Xiaomi Mobile Phone: How to Configure, Unlock and Use 100%

Xiaomi smartphones are no longer just a budget alternative to flagships — today they are full-fledged devices with unique MIUI software, powerful hardware and an ecosystem of smart devices. But even power users often miss up to 40% of the capabilities of their Redmi, POCO or Mi due to unobvious settings, hidden features or fear of breaking something. This article is not about basic “on and use”, but about deep customization, solving typical problems and unlocking the potential of your phone.

We will analyze not only standard procedures like resetting to factory or binding Mi Account, but also little-known tricks: how to remove ads in MIUI without root, why fastboot does not see your Xiaomi when you are firmware, or how to make Dual Apps work with any messenger. We will pay special attention to the new restrictions of 2026: blocking the bootloader on fresh models and the changed unlock policy through the Mi Unlock Tool.

If you've just unpacked the box, start with the first switch section. If the phone's been in use for a long time but "slows down" or "discharges in half a day," see the optimization and battery chapters. And if you decide to flash custom firmware or unlock the bootloader, there's a separate section with up-to-date instructions and risk warnings.

First Including: What to Do After Unpacking

The new Xiaomi is in your hands, and the emotions are overwhelming, but you shouldn't rush it. The first 10 minutes will determine how comfortable you'll be using your phone for the next few months.

1. Insert. SIM-The Redmi Note 12 and the newer one are hybrid, and you have to choose between the second one. SIM Xiaomi 14 flagships have separate slots, but check the specification of your model. The memory card is better formatted as an internal (in the storage settings) if you want to install applications on it.

2. Connect to Wi-Fi – without the Internet, you will not be able to activate the device and update the software. If the router uses 5 GHz, and the phone does not see it, temporarily switch to 2.4 GHz or check the channel settings in the router (some Xiaomi does not support channels above 14).

3. MIUI configuration. The system will offer to transfer data from the old phone – if you agree, use an OTG cable or the Mi Cloud (but note that only 5 GB is free).When choosing the interface language, pay attention to the region: it is optimal for Russia to set Russia to avoid problems with Google services and localization.

• 🔄 Software Update: Immediately after activation, check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI. Even if the phone was new, it could have been in storage with old firmware.
• 🔒 Security: Set a pattern lock or fingerprint (in Settings) → Password and security. On models with AMOLED-The print works even on the screen turned off.
• 📱 Additional settings: disable Mi-services and Advertising in Settings → Memory. → Cleaning (three-dot button at the top) will reduce background activity.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is purchased in China or on AliExpress, it can be installed with global firmware with regional restrictions (for example, no Russian language or no work). NFC-Payments. Check the version MIUI In Settings → About the phone, if it's there. CN (China, you'll have to go through it.

Unlocking the bootloader: step-by-step instruction 2026

Unlocking a bootloader on Xiaomi is a must-have for custom firmware installation, root rights or repairing a brick-and-mortar phone. In 2026, the process became more complicated, with the company tightening account requirements and increasing the wait time to unlock to 7 days for new devices.

Here's the current algorithm:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone. Go to Settings → Mi Account and log in. Make sure your profile has a real phone number, and you will receive an SMS with a confirmation code.
2. Turn on USB debugging. To do this, tap the MIUI version 7 times in Settings → About Phone to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlock.

Install the Mi Unlock Tool

official website

Connect your phone in Fastboot mode

Loudness down + Nutrition

Fastboot

Start unlocking.

Mi Unlock Tool

Unlock

Battery charge > 60%|All antiviruses on PC are disabled|Used by the original USB-cable|Mi Account confirmed by SMS email|The phone is not linked to another account before.-->

After successful unlocking, the bootloader will remain unlocked even after resetting, but the binding to the Mi Account will remain, which means that re-activating after the reset will require entering a login / password from the previous account.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and the newer unlock of the bootloader resets all data, including internal memory (including photos and files on the "internal" SD-Backup the map in advance!

How to remove ads in MIUI without root rights

One of the most annoying features of MIUI is the built-in advertising in system applications, notifications, and even on the lock screen, which, fortunately, can be turned off without installing custom firmware or getting root, and the methods vary depending on the version of MIUI and regional firmware.

