How to Set Up Xiaomi Phone: Hidden Features and Optimization MIUI

Xiaomi smartphones based on the company shell MIUI They offer hundreds of customizations, from the obvious to the well-hidden, and even power users often miss opportunities that can make using a phone more convenient, faster, or safer. This article is not about basic actions like connecting to Wi-Fi, but about deep customization of the system, optimization of performance and little-known features that distinguish Xiaomi from competitors.

We're going to break down the settings in blocks, from interface and gestures to power management and safety. MIUI 14/15 (It's also the global and Chinese versions, but most of the principles work on older versions. 13 Pro+ Or you want to “pump” your own. POCO F5 — Here you will find answers to questions that are not covered in standard manuals.

1. Interface setup: gestures, themes and animations

Shell MIUI It's known for its flexibility, but many of the features are hidden in the back of the menu, and we'll start with the most notable ones, gesture control and the appearance of the system.

To change the way you navigate, go to Settings. → Display. → Full screen mode. There are three options available:

• 📱 Navigation buttons are the classic three buttons (back, home, recent) for those who are used to the old interface.
• 👆 Gestures MIUI — Swipe from the bottom up to return to the home screen, swipe from the side to return.
• 🔄 Android gestures -- swipe from the bottom down the center to return to the home screen, swipe from the edge to go back. Analogue of pure Android.

For lovers of experiments: in Settings → Wallpaper and themes → The theme can be downloaded not only visual themes, but also dynamic wallpaper (for example, with the effect of paralax) or icons in the style of iOS (AOD) — Here you can customize the clock and notifications on the off screen. On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and other flagships, animated AOD with effects such as falling snow or moving clouds.

Not everyone knows that in MIUI You can change the speed of animation, and it makes the interface visually faster:

1. Activate Developer Mode (click 7 times on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the points of the Windows Animation Scale, Transition Animation Scale and Animator Duration Scale – set the value 0.5x or turn it off altogether.

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If the animation changes, the interface starts to twitch, return the standard values. 9A) Disabling animations can increase productivity before 10-15%.

2.Performance Optimization: How to Speed Up Xiaomi

Even powerful Xiaomi smartphones eventually start to slow down, and there are usually three reasons: background processes, cache and unoptimized settings, and we'll figure out how to get back to speed.

The first thing you need to do is clear the cache, not through the standard menu, but through a hidden function:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Deep Clean.
3. Check the boxes against the App Cash and Garbage Files, then confirm the cleanup.

The second step is to limit the background processes. MIUI aggressively shuts down applications to save battery, but sometimes it gets in the way:

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Battery management.
• 📱 Select App Settings and find the desired application (such as Telegram or Google Maps).
• ⚡ Set the mode No restrictions for critical applications (messengers, navigators).

For advanced users: Developer Mode (see previous section) has options:

• Do not save actions – speeds up switching between applications, but resets their state.
• Limit background processes – Set a maximum of 2 processes for weak devices.
• Shut down. HW-Overlays - can speed up rendering, but increases the load on CPU.

Clean the cache through "Deep Cleaning"|Disable auto-run of unnecessary applications|Configure battery modes for key applications|Set the animation speed 0.5x|Reboot the phone-->

3. Battery settings: how to extend the life of the battery

Battery is a weak point of many Xiaomi smartphones, especially budget models like Redmi. A2 or POCO M5. But even flagships like Xiaomi 14 require the right setup for maximum running time.

The main "eaters" of charge:

• 📶 Mobile network — 4G/5G Standby mode consumes up to 15% day-time.
• 📍 Geolocation Services – Google and MIUI constantly track location.
• 🔍 Background activity – messengers, social networks and system processes.

To extend the working hours:

1. Enable Ultra Battery Mode in Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery modes. It shuts down background activity and limits performance, but it gives you a boost. +30-50% time-work.
2. Set your sleep schedule in the same menu – the phone will automatically switch to energy-saving mode at night.
3. Turn off the device search nearby and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth-scanning in Settings → Connections → Additionally.

For phone owners with a battery of 5000 mAh and above (for example, POCO X5 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+) It is useful to adjust adaptive charging:

• Activate Optimized Charging in Settings → Battery and productivity → Charging.
• Set a charge limit (e.g. 80%) to extend the battery life.
• Use the original power supply - fast charging HyperCharge (120W) It only works with proprietary adapters.

4.Security and privacy: data protection

Xiaomi is often criticized for collecting data, but in the latest versions MIUI We've got privacy tools, and we've got ways to protect personal information and limit access to system applications.

The first thing to do is to disable unnecessary permissions for system applications:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Permits.
2. Select a category (e.g. Camera or Microphone).
3. Browse the list of apps and disable access for suspicious ones (such as Mi Browser or GetApps).

