Buying a new Xiaomi smartphone is always an exciting moment, but immediately after unpacking the user often meets not only a clean screen, but also a lot of pre-installed applications, as well as specific settings of the MIUI or HyperOS system. Many newcomers who first switch from other brands face aggressive battery optimization, intrusive advertising and the lack of familiar Google services out of the box. The correct initial configuration of the device will avoid these problems and unlock the full potential of your gadget.
The setup process should not be let go by relying on standard algorithms that the system offers when it first starts. Automatic scenarios often suggest installing unnecessary software, enabling dubious data collection features, or choosing the wrong region, which can affect the operation of some applications. Proper manual configuration will take only 15-20 minutes, but will ensure stable operation of the device throughout its life.
In this article, we’ll look at all the key steps from account activation and Google service installation to deep interface optimization and security, where the switches that disable ads hide, and how to set up the notification system so that important messages arrive on time and spam is not bothering, and this guide is relevant for current Redmi and Xiaomi models with the latest versions of the shells.
Initial activation and region selection
Once the device is turned on and the language is selected, the system will suggest identifying the region, which is a critical step, as the set of pre-installed applications, the voice assistant and, most importantly, the presence or absence of system advertising depend on the selected country. For users from CIS countries and Europe, the best choice is often the region of Russia, Kazakhstan or Germany, where the content policy of MIUI is most loyal.
When connecting to a Wi-Fi network, the system may suggest updating the firmware. It is recommended to agree if you have time to wait 10-15 minutes, as the factory version of the software may contain bugs fixed in more recent releases. However, if you are a root-right planner or custom Recovery, this step is better skipped and updated manually later through the recovery menu.
Then there's the sign-in step to the Mi Account, which is the equivalent of an Apple ID or a Samsung account, which is required for cloud storage, device search and contact sync, and don't ignore creating or logging in to an existing profile, or you'll lose the ability to use Find Device in the event of theft.
☑️ Xiaomi's initial setup
It’s worth noting that some features, such as theme or additional cloud services, may be limited depending on the geographic area you choose, and if you’re traveling or moving, you can change the region at any time in the settings, but this will require a reboot of the interface.
Installation and configuration of Google services (GMS)
While most modern Xiaomi smartphones come with a Google Play store pre-installed, some versions for the Chinese market or newer versions of the shell can deactivate services by default. Check for the Play Store icon on your desktop. If it doesn't, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Region and change country, after which the Google folder should appear automatically.
If there is a store, but the applications are constantly flying out or sync is not working, you need to check the work of the Google Play Services framework. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find in the list of Google Play Services and make sure that it has all the necessary permissions, especially access to location and contacts. Without this, maps, YouTube and Gmail cannot work correctly.
Special attention should be paid to setting up Google Pay (or Google Wallet) for contactless payment. MIUI Security system can block the operation NFC-payment if it detects an unlocked bootloader or the presence of root rights.In normal mode, payment should be earned immediately after adding the card to the wallet application.
What to do if Google Pay is not working?
It’s important to understand that Google’s ecosystem is deeply integrated into Android, and any disruptions to its operation could affect third-party apps using geolocation or push notifications, so make sure that the date and time are set automatically, as time desynchronization often leads to security certificate errors.
Advertising removal and privacy optimization
One of the main features of Xiaomi smartphones is the presence of built-in advertising in system applications. Fortunately, it can be completely disabled manually, which will greatly improve the comfort of use. The main switch is located in the ad settings menu. Go to Settings → Passwords and security → Access to personal data (or “Special features” in older versions) and find msa (MIUI System Ads).
Once you disable the system ad module, you should go through the built-in apps and remove the personalization in each of them separately, this applies to the application "Security", "Conductor", "Music" and "Video", in each of them you should go to the settings (usually through three dots or gears) and find the item "Receive recommendations" or "Ads", then deactivate it.
- 📱 Security app: Settings → General. → Deactivate “Receive recommendations".
- 📂 Conductor: Settings → About the annex → Deactivate “Receive recommendations".
- 🎵 Music: Settings → Advanced settings → Disable "Show advertisements".
- 🎬 Video: Settings → Disable "Online Recommendations" and "Autostart Video".
Don’t forget privacy. In Settings → Privacy → Special permissions, it’s worth checking which apps have access to microphone, camera, and geo-location. System services like Scanner or Gallery shouldn’t have permanent access to your location unless you ask for it.
