How to Set Up Xiaomi’s New Phone: A Complete Guide from First Included to Fine Optimization

You just unpacked the new Xiaomi — whether it’s the flagship Mi 14 Ultra model, the budget Redmi Note 13, or the gaming one. POCO F6. The first turn on is always exciting, but without the right setup, even the most powerful smartphone will not reach its potential.This article will help you avoid the typical mistakes of beginners and adjust the device so that it works quickly, safely and as convenient as possible for you.

The setup process MIUI (Xiaomi's proprietary shell is very different from standard Android, and it has its own chips, from dual apps to hidden energy saving modes, and we'll take every step from basic activation to advanced tweaks that the manufacturer doesn't advertise. And if you’re switching from an iPhone or other Android smartphone, you’ll find tips for losing out on data migration.

Important: The instructions are relevant to MIUI 14/15 (including HyperOS hyper-shell on new models 2026 Most of the items are universal, but some features (such as Game Turbo or Second Space) may require additional steps on older devices.

1. First Including: What to Do Immediately After Unpacking

Take your time pressing all the buttons in a row! The first 10 minutes determine how comfortable you'll be using your phone in the future. Here's what you need to do before you start setting up:

• 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 30%. Modern Xiaomi supports fast charging, but full battery discharge on the first turn on can adversely affect its life. Connect the original cable and power supply (if it comes with a package).
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi. Mobile Internet is fine, but you'd better use a stable network to download updates and backups. Choose a reliable source - public hotspots (such as in a cafe) can limit speeds.
• 🔐 Prepare your accounts. You'll need your Mi Account login and password (if you already have one), Google, and your previous phone (if you're planning to move your data), write them down on paper or in a notebook, and if you type in, the system can block attempts for 24 hours.

Now you can start setting up. Press the power button and follow the instructions on the screen. During the language selection phase, note some models (e.g. global versions) POCO) Russian (Russia) and Russian (Ukraine) – choose the first option to avoid problems with localization of services.

Critical: Mi Account binding. If you miss this step, Later will not be able to use branded services, from cloud backup to unlocking the bootloader. But there is a caveat: for some regions (for example, the EU), account binding is mandatory at the setup stage. In Russia and the CIS, this step can be postponed, but we recommend doing it immediately.

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If you bought the phone from hand, be sure to reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings, even if the seller claims to have already erased everything, will save you from associated accounts and hidden settings.

2.Tune in. MIUI: What parameters to change first?

After the basic activation, you will be met by the desktop. MIUI. Take your time installing apps, optimize your system first. Here are the key settings you should change right away:

2.1 Disabling unnecessary services and advertising

Xiaomi is known for its aggressive advertising in branded apps, to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Password and Security → Authorization and Locking.
2. Turn off the Recommendations option (or Personalized Ads in new versions).
3. In the Settings section → Additionally. → Find special opportunities to remove advertising in MIUI And activate it.

To completely remove ads, you may need to manually disable them in each system application (e.g., Browser, Music or Themes).In some regions (e.g., India), ads are automatically disabled after you link Mi Account.

Optimization of productivity

Even on the flagship models MIUI Sometimes it's "slowing down" because of background activity:

• 🚀 Enable Performance Mode in Settings → Special facilities → Performance mode. This will turn off animations and speed up the system response.
• 🔄 Limit background activity: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Autostart. Turn off autostart for underutilized programs.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache: Settings → Warehouse → Clean up. Do this once a week if you notice a slowdown.

Turn off personalized advertising |

Activate the performance mode|

Limit Auto-Run Unnecessary Applications|

Clear the system cache|

Update the firmware to the latest version-->

Important for owners POCO: In these models, the default activated "Mode" POCO Launcher, which hides some settings MIUI. To get full access, switch to the standard launcher in Settings → Topics → Desktop style.

3. Transfer data from another phone

If you're switching from an iPhone, Samsung or other Android device, Xiaomi offers several ways to migrate, the most reliable being using the Mi Mover branded tool, but it has limitations.