The second is the setting of advertising and personalization:

• 🚫 Turn off personalized recommendations in Settings → Confidentiality → Advertising.
• 🔍 Stop tracking activity on the same menu.
• 📊 Reset the Advertising Identifier (MIUI ID) — This will make it harder to target advertising.

For full protection:

• 🔐 Set a password for applications through Settings → Confidentiality → Application locking. You can use a fingerprint or a pattern lock.
• 🛡️ Include malware protection in Settings → Security and start scanning.
• 📲 Set up a Safe Folder (in) MIUI 14+) to store confidential files with encryption.

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Disabling personalized ads does not remove them completely, but it reduces the number of targeted ads.To completely block ads in system applications (Mi Music, Mi Video) will require root or root. ADB-team.

⚠️ Note: In Chinese versions MIUI (For example, on Xiaomi. 13T Pro for the Chinese market) some privacy settings may not work or may not work. For full control, it is recommended to flash the global version of the software.

5. Communications and networks: Wi-Fi, mobile Internet, Bluetooth

Communication issues are one of the most common complaints Xiaomi users have, including how to set up networks to work smoothly, fix Wi-Fi cliffs, and speed up mobile internet.

If Wi-Fi is permanently shut down or slows down:

• 📶 Go to Settings. → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Wi-Fi settings.
• 🔄 Turn off Automatic Open Network Connection and Sleeping Wi-Fi Connection (if not necessary).
• 🛠️ Enable Wi-Fi High Performance Mode (available on flagships).
• 📡 Install a Wi-Fi Region in the US or Europe – this sometimes solves connectivity problems.

To improve the mobile Internet (especially on Redmi and POCO):

1. B Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Name of the access point (APN) Check your operator's settings. Often, resetting to standard values helps.
2. Activate Mode. 4G+ or 5G (if supported) in the network type.
3. Turn off VoLTE and VoWiFi if you have problems with calls (sometimes they conflict with some carriers).

For Bluetooth (relevant to Xiaomi Buds and other accessories):

• 🎧 If the headphones turn off, try resetting them and connecting them again.
• 🔊 B Settings → Connections → Bluetooth → Settings enable Absolute volume for proper media operation.
• 📱 For Mi Band or Xiaomi Watch, prioritize your connection in Settings → Bluetooth → Priority of devices.

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If mobile internet is slow, try manually selecting the operator’s network in Settings. → SIM-map → Network choice. Sometimes the phone clings to an overloaded tower.

6.Sound and vibration: fine tuning

Xiaomi's sound is often set up "over the sleeves," but there are a lot of hidden options in the system, from equalizer to vibration control, and let's figure out how to make the sound perfect.

First, set up your sound profile:

• 🔊 Go to Settings. → Sound and vibration.
• 🎵 Select a Sound Profile – No Sound, Vibration or Sound.
• 🔋 Click Additional and adjust Vibration when touched (useful for tactile recoil).

To improve sound quality:

1. Enable the Equator in Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality. Basa's presets or Rock's are good for music, Voice is good for podcasts.
2. Activate Dolby Atmos (available on flagships like Xiaomi) 13T). Mode of the movie adds volume, the Game - strengthens the bass.
3. For headphones, turn on. LDAC or aptX in Bluetooth Settings → Sound quality (supported headphones required).

If the vibration seems too weak or too strong:

• 📱 B Settings → Sound and vibration → Vibration adjust intensity for calls, notifications and touches.
• 🔧 Xiaomi with a linear motor (for example, POCO F5 Pro) additional vibration effects for games available.

⚠️ Note: On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11), the inclusion of Dolby Atmos can cause distortion of the sound in the headphones. If you notice problems, turn off the effect or reset the equalizer settings.

7. Hidden functions MIUI: What you didn’t know about Xiaomi

MIUI It's full of Easter eggs and hidden opportunities that are not even written about in the official manuals.

1.Second Space Mode (Dual Apps)

Allows you to clone messengers and social networks to work with multiple accounts:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Second space.
2. Select an app (such as WhatsApp or Instagram).
3. Click Create and a duplicate with a separate account will appear.

2.Hidden Developer Mode for Camera

On flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, 12S Ultra can unlock additional camera settings:

• Open the Camera app.
• Twice touch the empty space on the screen and hold your finger for 3 seconds.
• There will be a menu with options like RAW-Manual focus or log profile for video.

3.Fast commands through the power button

You can configure actions with double / triple pressing of the power button:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Buttons and gestures → Power button.
• 📸 For example, set a double press. → Camera or Triple Press → Lantern.

4. Hidden Testing Menu

To diagnose the screen, sensors and battery:

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Enter this code in the Phone app to open a menu with information about the network, battery and usage statistics.

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The Second Space feature doesn't work with all apps, like Telegram and other apps. VK Signal is not supported, and the full list of compatible apps depends on the regional version. MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi settings