How to set up Android 11 on Xiaomi smartphones: from basic parameters to hidden features

Android 11

Google

Xiaomi

MIUI 12/12.5

This article will help not just “check the boxes in the settings”, but really personalize the smartphone for your tasks – whether it is extending battery life, speeding up the interface or activating hidden chips like Developer Options. We will discuss both basic parameters (which 90% of users ignore) and advanced tricks, which are not even official guides. POCO X3), Where Android 11 has its own nuances.

Important: the instructions are relevant for stock firmware MIUI If you are using Xiaomi.EU or Pixel Experience, some items may differ.

1.Initial setup after update or reset

Even if you’ve been using a smartphone for a long time, a full factory reset before switching to Android 11 can solve up to 40% of performance issues. MIUI accumulates “garbage” in the cache of system applications, which is not cleaned during a regular update.

To start with a clean slate:

1. Make a backup copy through Settings → The phone. → Backup (or use Mi Cloud if you have a Xiaomi account).
2. Perform a reset to Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings (select "Delete all data»).
3. After the reboot, skip the offer to recover data from the cloud – we’ll configure the system from scratch.

In the initial configuration phase:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic sync with Google Drive and Mi Cloud – this will speed up the process and prevent duplicate contacts.
• 📱 Select the No Limits mode for Google Play Protection (we will manually configure it later).
• 🔒 Install a pattern lock instead of PIN-code - it is faster to enter and more difficult to pick up brute force.

⚠️ Note: If you are upgrading from Android 10 OTA, Check the kernel version in Settings → The phone. → The kernel version, if it says so. 4.14.x instead 4.19.x, This means that the update was incorrect – you need a full flashing through Fastboot.

2. Optimization of the interface and animations

MIUI 12.5 on Android 11 is known for its "heavy" animations that eat up to 15% of battery life per day.

Activate the Developer Mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified “You became a developer”).
3. Return to the main settings menu – there will be a new section for developers.

Now edit the following parameters:

• 🎨 Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, Animator duration - set 0.5x Or offline.
• 🖥️ Minimum width – set 480 dp (this will increase the density of information on the screen).
• 🔄 Do not save actions – turn on to free the RAM.

For models with AMOLED-Screens (such as Mi 11 or Black Shark 3) are activated:

Settings → Display → Colors: Select “Saturated” (improving contrast)


Settings → Battery → Dark Theme: Install “Always” (saves up to 20% charge)

3. Performance and battery setting

Android 11 on Xiaomi is often affected by thermal throttling, an artificial limit on performance when heated, which is especially noticeable in games or when recording video in the video game. 4K. Correct the situation will help adjust the power plans and processor management.

Go to Settings. → Battery → Battery mode and select:

• 🔋 Balanced – for everyday use (optimal balance).
• ⚡ Performance – only for games or benchmarks (discharges the battery 30% faster).
• 🌿 Saving charge – if less than 15% is left (disables background activity).

For advanced users:

1. B Settings → For developers, find Limit Background Processes and Install 2 Processes.
2. Turn off Auto Update System in Settings → The phone. → Update system (renew manually to avoid bugs).
3. B Settings → Annexes → App management sort battery use programs and limit background activity for social networks and instant messengers.

On models with Snapdragon 865/870 (for example, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) recommended:

Enter the engineering menu: ##4636##


Select "Battery Information" → "Battery Use"




Check that Screen consumes no more than 40% of its charge (if more, lower the brightness)

💡

If your smartphone is hot in games, try setting a limit. FPS 60 frames through the Game Turbo, which will reduce the load on the processor without a noticeable loss of smoothness.

4. Security and confidentiality

Android 11 has revolutionized the permissions, but Xiaomi has added its own “chips” that can compromise your data, such as sending diagnostic information to Mi Cloud, including error logs and app usage data, by default.

