How to Set Up Xiaomi Redmi 9 After Buying: The Complete 2026 Guide

You just bought the Xiaomi Redmi 9, one of the most popular budget smartphones with great value for money? Congratulations on your purchase! But before you start using it, the device requires the right initial setup, and it depends not only on the comfort of work, but also on performance, data security and even battery life.

Many users miss important points: they do not optimize power consumption, leave factory security settings by default or do not adjust control gestures. As a result, after a couple of months, the smartphone begins to “brake”, quickly discharge or face privacy problems. This article will help avoid typical errors and reveal the hidden features of MIUI 12/13, which the manufacturer does not advertise in the standard instructions.

We'll take a look at the science settings, from basic settings to advanced tweaks that make your Redmi 9 faster, safer and more convenient, and at the end, you'll find an FAQ that answers the most frequent questions from new owners.

1. First Entry and Basic Setup

When you first turn on the Xiaomi Redmi 9, the system offers you to go through the initial setup process, and it is important to take your time and carefully choose the options - many of which will then have to be changed manually.

At the language selection stage, select Russian (if it is not installed by default). Next, the system will suggest connecting to Wi-Fi - do it immediately, since without the Internet many functions (for example, synchronizing your Mi Account account) will not be available. If there is no suitable network, you can skip this step, but then be sure to return to it in Settings → Wi-Fi.

• 🔄 Data recovery: If you had a previous Android smartphone, you can transfer data via Mi Mover (the app must be pre-installed on your old device.
• 🔒 Creating a Mi Account: Without it, you won’t be able to use Xiaomi’s branded services (such as cloud storage or device search). Registration takes 2 minutes – don’t miss this step.
• 📱 Setting up the lock screen: Select PIN-- code or pattern lock. Fingerprint is configured later in Settings → Lock screen → Fingerprints.

Note the "Personalization" option, where you can immediately disable unnecessary system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) if you don't plan to use them, which will save memory space and reduce background activity.

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If you missed a step on the first turn on, don’t worry – all settings can be changed later in the Settings menu → About Phone → Resetting → Resetting the greeting settings. This will take you back to the initial setup wizard.

2. Optimization of performance and memory

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is equipped with a processor MediaTek Helio G80 and 3/4 GB of RAM (depending on the modification). For the budget segment, these are good characteristics, but without proper optimization, the system can slow down, especially when multitasking.

The first thing to do is to disable the autoload of unnecessary applications. Go to Settings → Applications → Autorun and turn off autoboot for all programs that you use less than 1 time a week. Pay special attention to social networks (Facebook, Instagram) and instant messengers – they actively consume resources in the background.

• 🚀 Enable Performance Mode: Settings → Special facilities → Performance mode. This will speed up animation and reduce delays when opening applications.
• 🧹 Cache Cleanup: Once a week, run the built-in Cleanup utility (a broomstick icon on your desktop). It deletes temporary files and releases up to 1-2 GB space.
• 🔄 Update: Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Update of the system. Update version MIUI It contains error corrections and optimizations for your model.

If you notice a strong lag, try turning off the animation interface.

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in the About Phone menu).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the points Window animation scale, transition animation scale and animation duration – set the value Unplugged or 0.5x.

3. Security and privacy setting

Xiaomi Redmi 9 runs on MIUI, a firmware that collects more data than standard Android. Fortunately, most of the data collection can be turned off without losing functionality.

First of all, go to Settings → Privacy and:

• 🛡️ Disable Personalized Recommendations (this will reduce the amount of advertising in system applications).
• 📍 Turn off Location Data Collection for unnecessary apps (e.g. Mi Browser or Mi Video).
• 🔍 Enable Security Check – This is a built-in antivirus that scans installed apps for threats.

Pay special attention to application permissions. Many programs (especially from Google Play) request access to contacts, SMS or microphone without real need. Check and revoke unnecessary permissions in Settings → Apps → Permissions.

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Account to sync your data, don’t turn off Mi Cloud service completely, which will result in loss of access to backups. Instead, limit sync to only the necessary data (contacts, notes) in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.

4. Optimization of autonomous operation time

The 5020mAh battery in Redmi 9 promises up to 2 days of battery life, but in practice it depends on the settings.

1. Power Saving Mode: Include it in Settings → Battery and Performance → Energy Saving Mode. Choose Balanced – it optimally combines charge savings and performance.

2. Background activity restriction: In the same battery menu, find Background Activity Limitation and turn it on for all applications except instant messengers and mail.

3. Adaptive brightness: Turn it off in Settings → Display → Adaptive brightness and set a fixed value at 50-60%. Automatic adjustment often overstates brightness, consuming charge.

