Xiaomi Redmi for beginners: a complete guide to the first launch and setup

You've just become the lucky owner of a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone, one of the most popular budget devices with a great price-performance ratio. But even if you've used other brands' Android smartphones before, the interface is the same as the one you've used. MIUI Xiaomi may seem unfamiliar, not to mention those who have switched from the iPhone or even for the first time picking up a smartphone.

This article will help you understand the basic settings that 90% of users miss or do wrong, which causes problems with performance, autonomy or security. We will go through all the key steps from the first on-line to fine-tuning to your needs. No water, just specific actions, explaining why it matters.

Special attention will be paid to the “pitfalls” of Redmi, which the manufacturer is silent about: why the battery quickly goes down in the first days, how to turn off annoying advertising in the first few days. MIUI, And why some apps may not be installed from Google Play. All instructions are relevant to models. 2022–2026 years (Redmi Note) 12/13, Redmi 12/13C, POCO X5 etc.) on the base MIUI 14/15.

1.The first launch: what to do immediately after unpacking

When you first turn on Xiaomi Redmi, it offers you to go through the initial setup wizard, where many users make critical errors that you have to manually fix, and let's take a Step-by-step to see what to look for:

First, the smartphone will suggest you choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi and accept the terms of use, and it's not difficult, but at the stage of signing in to your Mi Account, you have questions: Should you create one or not?

• ✅ Register your Mi Account – it is needed to synchronize contacts, backups, unlock the bootloader (if you want to install custom firmware) and access Xiaomi’s branded services.
• ⚠️ Don't use your email password, link a separate email or phone number, and if you lock your device, it'll be easier to restore access.
• 🔄 Skip Google account binding at this stage – it’s better to do it later, after you set up the basic system settings.

Once you log in, the system will suggest you move data from the old device.

⚠️ Note: If you are transferring data from your iPhone via Move to iOS, some files (such as notes or messages) may not be transmitted correctly.

When you're setting up your biometric security (fingerprint/face recognition), select at least one method. PIN-code is more reliable, Redmi is optimized for fingerprint scanner – it works faster and consumes less battery than constant password entry.

Basic settings MIUI: What to turn off and what to turn on

Interface. MIUI Xiaomi Redmi is overloaded with features, many of which are not only useless, but also accelerate battery life by 15-20% in the first days of use.

First, go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Autorun. Here you'll see a list of programs that run when you turn on your smartphone. Turn off autorun to:

• 🎮 Playing games (if you don’t play daily)
• 📱 Social networks (they already notify you of new messages)
• 🛒 Store applications (AliExpress, Wildberries, etc.)
• 📊 Analytics Services (Google Analytics, Firebase)

Next, go to Settings. → Battery and performance → Battery mode. The default is "Balanced," but for maximum autonomy, select "Battery Savings." This will limit the background activity of applications, but will not affect the basic functions.

Be sure to check the Settings section → Communications and sharing → SIM-maps and mobile networks. SIM-maps, set priority for calls and mobile Internet. By default, Redmi can use that for the Internet. SIM, which is cheaper than the tariff, but it is not always convenient.

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If after setting up the smartphone began to slow down, restart it by holding the power button for 10 seconds. MIUI Sometimes you forget to make changes without rebooting.

3. How to remove ads and unnecessary applications

One of the biggest downsides of Xiaomi Redmi is that it's built-in in system apps, and it's in Weather, Music, Themes, Browser, and even in the settings menu, and the good news is that it can be turned off without root permission.

First, go to Settings. → Mi Account → Advertisements and turn off personalized ads. Then follow these steps:

Disable "Recommendations" in Settings → Mainstream → Recommendations

Remove the “Show Advertising” box in Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Advertising services

Disable notifications from Mi Video, Mi Music, Themes

Remove or disable unnecessary system applications through Settings → Annexes-->

You can use pre-installed applications (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Community, Games) to remove pre-installed applications. ADB-It's safe if you only delete the programs you're not using:

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in your phone settings).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipay (replace com.xiaomi.mipay with the desired application package).

⚠️ Warning: Do not remove system applications called com.android or com.miui - this can lead to unstable smartphone operation. 4PDA for your model.

If ADB Seems complicated, you can just disable unnecessary apps: go to Settings → Apps, select a program and click "Disable." It will disappear from the menu, but stay in the system.

4. Battery Optimization: Why It Sets Quickly and How to Fix It

Many Xiaomi Redmi users complain that in the early days, the smartphone runs out in 4-5 hours. This is normal: the system indexes files, updates applications and adapts to your habits.

The first thing to check is the battery consumption by application. Go to Settings. → Battery and performance → Battery use: If some programs consume more than 10% of their charge, limit their background activity:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the "battery-eating" application.
3. Press Battery Consumption → Limit background activity.

The second step is to adjust the energy saving mode. → Select the battery:

• 🔋 "Super savings – if you need to hold out until the evening with 20% charge.
• 🌙 "Savings at night" - automatically switched on from 23:00 to 7:00.
• 🔄 "Adaptive regime" — AI It balances productivity and autonomy.

The third common problem is processor wake-ups, and check which apps are waking up the device using the BetterBatteryStats app (root required) or built-in monitoring in Settings. → Additionally. → Battery → Awakenings. Frequent culprits:

• 📱 Facebook and Instagram (even in the background)
• 🎵 Spotify/Yandex Music (if you do not turn off caching)
• 📍 Google Maps or Yandex Maps (permanent) GPS)

5. Communication setup: mobile internet, Wi-Fi and calls

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones support duality SIM-maps and modern communication standards (5G, VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6. But by default, many of the functions are disabled. Let's figure out how to set up the connection correctly.

First, check the network mode:

1. Go to Settings → SIM- of maps and mobile networks.

2. Select SIM-map and click Network Type.

3. Install. 4G (preferably 5G (If your tariff supports).

If you have problems with the quality of calls, turn on VoLTE (voice through voice) 4G):

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-map → [Yours. SIM] → Enable VoLTE.

2. also activate the improved call quality (HD) same menu.

To set up Wi-Fi, pay attention to the following points:

• 📶 Use the 5GHz band for speed (but it gets worse through walls).
• 🔒 Turn off Autoconnection to open networks (Settings) → Wi-Fi → Additionally).
• 🔄 Turn on Wi-Fi Assist – automatic switch to mobile Internet at a weak signal.

⚠️ Warning: If your smartphone is not catching the network or often breaks the connection, check if you have a beta version installed. MIUI. Stable firmware is labeled Stable, and test firmware is labeled Developer or Beta. Update to stable version in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

If you are traveling, be sure to turn off data roaming to save: Settings → SIM-map → [Yours. SIM] → Data roaming → Shut down.

6.Security: How to protect data and prevent theft

Xiaomi Redmi, like any Android smartphone, is vulnerable to data theft or physical loss. MIUI There are built-in security tools that many people don't use:

Screen lock:

- Install. PIN-code no shorter than 6 digits or a pattern lock (but not a simple pattern).

- Turn on the settings. → Lock screen → Locking on Shutdown – This Will Prevent Unlocking Through Reboot.

- Activate Smart Blocking (Settings) → Lock screen → The phone will unlock automatically in safe places (home, work).

Protection against theft:

- Turn on the settings. → Google → Security → Find the device (this will allow you to remotely block or erase data).

- Activate Settings → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud → Finding a device is the equivalent of Finding an iPhone for Xiaomi.

- Install the Anti-Theft Alarm app from Google Play – it will work when extracted SIM-map.

Confidentiality:

- Turn off Settings. → Confidentiality → Diagnostics → Submitting reports (Xiaomi collects usage data).

- Disable applications from accessing Contacts, Messages, and Geolocation without need (Settings) → Confidentiality → Permits).

- Use it. VPN (For example, ProtonVPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi.

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Even if you don’t store important data on your phone, your Mi Account is tied to your phone. IMEI When you steal, attackers can block your account and demand a ransom for unlocking it.

7. Useful chips MIUI, which you didn't know

Interface. MIUI It's full of hidden features that make it easier to use Xiaomi Redmi:

Second space mode:

Allows you to create a separate work profile with your applications and settings (for example, for work and personal use).

- Included in Settings → Special facilities → Second space.

You can set different wallpapers, apps and even passwords for each space.

2.Gestural and quick action:

- Double-touch screen – wake up the phone without the power button (Settings) → Lock screen → Double touch to wake up).

- Three times pressing the power button – a quick call SOS (Settings → Special facilities → SOS).

- The gesture "Swipe down the lock screen" - quick access to the camera.

3. Performance optimization:

- Game Turbo – a mode for gamers that blocks notifications and speeds up the processor (Settings) → Special facilities → Game Turbo).

- Cleanup RAM — built-in memory free tool (Settings) → The phone. → Memory. → Clean up).

- Adaptive brightness – automatically adjusts the screen illumination to the lighting (Settings) → Display. → Adaptive brightness).

Hidden functions of the camera:

- Document scanner – photograph documents with automatic alignment (Camera) → More. → Document).

Night mode for selfies – manually switches on in front camera mode.

- Video with blurred background - available in Camera → Video → Effects.

8. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting up the right setup, Xiaomi Redmi users can have typical problems, and we have collected the most common and ways to solve them:

1. The smartphone is overheating:

Check if resource-intensive games or applications are running in the background.

- Turn off Fast Charging in Settings → Battery (sometimes overheating is associated with a faulty charger).

Remove the cover - it can block the heat sink.

2. Notifications do not work:

- Check if they are disabled for a specific application (Settings) → Notifications → Management of notifications).

- Enable AutoRun for messengers (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Auto-start).

- Update the app and restart the phone.

3. The camera gives blurry photos:

Clean the lens with a soft cloth (often the problem is dirt).

- Turn it off. HDR Manual mode – sometimes it spoils pictures in poor lighting.

Check if there are any energy savings installed – it may limit the camera’s performance.

4. It's not working. NFC or Google Pay:

- Make sure that NFC enabled (Settings included) → Connection and sharing → NFC).

Update Google Play services to the Play Market.

Check if there is a root or custom firmware installed – they break the work of contactless payments.

5. The smartphone can't see. SIM-map:

- Reset the device.

- Check if it is inserted correctly SIM (On some models Redmi tray has a non-standard location).

Update the firmware – sometimes the problem is solved by a patch from Xiaomi.

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If the problem is not solved by standard methods, try resetting to factory settings (Settings). → The phone. → Reset settings. Pre-reverse the data!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions