How to set up Xiaomi Redmi: from the first inclusion to subtle optimizations

Smartphones Xiaomi Redmi has long gained popularity due to the ratio of price and functionality, but their proprietary shell MIUI Even after a basic setup, many features remain hidden or work suboptimally, from redundant notifications to the camera’s non-obvious capabilities. This article will help not just “pass the master of initial settings”, but really adapt the device to your needs: remove advertising, optimize the battery, customize gestures and even activate hidden functions for advanced users.

We will take the process Step-by-step, from the first turn on to fine-tuning for experienced users, and focus on the challenges faced by Redmi Note owners. 12/13, Redmi 10/11 Why the battery goes down quickly after the upgrade, how to disable duplicate Xiaomi services, and why some applications do not work without Google Mobile Services. MIUI 14/15 (including global and Chinese versions).

First Included: What to Do in the First 10 Minutes

When you first turn on Redmi, it suggests you go through "quick setup." Take your time, many of the settings you set here are hard to change, for example, choosing a region determines the set of pre-installed applications, and not syncing with Mi Account will prevent you from using cloud backup.

Here are the key points to pay attention to:

• 🌍 Region: Select "Russia" or "Europe" (if you bought a global version). ROM) You will need to change the region through the settings → Additionally. → Region after setting up.
• 🔒 Mi Account: Create an account even if you do not plan to use Xiaomi services – it is needed to unlock the bootloader and restore data.
• 📱 Data portability: If you are switching from another Xiaomi, use Mi Mover (works via Wi-Fi Direct). Google Backup is suitable for Android devices of other brands.
• 🛡️ Protect: Enable Find Device (similar to Google’s Find Phone) and fingerprint/face – it will take 2 minutes, but save data when stolen.

After completing the setup wizard, do not install software updates immediately - check the version first. MIUI In Settings → About the phone. If you have Chinese firmware. ROM), Update may block Google Services. for global versions (Global) ROM) First set up the basic parameters and then update.

Optimization MIUI: Remove advertising and unnecessary services

One of the main claims to MIUI — There's a lot of over-advertising and background processes that eat up the battery, and fortunately, most of it can be turned off without a root license, and let's start with the most annoying thing, which is advertising in system applications.

To disable the advertisement:

1. Go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Account → Advertising and disabling Personalized Recommendations.
2. B Settings → Annexes → App management find GetApps, Mi Video, Mi Browser and disable permissions to Show on top of other windows.
3. For Themes, disable Auto Update and Recommendations in its settings.

If the adverts are still there, check the region of the device — for some countries (for example, India), the adverts are not completely turned off, in which case changing the region to "Europe" or installing the device will help. EU-Firmware from Xiaomi.eu (requires unlocking the bootloader).

Now, let's go back to the background. Many of Xiaomi's services duplicate Google's features, but they're less efficient. For example, Mi Analytics sends usage data, and it's not as simple as it is. MSA (Mi System Ads is responsible for targeted advertising. They can be turned off:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics


adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.msa.global

This will require ADB (Instructions for setting up - in the section for advanced users).

⚠️ Note: Disabling system services through ADB It may disrupt some functions, such as push notifications or security updates. Before executing commands, back up to Settings. → Additionally. → Backup.

Customization of gestures and controls

MIUI It offers flexible gesture settings, but they're not always intuitive by default, like a swipe from the bottom up can open either the home screen or the notification bar, depending on the position of the finger, to adjust the control to itself:

Go to Settings. → Display. → Full screen display and choose one of three options:

• 👆 Swipe up: Classic gesture (like on iPhone) Swipe at the bottom of the screen opens the main screen, delay multitasking.
• 🔄 Navigation buttons: Traditional three buttons (back, home, recent) Suitable for those used to older versions of Android.
• 🎯 Gestures MIUI: Swipe from edges to back, swipe up to home, swipe up with a delay - recent applications.

For models with AMOLED-screen (e.g. Redmi) K60 or Note 12 Pro+) It is recommended to enable Always on Screen (Always-on Display) in Settings → Display. → Screen locking. You can choose the style of displaying time, notifications and even animated wallpaper.

Important for Redmi Note owners 12/13: In these models, the swipe down the center of the screen gesture to open the notification panels/quick settings only works if the finger starts moving above the middle of the display. This is due to the features of the firmware — if the gesture does not work, try to start swiping from the top edge.

Battery and performance: how to extend the life of the battery

One of the most common complaints about Redmi is fast battery drain, which is usually due to application background activity and suboptimal settings. MIUI. Here's what we can do now:

1. Limit background activity:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.

- Select an app (such as Facebook or Instagram) → Permits → Autostart and turn it off.

For system applications (such as Mi Browser), turn off Background activity.

2. Set up the battery mode:

- B Settings → Battery and productivity → Select Balanced (for most tasks) or Charge Saving (if you need to extend your battery life).

- Enable Adaptive Charging (available on models with MIUI 14+) — This will slow down the wear of the battery during night charging.

3. check the "hidden" consumers:

- Open the Settings. → Battery and productivity → Battery utilization.

- If you have Android System or MiuiDaemon in the top of the flow, it's a sign of background activity of system processes. Try restarting your phone or resetting your network settings (Settings) → Connections → Resetting the network).

For models with fast charging support (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ s 120W) If you turn off the "Charge complete" notification, it wakes up the screen and it spends the charge. → Notifications → System notifications.

