How to set up Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: the complete guide from A to Z

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9

MediaTek Helio G85

5020 mAh

This article will help not only activate the Redmi Note 9, but also adapt it to your own needs as much as possible – from basic configuration after purchase to fine-tuning performance, battery and security. We'll look at both the obvious things (like a Mi Account link) and the hidden things that even the official instructions don't tell you about. MIUI 14 may lose sound in headphones or how to disable annoying advertising in system applications.

If you've just unpacked your smartphone, start with the first partition. If the device is already in use but is "braking" or discharges quickly, go straight to system optimization or battery setup. MIUI 12–14 (including global and European versions).

First Installing and Basic Setup

After removing the smartphone from the box, take your time to turn it on. First check the equipment: the standard set should have a cable. USB Type-C, power supply on 22.5W (If you bought the official version, the paper clip for the tray SIM-The absence of at least one element is an excuse to check the seals and go to the store.

Now you can start setting up:

1. Press the power button for 3-5 seconds until the Redmi logo appears.
2. Choose the language (Russian or English if you plan to use global firmware).
3. Connect to Wi-Fi. Importantly, if the router uses 5 GHz and the smartphone can’t see it, temporarily switch to 2.4 GHz, which is a limitation of the hardware of the Redmi Note 9.
4. Accept the terms of use and set up Mi Account (you can skip it, but then you will lose access to the cloud backup and features like Find Device).

At the stage of setting the lock screen, the system will suggest choosing between Pattern, PIN and Password, the best option is a PIN of 6 digits: it is more reliable than the pattern (which can be peeked from the tracks on the screen) and more convenient than a full password. Avoid simple combinations like 123456 or dates of birth – they are easy to crack. ADB.

Once authorized, the system will offer to restore data from the backup. If you are switching from another Xiaomi smartphone, select Restore from Mi Cloud. For other brands, the option to Clone data will suit (you will need to install the Mi Mover application on your old phone). Do not restore the backup from Android 10 on MIUI 14 – This can cause camera and sensor malfunctions.

Installation SIM-maps and mobile network setting

Redmi Note 9 supports two nano-SIM cards (4FF) one SIM + microSD card up to 512GB. The tray is on the left end -- remove it with a paper clip from the kit. Install. SIM-cards with metal contacts down, otherwise the smartphone will not recognize them.

After installing the cards, go to Settings → SIM-Maps and mobile networks and follow the following steps:

• 📶 Network priority: select 4G (preferably) if the coating 4G weak, enable Volte option for clearer communication.
• 🔄 Data Switching: Activate Automatic Data Switching if you use two SIM-This will allow the second card to connect to the Internet when the first card is not available.
• 📞 Caller Identification: Turn off Spam Definition if you notice delays when incoming calls (the feature works through Xiaomi’s cloud and can slow down).

If your smartphone is not catching the network or only shows emergency calls, check:

1. Correct installation SIM-Cards (reboot the device after checking).
2. Settings APN: Go to Settings. → SIM-map → [choose SIM] → Access points (APN) And compare the parameters with your operator's data. APN internet.mts.ru.
3. Firmware Update: Sometimes network problems are solved after installing the latest version MIUI.

For owners of Redmi Note 9 Pro (model with Snapdragon) 720G) Dual function is available 4G — simultaneous SIM-map 4G. On the standard Redmi Note 9, this option is missing due to hardware limitations MediaTek Helio G85.

Setting up branded chips MIUI

MIUI — It's not just an Android shell, it's an ecosystem with unique features, many of which are useful, but some of which are just slowing things down.

Useful functions:

• 🔍 Screen search: scroll down the home screen to quickly find an app or contact. Works even in closed folders.
• 📱 Second Space Mode: Creates a separate work profile with its own applications and data (useful for separating work and personal life) Activated in Settings → Special facilities → Second space.
• 🎵 Sound effects: in Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound effects can be enabled by Stereo speakers (improving sound when watching video) or Adaptive sound (automatically adjusts volume depending on ambient noise).

What's better off?

• 📢 Advertising in MIUI: Go to Settings. → Memory. → Clean up and disable the Recommendations. Then in Settings. → Annexes → Application management → [three-point] → Find the MSa (com.miui.msa.global) and turn off auto-run.
• 🔄 Auto-Update Apps: In Google Play → Settings → Auto-Update apps select Never to avoid unexpected traffic consumption.
• 📊 Statistics collection: c Settings → The phone. → Send feedback disable Send usage data.

Important detail: if after updating to MIUI 14 lost sound in headphones, go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Additionally. → Secure audio and disable this option.This is a well-known bug that Xiaomi has still not fixed in some regional firmware.

Optimizing productivity

Redmi Note 9 is not a flagship, so over time it can start to "brake", especially if you have many applications.

1. Background processes: MIUI aggressively caches applications even when they are not in use.
2. Thermal Trottling: Helio processor G85 heat-up°C automatically reduces productivity.
3. Memory fragmentation: Over time, the internal drive (eMMC 5.1) starts to run slower.

To speed up the smartphone:

1. Turn off auto-run of unnecessary apps: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Auto-run. Leave only messengers and system services.
2. Activate Performance Mode in Settings → Special facilities → Optimize for gaming. This will turn off background activity and increase the clock speed of the processor.
3. Perform a deep cache cleanup: in Settings → Memory. → Clean Up Press Deep Cleanup and select Clean Up Unnecessary Files.
4. Disable UI Animation (for power users): Adb shell settings put global window_animation_scale 0.5 adb shell settings put global transition_animation_scale 0.5 adb shell settings put global animator_duration_scale 0.5 This requires a connection to the PC and enabled Debugging mode. USB.

