How to use Xiaomi: from basic setup to hidden features

Xiaomi smartphones have gained popularity due to the combination of powerful hardware, flexible firmware MIUI But even experienced Android users are sometimes lost in the variety of features, hidden settings and brand “chips” of the brand. This article will help you understand how to use Xiaomi devices correctly, from the first onset to the fine optimization of the system.

We're not going to list the obvious things like "how to turn on your phone" or "how to install an app," but instead focus on the unique features. MIUI, The ones that make Xiaomi stand out from other Android devices: gestures, hidden menus, battery optimization, dual-app work, and more. We will focus on typical beginner errors that lead to brakes, quick discharge or data loss.

If you have just unpacked a new Redmi, POCO Or the flagship Xiaomi 14, or you've been using it for a long time, but you want to unlock 100 percent of its potential, which is the guide for you.

First Entry and Initial Setup

When you first turn on a Xiaomi smartphone, it offers a quick setup process, where many users make mistakes that they have to manually fix.

1. Language and region choice: Install Russia or Ukraine (depending on your location), even if you plan to use the English interface, this affects the availability of Xiaomi branded services such as Mi Cloud or Mi Video. If you choose China, for example, some features may not work properly.

2. Wi-Fi connection. At this point, the system may suggest updating the firmware. If you have a global firmware model (the "Global" designation in the title), never agree to an update via "Regional Packages" - this may result in some features being blocked. Better skip this step and update later manually through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

• 🔄 Data recovery: If you had a previous Xiaomi smartphone, you can restore settings and files via Mi Cloud or local backup. But remember: transferring data from a Samsung or iPhone often leads to conflicts in your home. MIUI.
• 👤 Create a Mi Account: without it, sync, cloud storage and some system functions will not work. If you already have an account, log in. If not, sign up, but use a real email (then useful to unlock the bootloader).
• 🔒 Set-up lockdown: MIUI choose PIN, A pattern lock or a fingerprint, for maximum security, we recommend a combination PIN + Avoid the pattern lock, it's easy to peek.

⚠️ Warning: If you buy Xiaomi with your hands, make sure to complete a full reset via Settings before setting up → Additionally. → Recovery and reset: Otherwise, the previous owner may access your data through the linked Mi Account.

Interface. MIUI: gestures, panels and hidden menus

Firmware MIUI It's very different from pure Android, and it scares newcomers, and we'll take a look at the basic controls that make it easier to work with Xiaomi, if you know how to use them.

Navigational gestures in MIUI adjusting to the settings → Display. → Navigation panel. There are three modes:

• 📱 Buttons are the classic three buttons (back, home, recent) for those who are used to the old Android.
• 👆 Gestures MIUI — swipe up to return to the main screen, swipe sideways back.
• 🔄 Full-screen gestures, like the iPhone: swipe from the bottom to get home, swipe and hold for multitasking. It's addictive, but it frees up space on the screen.

One of the most useful innovations of the latest versions MIUI — sidebar (Settings) → Special facilities → Sidebars allow you to quickly run your favorite apps or tools (flashlight, calculator, screenshot) swipe from the edge of the screen. This is especially convenient on large smartphones like Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5 Pro.

Another feature is the hidden menu of engineering settings, and to open it, type the combination in the Phone app:

##4636##

You can check battery information, network information, use display and speaker tests, and be careful that changing the settings in this menu can cause the phone to run in an unstable way.

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To quickly open the notification bar with one hand, swipe down the left or right edge of the top of the screen. MIUI This works even on a locked phone (if the appropriate setting is enabled).

Battery Optimization: How to Extend Your Time

One of the most common complaints about Xiaomi is the fast battery drain, and in most cases, the problem is not the hardware, but the wrong settings. MIUI. Let’s figure out how to set up the phone so that it works longer without recharging.

The first thing you need to do is turn off unnecessary background processes.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select AutoRun and disable it for all applications except instant messengers and system services.
3. In the Battery and Productivity section → Select Battery Mode Setting Balanced (not Performance»!).

The second is synchronization. MIUI It's the default to constantly sync data to Mi Cloud, Google and other services to reduce battery consumption:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic sync for unnecessary accounts in Settings → Accounts and synchronization.
• 📧 In email settings (Mail or Gmail), set manual email check mode instead of “Push notifications».
• 📍 Turn off Permanent Location Determination in Settings → Location → Mode, by selecting only upon request.

⚠️ Warning: If the battery is still running out too quickly after optimisation, check the battery status in the engineering menu (#4636## → If the battery is below 80%, it is time to replace it.

Double Apps and Second Space: How to Separate Work and Personal Life

One of the unique functions MIUI — The ability to create dual apps (clones) and a second space (completely isolated profile) is useful if you want to separate work and personal accounts or use two accounts in the same messenger (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).

How to create a double application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
2. Select the application from the list (not all programs are available).
3. Click Create - a second icon marked Double will appear on the main screen.

