Xiaomi’s Pad 5, Pad 6 and their modifications combine the performance of flagship smartphones with the convenience of a large screen. MIUI On smartphones, you might get confused when you first turn on your tablet, which has a different management logic, advanced multitasking features, and unique firmware chips. This article will not just list the buttons on the menu, but teach you how to use all the features of the device effectively: From basic settings to hidden modes, which even official instructions are silent about.
We’ll learn how to personalize the interface for your tasks (work, study, entertainment), customize multitasking for productivity, optimize battery and performance, and solve typical problems from sensor glitches to application conflicts.
First Installing and Basic Setup
When you first turn on a Xiaomi tablet, the system will offer you to go through the Initial Customization Wizard, where it is important to take your time and choose the right key settings that will be difficult to change later, for example, the region of the device affects the available services (including Google Play), and the Mi Account links the tablet to the Xiaomi ecosystem, without which cloud backup, device search and synchronization of notes will not work.
If you bought a tablet in China or on AliExpress, pay attention to the firmware version: global (MIUI Global) and Chinese (MIUI China is not only a language, but also a set of pre-installed apps. The Chinese version can block Google Services, and the global version can limit some features to the Chinese market. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
- 📱 Language and region choice: Install Russia or Global if you want to avoid Google Play issues. China region blocks many Western services.
- 🔑 Mi Account: Create it even if you don’t plan to use the cloud – you’ll need it to unlock the bootloader and updates.
- 🛡️ Data Protection: Enable Device Encryption in Security Settings if you store sensitive information.
- 🔄 Backup: Connect Google Drive or Mi Cloud to automatically save settings and apps.
⚠️ Note: If you have chosen Chinese firmware, installing Google Services will require manual intervention (via Google). ADB This can lead to loss of warranty.
Gesture management and navigation in MIUI for Pad
Interface. MIUI For Pad is optimized for larger screens, but its logic is different from smartphones. There is no classic three-button navigation bar, instead it uses gestures that you can customize. For example, swipe from the bottom up returns to the main screen, and swipe from the bottom and hold opens the panel of recent applications (analogue Recents on Android).
To change the navigation style:
- Go to Settings. → Display. → Navigation through the system.
- Choose between Gestures (recommended) and Buttons (for those who are used to the old interface).
- In the Additional gesture settings section, you can turn off random swipes at the edges of the screen.
- 👆 Back to the main screen: Swipe from bottom up from bottom edge.
- 🔙 Back: Swipe to the right or left of the edge of the screen (configurable).
- 📱 Multitasking: Swipe from the bottom up and hold on to open recent apps.
- ⚡ Quick Start: Double tap on the lock screen to enable (configured in Settings) → Lock screen).
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If gestures are not working smoothly, check the sensor sensitivity in Settings. → Display. → Touch sensitivity.For the Xiaomi Smart Pen stylus, there's a separate pen sensitivity setting
Multitasking and Desktop Mode
One of the key benefits of Xiaomi tablets is that it supports full multitasking, which means you can open apps in window mode (like on a PC), split the screen in two, or even run Desktop Mode, a full desktop with mouse and keyboard support, which is especially useful for document management, programming, or remote access.
To activate Desktop Mode:
- Connect the tablet to the keyboard and mouse through USB-C Bluetooth.
- Deploy the notification bar and click on the Desktop Mode icon (if not, turn it on to Settings). → Special facilities → Desktop mode).
- The interface will change to PC-like with Start menu, taskbar and support for drag and drop windows.
| Function | How to turn it on | What do you need? |
|---|---|---|
| Split screen | Open Recent Apps, hold the app icon and drag to the top or bottom of the screen. | Simultaneous work with two applications (for example, Word) + browser). |
| Floating windows | In recent apps, hold the icon and select Free Window. | Mini windows for messengers or calculators on top of other applications. |
| Desktop Mode | Through the notification panel or settings → Special facilities. | Full desktop with mouse/keyboard support. |
| Hot corners | Set up in Settings → Extended functions → Hot corners. | Quickly launch applications swipe from the corners of the screen. |
⚠️ Note: In Desktop Mode, some mobile apps (such as Instagram or TikTok) may not display correctly.
Establish the sensitivity of gestures|Enable split screen in settings|Set up hot corners for quick access|Check the compatibility of applications with Desktop Mode-->
Working with the stylus Xiaomi Smart Pen
The Xiaomi Smart Pen (or Xiaomi Smart Pen 2 for the Pad 6 Pro) makes the tablet a full-fledged tool for drawing, summarizing or annotating documents. However, by default, many of its functions are disabled, for example, double-tapping the stylus button can start a screenshot or open notes, and pressing and holding can activate the eraser in graphic editors.
To tune the stylus:
- Connect it to the tablet via Bluetooth (if it’s a Smart Pen 2) or just touch the screen (for Smart Pen 1).
- Go to Settings. → Connected devices → Xiaomi Smart Pen.
- Set up actions for the stylus button (such as Screenshot or Note Launch).
- Turn on palm deflection to avoid accidental touches when drawing.
- ✏️ Slope sensitivity: Adjustable in stylus settings (important for artists).
- 🖌️ Replacement tip: Included are spare tips - change them every time 3-6 months.
