How to set up a Xiaomi smartphone: a complete guide from MIUI safe

Xiaomi smartphones with a shell MIUI They offer users flexible customization options, but their initial setup often raises questions — especially for those who have switched from iOS or “pure” Android. Even basic actions like linking a Mi Account account or turning off ads in branded applications require a knowledge of nuances. This article will help you understand Xiaomi’s professional settings: from performance optimization to hidden features that are not written in the official instructions.

We will consider not only the standard steps (account login, network setting), but also unique chips. MIUI 14/15, Not available on other smartphones, such as how to set up a smart assistant to automatically switch modes or activate a hidden developer menu for subtle optimization. → Privacy will protect your data better than standard tips from the Internet.

If you just unpacked the box with the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Or Xiaomi 14 Ultra, or you want to reconfigure your old device, which is a script-covering guide, and for convenience, we broke it down into logical blocks, added checklists and warnings about typical errors. Let's start with the most important thing: first activation and account binding.

1. First Enabling and Linking Mi Account

When you first turn on a Xiaomi smartphone, the system will offer to go through the initial setup process. Here it is important not to miss key points that will affect the further operation of the device. At the stage of choosing the language, we recommend you to immediately install Russian (Russia) - this will eliminate problems with localization of system notifications.

The most critical step is to link Mi Account, and without it, you can't:

• 🔄 Recover data from the cloud (contacts, notes, photos)
• 🔒 Use the "Find the device" function when you lose your phone
• 📱 Install updates MIUI through OTA (Without an account, some firmware is blocked)
• 🎮 Synchronize progress in games Xiaomi Game Center

To link the account:

1. At the setup stage, select Log in to Mi Account.
2. If you don’t have an account, click Create an account and follow the instructions. Use a valid email (not temporary!).
3. Confirm the phone number – this is necessary to restore access.
4. Enable Data Synchronization (you can turn it off later in Settings) → Accounts).

⚠️ Warning: If you bought a smartphone with your hands, be sure to reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Reset settings before linking your account, otherwise the previous owner will be able to remotely lock the device via Mi Cloud.

Is Mi Account Linked to an Email Account?

Contact synchronization is enabled (if necessary)

Unnecessary system notifications are disabled

Is the firmware updated to the latest version?-->

Optimization MIUI: what to do immediately

MIUI It's known for its abundance of pre-installed applications and services that consume resources. Even on flagships like Xiaomi 14, unnecessary processes can reduce battery life:

1. Disabling advertising in MIUI

Branded apps (Mi Browser, Mi Video, Themes) show ads by default to remove them:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronize and disable Recommendations MIUI.
• 🌐 In Mi Browser: Settings → Additionally. → Advertising and recommendations → Turn off all switches.
• 🎨 In Themes: Profile → Settings → Advertising → turn off the show.

2. Cleaning up the autoload

Many apps are automatically launched and hang in the background to turn them off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Autorun.
2. Turn off auto-run for unnecessary apps (especially Facebook, Mi Credit, GetApps).
3. In the Battery and Productivity section → Battery management select for critical applications mode No restrictions.

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If after disabling the startup, some applications stopped working correctly (for example, no notifications from messengers come), add them to the exception list in Settings. → Battery → Application battery management

3. Network and Internet setting

The correct configuration of network settings affects Internet speed, connection stability and even battery life. There are several hidden options on Xiaomi smartphones that are worth configuring.

1. Selection of preferred network type

If your operator supports you 5G, But the smartphone is constantly switching to 4G, check:

• 📶 Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Type of network.
• 🔄 Choose. 5G/4G/3G/2G (vehicle) for maximum compatibility.
• 📊 If 5G It is not stable, try the mode only. 4G — It often saves power.

2. Optimizing Wi-Fi

To improve the speed and stability of Wi-Fi:

• 📶 Turn on the settings. → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Automatic connection to open networks (if necessary).
• 🔒 Disable Wi-Fi Assistant – it automatically connects to unreliable networks.
• 📊 Activate Smart Switch (in the same settings) so that the smartphone automatically switches to mobile Internet with a weak Wi-Fi signal.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Redmi or POCO two-way SIM-maps, check network priority in Settings → SIM-map → Network priority: By default, a smartphone may use the wrong Internet SIM, which you expect.

4. Security and confidentiality

Xiaomi smartphones collect more data than many competitors, but most of the collection can be turned off.It is important to properly configure permissions, encryption and protection against unauthorized access.

1. Disabling the collection of diagnostic data

By default. MIUI sends usage data to Xiaomi to stop:

• 🛡️ Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Diagnostics and feedback.
• 🔄 Disable Send Usage Data and Send Error Reports.
• 📊 In the Advertising Personalization section, turn off all switches.

