Xiaomi’s new phone: a step-by-step action plan

Buying a new smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when the current model from Xiaomi is in hand. However, immediately after unpacking and turning on the device, many users face confusion: the interface may seem overloaded, notifications – intrusive, and the battery – discharge faster than expected. This is not a defect, but a feature of the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem, which requires initial “run-in” and fine-tuning to the specific needs of the owner.

Ignoring the initial steps can lead to the fact that you will use the device with minimal efficiency for the entire life.CPUs and displays require proper calibration, and security systems require careful attention to application permissions. In this article, we will discuss the critical steps that will turn your new gadget into an ideal tool for work and entertainment.

Don’t rush to install all the apps from Google Play in the first few minutes, first you need to prepare the foundation on which the future operation of the operating system will be built, the right sequence of actions will save you hours of troubleshooting in the future and ensure the stability of all functions.

Initial activation and integrity check of the device

The first thing to do after switching on is to carefully check the physical condition of the device and the compliance of the equipment. Although there are store checks, the human factor or damage during transportation has not been canceled, check the case for microcracks, and the screen for broken pixels, which may not be noticeable immediately with a bright factory background.

System activation in newer versions of MIUI requires you to create or log in to Xiaomi Account. This is not just a formality, but a key to the ecosystem: without this account, you will not be able to use the Find Device function, sync contacts or restore data from the cloud in the event of a crash.

⚠️ Note: When registering for an account, carefully select a region. If you are in Russia or Belarus, but choose another country, you may encounter restrictions in the operation of some services or incorrect time zone settings, which will affect the operation of alarm clocks and calendar.

Once you log in, the system will suggest you upgrade. Be sure to upgrade to the latest available firmware version right away, even if the device is just from the factory. In the first batches, bugs are often found that are fixed in security and stability patches released in the first weeks of sales.

☑️ Initial examination and activation

Done: 0 / 5

It is important to check IMEI-The device code, comparing it to the number on the box and in the system menu»:

*#06#

The matching of the numbers ensures that you do not receive a refurbished or repackaged device, and if the numbers are different, this is an excuse to immediately contact the store.

Display setting and screen calibration

The screen is the interface to your phone, and its settings directly affect eye fatigue and color reproduction. By default, Xiaomi often displays saturated colors that can distort real shades. First, go to Settings → Screen → Color Scheme and select Classic or Professional if color accuracy is important to you.

Modern AMOLED and LCD arrays have high refresh rates, but not all applications support 120Hz or 144Hz natively. In the “Update Frequency” section, it is recommended to choose the “Default” or “Tuneable” option so that the system itself switches between 60Hz for energy savings and high hertz for smooth interface.

  • 🎨 Read Mode: Turn it on in screen settings to reduce eye strain when reading text by adding a warm yellow filter.
  • 🌞 Adaptive brightness: Give the system a few days to learn, but you can manually adjust the slider so that the algorithm understands your preferences.
  • 👆 Sensitivity: If you use a protective glass, be sure to turn on the touchscreen sensitivity option.

One of the things that you can do is you can use DC Dimming, or anti-flickering, to reduce the load on your eyes at low brightness by removing pulse-width modulation, and you can find it by making a few quick taps on the kernel version in the About Phone section, and then you can have a switch on the screen menu.

💡

To check the screen for defects, use the CIT hidden engineering menu. Dial the code ##6484## in the Phone app and run the display and touch screen tests.

Optimizing battery operation and charging

The new lithium polymer battery doesn’t require the old methods to “swing” (full discharge to zero), but it needs the correct calibration of the charge controller. In the first 3-5 cycles, try not to discharge the phone below 15-20% and not to charge it to 100% constantly unless urgently needed.

In the Settings → Battery menu, you should activate Charging Optimization, a feature that learns your habits: if you put your phone on overnight charging, the system will charge it to 80%, and the remaining 20% will reach just before you wake up, which greatly prolongs the life of battery chemistry.

ParameterRecommended valueImpact
Temperature controlActivated.Protection against overheating
Background activityLimited.Saving energy
Animation.Standard/ExpeditedVisual speed
Always On DisplayScheduled.Balance of beauty and charge

You also need to look at the background activity of apps: new versions of MIUI aggressively kill processes, which is good for the battery, but bad for messengers. For WhatsApp, Telegram and email clients, you need to manually put a power saving strategy in “No Limits” so that notifications come instantly.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use cheap chargers without certificates.New HyperCharge or SuperCharge fast charging protocols require original cable and power supply, otherwise the controller will reduce power to safe 10-18 Wh, and there's no quick charging.

If you notice that your phone is warming up in standby mode, check the battery usage statistics. Often the culprit is one particular application that woke up the processor, and removing or restricting such software will solve the problem of overheating.