If your smartphone is hot during games, try:

• 🎮 Set a limit FPS: In Settings → Display. → Screen refresh rate select 60 Hz instead of 90 Hz (if available).
• ❄️ Use a cooling stand or remove the cover during intense loads.
• 🔋 Close all background apps before launching the game (via Recent Apps) → Close it all down).

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If the game is constantly crashing, try to turn on compatibility mode: in Settings → Annexes → Application management → [select the game] → Compatibility activate the option to run in safe mode.

Maximum battery life

The 5020 mAh battery in the Redmi Note 9 should provide 1.5-2 days of operation, but in practice many users face a rapid discharge.

• 📡 Constantly active Wi-Fi or mobile Internet in the background.
• 📍 Geolocation services (especially Google Maps and Yandex.Navigator).
• 🔄 Autosynchronization of email, contacts and social networks.
• 🎮 High graphics games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).

To extend the working hours:

1. Activate Ultra Battery Mode in Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery modes. This will turn off background activity and limit performance, but add up to 20 percent of the time.
2. Set up Adaptive Charging: in Settings → Battery and productivity → Extra: Enable Optimized Charging, which will slow battery wear and tear, limiting charge to 80% at night.
3. Turn off Permanent Network Search for Wi-Fi and Mobile Data: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Searching for a network in sleep mode → Never.
4. Use a dark theme: in Settings → Display. → Select Dark Theme Always Turn On. AMOLED-This saves up to 15% of the charge, but even on the screen. IPS (Like the Redmi Note 9, it increases 5-7%.

If the battery is running out too quickly (e.g. 1% per minute in standby mode), check:

1. Battery status: Type ##4636## in the dialer, select Battery Information and compare Health Level to Normal (90% or higher – good, 80-89% – need replacement).
2. Background activity: C Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery use: See which apps use the most energy, like Facebook or TikTok, they can eat up to 30 percent of their charge a day.

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If the smartphone does not hold a charge even after optimization, try to calibrate the battery: completely discharge the device before turning off, then charge to 100% without interruptions. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times.

Security and confidentiality

Xiaomi is often criticized for collecting user data, but most spyware features can be manually disabled.

1. Set the application lock: in Settings → Annexes → Blocking apps, add messengers, banking apps and a gallery. Unlocking will require PIN or fingerprint input.
2. Set up Find Device: in Settings → Mi Account → Find Device activate the option, which will allow you to remotely lock your smartphone or erase data in the event of theft.
3. Turn off Personalized Recommendations: C Settings → Confidentiality → Advertising deactivate all switches.

For advanced users:

• 🔒 Encryption of the device: in Settings → The phone. → Warning: it takes up to 1 hour, and once encrypted, resetting the settings to the factory will result in the loss of all data!
• 🚫 Disabling system applications: using ADB You can remove unnecessary Xiaomi services, for example: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.ab A complete list of safe packets to remove can be found on the forum 4PDA.

If you suspect that spyware is installed on your smartphone, check:

1. List of device administrators: Settings → Passwords and security → Device administrators: Unknown applications with administrator rights are cause for concern.
2. Active Connections: C Settings → Connections and sharing → Data usage see which apps transmit data in the background.

Updating the firmware and restoring the system

Regular updates MIUI They fix bugs, add new features and improve security, but sometimes updates bring more problems than good, such as after updating to a new security system. MIUI 14 Some users have experienced a network loss bug or spontaneous reboots.

How to update correctly:

1. Check the current firmware version: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Download the latest stable firmware from the official website en.miui.com (select Russia or Global region).
3. Move the firmware file (.zip format) to the root folder of internal memory.
4. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → [three-point] → Select a firmware file and specify the downloaded file.

If after the update, the smartphone hovers on the Redmi logo or cyclically reboots:

• 🔄 Try resetting via Recovery: pinch the power + Volume up for 10 seconds, then select Wipe Data.
• 📥 If the reset does not help, run the device through Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool utility (instructions are on the Fastboot). 4PDA).

Table: Comparison of Update Methods

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Before updating via Recovery or Fastboot, always back up your data via Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup. This will save your photos, contacts and app settings.

Hidden functions and life hacks

The Redmi Note 9 hides a lot of useful features that are not mentioned in the official documentation.

1. Developer Mode and Hidden Settings

Activated through Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times in a row. Then in the Settings menu → You'll see a developer section here:

• 🎛️ Turn on Debugging. USB (necessary ADB).
• 🔄 Disable window animation (Scale of window animation) → 0.5x).
• 📶 Forced activate 4G+ (if the operator supports: Settings → SIM-map → [choose SIM] → Preferred type of network → LTE (preferably).

2.Gesturals and hot keys

• 👆 Double touch to wake up: in Settings → Display. → Screen wake up, turn on Double touch.
• 🔘 Google Assistant button: Press Home button for 1 second to call voice assistant (works even on locked screen).
• 📸 Quick camera start: double-press the Volume Down button (setting in Settings) → Special facilities → Quick camera launch).

3. Traffic savings

B Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [choose SIM] → Traffic savings can limit background data consumption for individual applications. Useful if you have a limited rate.

4. Hidden screen recording mode

Redmi Note 9 has built-in screen recording without notification (as opposed to the standard mode) Activated via the Quick Settings Panel: swipe down from the top edge of the screen and find the Screen Record icon. Attention: sound from the microphone is recorded only if you turn on the corresponding option in the recording settings!

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If you need to hide notifications from a particular app (such as a game), press its icon on the home screen, select App Information. → Notifications and disable the display on the lock screen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up