For porting from Android:

1. Install Mi Mover on both phones (available on Google Play).
2. On the old phone, select Send, on the new phone, Receive.
3. Connect to a single Wi-Fi network or create an access point.
4. Select data to transfer: contacts, messages, photos, apps (not all programs are supported!).

For porting from the iPhone:

• 🍎 Use Move to iOS (but it only works one way, from Android to iPhone:
• 📱 Contacts: Export via iCloud in vCard format and import to Google Contacts.
• 📷 Photo: upload to Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 💬 Messages: relocation SMS iPhone on Android is not officially supported. You'll have to use third-party utilities like this. iSMS2droid (Requires iTunes backup).

⚠️ Note: if you transfer data through a cable OTG, Use only the original Xiaomi cable or certified USB-C. Cheap adapters can cause transmission errors or even damage the port.

4.Security setting: how to protect your phone from hacking

Xiaomi offers several layers of protection, but by default many features are disabled.

Protection of the lock screen

Don't just rely on a pattern lock! MIUI There are more reliable options:

• 🔐 Password: minimum 8 characters with numbers and letters, avoid obvious combinations such as dates of birth.
• 👆 Fingerprint: Add at least 2 fingerprints (e.g. index and thumb) and newer models support sleep scanning (setting in Settings) → Lock screen → Additionally).
• 👀 Facial recognition: works fast but less secure than a print.Enable the option Require password when rebooting to get around the security through safe mode was harder.

4.2 Privacy settings

MIUI It collects a lot of data by default:

1. Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → App permissions and disable contacts/location access for unnecessary programs.
2. In the Privacy section → Additionally. → Use statistics turn off activity data collection.
3. Activate Privacy Protection in Apps (hidden your data from third-party programs).

⚠️ Note: If you use Second Space, remember: data from the main space can be accessed in the guest through system applications. For complete isolation, create a separate Mi Account for the second space.

5. Battery Optimization: How to Extend Your Lifetime

The battery is one of the most vulnerable spots in Xiaomi smartphones, even on models with a capacity of 5000.+ If you don't set your phone right, it can run out in half a day. Here's how to avoid it:

Energy saving modes

V MIUI There are three main modes:

• 🔋 Balanced: Optimal for most users, limits background activity, but does not affect performance.
• 🌿 Energy saving – extends the working time 20-30%, but limits the processor frequency and screen brightness.
• ⚡ Super energy saving – leaves only basic functions (calls, SMS, several applications, may extend the work to 2-3 single-day.

To set the modes:

1. Go to Settings. → Battery and performance → Energy saving regimes.
2. Select the default mode (recommended Balanced).
3. Click Setup Modes and add apps that should work in the background (e.g., instant messengers).

Manual optimization

Additional tips for maximum working time:

• 📵 Turn off Device Search in Settings → Google → Devices and Sharing if you do not use the "Find Device" function".
• 📡 Set Flight Mode at Night or in places with a bad signal (constant network search puts the battery down hard).
• 🔦 Reduce the time of automatic screen locking to 15-30 seconds (Settings) → Lock screen → Sleeping mode).
• 🌡️ Avoid overheating – do not use your phone while charging for games or video editing.

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The easiest way to extend battery life is to keep the charge level between 20% and 80%, and to discharge and charge up to 100% accelerate battery degradation.

For models with support for fast charging (33W/67W/120W) recommended:

• Use the original power supply - cheap analogues can damage the charging controller.
• Do not play games while charging – this increases battery heating.
• Disable Optimized Charging (Settings) → Battery. → Settings → Optimized charging if you need to charge your phone to 100 fast%.

6. Network and Internet setting: 4G, Wi-Fi and dual-use SIM

Network problems are one of the most common complaints Xiaomi users have, often not due to hardware, but to the wrong settings.

6.1. Mobile Internet (4G/5G)

If you have problems with connection speed or stability:

1. Check what's in the Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network type selected 4G (preferably 5G (if maintained).
2. Activate Improved Coverage 4G (if there is in the settings) – this includes carrier aggregation to increase speed.
3. For a double. SIM: In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Select the mobile network data SIM-Internet card. The default may be the one you use for traffic.