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Turn off Google Ad Personalization. Go to Google Account Settings → Data & Privacy → Ad settings and turn off personalized ads. This will reduce the number of targeted ads throughout the system.
Configuring the interface and desktop
The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS offer a wide range of customization options that go far beyond the standard wallpaper change, starting with the choice of font and element size, as standard settings may not match your readability preferences. In the Settings menu → Screen → Text and element size can be scaled interface, which is especially true for people with low vision or using large smartphones with one hand.
And the organization of the workspace also requires attention. Unlike pure Android, there's a Second Space and hidden folders, but the basic setup is to use widgets and folders correctly. You can create a widget folder that opens apps when you press it, and with a long tapa, it shows information like the weather or steps.
Pay special attention to navigation. By default, three buttons can be enabled, but most users prefer gestures. Switch to Settings → Desktop → Navigation. Gesture controls free up the usable screen area and make interaction with the phone smoother, although it requires getting used to swipes from the edges.
| Interface element | Where to set up | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency of update | Settings → Screen → Frequency | Select "Auto" or 90/120 Hz for smoothness |
| Dark subject matter | Settings → Screen → Dark Theme | Insert on schedule (sunset/rise) |
| Animation. | Settings → Advanced → For developers | Reduce the animation to 0.5x for speed |
| Vibration. | Settings → Sound and vibration | Set up a tactile response of the keyboard and system |
For minimalist users, there's a Simple Mode that enlarges icons and simplifies menus, perfect for older people or as a temporary solution for vision problems, but to make full use of all the functions of a smartphone, it's best to stay in standard mode, properly organizing folders.
Optimizing battery and performance
Xiaomi’s power saving systems are known for their aggressiveness: they can “kill” background processes, which causes messages in messengers to arrive with a delay or not at all. To avoid this, you need to manually configure important applications. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, select the desired messenger (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp), go to AutoRun and turn it on, and select “No restrictions” mode in Battery.
Another important aspect is screen calibration and brightness setting. The automatic brightness on Xiaomi sometimes doesn't work properly, darkening the screen at inappropriate times. You can turn off autobrightness and adjust the two brightness levels manually to save charge, or use the Adaptive Brightness feature, which learns your habits over a few days of use.
To extend the life of a lithium polymer battery, it is useful to activate the charging optimization function. → Battery → Battery protection, where you can turn on a charge limit of up to 80% or 90% if you don't plan a long trip, reduces the degradation of battery chemistry when you constantly charge your phone at night.
⚠️ Warning: Don't use Memory Cleanup too often, and unlike older versions of Android, the current system manages RAM efficiently. Constantly closing background applications causes the processor to run them again, which consumes more power than simply storing them in the processor. RAM.
Also worth checking is screen time and digital well-being settings, with Sleep Mode or Read Mode helping to reduce eye strain and reduce blue screen energy consumption in the evening, which also has a positive effect on autonomy.
Backup and data security
Before you actively use a new device, you need to configure a backup mechanism. Xiaomi offers its own Mi Cloud, which provides 5 GB of space for free. This is enough for contacts, notes, system settings and calendar. The settings are made in the Settings menu → Mi Account → Mi Cloud. However, 5 GB may not be enough for photos and videos, so it is advisable to set up sync with Google Photos or Yandex.Disk.
Local backup is another powerful tool that many users forget about, allowing you to create a complete cast of the system (including SMS, call history and application settings) and save it to internal memory or to the user. SD-You can find this function by the Settings path. → The phone. → Backup and restore. Do these backups periodically before installing major updates.
- 🔒 Application Blocking: Built-in feature that allows you to put an additional password or fingerprint on specific applications (Gallery, Banks, Messengers".
- 🛡️ Protection against theft: Make sure that the Mi Account includes Find Device, which will allow you to remotely lock your phone or erase data in case of loss.
- 👁️ Hiding files: The conductor has a function "Hidden folder", access to which is carried out by a special gesture or password.
Keep in mind biometrics. Face and fingerprint settings not only speed unlocking, but are also essential for banking applications and secure authentication. In-screen fingerprint scanner (if your model has one) requires a clear tap, so it’s best to scan your finger twice for different zones when you first set up.
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Regular local backups to SD-A card or computer is the only way to securely save data in the event of a cloud service breakdown or account lockdown.