2. Screen lock setting

For maximum safety:

• 🔐 Use a PIN or Password (not a pattern lock!).
• 📱 Turn on the settings. → Lock screen → Locking when the screen is turned off (locks the phone immediately after the display is turned off).
• 🔒 Activate Smart Lock (in the same settings) so that unlocking only works when recognizing your face/fingerprint.

3. Encryption of the device

If your phone has important data, turn on full encryption:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Protection and encryption.
2. Select Encrypt Your Phone (the process will take you) 30-60 minute).
3. 🔋 Make sure the battery is charged >50% and don’t interrupt the process!

5. Optimization of performance and battery

Even Xiaomi flagship smartphones eventually begin to “brake” due to the background activity of applications. The correct settings will help to extend the life of the battery and speed up the system.

1. Performance modes

V MIUI There are hidden modes that affect the speed of the action:

• ⚡ Settings → Battery → Performance mode:

2. Auto-brightness setting

Adaptive brightness in MIUI It often works incorrectly to correct:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Brightness.
2. Turn off Adaptive Brightness and adjust the slider manually.
3. 🌓 To save battery, set a Dark Theme and turn on a Dark Theme Schedule (for example, from 20:00 to 7:00).

3. Cleaning up cache and garbage

Regular cleaning helps to avoid lags:

• 🧹 Use the built-in Security app (Security):
• 🔄 Once a month, clear the cache of individual applications in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Warehouse.

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Performance mode is useful for gaming, but in everyday use it is better to choose Balance - it optimally combines speed and battery life.

6 Hidden MIUI features you didn't know about

MIUI It hides a lot of useful options that are not obvious at first glance:

Second Space Mode

Allows you to create a separate work profile with your applications and data (useful for work or privacy):

• 🔐 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Second space.
• 📱 Set up a separate password and select duplicate apps.
• 🔄 Switch between spaces can be swiped on the lock screen.

2.Gestural and quick action

MIUI Supports unique gestures:

• 👆 Double touch of the lock screen – turn the screen on / off.
• 🔄 Triple press of the power button - call SOS (adjusting to the settings → Lock screen → Emergency call).
• 📱 Keeping your finger on the screen off – starting the flashlight.

3. The developer's hidden menu

To access the advanced settings:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. 🔄 7 times press the version MIUI (A notice will appear saying, “You have become a developer").
3. 📊 Now in Settings → There will be a paragraph for developers.

This menu can be used:

• 🔧 Turn on Debugging. USB (work-in ADB).
• 📶 Disable automatic connection to Wi-Fi.
• 🎨 Change the speed of animation (install window animation) 0.5x speed up the interface).

7. Camera setup: professional modes

Xiaomi cameras (especially in Xiaomi flagships) 13T Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+) They support advanced features that often go unused. Here's how to activate them:

1. Professional mode

Allows you to manually adjust:

• 📸 Excerpt (from) 1/4000 before 32 seconds).
• 🔄 ISO (sensitivity to light, range 50–32000).
• 🎯 White balance (color temperature setting).
• 📐 Focus (manual focusing for macro photography).

To open the mode, swipe left in the Camera app to the item Professional.

2. Filming in format RAW

For post-processing photos:

• 📷 In professional mode, click on the icon. RAW (top-down).
• 🔄 The files will be saved in.dng format (you can edit them in Lightroom or Photoshop).

3. High-resolution video

To record video in maximum quality:

• 🎥 Go to Camera Settings → Video resolution.
• 🔄 Choose. 4K 60fps (available on flagships) or 1080p 60fps smoothly.
• 🎤 Enable Sound Improvement for Better Voice Recording.

⚠️ Attention: Shooting in 4K 60fps It loads the processor hard and discharges the battery quickly. Use this mode only when necessary, and monitor the temperature of the device (if the case gets hot, take a break).

8.Firmware Update and System Restore

Regular updates MIUI They fix bugs, add new features, and improve security, but a wrong update can make a device tick:

Verification and installation OTA-update

To install updates by air:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔄 Click Check for Updates.
• 📥 If the update is available, download it over Wi-Fi (not via mobile Internet!).
• 🔋 Make sure the battery is charged >50% before installation.

2. Manual installation of firmware through Recovery

If the OTA is not working or you need to roll back to the old version:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com.
2. 📁 Rename the file to update.zip And put it in the root folder of internal memory.
3. 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Select a firmware file.
4. 🔄 Confirm the installation and wait for the restart.

3.Recovery via Fastboot

If the smartphone is not turned on or stuck on the logo:

• 🔧 Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
• 📥 Download Fastboot firmware for your model.
• 🔄 Follow the instructions of the program (close all or clean all and lock mode carefully).

To recover data after a reset, use backups from Mi Cloud or local backups (created in Settings). → The phone. → Backup).

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Always check the smartphone model before downloading the firmware! Installing firmware from another model (for example, Redmi Note 12 instead of Redmi Note 12 Pro) will lead to the device failure.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi setup