⚠️ Note: on some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12) 5G) using two SIM-MicroSD support is disabled. check this before buying if you need Slot for a memory card.

6.2. Wi-Fi and access points

To speed up Wi-Fi and avoid automatic connection to unnecessary networks:

• 📶 Enable Wi-Fi Assist (Settings) → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Wi-Fi Assist – The phone will automatically switch to mobile data if Wi-Fi is unstable.
• 🔒 Disable Automatic Open Network Connection in the Same Menu to Avoid Connecting to Potentially Dangerous Points.
• 📊 For gamers: activate Low Lag Mode in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally (reduces ping in online games).

If you have problems connecting to 5GHz networks:

1. Make sure the router supports the standard 802.11ac (or the latest Wi-Fi 6).
2. In router settings, set the channel width of 40 MHz (not 20 MHz) for higher speeds.
3. On the phone in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Select the U.S. or Europe (depending on the router model).

7. Xiaomi's signature chips: what to include and what to disable

MIUI It's filled with unique features that many users don't even know about, some of which are useful, some of which are just intrusive:

Useful functions

• 🔄 Dual apps: allow you to have two accounts in the same messenger (for example, two WhatsApp) → Annexes → Dual annexes.
• 📱 Second Space: creates a second desktop with separate applications and data, useful if you have multiple users on your phone. → Special facilities → Second Space.
• 🎮 Game Turbo: Optimizes performance for games, blocks notifications and adds floating control panels. Swipe on both sides of the screen in the game or through Settings → Special facilities → Game Turbo.
• 📲 Navigation gestures: Xiaomi has some of the most convenient gestures.We recommend you to include full-screen gestures in Settings → Screen. → Full-screen display.

7.2 Functions that are better to disable

• 📢 Cleanup notifications: constantly reminding you to clear your memory, although this is not necessary. → Notifications → System notifications.
• 🔊 Touch sounds: annoying clicks when you press the screen. → Sounds and vibrations → Touch sounds.
• 📡 Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi: can eat up traffic in the background. Manually monitor updates via Google Play.
• 📱 Lock screen recommendations: Shows unnecessary news and ads. Disables in Settings → Lock screen → Additionally. → Recommendations on the lock screen.

💡 Hidden chip: Xiaomi has a secret menu for screen and sensor testing. To open it, type in the Phone app code ##4636##. Here you can check the sensors, battery and network (but don’t change the settings unless you are sure of their purpose!).

8. Update firmware and fix errors

Regular updates MIUI Not only do they add new features, they also fix critical vulnerabilities, but not all updates are stable, sometimes they bring new bugs:

8.1 How to update firmware

There are two ways:

1. By air (OTA): Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update system. Click Check Updates. If the update is available, download it (preferably via Wi-Fi) and install it.
2. Manually via Recovery: Download the firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website (choose Russia or Global region). Place the file in the root of the phone's memory (not in folders!). Go to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Select a firmware file.

⚠️ Warning: if after the update the phone began to overheat or discharge quickly, reset the cache in recovery mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Select Wipe Cache (control - volume buttons, choice - power button).
4. Reset the device.

8.2 What to do if the update is suspended

If the upgrade process has stalled on the Mi logo or progress bar:

• 🕒 Wait at least 30 minutes – sometimes installation takes a long time.
• 🔋 Make sure your phone is at least 50% charged (if it runs out during the upgrade, you may need to flash it over your PC).
• 🔄 If more than an hour has passed, perform a hard reset: press the power button on the 10-15 If that doesn't work, we'll have to go through the Mi Flash Tool.

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Before updating, always do a data backup! Use Mi Cloud or Google Drive to back up contacts, photos and settings.

For models with HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi) 14 or Redmi K70) The process of updating may be different. New firmware uses A/B-partitions, which allows you to roll back to the previous version if the new one is unstable, to return the old firmware:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Return to the previous version.
2. Confirm the rollback (the data will not be deleted, but some settings may be reset).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions