The initial activation of a smartphone or tablet from a Chinese manufacturer often raises questions among users accustomed to the more linear process of installing iOS or pure Android. The process, which in the system is indicated by the phrase “complete device configuration”, is actually a complex procedure for the initial configuration of the operating system MIUI or HyperOS. At this point, the gadget collects basic data, connects to servers to verify the legality of the software and suggests synchronizing personal data.
Ignoring some steps can lead to intrusive ads in system applications or limited cloud services after a few days of use. Properly passed activation steps ensure that Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO work as efficiently as possible from day one. In this article, we will take a detailed look at each step, from language selection to fine-tuning privacy settings.
It's important to understand that today's firmware requires an Internet connection to activate many system components. SIM-In map or flight mode, some features, such as device search or gallery sync, may not be available until you connect to a Wi-Fi network.
Initial activation and network connection
The process starts immediately after you press the power button, when the brand logo appears on the screen, the system loads the basic modules and proceeds to the choice of interface language. At this stage, you need to carefully choose the desired language, because you can change it later, but some regional settings can be adjusted from the original choice, after which Android will request a connection to the Wi-Fi network.
Connecting to the Internet is a critical step to verify the status of the device, and the system communicates with the activation servers to make sure that the smartphone is not listed as lost or stolen (Blacklist function).
- 📡 Select your Wi-Fi network from the list of available connections and enter a password.
- 📶 Make sure the signal is stable, as a connection interruption may cause an error when loading profiles.
- 🌐 If Wi-Fi is not available, you can skip this step, but then you will need mobile internet to activate it.
⚠️ Note: If you connect to Wi-Fi, you receive a message that says “the network requires a browser login”, be sure to open any site (for example, google.com) and log in to the access point, otherwise the system will write about an error of the Internet connection.
Once the connection is successful, the system will suggest checking for updates, which is important: often new devices out of the box have a version of the software released a few months ago installed, and installing fresh security patches during the initial setup phase will prevent potential vulnerabilities.
Signing in to Mi Account and synchronizing data
The Mi Account is the centerpiece of Xiaomi’s ecosystem, and it lets you use Find Device, synchronize contacts, notes, and voice recordings between gadgets, and when you request to log in to your Mi Account, you have two options: log in to an existing profile or create a new one.
Creating a new account takes only a couple of minutes and requires entering a phone number or email address.Mi Account is also necessary to work with the GetApps theme store and some system services that are not dependent on Google. If you have previously used devices of this brand, logging into your profile will automatically return backups of your settings.
In the process of synchronization, the system will ask what data to recover from the cloud, so you can choose to selectively download, leaving, for example, only contacts and a calendar, but not installing applications, which will help to avoid cluttering memory with unnecessary software.
- ☁️ Contact and calendar synchronization occurs in the background immediately after authorization.
- 🔒 Two-factor authentication significantly improves the security of your Mi Cloud profile.
- 📱 Linking the phone number allows you to restore access to the account through SMS-code.
What does the Mi Account give?
