How to set up the new Xiaomi: from unpacking to the perfect system

The arrival of a new Xiaomi smartphone is always a pleasant excitement, but the first inclusion is only the beginning of the journey. the modern shell HyperOS or MIUI offers hundreds of options, the correct configuration of which directly affects the speed, autonomy and comfort of using the gadget in the long run. Ignoring the initial setting can lead to the fact that you miss key features of the device or face intrusive advertising.

In this guide, we will not just look at standard activation steps, but delve into technical nuances that are rarely reported in official manuals. For models from 2026-2026, it is critical to immediately check the version of the Android database in the About Phone section, since access to new AI features depends on this, you will learn how to correctly transfer data, disable unnecessary processes and adjust the system so that it works exactly for your use case, whether it is games, work or mobile photography.

The initial configuration process takes no more than 20-30 minutes, but saves hours of troubleshooting in the future.We go from checking IMEI and activating Mi Account to fine-tuning notifications and saving energy. Properly done steps at the start ensure that your Redmi or flagship Xiaomi will be happy with the stability of the work for many months.

Initial activation and authentication of the device

Before you connect your smartphone to the network and enter personal data, you need to make sure it is authentic and there are no factory defects. There are many restored or counterfeit devices on the market that may look like the originals but have stripped down functionality. Open dialer and type *#06# to display all the hardware identifiers.

Convert. IMEI-The code that's been shown on the screen, with the code on the factory sticker in the kit and on the box, and the number mismatch is a red flag, indicating a possible replacement of the motherboard or a different piece of assembly. Also at this stage, it is worth checking the screen for broken pixels, turning on the white picture at maximum brightness, and testing the multi-touch.

⚠️ Note: If the system requires the previous owner’s Mi Account password to be entered on the first turn on, and the seller claims that he “just forgot”, do not rush to buy the device.

After visual inspection and verification of codes, you can start installing SIM-Modern trays are often paired with a memory card slot, so it is important to correctly orient the chip so as not to damage the contacts. If your tariff supports VoLTE and VoWiFi, make sure that the operator provides these services in your region, as their activation sometimes requires a separate request.

For users buying devices from China (Global Version), it is important to immediately understand whether the bootloader is unlocked and whether global firmware is installed. The presence of pre-installed Chinese applications and the absence of Google Play in the basic configuration indicate that the new version is not available. CN-version that requires additional manipulations for a comfortable life in the CIS or Europe.

Network setting, Wi-Fi and data transfer

Internet connectivity is the next step, and the system will suggest you choose a Wi-Fi network, and it's important not just to enter a password, but also to pay attention to the frequency range. For fast downloads and data transfer, you prefer to use a 5 GHz network if the router and smartphone support this standard, which will ensure maximum speed of transfer of large amounts of information.

One of the most convenient tools in the ecosystem is the built-in Mi Mover utility, which allows you to flip contacts, photos, videos, apps and even system settings from an old Android smartphone or iPhone, which starts automatically when you select "Copy Data" during the initial setup or through the settings menu later.

When migrating data from your iPhone through Mi Mover or third-party solutions, it is important to keep in mind the limitations of iOS. iMessage messages and some system settings cannot be moved due to the closedness of the Apple operating system. However, photos, contacts and calendars migrate without problems if you give permission.

If you use cloud services, synchronization can take extra time. Make sure your phone is connected to a stable power source, as the active operation of the communication modules and the processor when downloading data is very costly. In some cases, the system may suggest upgrading to the latest version of the software before migrating - you must admit, this will fix known security bugs.

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Use a USB-C to USB-C cable to transfer data between phones if both devices support fast transmission over wire, which is 3-4 times faster than the wireless method and does not depend on the quality of the Wi-Fi signal.

Creating and Setup Mi Account

Mi Account is a key to Xiaomi’s ecosystem, similar to an Apple ID or Samsung account, and registration is required to fully use cloud storage, find a device in the event of loss (Find Device), and synchronize the registration themes. Without an associated account, many security features will remain unavailable.

When registering, provide a real phone number and a backup email address. This is critical for restoring access if you forget your password. Xiaomi security system strictly monitors the login from new devices, so having verified contacts will save you from blocking.

The Mi Cloud cloud storage by default offers 5GB of free space. This may not be enough for a full system backup, but enough to store contacts, notes and important photos in original quality. For users who are deeply integrated into the ecosystem, an expanded volume subscription is available.

⚠️ Warning: Never buy used Xiaomi phones if the seller refuses to untie the device from his Mi Account before selling. Once the settings are reset, this phone will turn into a “brick” that requires complex unlocking through the manufacturer’s servers.

In the “Security” section of the Mi Account, you can track active sessions and devices that have access to your data, and checking this list regularly helps you detect unauthorized access, and you can set up a family group to share purchases in the app store and the cloud.

Optimizing the interface and removing advertising

One of the first tasks after the inclusion of the new Xiaomi for many users is to turn off advertising. MIUI The company has reduced the aggressiveness of ad integrations, some system applications can still show recommendations. MSA (MIUI System Ads).

Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to Personal Data. Search the msa list and turn off the slider. The system will try to discourage you by offering to wait 10 seconds — be patient and click “Cancel.” The same procedure is worth repeating for the Recommended, Scanner and Music apps.

Next, you can set up your desktop. Xiaomi offers two modes: Classic (like pure Android, with a separate appbar) and Light (all icons on the desktop). You can switch to Settings → Desktop. For users who are used to iOS or old Android, Light Mode can seem uncomfortable, so you better choose Classic right away.

Don't forget to set up the notification curtain. In the new shells, it's divided into a control center (right) and notifications (left), like in iOS. If you're more comfortable with the classic Android look where everything is on the same list, change that to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Control Center. It also adjusts the screen refresh rate if your smartphone supports adaptive hertz.

Safety, battery and performance

Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with a powerful built-in antivirus and optimizer available through the Security app. The first launch of this application is mandatory: it will check the system for threats, update virus databases and perform initial memory optimization.

The battery menu recommends activating Smart Mode or setting up energy saving scenarios. The system can analyze your habits: if you normally sleep from 23:00 to 07:00, the phone can automatically go into standby mode, limiting the background activity of applications at this time.

Game Turbo is designed for gamers and demanding users, not only clears the memory before starting a game, but also allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the touchscreen, block notifications and even make screencasts. You can add the game to the list manually through the Security app or automatically - the system itself will suggest this when you first install a heavy application.

Special attention should be paid to the function "Memory Extension": it uses part of the internal drive as RAM. On devices with 8 GB of RAM and more, this feature may not give a noticeable increase, and on models with 4-6 GB it can significantly improve multitasking. However, it is worth considering that active writing to flash memory can theoretically reduce the life of the drive in the very long term.

Camera, photo and additional functions

The camera in Xiaomi smartphones requires calibration to suit your preferences. In the settings of the Camera app, immediately turn on the grid display (rule of thirds) and the horizon level. For mobile photography enthusiasts, it is useful to activate the HEIF format, which compresses photos better than JPEG without visible loss of quality, saving space.

Documents mode in the camera app is a lifesaver for work, automatically aligns perspective, removes glare, and makes text clear, turning your smartphone into a portable scanner, and remember to switch to this mode when you photograph paper, boards, or monitor screens.

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Turn on the gallery sync with Mi Cloud or Google Photos immediately so that if your phone is lost, your photos will remain safe.

For video, it's important to choose resolution and frame rate. Shooting in 4K 60fps gives a great picture, but takes up a lot of space and quickly puts the battery down. For everyday videos on social networks, often 1080p 60fps is enough, which provides smoothness and saves resources. Image stabilization is usually on by default, but in Pro mode it can be turned off for use of external stabilizers.

Don't ignore gesture settings. One-handed control, tapping on the screen to turn on, drawing letters to launch apps all make using your smartphone more convenient. You can set up gestures in Settings → Additional settings → Special features.