Turn off unnecessary data collection:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Open source and tap 5 times on the kernel version – this will open a hidden menu MIUI Optimization.
2. Turn off the new menu: 📊 Sending error reports 🔍 Improvement MIUI (Sends your activity data to Xiaomi) 📡 Network diagnostics (can transmit connection information)

Set up permissions for applications:

• 📱 B Settings → Confidentiality → Disable geolocation, microphone, and camera access for unnecessary apps (such as why Facebook needs yours) SMS?).
• 🔒 B Settings → Passwords and security activate: Application lock (for banking programs) Malware protection (scans installed) APK) Remote control (allows you to lock your phone when you steal)

⚠️ Note: If you use root rights or Magisk, disable MIUI Optimization completely – this will prevent conflicts with modules such as ViPER4Android or LSposed.

5. Hidden Android 11 features on Xiaomi

Many of the features of Android 11 are hidden in the MIUI or require activation through ADB. Here are the most useful ones:

1. One Hand Mode for Large Screens

Activated through Settings → Additionally. → One-hand mode. Set up the access area (left/right side) and swipe sensitivity.

2. Built-in on-screen recorder

Included in Settings → For developers → Quick setups → Screen recording tiles allow you to record video with internal sound (not working on all models).

3. Alternatives DNS speed up the Internet

Go to Settings → Connections → Private DNS and type:

• 🌍 dns.google (Google DNS)
• 🛡️ 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com (Cloudflare with phishing protection)
• 🔒 dns.adguard.com (AdGuard DNS advertising-blocking)

4. Hidden navigation gestures

B Settings → Display. → Full screen display select Gestures and activate:

• 👆 Swipe up to return to the main screen.
• 👈 Swipe from edge to back (sensitivity adjusts).
• 🔄 Double tap on the back panel for screenshot (works on the POCO F2 Pro, Mi 10T newer).

💡

Function “Virtual” RAM" increases productivity by 10-15%, But it shortens the life of your internal memory, and you can only use it if you're less than that. 6 GB of physical RAM.

6. Solving typical Android 11 problems on Xiaomi

Even after setting it up properly, users are faced with bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Fast battery discharge in standby mode

The reason: Google Play Services or MiuiDaemon are slugging the processor.

Decision:

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Use.
2. Find a high-consumption process and limit its background activity.
3. Turn off Google Auto Sync in your account settings.

Problem 2: Notifications from messengers do not work

Reason: MIUI aggressively optimizing background processes.

Decision:

• 📱 B Settings → Annexes → Application management select messenger.
• 🔄 Activate Auto Start, Background Activity and High Priority Notifications.
• 🔔 In the application notification settings, disable Notification Grouping.

Problem 3: The smartphone overheats when charging

The reason: Xiaomi by default includes fast charging, which heats the battery.

Decision:

1. Use the original power supply (don’t take cheap analogues!).
2. B Settings → Battery → Charging settings turn off Fast Charging+.
3. Charge your phone when the screen is off (this reduces heat by 30%).

Problem 4: It's not working. NFC contactless

Reason: Conflict with Google Pay or irrelevant firmware module NFC.

Decision:

• 💳 Install Mi Pay from the Mi App Store (works more stable than Google Pay on the app). MIUI).
• 🔄 Update the firmware NFC through settings → Connections → NFC → Update.
• 📱 Reboot your phone and turn off before payment VPN (It can block geolocation).

7. Alternative launchers and themes for Android 11

Stock launcher MIUI Not everyone likes it because of advertising and limited customization. Fortunately, Android 11 supports third-party shells without losing performance.

The best launchers for Xiaomi:

• 🏆 Nova Launcher – flexible customization of gestures and icons.
• ⚡ Lawnchair 2 – Lightweight launcher with support for Android 11 gestures.
• 🎨 Hyperion Launcher – dynamic wallpaper and adaptive icons.
• 🔒 OLauncher – Minimalist launcher without advertising.

To install an alternative launcher:

1. Download APK from APKMirror (like Nova Launcher).
2. Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources.
3. Click Home and select the new default launcher.

For full customization:

• 🎭 Install. KWGT for widgets (compatible with MIUI 12.5).
• 🖼️ Use WallpapersCraft to 4K-dark-themed wallpaper.
• 🔧 B Settings → Display. → Font style download custom fonts (e.g. Google Sans).

⚠️ Note: When using Nova Launcher, disable duplicate services MIUI through ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.home This will free up until 200 MB RAM, but can break some chips like Super Wallpapers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Android 11 Xiaomi