Mi Account provides 5 GB of free cloud storage, the ability to remotely lock the device, search for its location even when the Internet is turned off (if the appropriate option is turned on), as well as a single subscription to services like Mi Music or Mi Video in some regions.> Do not neglect the settings of cloud storage. In the Settings menu → Mi Account → Xiaomi Cloud you can set up in detail which folders will be copied automatically. This will save your data in the event of loss or breakage of your smartphone. Setting up a Google account and Play services For most users outside of China, an account is a mandatory attribute of full use of the Google Play smartphone, the Google Store requires access to Google Gmail, Google Play and Google Store. The login process is standard: email and password input, and confirmation via two-factor authentication, if enabled. An important step is to accept the terms of use of Google services. This often hides settings for location history, voice search and personalized advertising. Experienced users recommend that you immediately go to the settings of your Google account and disable unnecessary tracking functions to improve privacy. Service Recommend Google Play Protect App Scanning Leave Location History Turned On for Privacy Data Saving in Drive Drive (Enection Automatics) After you start reserving your Google account, after you have selected the registration for the installed login. This process can take time depending on the number of programs and the speed of the Internet connection. At this time, the device can heat up, which is the normal reaction of the processor to active data loading. Biometrics and security parameters Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with advanced security modules. At the stage of configuration, the system will offer to configure the methods of unlocking: fingerprint scanner, facial recognition or pattern lock. Biometric data is stored in a secure isolated module TEE (Trusted Execution Environment) and is not transmitted to the company's servers. Fingerprint setting requires several touches to create an accurate digital fingerprint, but only to unlock the second finger. Facial recognition works faster but is less safe than a print, as it can be fooled by a photo (although new AI algorithms minimize this risk). 👆 Register your fingerprints in good lighting for better read accuracy. 👁️ Face ID Xiaomi works even when the screen is off, but requires lifting the device. 🔑 Be sure to install a complex PIN-code that will be a backup method of entry. ⚠️ Note: If you use a case with thick sides or a protective film that covers the scanner area in the screen, the fingerprint setting may fail.-face And at this point, you activate Find the Device, which links the smartphone to your Mi and Google account, and if you lose the device, you can remotely erase the data or lock the screen through the web interface. Disable this feature without emergency is not recommended.UI and system settings are optimized Once the basic settings are complete, the user arrives at the desktop. However, in order for the device to work comfortably, primary optimization is necessary. First of all, check the refresh rate of the screen. Flagship models support 120 Hz or 144 Hz, but the default mode can be "Auto" or "60 Hz" to save energy. MIUI It offers a choice between the classic three buttons at the bottom of the screen and the modern gesture controls. Gestures allow you to use the entire display area and make interaction with the interface more smooth. → Desktop → Navigation. Notification management is an important aspect. MIUI There are two types of notifications: from applications and system. It is recommended to immediately disable Push notifications from embedded apps you do not use, such as Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps, so that they do not bother you in the future. One of the features of Xiaomi’s budget and mid-ranges is the presence of ads in system applications, and although there is less advertising in new firmware versions, it has not completely disappeared. To complete the device's setup, you need to manually disable the personalized recommendations, and you need to go to the ad settings. The path may vary depending on the version. MIUI, But it's usually at the Settings address. → Passwords and security → Access to personal data → Advertising services (or just search for the word "advertising" in the settings". And you should also go through the built-in apps, which are Explorer, Music, Themes, and each of them has a Settings section that says, Get recommendations, or Show ads, which you have to deactivate. It takes a few minutes, but it makes smartphone use much more enjoyable. 🛑 Shutdown MSA (MIUI System Ads reduces the load on the processor and battery. 🔒 In the “Privacy” section, you can prevent applications from accessing the microphone and camera by default. 📉 The “Second Space” allows you to create an isolated environment for work or children. ⚠️ Note: When disabling system advertising services, do not remove applications called "msa", "miui daemon" or "analytics" through the ADB, If you're not sure what you're doing, it can lead to a system that's unstable or a cyclical reboot. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Can you skip creating a Mi Account completely when setting up? Yes, it is possible. During the welcome phase, select "Skip" or "Set it up as a new device." However, without a Mi Account, Xiaomi's cloud sync, search for lost device through Mi Cloud and some design themes will not be available. What if the settings are suspended during the "Completion of Device?" If the process lasts more than 15-20 minutes, there may have been a network or server failure. Try rebooting the device by pressing the power button. If the problem repeats, check the connection to Wi-Fi or try to use the Internet after the purchase. Updates often contain fixes for critical security bugs and improvements to modem and camera stability that are not found in the factory version of the software. How to remove Chinese applications if you bought a global version? Global ROMs should not have Chinese applications. If they are, you may have been sold a Chinese version with a cross-cut global shell (CN -> Global), in which case some system applications can not be removed without root rights, but they can be hidden in folders.