What is the name of the shell Xiaomi: we analyze MIUI and its differences from Android

When you buy a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone, the first thing that catches your eye after turning on is a custom interface with bright icons, unique animations and a lot of additional features. Many users wonder what is the name of this shell, which is so different from the usual Android on other devices? The answer is simple – it is MIUI (pronounced “My-Yu-Ii”), but behind this short name hides an entire ecosystem with a long history, regular updates and controversial features.

MIUI is not just a wrapper over Android, but a full-fledged firmware with its own design, optimizations and even unique applications. It has been developed by Xiaomi since 2010 and is used today on tens of millions of devices around the world. However, not everyone knows that MIUI has several versions (global, Chinese, for POCO), each with its own nuances. In this article, we will examine in detail what MIUI is, how it evolved, how it differs from “pure” Android, and why some users love it, and others immediately quizzle for alternative shells.

MIUI is the official name of the Xiaomi shell

MIUI (full name MI User Interface) is a proprietary shell that Xiaomi installs on all its smartphones, tablets and even some smart devices (such as Mi TVs), based on the Android kernel, but so much modified that it resembles a separate operating system in functionality and appearance. The first version of MIUI was released in 2010 and was based on Android 2.2 Froyo — then it was one of the first custom interfaces for smartphones.

Today, MIUI is not only a shell, but also an ecosystem of services: cloud storage Mi Cloud, the Theme Store, the Mi Home app for the smart home, and even its own alternatives to Google services (for example, Mi Browser instead of Chrome). Interestingly, Xiaomi does not just copy the features of competitors, but often introduces innovations of the first one – for example, the Ultra Battery Saver mode (extreme energy saving) or Second Space (sharing user profiles) appeared in MIUI long before similar solutions in Android.

• 📱 Main devices with MIUI: Xiaomi smartphones, Redmi, POCO, Mi Pad tablets, Mi TVs TV.
• 🌍 Regional versions: Global (Global), Chinese (China), Indian (India), European (EEA).
• 🔄 Update frequency: weekly betas for testers, stable releases every 1-2 months.
• 🎨 Unique chips: dynamic wallpapers, Reading Mode 2.0, gestures Full Screen Gestures.

It's important to understand that MIUI is not just a skin over Android, but a deep modification of the system, for example, it redesigns:

• 📁 File Manager with support for cloud services and built-in archiver.
• 🔒 Security settings with antivirus, application lock and Wi-Fi scanner.
• 📊 Task Manager with detailed battery and memory usage statistics.
• 🎵 Music player with support for Hi-Res audio and equalizer.

The evolution of MIUI: from Android 2.2 to Android 14

Over the 13 years of MIUI's existence, MIUI has undergone dramatic changes, both visually and technically: the first versions (MIUI v1-v4) copied the design of iOS, but over time the shell has acquired a unique style.

• MIUI for Xiaomi/Redmi — Classical version with maximum set of functions.
• MIUI for POCO is a lightweight firmware with a focus on performance (formerly called POCO Launcher).

The table below shows the key milestones in MIUI and the respective versions of Android:

Since 2023, Xiaomi has been moving to HyperOS, a new shell that should replace MIUI in the global market. However, at the time of writing (2026), most devices are still receiving MIUI updates. HyperOS is positioned as a lighter and more versatile system, compatible not only with smartphones, but also with smartwatches, TVs and even Xiaomi electric cars.

MIUI vs Android: 7 key differences

Many users who switch from pure Android (like Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy with One UI) to Xiaomi find MIUI behaves very differently, and here are the main differences that are striking:

1. No App Drawer: In MIUI, all app icons are placed on the desktop by default (like iOS), and you can return the panel through the launcher settings, but this is a non-standard behavior for Android.
2. Unique navigation gestures, for example, a swipe from bottom to center opens Control Center (similar to the notification curtain in iOS), rather than a list of the latest apps, as in standard Android.
3. Built-in ad units: Some regional versions of MIUI (especially Chinese) may display banners advertising Xiaomi services in system applications, which can be manually disabled.
4. Advanced battery settings. MIUI allows you to flexibly adjust background activity for each application (for example, disallow auto-start or work in the background).
5. Branded apps. Instead of Google services, they use Mi Browser, Mi Video, Mi Music, and others, and they can be removed or replaced.
6. Themes and personalization: Theme Store has thousands of themes, icons and fonts that change the look of the system beyond recognition.
7. The default "Developers" mode. MIUI Many technical settings (for example, USB-debugging or unlocking OEM) Hidden deeper than standard Android.

