How to use Xiaomi: from the first inclusion to advanced features

First introduction to the Xiaomi ecosystem

Xiaomi devices have gained popularity due to the combination of affordable prices, modern technologies and wide functionality. However, many users face difficulties when first turning on the gadget – the unusual MIUI interface, the abundance of settings and integration with the Mi Home ecosystem can be confusing.

Whether you’re holding a Redmi Note 12 smartphone, a Mi Band 8 smartwatch, or a Xiaomi Router AX6000 router, the principles of interaction with the brand’s technology are largely universal. We’ll look at basic settings, connecting to a Mi Account, managing notifications, and even fine-tuning performance. We’ll focus on the hidden features of MIUI 14, which the manufacturer does not advertise, but which greatly simplify everyday use.

Signing up for Mi Account: Why it’s Important

Mi Account is the key to all the features of the Xiaomi ecosystem, without it you can’t sync data between devices, use Mi Cloud cloud storage, remotely manage gadgets or receive firmware updates. Registration takes no more than 5 minutes, but many users miss this step, depriving themselves of important features.

To create an account:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account on your device
2. Select “Create an Account” and specify a valid email or phone number
3. Create a strong password (minimum 8 characters with numbers and letters)
4. Confirm registration via SMS or email

After that, your account will be automatically linked to all Xiaomi devices you connect.

⚠️ Warning: If you buy a Xiaomi device with your hands, be sure to check if someone else's Mi Account is attached to it. Otherwise, the previous owner will be able to remotely lock the gadget through the Find Device function. To delete someone else's data, perform a full reset via Settings → About Phone → Reset.

• 🔐 Two-factor authentication: Enable it in your account settings for additional protection
• 📱 Data Sync: Automatically saves contacts, photos and notes in the cloud
• 🔄 Remote control: Allows you to find or block a lost device

Basic setup of Xiaomi smartphone after purchase

The first switch on Xiaomi’s smartphone comes with a customization wizard, but many users miss important steps in their rush to start using the device.

1. Language and Region Selection: Install “Russia” as a Region to ensure Google services and local apps work properly
2. Network setup: Connect to Wi-Fi during the initial setup phase to get system updates right away
3. Data portability: Use Mi Mover to quickly transfer contacts and files from your old phone
4. Disabling unnecessary services: In Settings → Applications → Application Management, you can disable pre-installed programs that you do not plan to use

Pay special attention to setting up application resolution. In MIUI, many programs request geolocation, contacts, and camera access by default, to limit these permissions:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Application Permissions
2. Select a category (such as Camera) and disable access for unnecessary applications
3. For individual programs, you can set the permission "Only during use"

Hidden MIUI features you didn’t know about

The MIUI interface contains many hidden features that make it much easier to use your smartphone, and here are the most useful ones:

• 🔍 Search by Settings: At the top of the Settings menu, there is a search bar – type in a keyword (such as “battery”) to quickly find the desired section.
• 📱 Second Space Mode: Allows you to create a separate work profile with your own applications and data (Settings → Special Features → Second Space)
• 🔋 Ultra-Battery Mode: When activated, disables background application activity, increasing the running time to 20% (Settings → Battery → Battery Mode → Ultra)
• 🎵 Floating player: While listening to music swipe left on the notification panel – there will be a mini-player that can be moved around the screen

One of the most useful features is Game Turbo, which optimizes performance during games, to activate it:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Game Turbo
2. Add the right games to the list
3. Configure the settings: disabling notifications, blocking touch buttons, improving the network

This feature is especially relevant for POCO and Black Shark devices, where performance in games is paramount.

Connecting and configuring Xiaomi smart devices

Xiaomi’s ecosystem includes smart lights, robot vacuum cleaners, sensors and other gadgets, and uses the Mi Home app to manage them, a process that is standard for most devices:

1. Install Mi Home from Google Play or AppGallery
2. Sign up or sign in to your Mi Account
3. Press + in the upper right corner and select Add Device
4. Follow the instructions on the screen – it is usually required to turn the device on and bring the phone closer to automatically connect.

Once connected, the devices appear in the main menu of the app.

• 💡 Configure automation scenarios (e.g., turning on the lamp while driving)
• 📊 View usage statistics (for a robot vacuum cleaner – cleaning map)
• 🔄 Update the firmware of devices
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Set up shared access for family members

⚠️ Warning: When connecting Xiaomi smart devices to Russian networks, you may experience server problems. If the gadget does not connect, try:

1. Change the region in the Mi Home profile to "Russia"
2. Use VPNs with servers in China or Singapore
3. Update the device’s firmware through alternative methods (e.g., Mi Home on Android with a changed region)

Optimizing performance and battery

Xiaomi smartphones are known for their performance, but over time, many users notice a slowdown, the main reasons are filled memory, background processes and outdated firmware.

• 🧹 Cache Cleanup: Regularly clean the app cache through Settings → Storage → Cleanup
• ⚡ Disable Autoboot: In Settings → Applications → Autoboot Disable Unnecessary Programs
• 🔄 Software Update: Check for Updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update
• 🔋 Battery calibration: Once every 2-3 month, fully discharge and charge the phone to 100%

For advanced users, additional settings are available through the developer mode:

1. Activate the mode (as described in the spoiler above)
2. In the section For developers, turn off or reduce window animation (Animation Scale = 0.5x)
3. Limit the background processes (process limitation → process maximum 2)
4. Enable GPU- Acceleration for a smoother interface

💡

If your Xiaomi smartphone is getting hot, check the processor in the CPU Monitor app. Often the cause of overheating is background activity of applications or a faulty battery.

Solving common problems

Even the most reliable devices sometimes fail, and here are the solutions to typical Xiaomi hardware problems:

⚠️ Warning: If your Xiaomi smartphone has stopped working normally after the upgrade (permanent reboots, application errors), reset to factory settings via Settings → About phone → Reset. Before that, be sure to back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

💡

Most of the problems with Xiaomi equipment are solved by rebooting the device or resetting the network settings. Before you carry the gadget to the service center, try these simple methods.

Security and confidentiality

Xiaomi devices are regularly discussed about data collection, and even though the company claims to be complying with privacy standards, many users prefer to restrict the transfer of information.

1. Disable Diagnostics Collection: Go to Settings → About Phone → User Reviews and Turn Off the Option
2. Advertising Restriction: In Settings → Privacy → Advertising Services Turn Off Personalized Advertising
3. Permissions Management: Regularly check which apps have access to your data in Settings → Privacy → App Permissions
4. Device Encryption: Activate in Settings → Additional → Encryption and credentials

For additional protection, it is recommended:

• 🔒 Use application locking through Settings → Privacy → Application locking
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (e.g. Avast or Kaspersky)
• 🔄 Regularly update firmware and applications
• 📱 Set up remote control via Find Device in case of phone loss

⚠️ Warning: When you buy Xiaomi devices from unofficial stores, you may be at risk of getting a gadget with spyware preinstalled. Always check your device through VirusTotal or similar services after you first set up, especially for devices purchased in the secondary market.

Frequently asked questions