How to Set Up Xiaomi Smartphone: A Complete Guide from Including to Fine Optimization

The first inclusion of a new Xiaomi is always the excitement and questions: what to click, what settings to choose, how to not miss important options, MIUI (Xiaomi’s proprietary shell has its own features that can be confusing.This article will help not only to pass the initial setup, but also to avoid typical errors that lead to a quick battery discharge, lags or leaks of personal data.

We will analyze the process from unpacking the box to fine customization of the interface, paying attention to both basic steps (connecting to Wi-Fi, Mi Account) and advanced settings (optimizing auto-launch applications, setting gestures or hidden functions). MIUI). We will pay special attention to models 2023–2026 years MIUI 14/15, But most of the tips are relevant for older devices, from the Redmi Note. 11 Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

If you bought a smartphone with your hands or after resetting, there's a separate section at the end of this article on how to check the device for "cleanness" before setting up, and for those who want to save time, we've prepared a quick setup checklist that can be used as a cheat sheet.

1.Preparation for the first inclusion: what to do before setting up

Before you press the power button, do a few simple steps – they will save you time and nerves:

• 🔋 Charge your smartphone to at least 30%. modern Xiaomi (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ or POCO F5) may require software updates immediately after switching on, and discharging during this process is fraught with failures.
• 📶 Prepare data to connect to Wi-Fi. It is better to use the home network – public points (in cafes or airports) can block Xiaomi servers, which will prevent activation.
• 📱 Take a second smartphone or notebook, and it'll be useful for passwords, IMEI (in case of blocking) or scanning QR-codes (for example, to quickly transfer data from an old phone).
• 🔑 Think backup email. If you haven't used the Xiaomi ecosystem yet, register your mail to Xiaomi. @gmail.com or @mail.ru — You will need to link your Mi Account.

If you’re transferring data from an old Android device, install the Mi Mover app (available on Google Play) that lets you transfer contacts, photos, and even some settings over Wi-Fi Direct — without using a cable. iPhone will need a Lightning-to-USB-C cable and Apple’s official Move to iOS app (but it doesn’t work with all Xiaomi models).

⚠️ Note: Do not connect your smartphone to your computer through USB before the initial setup is completed. on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) This can cause the activation process to fail due to driver conflict.

2. First on and basic setting MIUI

Press and hold the power button (on most models it is located on the right) until the logo appears. MI. Follow the instructions on the screen, but pay attention to the key points:

1. Language and region choice: If you are in Russia or Ukraine, this is important for Google services and local applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Privat24) to work properly. If you choose China or India, some features may not work well.
2. Wi-Fi connection. Use a 5GHz network, which is faster and more stable to download updates. If your router supports Wi-Fi 6, select it from the list (usually there is a set-top box in the network name). AX 6).
3. Activate your Mi Account. Without it, you won’t be able to use branded services (for example, Mi Cloud for backups or Mi Home for smart homes). If you already have an account, log in via email or phone number. It’s better to register a new account through mail, so it’s easier to restore access if you lose your password.
4. Set up the lock screen. We recommend choosing a P.IN-code (minimum 6 digits) or pattern lock (complex pattern) Fingerprint or facial recognition can be added later in the security settings.

At the “Personalization” stage" MIUI If you want to save battery life, choose a dark theme (AMOLED Black for devices with AMOLED-screens or dark modes for LCD). You can also enable automatic change of the theme on the schedule (for example, dark theme from 21:00 to 7:00).

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If your smartphone offers to update the software immediately after you turn it on, you can agree that it will fix any bugs out of the box. But before upgrading, plug in the charger even if the battery is charged at 50%+.

3. Optimization of performance and battery

By default. MIUI aggressively optimises background processes, which can lead to notification delays (e.g. in Telegram or WhatsApp) or spontaneous closure of applications:

Setup of auto-start and background activity

Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Autorun. Here you will see a list of all installed programs. For critical instant messengers and services (e.g. Google Play Services, Banking apps), enable autorun and allow background activity:

• 📱 Enable the AutoStart switch for the selected application.
• 🔄 Click on the name of the app → Permits → Turn on Background Activity and Auto Start.
• 🛡️ In Battery, select Unlimited (for banking applications) or Intelligent Control (for others).

Performance modes

MIUI Offers three preliminary profiles:

You can change the mode in Settings → Battery → Battery mode: Manual mode is available for advanced users (More) → Performance settings where you can fine-tune the processor clock speed and limitations for individual applications.

4.Checklist of Xiaomi's Quick Setup

If you need to set up your smartphone as quickly as possible, follow this list (with a 15-20 minute time frame):

Turn on your smartphone and select the language (Russian, Ukrainian)|Connect to Wi-Fi (5GHz) is a priority)|Create/Login to Mi Account (via email)|Set up a screen lock (PIN graphical)|Update the software (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system)|Include a dark theme (Settings) → Screen. → Dark subject)|Disable unnecessary system applications (Settings) → Annexes → Delete/disable)|Set up auto-run for instant messengers (see Section 3.1)|Connecting Google and Social Media Accounts|Install antivirus (such as Malwarebytes or Google Play Protect built-in)

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After completing these steps, your Xiaomi will be ready for everyday use. For fine-tuning (gestures, sound, camera) read the following sections.

5. Personalization of the interface: themes, gestures, panels

MIUI It's famous for its flexibility in the way it looks:

Themes and wallpaper

Go to Topics (desktop icon) and you'll find:

• 🎨 Ready-made themes, from minimalist to anime style. Free themes are updated weekly.
• 🖼️ The wallpaper is static, lively (for the sake of the AMOLED-screens) or dynamic (change depending on the time of day).
• 📱 Sounds and fonts – you can set custom tunes for alarm clocks or notifications.