📊 What type of charging is more important to you?
Maximum speed (120W+)
Safety and long life of the battery
Wireless charging
I don't care, it just worked.

Removing Advertising and Configuring Privacy

One of the most painful topics for Xiaomi users is advertising in system applications. Fortunately, in new versions of the shell, it can be almost completely turned off. The key point is to turn off the msa service (MIUI System Ads). To do this, go to Settings → Passwords and security → Access to personal data and find in the list of “msa” by turning off the switchboard. The system will warn you to turn off 10 seconds – you just have to endure it.

Once you turn off the main one, you should go through the built-in applications. Explorer, Downloads, Music and Topics have their own "Get recommendations" switches, and disabling them will remove banner ads from the interface of these programs.

  • 📱 Ad personalization: Go to your Xiaomi account settings and turn off ad personalization so that the algorithms don’t collect data about your interests.
  • 🔒 Permission Manager: Go through the list of installed applications and revoke unnecessary permissions (for example, access to contacts for a calculator).
  • 📉 Advertising ID: In the Privacy section, you can reset the advertising ID, which will reset the accumulated profile.

Also, you should disable the MAB service (MIUI Browser Analytics) in the same data access menu if you use an integrated browser, which will prevent the collection of visitor statistics. Remember that complete anonymity in a modern smartphone is impossible, but minimizing intrusive marketing is quite possible.

Hidden Advertising Settings
In some regions, the Security app has a separate Advertising section where you can turn off all personalized offers at once.

Installation of necessary applications and data migration

Transferring data from an old phone is a critical step. For Android devices, the best way to do this is to use the built-in Mi Mover app, which not only allows you to transfer contacts and photos, but also schedules, alarm clocks and even desktop icons, and you'll need an iPhone app, Move to iOS or cloud sync.

When installing apps from Google Play, try not to download heavy games and banking apps at once. First give the system an hour or two in the background to index files and optimize databases after transfer. If you start loading the processor immediately, the phone can significantly heat up and brake.

For banking applications on new Xiaomi smartphones without Google services (global versions do, Chinese versions do not, but we are considering global/European versions with Google), it is important to properly configure NFC. Make sure that the default application for contactless payment (usually Google Pay or Mir Pay) is selected in the NFC settings, and the “Pay with one touch” function is enabled.

⚠️ Note: When transferring data via Mi Mover, two-factor authentication (2FA) Be prepared to re-enter Google, social media and banking accounts with backup codes or access to the Internet. SIM-map.

Be sure to install antivirus software if you frequently download files from unverified sources, although the built-in scanner in the Avast or AVL Security app is good at dealing with the underlying threats.

Secret Codes and Final Tests

After all the settings, it’s useful to run a final diagnostic. Xiaomi provides a powerful set of engineering tests. In addition to the CIT menu, there are codes to check specific information. For example, code ##4636## opens a testing menu where you can see detailed battery statistics, Wi-Fi information and run a performance test.

Check all the sensors: hold your phone to your ear while you're ringing (the screen needs to turn off), check the autorotation, the accelerometer in games. If you find that some sensor is lying, there's a calibration feature in the CIT menu that often solves the problem without visiting the service.

You should also adjust the controls. In MIUI 14 and HyperOS, they work very smoothly. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Button management and select Full Screen Mode. Adjust the response speed and edge sensitivity to make navigation as comfortable as possible.

💡

The new Xiaomi takes around 40-60 minutes to fully set up, but that time pays off with stable performance, no advertising and extended battery life.

In conclusion, don’t be afraid to experiment with themes and fonts in the Themes app, but install them only from the official store. Third-party themes can contain malicious code or cause system instability. Your new phone is ready to go!

Do I need to completely discharge a new Xiaomi phone before charging?
No, it's a myth that's been left over from the days of nickel batteries: modern lithium polymer batteries don't have a memory effect; moreover, a deep discharge (up to 0%) is bad for them; it's optimal to charge the phone when it's 15-20% depleted.
Why does Xiaomi phone warm up in the first days of use?
It's normal. Once you turn on and transfer data, the system does background indexing of files, application optimization and update downloads. The processor is in high-speed mode. Usually, after 3-5 days, the temperature returns to normal.
How to remove advertising in the standard Music app?
Open the Music app, click on the menu icon (three bars) → Settings → Advanced Settings. Find the "Receive recommendations" or "Show ads" option and turn it off. You may also need to disable personal data access for msa.
Should I put a protective glass on immediately?
Yes, it is advisable to do this in the early days, while there are no micro scratches on the screen. However, if you use an optoelectronic fingerprint scanner (under the screen), make sure that the glass is compatible with this technology, otherwise the scanner may work worse.