How to set up Xiaomi after resetting: the full guide

After completing the Hard Reset or Factory Reset procedure, your Xiaomi smartphone returns to the state in which it left the factory conveyor.This means completely removing all user data, photos, contacts and, most importantly, system settings that you could have changed for convenience.The welcome screen will greet you with a choice of language, marking the beginning of the process of the initial configuration of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to choose a language and connect to Wi-Fi, but to make a comfortable use of the device requires a number of additional steps. Ignoring certain steps, such as synchronizing with the cloud or disabling system advertising, can lead to data loss in the future or performance loss.

In this guide, we will take a detailed look at each step of activation, starting with checking. SIM-You will learn how to avoid typical errors, which functions should be turned on immediately, and which ones should be abandoned for battery life and privacy.

Initial activation and inspection of equipment

The process starts immediately after you select the interface language. SIM-This is a critical point, because the current versions of the map are not installed. MIUI Security requires that SIM-Maps to verify the region and activate some system services, particularly for cloud services and device search. If you miss this step, the phone may periodically remind you to install the card.

This is followed by a Wi-Fi connection step, which is recommended to use a stable connection at high speed, as the system will need to download current security update packages and check the firmware version. During this process, the phone may automatically prompt you to update the software to the latest available version.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the update download process and do not force the screen to turn off until the progress indicator reaches 100.

Once the Internet connection is successful, the system will perform a date and time check, make sure that the correct time zone is set, as this affects the operation of security certificates for browsers and banking applications. The wrong time can cause errors when you try to log in to a Google account or Mi Account.

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Use a 5GHz network for initial setup, if the router supports it, it will speed up the loading of system components and synchronize backups.

Setting up Google and Mi Accounts

The centerpiece of the Android ecosystem is a Google account, which will prompt you to log in to an existing profile or create a new one, which is necessary to download apps from the Google Play Market, sync contacts, calendar and photos through Google Photos, without which the functionality of the smartphone will be significantly limited.

In parallel with Google, Xiaomi is actively promoting its own Mi Account. Entry into it opens access to branded services: cloud storage Xiaomi Cloud, the function "Find the device", as well as synchronization of notes and voice recorder. When registering or logging in, the system can request confirmation via SMS, which is a measure of protection from unauthorized access.

It’s important to understand the difference between these two accounts.Google is responsible for the Android software ecosystem, while Mi Account manages the hardware features and services of the MIUI shell.It’s recommended that you set up both accounts to maximize the integration of the device into your digital life.

πŸ“Š Which account do you use first?
Google Account
Mi Account
Both at the same time.
I don't use accounts.

When logging into Mi Account, be sure to remember or save your password in a safe place. In the case of a device lock or reset, without this data, unlocking your smartphone will be extremely difficult due to the theft protection system.

Data recovery and information transfer

One of the main tasks after a reset is to return lost data. Xiaomi offers a built-in Mi Mover tool that allows you to quickly transfer information from the old device, which can be contacts, messages, call logs, installed applications and even home screen settings.

The transfer process can be done in two ways: by creating a Wi-Fi hotspot on a new phone or by scanning. QR-The second method is preferable, because it provides a more stable connection and faster file transfer speed. The old device does not need to be Xiaomi - the application is available for Android and iOS.

If you have a backup in the cloud (Google Drive or Xiaomi Cloud), the system will offer to restore data from it. This includes a list of installed applications, Wi-Fi passwords and some system settings. However, large files such as photos and videos are better transferred manually or through a local copy on the computer, so as not to waste mobile traffic and time.

Type of dataMethod of recoverySpeed.Reliability
Contacts/CalendarSynchronization of Google/MiInstantly.Tall.
AnnexesGoogle Play / Mi MoverDepends on the amount.Medium
Photo/VideoLocal transfer / CloudLong time.Tall.
Wi-Fi passwordsBackup copy of GoogleAutomatically.Tall.

β˜‘οΈ Checklist for data transfer

Done: 0 / 4

Security and biometrics

Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with advanced security modules. Immediately after installing the main applications, it is recommended to configure biometric unlocking methods. This can be a fingerprint scanner, which, depending on the model, is located on the back, on the side in the on button, or even under the screen.

The second layer of protection is facial recognition, which, while less secure than a fingerprint, provides convenience in situations where hands are busy, and you can combine both methods in your security settings, choosing the priority way to unlock.

Don’t forget to install a reliable PIN-Biometrics is just a handy addition, but it is the digital code that remains the main access key, especially after the device is rebooted. This section also configures the data encryption, which is the default enabled in modern versions of Android.

⚠️ Note: When setting up the face unlock, the system will warn you of less security than your fingerprint. Use this feature only in conjunction with a reliable one. PIN-code.

In the Security section, you also need to activate the Device Search feature, which allows you to remotely lock your smartphone or erase data in the event of a loss, and this feature requires an active Internet connection and a tied Mi Account.

Optimizing the interface and removing advertising

One of the features of the MIUI shell is that it has built-in advertising in system applications. Once you reset, these functions are activated by default. To get rid of intrusive recommendations in the applications "Conductor", "Music", "Video" and "Downloads", you need to manually disable the msa service (MIUI System Ads).

To do this, go to Settings β†’ Passwords and Security β†’ Access to personal data. Find the msa service in the list and turn off the switch. The system will strongly suggest leaving ads, suggesting that you wait 10 seconds before you try to turn off again.

You should also set up your desktop. Xiaomi offers various options for application grid, font sizes and animations. In the Settings β†’ Advanced Settings β†’ Limitless screen (or similar, depending on the version of MIUI), you can remove unnecessary widgets and configure the control panel.

How to disable advertising in specific applications?
In each system application (e.g., Explorer), click three dots in the corner β†’ Settings β†’ Turn off "Receive recommendations." This action should be performed separately for each application.

Additionally, it is recommended to disable personalized recommendations. Follow the Settings path β†’ Passwords and security β†’ Privacy β†’ Special permissions β†’ Ads and reset the advertising ID. This will increase your digital privacy.

Set up notifications and energy saving

The aggressive power saving system in Xiaomi often causes notifications from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) to come with a delay or not at all.

Go to the battery settings and find a list of applications. For important messengers, set the "No Limits" mode, which allows the application to run in the background without system constraints, which guarantees instant delivery of messages.

  • πŸ”‹ Open the Settings. β†’ Annexes β†’ All applications.
  • πŸ”‹ Select the desired messenger (for example, Telegram).
  • πŸ”‹ Go to Energy Saving.
  • πŸ”‹ Select the item Without restrictions.

Also check your autostart settings. In some firmware versions, applications need permission to start automatically. This can be done through the Security app β†’ Permissions β†’ Autostart.

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Proper energy saving setting is critical for stable operation of messengers on Xiaomi smartphones.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

What if the phone requires a password from the previous Mi Account after the reset?
This is Find Device, and you need to enter the username and password from the account that was synced to the device before the reset, and if you forget the password, restore it through i.mi.com, and you can't officially unlock the phone without that.
Do I need to re-activate my phone after each reset?
Yes, the initial activation process is mandatory, and it involves language selection, Wi-Fi connection, logging in to accounts, and accepting user agreements, which is standard security for all Android devices.
Can I skip the fingerprint setting and do it later?
Yes, all biometrics can be configured at any time through the Settings β†’ Passwords & Security menu, but it is more convenient to do this immediately after reset, since the system itself will suggest this step in the setup wizard.
How long does it take to fully set up Xiaomi after a reset?
The basic setup takes about 10-15 minutes, but if you need to update the system, download a large number of applications and sync the photo gallery, the process can take 30-60 minutes depending on the speed of the Internet.