To install themes from third-party developers download APK-Theme file (e.g. from miuithemes.com) and import it through the Topics → Mine. → Please note: some themes require an unlocked bootloader (not recommended for beginners).

Customization of gestures

MIUI Supports two types of navigation:

1. Classic buttons (navigation bar at the bottom of the screen).
2. Gestures (swipes instead of buttons).

To change the navigation type, go to Settings → Screen. → Full screen display. Additional options are available for gestures:

• 👆 Swipe up - return to the main screen.
• 👆➡️ Swipe Up and Hold – Opening the menu of recent apps.
• 👈 Swipe from the edge – back (you can adjust the sensitivity in Additional gesture settings).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4 GT) gestures may conflict with game triggers (physical buttons on the body). In this case, turn off gestures in horizontal orientation or reassign triggers to Settings → Additional settings → Physical buttons.

6. Communications setup: mobile network, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Communication problems are one of the most common complaints Xiaomi users have, and here’s how to avoid them:

The mobile network and SIM-map

If you have two. SIM-map:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Set up a primary. SIM for calls SMS (For example, if you have unlimited minutes).
3. For the second. SIM Turn off your mobile data if you don’t use it for the Internet, it will save you a lot of money.
4. Enable VoLTE and VoWiFi (if supported by an operator) for better call quality.

If the smartphone does not catch the network or often switches to the 2G:

• 📶 Check if the mode is on. 4G/5G In Settings → SIM-map → Preferred type of network.
• 🔄 Restart your phone or turn on/off Flight Mode.
• 📱 Update. IMEI (If it's gone wrong after firmware: dial ##4636## → Phone information → Update IMEI.

6.2. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

For a stable connection to Wi-Fi:

• 📶 B Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally, enable Automatic Open Network Connection (caution – this is not safe for public points).
• 🔒 If the network is permanently shut down, change Wi-Fi sleep mode to Never.
• 📡 To improve the signal, turn on Wi-Fi Assistant (automatically switches to mobile data when the signal is weak).

For Bluetooth (for example, for headphones Xiaomi Buds or fitness bracelet Mi Band):

• 🎧 Turn on Double Connection (you can connect headphones and smartwatches at the same time).
• 🔊 For the best sound in headphones, choose a codec AAC or aptX (in Bluetooth device settings).

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If mobile internet is slow, try manually selecting the operator’s network in Settings. → SIM-map → Network selection. Sometimes automatic mode connects to an overloaded tower.

7 Security: How to Protect Data on Xiaomi

Xiaomi is often criticized for collecting data, but most of the risks can be minimized with the right settings:

Disable unnecessary data collection

Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Special permissions and turn off:

• 📊 Sending usage data (anonymous statistics for Xiaomi).
• 📍 Diagnostics (sending error reports).
• 🔍 Personalized recommendations (for advertising in the MIUI).

Also close access to geolocation for unnecessary applications:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Permissions → Geodata.
2. For each application, choose to refuse or only during use.

Protection against viruses and fraudsters

MIUI It has a built-in Security App, but it's not enough:

• 🛡️ Google Play Protect – checks apps for viruses (on by default).
• 🔍 Malwarebytes – scans the system for spyware.
• 🔒 AppLock – blocks access to applications by password (built into the MIUI, but requires inclusion of Settings → Confidentiality → Application lockdown).

To protect against phishing:

• 🌐 In Google Chrome, enable Safe Browsing (Settings) → Confidentiality and security).
• 📧 Do not open links from SMS or email, even if they are supposed to be from support@mi.com — Xiaomi never asks for a password by mail.

⚠️ Warning: If you bought a smartphone with your hands, be sure to complete a full reset (Settings) → The phone. → Reset settings) and untie the old Mi Account of the previous owner, otherwise he will be able to remotely lock the device!

8 Additional settings: camera, sound, smart home

These options are not critical to the job, but will greatly improve the experience:

Set-up of the camera

Annex of the Chamber to MIUI It hides a lot of functions. It's about revealing them:

• 📸 Enable Pro Mode (Manual setting) ISO, shutter speeds, white balance) – swipe left in the camera interface.
• 🌃 For night photography, activate Night Mode (moon icon) and use a tripod.
• 🎥 In video settings, select permission 4K@30fps or 1080p@60fps (model-wise).
• 🔍 Turn on Improvement. AI for portraits, but turn it off for landscapes (artificial intelligence can overdo saturation).

For models with an ultra-wide lens (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), turn off automatic camera switching in Camera Settings. → Additionally. → Auto-Switching Cameras – This Will Prevent Accidental Scale Scale Scale Scales.

8.2 Sound and vibration

MIUI allows you to fine-tune the sound:

• 🔊 B Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality turn on Hi-Res audio (for high-resolution headphones).
• 🎵 In Equalizer, choose Bass Preset or Rock for Music, Voice for Podcasts.
• 📳 For vibration: In Vibration Style, choose Strong (if you don’t feel alerts) or turn off vibration altogether to save battery life.

8.3 Smart Home and Mi Home

If you have Xiaomi Smart Home devices (lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaner), connect them through the Mi Home app:

1. Install Mi Home from Google Play.
2. Register with the same Mi Account as you do on your smartphone.
3. Press. + → Add the device and follow the instructions.
4. To control your voice, connect Alice or Google Assistant in your device settings.

If the devices are not present, check:

• 📶 Are they connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the smartphone.
• 🔄 Updated Device Software (in Mi Home) → Device profile → Update).
• 📱 Bluetooth and geolocation enabled on the phone (needed for some sensors).

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For the format. RAW Put the format on. RAW The files will weigh more, but give you more post-processing options.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi setup