• 🌙 Dark theme: Include it in Settings → Display. → Dark subject. AMOLED-screens (although in Redmi 9 and IPS) This reduces the battery load.
• 📶 Flight mode at night: If you don't use your smartphone to make calls at night, turn on flight mode. This will turn off communication modules that consume energy even in standby.
• 🔋 Vibration Disconnect: Vibromotor is one of the hidden charge eaters. Turn off vibration when typing and notifications in Settings → Sound and vibration.

Enable power saving mode | Turn off adaptive brightness | Set dark theme |Limit background application activity | Turn off vibration when typing-->

⚠️ Note: Do not use "ultra-power saving mode" (Settings) → Battery → Ultra mode is constant. It severely restricts functionality (disables mobile Internet and notifications), and should only be turned on in critical situations when the charge is below 10%.

5. Screen and control setting

Xiaomi Redmi 9 has IPS-resolution-screen 720×1600 frequency 60 Hz. While these aren't flagship specs, the right settings will make the picture clearer and more pleasing to the eye.

First, calibrate the color temperature of the screen:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Color mode.
2. Choose Saturated for bright colors or Standard for natural shades.
3. Activate Reading for a warm glow if you read frequently in the evening.

Now, the management. MIUI supports navigation gestures that are more convenient than the traditional buttons:

• 👆 Swipe up from the bottom edge to return to the main screen.
• 👈 Swipe left to right to return.
• 🔄 Hold your finger at the bottom of the screen to open the latest apps.

To enable gestures, go to Settings → Display → Full-screen mode and select Gestures. If you are uncomfortable, you can go back to the classic buttons in the same menu.

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Navigation gestures save screen space and speed up interaction with your smartphone. According to Xiaomi, users who switch to gestures spend 15% less time navigating the menu.

6. Hidden features and chips MIUI

MIUI contains dozens of hidden features that most users don’t even know about, and here are the most useful ones for Redmi 9:

• 🔍 Screen search: Swipe down the home screen to quickly find an app, contact or setting. works even inside the menu.
• 📁 Dual apps: You can clone messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) for two accounts. → Annexes → Dual annexes.
• 🎵 Musical recognition: There is a “Shazam” button in the notification bar – click it to find out the name of the song playing.
• 📱 Second Space: Creates a separate desktop with other apps and settings (useful for separating work and personal). → Special facilities → Second space.

Another useful feature is the Do Not Disturb mode with flexible settings, such as setting up automatic notifications to be turned off at night or during meetings:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Do not disturb.
2. Select Schedule and set a time (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00).
3. Turn on the option to Automatically Enable for Events and link to the calendar.

For photo enthusiasts, you can use the Document mode in the camera, which automatically aligns perspective when you're shooting text documents or business cards, removing distortions. To find it, open the Camera app, swipe right through the mode list, and select Document.

7. Communication and Internet setting

Redmi 9 supports two SIM-maps 4G-But you need to set up the right setup to keep the mobile Internet running. SIM-data-card:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose. SIM-The card you want to use for the internet.
3. Install a 4G network type (recommended).

If the speed of the Internet leaves much to be desired, try:

• 📶 Change the network mode: Sometimes 3G It works more consistently than 4G, especially in areas with poor surface.
• 🔄 Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting the network settings. This will help if the smartphone can not connect to the network.
• 📡 Disable Automatic Network Selection: Manually select operator in Settings → Mobile network → Network operators.

For Wi-Fi, it is recommended:

• 🔒 Enable Smart Connection in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally, the smartphone will automatically switch to mobile Internet if Wi-Fi is unstable.
• 📶 Disable Wi-Fi Network Search in the background if you want to save battery power.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Redmi 9 abroad, turn off data roaming in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Roaming data to avoid unexpected costs. For the Internet, it's better to use local data. SIM-maps or Wi-Fi.

8. Backup and reset settings

Even if you configure Redmi 9 correctly, there is always a risk of data loss due to a system failure or accidental action.

MIUI has a built-in backup tool:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Choose Local Backup or Backup in Mi Cloud.
3. Tick the data you want to save (contacts, SMS, applications, system settings).
4. Click Create a backup copy.

If your smartphone starts to work unstable (frequent crashes, overheating, errors), you may need to reset to factory settings. Remember, this will delete all data from the device, so pre-backup!

To perform the discharge:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Confirm the action by entering the lock password.

Once reset, the smartphone will go back out of the box, and you'll have to reset the original setup, which is a radical method, but it often helps to get the device back to its original speed.

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Backups in Mi Cloud take up space in cloud storage. 5GB is provided free of charge, but with active use (photos, videos) this may not be enough. Check the occupied space in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Storage and if necessary, clean unnecessary backups.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Xiaomi Redmi 9