How to Set Up Xiaomi Phone: A Complete Guide for Beginners and Power Users

Xiaomi smartphones are among the most popular devices on the market due to the combination of powerful specs and affordable price. However, after purchase, many users face the need to adjust the right setup to unleash the full potential of the gadget. If you have purchased the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, Poco X6 or budget Redmi A3, baseline MIUI requires attention to detail.

In this article, we’ll break down not only the standard first-on steps, but also the hidden features that will help you optimize your phone for your needs. From setting up your Mi Account to fine-tuning your controls, you’ll learn how to make your Xiaomi as user-friendly as possible. We will pay special attention to the problems that beginners often face: for example, why disabling advertising in the Internet. MIUI requires a separate setup in each region or how to properly transfer data from your old phone without loss.

First Installing and Basic Setup

When you first turn on a Xiaomi smartphone, the system offers to go through the initial setup process, and it is important to take your time and carefully consider each step, as some parameters will be difficult to change later.

First, select the interface language. Russian users can choose between Russian (Russia), Russian (Ukraine) or English, which not only affects the language of the menu, but also the regional settings of Google and Mi services. For example, when choosing Ukrainian localization, some Russian services may not be available in the Mi App Store.

• 🔄 Wi-Fi Connection: Use a stable network as system updates will start downloading immediately after that.
• 🔐 Mi Account: Without it, you won’t be able to use cloud storage, device search, and some features MIUI.
• 📱 Data portability: If you had a previous Android smartphone, the system will offer to transfer contacts, photos and applications through Mi Mover.
• 🛡️ Device protection: Set up fingerprint or face unlock (if supported by the model).

Note the "Google Services Setup" section, where you can turn on or off Google Drive backups, contact syncs, and location, and if you don't plan on using Google services, you can skip these options -- they don't affect your work. MIUI, but reduce battery consumption.

Set up a Mi Account and synchronize data

The Mi Account is a central element of the Xiaomi ecosystem that connects all your devices, from your smartphone to your Yeelight smart lamps to your Mi Robot robot vacuum cleaner.

• 📲 Use Find Device to find lost phone;
• ☁️ Sync notes, contacts and photos in Mi Cloud;
• 🔄 Update firmware over the air (OTA);
• 🎮 Access exclusive features in games (e.g. Black Shark).

To create an account:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account;
2. Click “Create an Account” and follow the instructions.
3. Confirm your email or phone number (it is better to use email, as when changing your phone). SIM-Cards may have problems with recovery);
4. Create a strong password and enable two-factor authentication in your security settings.

⚠️ Warning: If you bought your phone with your hands, be sure to check if someone else's Mi Account is tied to it. Otherwise, you can't reset the device to factory settings without the previous owner's password. → The phone. → Status of the Mi Account.

After creating an account, it is recommended to enable backup.

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud;
2. Select "Backup";
3. Activate automatic copying over Wi-Fi (to avoid wasting mobile traffic).

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If you have multiple Xiaomi devices (such as a smartphone and tablet), turn on the option "Cross Device" in the Mi Cloud. This will allow you to quickly transfer files between gadgets without using instant messengers.

Optimization of MIUI interface

MIUI — This is Xiaomi's branded shell, which offers a lot of customization options, but by default, the interface may seem overloaded:

1. Desktop setting

• 📱 Remove unnecessary widgets by holding your finger in the free screen space → "Widgets";
• 🎨 Change the theme in Settings → Registration → Themes (there are both free and paid options);
• 🔄 Enable horizontal flipping of desktops in Settings → Desktop → Transition between screens;
• 📂 Group apps into folders for convenience (just drag and drop one app to another).

2.Gestural control

Xiaomi smartphones support two types of navigation:

• 👆 Gestures MIUI (swipe up to return to the main screen, swipe sideways to return back);
• 🔘 Classic buttons (navigation bar at the bottom of the screen).

To change the navigation type, go to Settings → Display. → Navigation buttons. For power users, we recommend gestures, which free up space on the screen and speed up the work.

3. Disabling advertising in MIUI

One of the most controversial features MIUI — It's built-in advertising, to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Synchronization → Advertising and turn off all sliders;
2. B Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI Tap 7 times on the inscription "Version" MIUI", to open the developer's hidden settings. → Additionally. → Special facilities → Settings for developers turn off "Show ads in MIUI";
3. For individual apps (such as Mi Video or Mi Music), ads can be turned off in their settings.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 12C POCO M6 Pro) ads can appear even after disabling all settings, in which case it will help to install an alternative launcher from Google Play, for example, Nova Launcher.