One of the most controversial issues is productivity optimization. MIUI aggressively closes the background processes, which can lead to the “unloading” of applications from memory (for example, messengers stop sending notifications). On the other hand, this prolongs battery life. → Battery → Optimizing the battery.

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If your smartphone is slowing down after the MIUI update, try resetting your settings via Settings → About Phone → Resetting. Often this helps to get rid of the “garbage” after the upgrade.

How to find out the version of MIUI on your smartphone

To check which version of the shell is installed on your Xiaomi device, follow the following steps:

Open Settings | Go to About Phone |Look for MIUI |Version Write down the version number (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.5)

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The version number usually consists of three parts:

• Firmware type: Global, China, EEA (Europe) or India.
• The main number is 14.0 (major version).
• Build: e.g..5 or.12.3.0 (minor updates).

If your version is outdated, you can update MIUI in two ways:

1. Through OTA-Update: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → This method is the safest, but updates come with a delay (especially for global versions).
2. Manually through Recovery: 1. Download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website (Downloads section). 2. Rename the file to update.zip And put it in the root of the memory. 3. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Threefold → Select a firmware file. ⚠️ Warning: Manual updates can cause data loss if you choose the wrong version (e.g. Chinese instead of global). → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

MIUI problems and how to solve them

Despite its rich functionality, MIUI is not without its flaws, and here are some of the most common user complaints and ways to address them:

One of the biggest problems is that Google doesn’t have a certification on the Chinese versions of MIUI, which means that these smartphones don’t have a Google Compatibility Test (e.g. Google Pay, Netflix HD).

• 🔄 Reflashing to the global version MIUI (Officially or via Fastboot).
• 🛠️ Installation of Magisk and Universal SafetyNet Fix (requires unlocking the bootloader).
• 📱 Purchase of a device with global firmware "out of the box" (Global marking on the box).

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If you buy Xiaomi abroad (e.g. on AliExpress), check with the seller for the firmware version.The Chinese ROM is often cheaper, but may not support Google services.

Alternatives to MIUI: Should I switch to other shells?

Not everyone likes MIUI — some people think it's overloaded, some people are unhappy with Xiaomi's privacy policy, and some people just don't have the stability, and in these cases, they're looking at alternative firmware.

• 🤖 LineageOS – “clean” Android without unnecessary bells and whistles, but with a minimum set of functions.
• ⚡ Pixel Experience – firmware with the interface and chips of Google Pixel (for example, Now Playing for music recognition).
• 🔧 Havoc-OS - custom firmware with maximum configuration (support for themes, gestures, change status bar).
• 🍎 iOS launchers – if you do not want to be flashed, you can install an iPhone-style launcher (for example, Lawnchair or Nova Launcher).

However, before switching to custom firmware, consider:

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader and installing unofficial firmware will void the warranty and may result in a device blink (completely inoperable). NFC) They may not work properly.

If you are still trying to experiment, here is a step-by-step instruction:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding and a wait of 7-15 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Download the firmware from the official website (for example, LineageOS) and transfer it to your smartphone.
4. Flow through recovery by running Wipe Dalvik/Cache and Format Data.

The future of MIUI: what awaits the shell Xiaomi

With the release of HyperOS in 2023, it became clear that Xiaomi plans to gradually abandon the MIUI brand in favor of a universal ecosystem.

• 🔄 Cross-platform: one system for smartphones, tablets, TVs and smart devices.
• ⚡ Modular: Updates to individual components (drivers, kernels) without complete flashing.
• 🛡️ Secure: Improved application isolation and data protection.
• 🎨 Adaptive: Automatic adjustment of the interface to the screen size (for example, for foldable smartphones).

However, the transition to HyperOS will be gradual, and by 2026 it is planned that:

• 📱 New flagships (Xiaomi 14, Redmi) K70) It will be released immediately with HyperOS.
• 🔄 Older devices (e.g. Xiaomi 12, Redmi Note 11) will get the ability to upgrade from the newest devices MIUI 14.
• 🌍 Global versions of HyperOS will begin to be distributed in the second half of 2026.

If you are the owner of Xiaomi and do not want to lose the usual MIUI, do not rush to upgrade to HyperOS immediately after release.

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HyperOS is not a “MIUI 15” — it’s a fundamentally new system built on a different kernel. Not all MIUI features (like Second Space or Theme Store) can be saved in HyperOS.

FAQ: Frequent questions about MIUI