Network and Internet: speed up connection and remove lags

Network problems on Redmi are often associated with incorrect settings APN (access points) or a conflict between two SIM-If the Internet is slow or periodically disappears, start by checking these parameters.

1.Tune in. APN:

- Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [choose SIM] → Access points (APN).

- If the list is empty or there are no settings, add APN manually (options can be taken on the website of your operator).

- For MTS, Beeline and Television2 usually mts/beeline/tele2 list.

Priority of the network:

- B Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Preferred type of network select 4G (preferably 5G (if maintained).

- If the signal is weak, try to turn on only 3G — Sometimes it stabilizes the connection.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:

- B Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally, enable Intelligent Switching – the phone will automatically switch to mobile Internet with weak Wi-Fi.

To eliminate lags in online games, turn off the Wi-Fi Assistant (it can switch the network without warning).

⚠️ Note: If you use Redmi with Chinese firmware (China) ROM), Some mobile network features may be limited due to lack of Google certification, and installation of the Google Framework through Google Installer will help).

For Redmi owners with support 5G (Like Redmi. K50 Note 12 5G): If the internet speed is lower than expected, check if it is turned on. 5G SA (autonomous mode) in settings SIM-Without it, the phone can only use the cards. 5G NSA, slow-moving.

Camera: Hidden functions and optimization of shooting

The cameras in Redmi are often underrated — many users are unaware of hidden modes and settings that can significantly improve photo quality.+ There is a Pro Mode with manual shutter speed settings and ISO, Redmi 10 can also activate Ultra Wide Angle in video.

Here is what you need to set up first:

• 📸 Resolution and format: C Camera settings → Select the maximum resolution (usually) 108 MP 64 For video, play it on. 4K@30fps or 1080p@60fps depending on the task.
• 🌃 Night mode: In MIUI 14+ night mode works automatically, but it can be forced to turn on by holding your finger on the camera screen and selecting the moon icon.
• 🔍 Macro Mode: Switch to macrolens for small objects (available on module models) 2 The distance to the object must be 2-4 centimeter.
• 🎥 Video Stabilization: Include Ultra Steady in your video settings – this will reduce shaking when shooting with your hand.

To improve the quality of the photo manually:

1. Open the Camera app.


2. Go to Pro mode (if any).




3. Set the ISO at 100-400 (for daylight) or 800-1600 (for twilight).




4. Select shutter speed 1/1000c for moving objects or 1/30c for static scenes.




5. adjust the white balance to the light source (for example, "Cloud" for cloudy weather).

A unique feature for the Redmi Note 11 Pro and newer: in Document mode (in the camera menu), you can scan text with automatic recognition and translation. The function works offline and supports Russian, English and Chinese languages.

Security and privacy: protecting data

Xiaomi is often criticized for collecting data, but in the latest versions MIUI We've got privacy tools, and this is what we need to do to minimize the risk:

1. Turn off the collection of diagnostics:

- Go to Settings. → The phone. → All parameters. → Send an error report and disable the option.

- B Settings → Confidentiality → Special permits → Display on top of other windows disable this permission for Mi Analytics.

2. Set up permissions for applications:

- B Settings → Confidentiality → Permissions check which apps have access to Location, Microphone and Camera.

- For social media (for example, VK or TikTok) Only access the location while using.

3. Protection against malware:

- Enable Google Play Protect in Settings → Google → Security.

- B Settings → Annexes → Special access → Install unknown applications disable installation APK from unreliable sources (e.g. from a browser).

💡

If you sell or transfer your Redmi to another person, it's not enough to just reset your settings. MIUI There are traces of your Mi Account that can be restored.Be sure to log out of your Mi Account before resetting. → Accounts. → Mi Account → Get out and untie the device.

For additional protection, enable Application Blocking (Settings) → Confidentiality → This will hide selected applications (for example, banking or instant messengers) for the sake of PIN-fingerprint.

Additional: Hidden functions and life hacks for advanced

If you have already mastered the basic settings, it is time to get acquainted with the "advanced" chips MIUI, These features are not documented, but can greatly improve the experience.

1. The hidden mode of the developer:

- Activated by 7-fold pressing on the version MIUI In Settings → The phone.

- In the developer menu (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers, turn on:

- Debugging by USB (necessary ADB).

Do not turn off the screen while charging (useful for presentations).

- GPU-Acceleration (improving performance in games).

Parallel annexes:

Allows you to create a second account for messengers (for example, two WhatsApp or Telegram).

- Included in Settings → Annexes → Parallel annexes.

It does not work with all programs, but it supports most popular services.

3. Game Turbo:

- A mode for gamers that blocks notifications and optimizes performance.

- Swipe on the left edge of the screen in games or through Settings → Special facilities → Game Turbo.

- In the settings of the mode can be limited FPS battery-saving.

Change of font and animations:

- B Settings → Display. → You can select alternative fonts (e.g. San Francisco for iOS style).

- The speed of animations changes in the developer menu: install Windows animation, transition animation and the duration of the animator on the screen. 0.5x speed up the interface.

💡

Use the "Second Space" mode (Settings) → Special facilities → Second Space, to create a separate work profile with its own apps and settings, is useful for sharing personal and work data on a single device.

For the most experienced users: if you lack functionality MIUI, You can install alternative firmware, for example, Xiaomi.eu (without advertising and with advanced settings) or LineageOS (pure Android).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions