Buying a new smartphone from Xiaomi is always an exciting moment, but the first inclusion can be confusing to the inexperienced user.The interface of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS is significantly different from stock Android, offering many features that are hidden from view by default.
Many owners immediately begin to actively use the gadget, ignoring the basic steps of optimization, which after a month leads to a quick discharge of the battery or the appearance of intrusive advertising. To avoid disappointment and make the most of the hardware, you need to devote 15-20 minutes to a competent setup. In this article, we will discuss all the steps: from the insertion SIM-maps before fine-tuning the security system.
Don't be afraid of the many customizations, because it's the flexibility of custom shells that makes a regular phone a powerful tool for work and entertainment. We'll just look at the really necessary items that affect performance and comfort. Follow the instructions consistently to create the perfect digital environment.
Initial activation and configuration of accounts
The process begins immediately after you click the on button and select the interface language, and the system will prompt you to connect to a Wi-Fi network, which is a must-have for most Google and Xiaomi services. Without an internet connection, you can't check the license cleanliness of the device and download the latest security updates.
This is a key element of the brand’s ecosystem, allowing you to remotely lock your phone when you steal, sync contacts and find the device on the map, and it is not recommended to ignore the creation or login to this profile, as it provides a basic level of protection for your personal data.
⚠️ Warning: Never buy an already activated smartphone without checking the Mi Account anchorage.If the previous owner hasn't untied the device, you won't be able to fully use the phone after resetting.
Then it will prompt you to log in to Google profile, where your apps, photos and settings are stored. It can take a while to sync when you first log in, especially if you have a lot of data in the cloud, and wait until that process is completed so that all contacts and notes automatically appear in the respective apps.
Interface and navigation configuration MIUI
The MIUI shell offers two main ways of navigation: classic three buttons at the bottom of the screen or modern gestures. By default, buttons are often installed, but the transition to gesture control makes using the smartphone more ergonomic and frees up useful display space.
To change the type of navigation, go to Settings → Desktop → Navigation System. Here you can choose between buttons and gestures, and adjust sensitivity and response area. Gestures allow you to switch between applications faster and go back with a single finger movement.
The control panel deserves special attention. Unlike pure Android, MIUI has a notification center and a brightness control center/Wi-Fi separate. The swipe on the bottom left opens notifications, and the swipe on the right opens quick settings. This is a standard behavior of the system that you need to get used to, although it can be changed in special features.
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Try setting up "One-Handed Convenience" in the special features menu, which will reduce the screen size with triple touch, which is convenient for controlling large smartphones with your thumb.
You also need to set up your desktop, remove the extra widgets and folders that you don't use every day, and not only does a clean desktop look more aesthetic, but it also reduces the GPU load when you render the interface, and group the applications into categories for quick access.
Optimizing battery and performance
Redmi smartphones are packed with capacious batteries, but without the right setup, they can run out faster than expected. There's an aggressive task manager in the system that can prematurely close background applications. To keep important messengers online, you need to set exceptions.
Go to Settings → Battery → Charge Saving. Find a list of apps and for instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) select No Limits mode. This will prevent the loss of messages and calls when the screen is off. Standard power saving mode may be too strict for active operation.
Another important aspect is the screen refresh rate. If your smartphone supports 90Hz or 120Hz, make sure that the Settings → Screen → Update menu selects a default or 120Hz value, which will make the animations smooth, although it will increase power consumption slightly.
☑️ Checklist of battery optimization
To extend the life of a lithium polymer battery, it is recommended that you activate the optimised charging function, which learns your habits and pauses charging at 80%, only completing the process before your normal wake-up time, which reduces the degradation of battery chemistry.
Security and protection of advertising
One of the most annoying features of the shell is the built-in advertising in system applications, which, fortunately, can be completely disabled through a dedicated service switch, and it doesn't require third-party software, just change one setting in the system.
To remove ads, go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Access to Personal Data (or “Privacy”). Find the MSA (MIUI System Ads) service in the list and turn off the switch. Confirm the action by clicking “Cancel.” The system may ask you to wait 10 seconds before confirming.
⚠️ Note: After disabling the msa service, the ads in the system applications (Conductor, Music, Security) will disappear not instantly, but within 24 hours.
It is also important to set up a virus scanner and permission to install applications, and the Security menu allows you to run a full system check, and the privacy settings should limit applications' access to the location and microphone, issuing permissions only as needed.
For additional protection against data theft, activate device encryption (usually enabled by default when you install a pin code) and Find Device setting. Make sure that the device search feature is enabled in the Mi Account settings, this will allow you to remotely erase data in the event of loss.
Camera and gallery settings
Redmi's cameras have a lot of functionality that's often hidden automatically. To get better photos, you should experiment with manual settings and shooting modes. The basic setup is to include a framing grid and HDR.
Turn on the grid in the camera settings to follow the rule of thirds when composing a frame. HDR (High Dynamic Range) automatically balances light and dark areas of the scene, which is critical for shooting against light or in contrast conditions. In modern models, it works automatically, but control does not interfere.
The gallery in MIUI has an integrated editor and object recognition features that can automatically sort photos by people, places and things. To save space in the cloud, set up synchronization only for important albums, not the entire gallery.
Secret camera mode
Don't forget to check the resolution of the video. By default, the phone can shoot at 720p or 1080p at 30 frames per second. If you plan to shoot dynamic stories, switch to 1080p 60fps or 4K if the processor and storage capacity allows.
Working with memory and file system
The MIUI-based Android file system has its own storage logic. Understanding the folder structure will help you avoid getting confused in files and easily find downloads. The main storage is divided into system partition and user space.
The integrated file manager allows you to clear the cache of applications and find duplicate files. Regular cleaning of the Downloads folder helps free up gigabytes of space. The system itself offers to delete unnecessary files, but manual control is more effective.
| Type of data | Where it takes place | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Cash app. | Memory of the device | Cleaning through “Safety” once a week |
| WhatsApp Media | Device/SD memory | Disable autosave in chat rooms |
| Offline maps | Memory of the device | Move it to SD-map |
| System Logs | Hidden section | Clean through the Engineering Menu (for advanced) |
If your smartphone has a microSD card slot, use it to store photos, videos and music. However, installing apps on the memory card in modern versions of Android is not recommended due to the slow read and write speed, which will lead to brakes in the work of programs.
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Using a media-only memory card is the golden rule, so don't transfer your messaging databases and system applications to it so you don't lose your phone's speed.