Remove unnecessary system applications (via Settings) → Annexes")

Disable Auto-Update Apps in Google Play

Set up energy saving for background processes

Include a dark theme to save charge (OLED-screen)

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Setting up communication and mobile network

Mobile phone problems are one of the most frequent complaints of Xiaomi users, most often they are associated with incorrect settings. APN or SIM-Here's how to set up the network correctly:

1.Tune in. APN for Russian operators

After installation SIM-Internet card is not working, check the parameters APN:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [choose SIM] → Access points (APN);
2. Click "Add" and enter your carrier's details.

After you type in, save your settings and restart your phone. If the internet still doesn't work, try resetting your network settings to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

2. Setup of two SIM-map

If you use two of them SIM-It is important to allocate priorities correctly:

• 📞 For calls: select the main one SIM In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Calls;
• 🌐 For the Internet: Tell me which one SIM used to transfer data to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Mobile Internet;
• 🔄 For roaming: Turn off automatic roaming if you don’t plan to travel abroad (this will save money).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) with the active use of two SIM-If you're not using a card, you might have a quick battery drain. SIM In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Searching the net.

Optimizing battery and performance

One of the main problems of Xiaomi smartphones is the fast discharge of the battery. MIUI, And with the active background consumption of some applications. Here's how to extend the running time:

Configuring the energy saving mode

• 🔋 Enable adaptive battery mode in Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery mode;
• ⚡ Turn off Ultra Energy Saving – This mode severely limits functionality;
• 📵 In Battery Use, check which applications use the most power and limit their background activity;
• 🌙 Enable a dark theme (especially relevant for devices with a AMOLED-screen).

2. Optimization of background processes

Many apps continue to work in the background even when you're not using them.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management;
2. Select the application you want to limit;
3. Click "Background Limitation" and select "Limit";
4. System applications (such as Mi Video) may need to disable auto-run in Settings → Battery and productivity → Autostart control.

It is also recommended to disable auto-update apps in Google Play:

1. Open Google Play;
2. Tap on the profile avatar → "Settings";
3. Select "Auto-Update Applications" → "Not update automatically".

Security and privacy settings

Privacy protection is one of the key aspects of smartphone usage. Xiaomi offers several security tools, but some require manual adjustment.

1. Protection against unauthorized access

• 🔒 Set up a pattern lock or PIN-code → Screen lock and password;
• 👤 Add a fingerprint or facial recognition (if supported by a model);
• 📱 Turn on Smart Lock – the phone will automatically lock when you put it in your pocket;
• 🔑 Activate device encryption in Settings → Additionally. → Encryption and credentials (slows down but increases security).

Applicants' permissions

Many apps request access to contacts, location or camera without real need to, to control this:

1. Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Application authorizations;
2. View the list of permissions (for example, "Camera", "Microphone", "Location");
3. Disable access for apps that don’t need it (for example, why should Facebook know your location in the background?).

3. Protection against viruses

MIUI It has a built-in antivirus, but its capabilities are often not enough:

• 🛡️ Install additional software, such as Kaspersky Mobile or Bitdefender;
• 🚫 Disable the installation of applications from unknown sources in Settings → Confidentiality → Special access → Installation of unknown applications;
• 🔍 Regularly check your phone for viruses through Security → Antivirus.

⚠️ Note: If you install applications from third-party sources (e.g, APK-files, always check them through VirusTotal. Even popular modified firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu) can contain malicious code.

Additional features and hidden capabilities

MIUI It hides a lot of useful features that most users don't even know about:

Second Space Mode

This feature allows you to create a separate work profile with your own apps, contacts and settings, useful if you want to separate personal and work data:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Second space;
2. Click "Create" and follow the instructions.
3. Set up a separate password to enter the second space.

2.Fast commands to control

V MIUI have hidden gestures and button combinations to speed up work:

• 🔃 Reboot in Recovery: Click Power + Loudness up;
• 📸 Quick camera start: double-press the power button;
• 🔕 Quickly shut down the sound: press the volume down + Nutrition;
• 🔦 Flashlight: shake the phone (configures in Settings) → Special facilities → Gestures).

3. Game Turbo for gamers

If you play mobile games, turn on Game Turbo mode:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Game Turbo;
2. Add games to the list;
3. Set up performance (e.g., limit notifications and background processes while playing).

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The “Second Space” mode not only separates data, but also allows you to use two accounts in messengers (for example, two WhatsApp) without additional applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi setup