A modern smartphone is not just a phone, but a powerful handheld computer, and Xiaomi models are among the most popular in the segment. However, when you first pick up a device with a MIUI or HyperOS shell, you may be confused by the abundance of settings and differences from standard Android.
In this article, we’ll cover all aspects of interface interaction, from basic navigation to advanced power management tools, and learn how to customize your system to make it work quickly, safely and conveniently for you.
To start with, it’s worth understanding basic navigation, as it shapes the entire experience of interacting with the device. Unlike older models, modern Xiaomi smartphones offer flexible screen controls. You can use the classic three buttons at the bottom of the screen or move to more modern gesture management.
To change the way you navigate, go to Settings → Settings → System Navigation. There are three options available: buttons, gestures and hidden buttons. Gestures allow you to use the entire screen area by removing the bottom panel, which is especially true for devices with a notch or hole in the display.
- 📱 Swipe from bottom up – returns to the main screen from any application.
- ⬅️ Swipe on the left or right performs the action "Back».
- 🛑 Swipe from the bottom with a delay - opens the menu of running applications (multi-tasking).
Once you've mastered the basic movements, you'll be able to speed up the interface, and don't underestimate the importance of getting used to new patterns of behavior, because it directly affects the speed of typing and switching between programs.
⚠️ Note: When switching to gesture control, the back menu area may conflict with some application interface elements. If you notice that you can't press the button in the corner of the screen, temporarily return to the button navigation or swipe from the opposite side.
Once you turn on the new device, the system will prompt you to log in to your Mi Account, which is similar to Google Account, but designed specifically for the Xiaomi ecosystem, and allows you to access cloud storage, Find Device, and sync contacts.
Registration takes only a few minutes and requires a phone number or email. Without an account binding, some system features, such as Mi Cloud and the theme, will be unavailable or limited, and it is a necessary step to activate warranty and gain advanced support.
It is important to distinguish between Google and MIUI accounts. The first is necessary for installing apps from the Play Market, syncing email and YouTube; the second is responsible for running the manufacturer's branded services; for a full experience, it is recommended to use both.
- 🔒 Security: Account allows you to remotely lock your phone when you steal.
- ☁️ Backup: Save settings and data to the cloud.
- 🎨 Personalization: Access to the theme and font store.
Ignoring this stage can lead to the fact that if you lose your device, you will not be able to prove your rights to it through the service center, and without an account, you will not be able to fully work the Second Space function.
⚠️ Warning: Never buy a used Xiaomi phone unless the previous owner untie the device from his Mi Account, otherwise you will face activation lock and will not be able to use the phone.
☑️ Account security check
One of the most powerful features of the shell is Second Space, which allows you to create a completely isolated environment on one device, just like you have two different phones, which is ideal for separating work and personal life, or for handing the phone to children.
Switching between spaces is instantaneous through a special shortcut in the notification curtain or by fingerprint (if you set different fingers for different profiles), each space has its own applications, gallery, contacts and settings.
To activate, go to Settings → Second Space → Enable. The system will create a clean desktop. You can transfer files between spaces through the built-in Explorer, but the applications will have to be installed separately in each profile.
- 👶 Child Mode: Restricting access to payment systems and adult websites.
- 💼 Work Profile: Disabling notifications from personal messengers during business hours.
- 🎭 Anonymity: Hiding personal photos and correspondence from prying eyes.
Using a second space also helps to keep the core system running, and if you're testing questionable applications, it's best to do so in an isolated environment so that viruses don't affect the underlying data.
How to hide the entrance to the second space?
Energy efficiency is a sore topic for many Android users, but Xiaomi devices have powerful battery control tools that aggressively kill background processes, sometimes preventing notifications but saving power.
To make important apps (such as messengers or alarm clocks) always work in the background, you need to set them manually. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, select the one you want, then Save charge and select No restrictions.
Also worth paying attention to is memory optimization. There is a cleaning tool in the Security section, but it shouldn't be abused. Modern versions of Android manage RAM efficiently themselves, and constant forced cleaning can even slow down the launch of applications.
| Mode of work | Description | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| Classical. | Standard operation of all services | Normal. |
| Savings | Limitation of background activity | 15-20% decrease |
| Ultra | Calls and basic functions only | Maximum extension |
| Playing | Priority to the processor and GPU | High consumption |
For maximum nighttime autonomy, turn on Do Not Disturb mode or use the alarm function with automatic power saving, which will allow the phone to stay on while you sleep, even if the background processes start to consume energy.
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Use Super Energy Saving only in critical situations where you can’t recharge your phone right now, and it turns your smartphone into a simple bell ringer, shutting down almost all functions.
MIUI is famous for its customization capabilities, and you can change not only wallpaper, but also fonts, system sounds, app icons, and even unlock animations. Themes offers thousands of options, both free and paid.
For more fine-tuning, use the Themes app. In the Profile section, you can edit components separately, for example, you can leave system icons, but completely change the lock screen to the animated one with widgets.
In devices with AMOLED-It is recommended to use themes with a predominantly black color (True Black), as this physically saves battery power, since the black pixels on such matrices are simply turned off.
Don't forget widgets. You can put not only the clock and the weather on the home screen, but you can also put fast switches, a virus scanner, or a direct link to a contact. A long tap on the empty space of the screen opens the menu for adding widgets.
- 🎨 Fonts: You can download and install any font that supports Cyrillic.
- 🔔 Sounds: Replacing system sounds SMS, call-and-notice.
- 🖼️ Wallpaper: Automatic change of wallpaper on schedule or when the screen is turned on.
Customization makes the interface unique, but don't overload the system with heavy live wallpaper unless you have a flagship model, and it can lead to micro-twitching of the interface and unnecessary energy consumption.