Note that dual applications take up extra memory space and can slightly increase battery consumption. Don't create clones for all programs in a row.

The second space is a more advanced feature, which allows you to create a completely separate profile with your apps, settings and data, so you can activate it.

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Click Create and follow the instructions.
3. Set a password or fingerprint to switch between spaces.

Switch between spaces can be swiped by the profile icon in the notification panel or through Settings → Second space.

Xiaomi Camera: Hidden Features and Professional Modes

The cameras in Xiaomi smartphones are known for their rich functionality, but many users use only basic modes. Meanwhile, the camera app hides tools that allow you to take photos at the level of SLR cameras.

Professional Mode (Pro) is Xiaomi's top camera trump card, and you can manually configure:

• 📸 Excerpt (from) 1/4000 before 32 Seconds – useful for shooting night scenes or light trails.
• 🎯 Focus (manual focusing) – allows you to control exactly which object will be in focus.
• 🌡️ White balance – corrects color distortions in unusual lighting.
• 📏 ISO (Light sensitivity – increased light sensitivity ISO It helps to shoot in the dark, but adds noise.

For difficult shooting, use Night mode. In the latest models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) It supports exposure for up to 6 seconds, allowing you to get detailed footage even with minimal lighting.

Another useful feature is the Document (in the camera mode menu), which automatically aligns perspective and improves clarity when photographing text or documents, and is convenient for creating scans without distortion.

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To quickly switch between the main and front camera, double-click on the volume button (if this feature is enabled in the camera settings). → Quick keys).

Security and privacy: how to protect your data

MIUI It's often criticized for collecting data, but in recent versions, Xiaomi has added more privacy controls, and let's figure out how to set up a phone to minimize the risk of data leakage.

1. Disabling unnecessary permits:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Application authorizations.
• View the permission list (camera, microphone, location) and disable them for apps that don’t need them.
• Pay attention to AutoRun permission – it should be left only for instant messengers and system applications.

Set up Mi Cloud:

By default. MIUI It synchronizes all the data, including call history, messages and even voice recorder records, to limit that:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn off sync for unnecessary categories (such as Notes or Calls).
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication for additional account protection.

Annex lock:

If you give your phone to other people but don’t want them to see certain apps (such as banking or instant messengers), use the Block Apps feature:

1. Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Application lockdown.
2. Select the apps you want to hide and set a password.

⚠️ Note: If you sell or transfer your Xiaomi to another person, it is not enough to simply reset your settings. → Xiaomi account → Get out, otherwise the new owner will be able to recover your data!

Firmware Update: How to Do It Right and Without Risk

Regular firmware updates MIUI They bring new features, bug fixes, and security improvements, but a wrong update can lead to a brick-and-brick phone.

Refreshment methods:

• 🔄 By air (OTA): The easiest way is to go to Settings. → The phone. → Update system and click Check Updates. If the update is available, download and install it. Important: before upgrading, connect your phone to charge and make sure the battery is at least 50 times charged%.
• 📁 Local Update: If OTA does not work, you can download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website and install it manually through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Select a firmware file.
• 🖥️ Through the Mi Flash Tool, this is for power users, and you need it if the phone doesn't turn on or you need to flash it completely. USB and a special utility Mi Flash Tool.

What to do if the update is suspended:

If during the update the phone hangs on the logo MI 20 minutes:

1. Press and hold the power button during 10-15 Seconds to force the device to shut down.
2. Turn the phone on again. If it loads normally, the upgrade was successful.
3. If the phone is getting stuck on the boot, try going into recovery mode (hold power). + Volume up) and select Wipe cache.

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Never interrupt the firmware update process or turn off your phone if the progress bar is on the screen, which can damage system files and cause you to need to completely flash.

Hidden MIUI features you didn’t know about

MIUI It's filled with Easter eggs and hidden possibilities that are not obvious at first glance:

1. One-hand mode:

If you have a large smartphone (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5 Pro, you can reduce the size of the interface for easy one-hand control. activated by swipe on the home button** (in mode with navigation buttons) or in Settings → Display. → One-hand mode.

Quick responses to notifications:

V MIUI You can respond to messages directly from the notification panel without opening the app:

1. Deploy a notification from the messenger (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).
2. Swipe the notification to the left - a field will appear to enter text.

3. Hidden settings of the developer:

To unlock the developer menu, go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times click on the version MIUI. After that, in Settings → You'll see a developer section here:

• 🔧 Enable Debugging on USB (need to be connected to the PC).
• 🎮 Reduce interface animation to speed up work (Window animation scale, Transition animation scale – set Off.).
• 📡 Forced to turn on 4G/5G Instead of automatic network selection.

Hidden recorder:

V MIUI There's a built-in voice recorder that can be launched even from a locked screen:

1. Add the Dictaphone widget to the main screen.
2. Press and hold the widget and the recording will begin, even if the phone is locked.

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To quickly turn on the flashlight, double-click on the power button (if this feature is enabled in Settings). → Display. → It works even on a locked phone!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions