Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 9 offer an impressive set of features out of the box, but factory settings are not always perfect for comfortable use. Immediately after unpacking, the device may seem overloaded with pre-installed software, and battery autonomy does not always meet the owner’s expectations. The correct initial configuration of the MIUI system allows you to unlock the potential of the Helio G80 processor and significantly improve the user experience.
In this guide, we will go through all the stages of settings, from activating the device to fine screen calibration and energy saving, you will learn how to get rid of intrusive advertising, what Google services really need, and how to set up the notification system so that you do not miss important messages. Proper preparation of the smartphone to work takes no more than 20 minutes, but saves hours of nerves in the future.
Special attention should be paid to data security and proper creation of the Mi Account, which is key to the brand ecosystem. Many users ignore important verification steps, which subsequently leads to problems with unlocking or syncing. Let's break down each step in detail to make your Redmi 9 work like a Swiss watch.
Initial activation and basic system settings
The process of enabling the new Xiaomi Redmi 9 starts with choosing the language and connecting to the Wi-Fi network. At this stage, the system will offer to upgrade to the current version of MIUI, and this is really a critical step, since the first security patches often fix errors of the initial builds. Do not miss the update, even if it takes time, since the stability of the interface depends on the firmware version.
This is followed by logging into a Google account and creating a Mi Account. The second item often raises questions for beginners, but it allows you to use the Find Device feature, cloud storage and the theme of registration. When entering data, make sure that the password is remembered or recorded, as it can be difficult to restore access to the account without a linked phone number.
The system will also offer a biometric protection setup. In Redmi 9, the fingerprint scanner is located on the back, which is a classic and reliable solution. It is recommended to immediately add both thumbprints to unlock it easily in any position of the phone.
☑️ Checklist of primary activation
Once the basic steps are complete, the system will suggest installing the recommended applications, and it is worth being selective: many of them are duplicates or advertising integrations, and it is better to immediately abandon the mass installation, so as not to clog the device’s memory with unnecessary debris, which then have to be manually deleted through the settings.
Optimizing the MIUI interface and removing advertising
MIUI is known for its functionality, but also for having built-in ads that are activated by default. To remove banner ads in standard applications, you need to go to the settings and find "Password and Security." You should turn off the option to Receive recommendations, which will significantly reduce the amount of intrusive content in the system.
It is also important to set up your desktop and control panel. Redmi 9 uses a classic application menu schema, but you can switch it to the iOS style, where all shortcuts are on desktops. This is done through Settings → Desktop, where you can select your preferred display mode and size of the icon grid.
⚠️ Note: When disabling system applications through ADB Be careful, or third-party launchers, and removing critical components such as Security or Explorer can cause the operating system to malfunction.
To get a little deeper, you can use the method of disabling personalized recommendations in each application separately. Go to the Music, Video, Explorer apps and find the Receive Recommendations switch in their settings. This action will not remove the functionality, but will make the interface clean and minimal.
Hidden Advertising Identifier Settings
Don't forget to configure the control panel, which is called from top to bottom. In MIUI 12 and above, it's divided into two parts: notifications on the left and switches on the right, and you can change this in the notification and control settings, returning to the familiar look if a new one seems uncomfortable.
Battery setting and energy saving mode
Xiaomi Redmi 9 has a battery capacity of 5020 mAh, which is a great indicator for the budget segment. However, to keep the device charged for two days, you need to properly adjust the background activity of applications. Android system tends to aggressively close processes, but sometimes it is necessary to manually limit voracious programs.
Go to Settings → Battery → Energy Saving. You can choose between Balanced, Economy or Performance. For everyday use, a balanced mode that dynamically adjusts the CPU frequency is optimal. At night, you can activate super-saving mode that limits background processes and screen brightness.
| Mode of work | Impact on CPUs | Background synchronization | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced | Automatic. | Permitted. | Daily work |
| Economical | Limited. | Limited. | Travel, long day |
| Super-economical | Minimum | Forbidden. | Critical charge (< 10%) |
| Productive | Maximum. | Complete. | Games, hard challenges |
The charging optimization feature deserves special attention. In the battery settings, turn on "Optimized Charging" so that the smartphone (learned) your habits and does not charge up to 100% immediately if you sleep. This prolongs the life of the lithium polymer battery.
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Use the original 18W charger that comes with the kit. Using cheap analogs can cause the Redmi 9 power controller to charge slowly and overheat.
Management of Notifications and System Applications
One of the most annoying problems for new Xiaomi users is the lack of notifications from messengers after unlocking the screen, which is due to MIUI’s aggressive energy saving policy. To fix this, you need to go to the settings of a particular application (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) and allow auto-start and work in the background.
You can also set up a notification center. Redmi 9 can group notifications from different applications or display them in a list. To do this, go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification Center. Here you can turn off the display of notification content on a locked screen to improve privacy.
System applications such as Security, Cleanup and Antivirus require periodic attention, built-in antivirus, based on Avast or Tencent engine, and its databases are updated automatically, and regular cleaning of cache through the built-in Cleanup tool helps to maintain performance, especially if the internal memory is more than 85% full.
Don’t forget to check your app’s microphone and camera access settings. Modern Android versions can set “Only during use” to prevent unscrupulous programs from being spied on in the background.
Camera and multimedia capabilities
The main camera module in Redmi 9 has a resolution of 13 MP, but shooting options are highly dependent on settings. The camera app recommends immediately turning on the grid to build the composition and turning off facial enhancement if you prefer natural colors. AI (Artificial intelligence should be used with caution, as it often oversaturates colors.
There's a full HD resolution available at 30 frames per second for video recording, and the stabilization in this price segment is software-based, so it's better to use Sport mode or hold your phone with both hands when walking, and the Documents mode, which automatically aligns perspective and removes shadows when scanning papers, is also worth noting.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use 64MP mode (interpolation) for everyday shooting. Although the photos will have a larger file size, the detail in low lighting will be worse than at a standard resolution of 13MP.
The display settings also affect multimedia. From the Settings → Screen menu, you can choose a color scheme (Standard, Saturated, Advanced). For viewing videos, saturated mode is better, and for working with text - a standard one, which is less tiresome for the eyes due to color temperature correction.
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The quality of the Redmi 9 photo is directly dependent on the lighting. Indoors, try to use the flash only as an autofocus backlight, and not as a primary light source to avoid overlights.
Data security and additional functions
Security in Xiaomi is implemented through a set of measures, including data encryption and protection against theft. Be sure to enable the "Find device" function in the settings of the Mi Account. This will allow you to remotely lock your phone or erase data in case of loss. Also useful is the "Block in your pocket" function, which prevents accidental clicks in the dark.
To protect your personal files, use the "Second Space" or password-access folder in the "Conductor" app, which creates an isolated environment where third-party apps cannot access without additional authorization, especially if children use the phone or if you often give the device to colleagues.
Check application permissions regularly. In the Permissions section, you can see which programs have access to geolocation, contacts, and SMS. If a simple calculator requires access to the Internet and contacts, this is an occasion to consider removing or replacing it with an analogue.