The fingerprint scanner built into the power button works instantly, but requires the correct initial calibration.

If you add a fingerprint, the system will ask you to apply your finger several times, and don't be lazy and do it well: put your finger in different parts of the pad, as well as the side faces, which will increase the success rate of unlocking in poor lighting or when your hands are wet.

⚠️ Note: Never use a simplified pattern lock (connection) 3-4 To protect financial applications and personal data, create a complex password that cannot be guessed by the traces on the screen.

The face unlock feature deserves special attention, and in budget models, it is implemented software through the front camera, which is less secure than infrared sensors in flagships, and use this method only for quick access to the desktop, but not for authorization in banking applications.

• 👆 Fingerprint: Write the same finger twice as different profiles for reliability.
• 👁 Face ID: It is convenient to view notifications, but does not protect against an attacker with your photo.
• 🔢 Pin code: the main method of protection, should be unique.
• 🔒 Encryption: automatically activated when you set a password, protects data when the phone is turned off.

Also at this stage, the system will suggest configuring Google Pay or its analogues. For contactless payment to work correctly, it is necessary that the device is not modified (no root rights) and there is an official firmware.

Data transfer and synchronization

One of the most painful questions when changing phones is how to transfer contacts, photos and apps. Xiaomi has developed its own Mi Mover app, which allows you to transfer data from any Android device or even an iPhone without losing information, the process takes from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of memory.

To get started with Mi Mover, you need to install the app on both devices, the old phone will be the sender, and the new Redmi will be the recipient, and the connection is through the creation of a temporary Wi-Fi hotspot, so the data transfer speed will be high, and you don't need the Internet for this.

Settings → The phone. → Mi Mover (or download from GetApps)

However, if you switch from another Android, it’s often easier to use Google’s built-in mechanism. When you first sign in to your Google account, the system will prompt you to restore a backup from the cloud, which will bring back contacts, calendar, call history, and even desktop icon location if you used a standard launcher.

Remember that applications from banks and government agencies often require re-authorization and biometrics adjustments even after the data transfer is complete, a security measure that is impossible to circumvent.

Optimization of MIUI and HyperOS interface

The MIUI shell (or the new HyperOS) is radically different from pure Android in its richness in features and visual style. The first thing that catches your eye is the presence of built-in advertising in system applications. Fortunately, it can and should be disabled in privacy settings.

To disable ads, go to the settings of each system application (Security, Downloads, Music, Explorer) and find the option “Receive recommendations.” Disabling this switch removes banner ads. Globally, you can also restrict advertising by disabling MSA (MIUI System Ads) in password and security settings.

The second important aspect is notification management. Android and MIUI have their own notification centers, which can confuse the newcomer, and it is recommended to go to the notification settings and prevent pop-ups for games and minor applications, leaving only messengers and calls.

• 🎨 Topics: Themes app allows you to completely change the appearance of the system, fonts and sounds.
• 📂 Folders: Support expansion and display of content without opening.
• 🖱 One-handed control: Shifting the interface downwards for easy use of large screens.
• 🌙 Reading mode: filters blue light and changes the color gamut to shades of paper.

The newer versions of the software use button navigation as a thing of the past, and gesture control (swipes from the edges of the screen) is more convenient and gives more space for content, but requires getting used to it.

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Turn on “Memory Extension” in the settings if you do not have enough RAM for heavy games, but turn off this feature if you use a fast memory card for a photo so as not to reduce its life.

Camera and multimedia work

The cameras in Redmi smartphones are often underestimated, considering them the lot of flagships, but the right setup allows you to take great pictures even on budget models. In the Camera app, you should immediately turn off the Ultrascheiser (AI) if you want to see natural colors, not oversaturated with processing algorithms.

For video enthusiasts, it's important to know that Pro mode exists, which allows you to manually set ISO, shutter speed and white balance, and this is especially true when shooting in low light, where automation often makes mistakes, creating a "porridge" of noise.

⚠️ Note: When shooting in format RAW or in 108MP (and higher) mode, files take up a lot of space. Make sure you have enough internal memory or configured to sync with the cloud.

The sound in Redmi is also customizable. You can choose an equalizer from the Sound and Vibration menu. To listen to music through regular wired headphones, it is recommended to turn on Hi-Fi mode or select a Pop/Rock profile for a brighter sound.

Don't forget to set up the Video Toolbox, which allows you to open YouTube or Netflix in a floating window, chat in instant messengers while watching video, and adjust the brightness separately for the video player.

Energy saving and battery maintenance

Modern batteries in Xiaomi smartphones have high capacity, but their life depends on charging habits. The system offers several energy saving modes that should be activated immediately after purchase.

In the Safety → Battery app, find charging optimization settings. Optimized Charging learns your sleep patterns and stops charging by 80%, only completing the process by the time you wake up, which greatly extends the life of battery chemistry.

Also worth paying attention to the background activity of applications. MIUI aggressively unloads applications from memory to save energy, which can lead to a delay in notifications in messengers. For important applications (Telegram, WhatsApp, Mail), you need to select the “No restrictions” mode in the battery settings.

• 🔋 Saving mode: limits background activity and synchronization.
• 🌡 Temperature control: Warns of overheating when using navigation.
• ⚡ Turbo Charging: Use the original cable and unit for the stated speed.
• 📉 Statistics: watch out for "gluttonous" applications in the section battery consumption.

It is important to use original or certified cables. Cheap analogues may not support Quick Charge or Power Delivery fast charging protocols, which will cause the phone to charge slowly and warm up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The Xiaomi Redmi’s initial setup takes around 30 minutes to get it right, but saves hours on fixing issues with ads, notifications and autonomy in the future.