Let’s start with the universal methods (working on MIUI 12-14):

• 📵 Disabling Personalized Advertising: Go to Settings → Google → Advertising and deactivate Personalized Advertising. c Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization Disable Advertising.

Hidden MIUI settings

1. Enter the phone code ##4636##.
2. Select Phone Information → Settings MIUI.
3. Find the item Disable advertising and activate it.
4. 🛠️ Manual cleaning: In Settings → Annexes → App management, find Mi Video, Mi Music, Themes, and disable notification permissions. → Lock screen disable Recommendations and Mi Globe.

For MIUI 14 (2023–2026) new items have been added:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Clean, tap on the cog icon at the top and turn off Receive recommendations.
2. In Settings → Notifications → Further deactivate Advertising Notices.

💡

If after the shutdown the advertisement still appears, try to change the firmware region to EEA (Europe through Settings → Additionally. → This will remove most Chinese services, but it could break NFC-payments to Russian banks.

To remove advertising at the system level, you will need to:

1. Install ADB on your PC and connect the phone with USB debugging enabled.
2. Execute commands: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.ab adb shell pm hide com.android.browser

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (CN and IN) These commands can cause system applications to crash. Create a backup through Settings before running. → Additionally. → Backup.

Optimizing performance: how to speed up Xiaomi

Even the flagship Xiaomi eventually begins to slow down, not only because of the iron, but also because of the features of MIUI, which aggressively caches data and keeps in mind background processes.

Cleaning of the system:

• 🧹 Remove the cache: Settings → Memory. → Cleanup → Choose Deep Cleaning.
• 🗑️ Clear Other Files in Settings → Memory. → Storage analysis. Gigabytes of mess from messengers and social media often accumulate there.
• 🔄 Reset the animation settings: in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, set the scale of animation on 0.5x Or shut it down completely.

MIUI setting:

• 🔋 Enable Performance Mode in Settings → Battery. → Power mode (available on POCO and play models).
• 📱 Disable Mi-services and Optimization MIUI In Settings → Memory. → Auto-start.
• 🔒 Ban background activity for unnecessary apps: Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1

This team removes the restrictions MIUI on background processes, but may increase battery consumption.-->

Hardware tricks:

• 🔥 If the phone overheats, limit the maximum CPU frequency through the Performance Control app (requires root).
• 🎮 For gamers: turn on 4D-vibration and extended DND-mode → Sound for immersion in games.
• 📡 If the internet is slow, switch to just LTE In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network type (on some firmware) 5G floundering).

Battery setting: how to extend the life of the battery

Batteries in Xiaomi are one of the weakest, especially in low-end models, with average battery life of 2-3 years when used, but can be extended with the right settings.

• 🔌 Charging: Don't keep your phone on overnight charger. The optimal is to turn it off at 80-90%. Use the original chargers. Cheap Chinese power supplies can damage the charge controller. On models that support Quick Charge 4.+ (Xiaomi 11T Pro, Black Shark 5) turn on Adaptive Charging in the battery settings - it slows down charging at night.
• ⚡ Battery Consumption: Disable Constant Network Search in Settings → SIM-map → Setting up the mobile network. Set a dark theme (on the phone). AMOLED-This saves up to 15% on screens. Limit background activity for social media: Settings → Battery. → Choice of applications → Set up Restricted for Facebook, Instagram.

For advanced users:

• 📊 Check battery status through the engineering menu: Enter dial ##4636##. Select Battery Information. See Health. If it's below 80%, it's time to change the battery.

1. Discharge the phone before automatically shutting down.
2. Charge to 100% without powering on.
3. Turn off the charger, turn on the phone and wait for full charging again.

💡

If after the update, mobile Internet disappeared, try to manually select the operator: → SIM-map → Mobile network operators → Manual search. Sometimes automated search forgets priority networks.

4. Wi-Fi problems (unconnected or slow):

• 🌐 Change the Wi-Fi Region to the USA in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Region (helps with the 5G-routers).
• 🔄 Turn off Wi-Fi Smart Switch in Wi-Fi Settings – It Can Break Connection.
• 📡 If the speed is low, check the router's channel width. Xiaomi does not work well with channels wider than 40 MHz by 5 GHz.

❗ If the account is not tied, you will need firmware through EDL (Only for experienced users).

AccuBattery

⚠️ Beware.