- 🔋 Charging: Smart Pen 2 charges magnetically from the tablet, Smart Pen 1 runs on battery AAA.
- 📝 Note apps: Recommended Xiaomi Notes (built-in) or Nebo (with text recognition support).
How to verify the authenticity of Xiaomi Smart Pen?
Optimizing performance and battery
Xiaomi tablets on Snapdragon processors 860/870/8+ Gen 1 powerful, but without the right settings can warm up or discharge quickly. The main resource eaters are background processes, interface animations and unoptimized applications. For example, Facebook or TikTok in the background can eat up to a point. 20% charge in an hour.
To extend the working hours:
- 🔋 Battery Mode: Enable Ultra Mode in Settings → Battery (limits background activity).
- ⚡ Fast charging: Use the original power supply 33W/67W — Third-party can slow down charging.
- 🌡️ Overheating: At temperatures above 40°C Turn off charging and close resource-intensive applications.
- 🗑️ Cache Cleanup: Clean the cache regularly in Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
To improve productivity:
- Turn off animations: go to Settings → About the phone, 5 times click on the version MIUI, Then in the Developer Settings, install Windows Animation = 0.5x.
- Turn it on. GPU Turbo in Settings → Special facilities → Acceleration GPU (Improves graphics in games).
- Use Game Mode to prioritize resources in games (includes a swipe from the top edge of the game).
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Disabling background activity for social media can increase battery life on the 30-40%.
Connecting peripherals: keyboards, mice, monitors
Xiaomi Pad supports external devices via USB-C But not all accessories work out of the box — sometimes manually setup is required. For example, Microsoft or Logitech wireless keyboards may need additional drivers, and the connection to the monitor through a computer. HDMI Maybe only with an adapter. USB-C to HDMI (not in all models).
List of supported connections:
- 🖱️ Mouse/keyboard: Any Bluetooth devices or wired via USB-C (need OTG-adapter).
- 🖥️ Monitor/TV: Through USB-C to HDMI (Pad only 6 Pro supports the conclusion 4K@60Hz).
- 💾 Flash drives/discs: Through OTG-adapter (formats) FAT32, exFAT, NTFS).
- 🎮 Gamepads: Xbox, PlayStation or 8BitDo plug in.
⚠️ Note: When connecting to the monitor through HDMI The tablet may not support sound over the cable. Use Bluetooth speakers or headphones.
To set up an external monitor:
- Connect the USB-C to HDMI adapter to the tablet.
- In the notification panel, the option Second screen will appear – select Duplicate or Expand mode.
- If the image does not appear, check permission support: Pad 5 — before 2K@60Hz, Pad 6 Pro - before 4K@30Hz.
Typical problem solving
Even the most reliable devices sometimes get buggy. Xiaomi tablets most often have sensor problems (especially when using protective glasses), accidental reboots or application conflicts. Below are proven solutions for situations.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor doesn't respond to touch | Screen contamination, incompatible security glass, software failure. | Clean the screen with alcohol, remove the glass, reboot the tablet. If it doesn't work, reset the settings (Settings) → Recovery and discharge). |
| Fast battery discharge | Background processes, high brightness, old applications. | Enable Ultra Battery Mode, Update Apps, Check Settings → Battery → Use of the. |
| The stylus doesn't work. | Unloaded, unconjugated, Bluetooth malfunction. | Charge the stylus (for Smart Pen 2), reconnect to Settings → Bluetooth, update the firmware of the tablet. |
| Apps fly out | Lack of memory, conflict of versions, viruses. | Clear the app cache, update it, check for viruses (Google Play Protect). |
If the tablet is not switched on:
- Connect to charging for 30 minutes - the battery may have completely drained.
- Press the Power button + Volume up for 10 seconds for a forced reboot.
- If it doesn’t help, try logging in to Fastboot (Food). + Volume down) and perform reset via Recovery.
What to do if the tablet is stuck on the logo MI? It could be because of a broken firmware.
Hidden functions and life hacks
In the firmware MIUI For Pad, there are hidden features that are not even talked about in official manuals, such as reading mode with a blue light filter can be set on a schedule, and scrolling screenshots allow you to capture entire web pages. Another useful feature is parallel applications (cloning messengers for several accounts).
- 📖 Reading Mode: Included in Settings → Display. → Read mode. You can set automatic on time.
- 📸 Scrolling Screenshots: Take a regular screenshot, then click on the thumbnail in the corner and select Scrolling.
- 👥 Parallel Appendices: Include in Settings → Annexes → Parallel applications (e.g. two Telegram or WhatsApp).
- 🔊 Monosound: Include in Settings → Special facilities → Monosound for comfortable listening with one headphone.
- 🔒 Hidden folders: In the Gallery or Files, you can create a folder with a password (swipe down) → Hidden albums).
For customization enthusiasts:
- Install a launcher like Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher to change icons and animations.
- Use Tasker or MacroDroid to automate activities (e.g., enable Do Not Disturb Schedule).
- Activate Developer Mode (as described above) to access hidden settings.
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App Vault (swipe left on the home screen) allows you to quickly start frequently used tools: scanner QR, Translator, screen recording and even mini-games.