Buying a new smartphone from Xiaomi is always an exciting moment, but immediately after turning on the device, many users face incomprehensible settings and excessive advertising. The question “Xiaomi is right” becomes especially relevant in the first hours of use, when you need to quickly bring the gadget into working condition without unnecessary digital debris. Competent primary configuration of the MIUI or HyperOS system can radically change the impression of the device, making it fast, safe and convenient.
In this article, we’ll take you through all the steps from unpacking to fine-tuning the interface, and you’ll learn which options to change immediately to avoid annoying notifications and save battery life. Proper setup isn’t just about installing apps, it’s about building the foundation for your device to run smoothly throughout its life.
You don't have to ignore the system guidelines, but you don't have to blindly follow all the factory installations either. The Chinese manufacturer's ecosystem has a lot of hidden features that not all owners know about, and we'll help you sort through the maze of menus and turn a standard phone into a personalized tool.
Primary activation and basic security settings
After switching on the device, the system will suggest choosing a language and connecting to the Wi-Fi network. At this stage, it is important to be careful: do not rush to agree with all proposals for installing additional software or activating advertising identifiers. Data security begins from the moment the operating system first starts.
Make sure to create or log in to your Mi Account, a key element of the ecosystem that syncs contacts, notes and locates a device in the event of a loss. Without an account anchor, many cloud storage and phone search functions will be unavailable, putting important information at risk.
- 🔐 Create a strong password or use biometrics to unlock the screen.
- 📡 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network for quick update downloads.
- ☁️ Activate sync with Mi Cloud for backup.
- 🚫 Turn off the transfer of diagnostic data to developers at the first request.
☑️ Primary security setting
Pay special attention to setting up the lock screen. The system can offer various types of subscriptions or news on the lock screen, which are often just banner ads. To avoid this, immediately after activation, go to the screen settings and turn off the wallpaper carousel or similar recommendation services.
⚠️ Note: When setting up a Google account, read the sync conditions carefully. Sometimes the default system suggests synchronizing all mailboxes and calendars, which can slow down the initial load of contacts and create confusion in the address book.
Optimizing the interface and removing advertising
One of the main reasons users are looking for “Xiaomi is right” information is to get rid of embedded advertising, and the company is embedding ad modules in system applications, but they can be disabled manually without having to resort to complex firmware procedures, which greatly improves the comfort of the interface.
The first step is to turn off MSA (MIUI System Ads), and to do this, go to the settings menu, find passwords and security, and then access personal data. In the list, find msa and turn off the slider. The system will ask you repeatedly and count down the time before you turn off — be patient and bring the process to a close.
What if the MSA doesn’t shut down the first time?
Next, you can go through the built-in apps like Explorer, Downloads, Security, and Music, and each of them has a "Receive recommendations" switch in their settings (usually in the top right corner of the three dots or gears), which removes banner ads from the interface of these tools.
- 📂 In the "Conductor" app, disable "Receive recommendations».
- 🛡️ In “Security” remove the box from “Get recommendations».
- 🎵 In Music and Video, also disable advertising notifications.
- 🌐 In the Mi Browser browser, configure the pop-up blocker.
It is also important to set up notifications, so in the Notifications and Status Bar section, you can prevent intrusive notifications from system services from showing you, allowing you to see only really important information from messengers and work applications, keeping the interface clean.
Battery and power consumption setting
The issue of autonomy is acute for any modern smartphone. Battery optimization on Xiaomi devices has its own peculiarities, as the system aggressively (aggressively) closes the background processes to save energy. This can lead to the fact that important notifications from messengers will come with a delay.
To fix this, you need to manually adjust the mode of operation for your applications, go to the battery settings, select the desired application (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp), and set the “No restrictions” mode, which allows the application to work in the background and deliver messages instantly.
| Energy saving regime | Description | Impact on work |
|---|---|---|
| Productive | Maximum speed of the processor | High energy consumption, best speed |
| Balanced | Automatic frequency control | Optimal balance (recommended) |
| Economical | Limitation of background processes | Notification delays, less brightness |
| Ultra | Calls and basic functions only | Maximum working time in emergency cases |
And you should also pay attention to Adaptive Brightness, which allows the screen to automatically adjust to the lighting, which is not only convenient, but also saves charge. However, if the algorithm is not working correctly and often changes brightness in jerks, it is better to adjust the brightness levels manually in the corresponding menu.
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Use the “Schedule on and off” in your battery settings, set up automatic turn off of your smartphone at night if you’re not using it, or turn on “Do Not Disturb” mode at a predetermined time.
Another important aspect is temperature control, and you can see in the battery menu which applications are using the most energy, and if you notice abnormal activity from an application that you rarely use, you should check its permissions or uninstall it.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use third-party memory or battery cleaners. built-in tools MIUI/HyperOS work more efficiently, and third-party software is often a source of advertising and unnecessary resource consumption.
Working with memory and file system
File management on Xiaomi’s Android devices has its own specifics: Starting with Android 11 and up, access to the Android/data folder is restricted to third-party file managers, for security reasons, but can cause difficulties when trying to transfer files from the cache of games or applications.
To work with the file system, it is best to use the standard application “Conductor” from Xiaomi or specialized managers with the necessary permissions. When connecting to your computer, always choose file transfer mode (MTP) rather than “Charge only”, otherwise the computer will not see the device.
- 📁 Regularly clean the folder “Downloads” from the old APK-file.
- 🗑️ Use the built-in Cleanup function to remove system debris.
- 💾 Transfer large files (photos, videos) to SD-map.
- 🔒 Hide personal files with the Hidden Album feature».
If your device's memory is filling up too quickly, check the settings of the messengers. Often they take up gigabytes of space, saving all the images and videos you've viewed. In each messenger settings, you can limit the auto-save of media files only when you connect to Wi-Fi or turn it off altogether.
It's important to remember folder structure. Camera photos are usually saved in the DCIM/Camera folder, and screenshots are saved in Pictures/Screenshots, and knowing these paths will help you find files faster or manually clear space through your computer.
Advanced capabilities and hidden functions
MIUI and the new HyperOS offer many features that are hidden from the eyes of the average user, such as the “Second Space” mode, which allows you to create a completely isolated environment on a phone with a separate set of applications and passwords, which is ideal for separating work and personal life or transferring the phone to children.
Another useful feature is Quick Notes, which swipe down the lock screen (if enabled in the settings) allows you to instantly record a thought without unlocking the phone completely, saving time and helping you keep important ideas in mind.
Developer mode is available for advanced users, and you need to click on the build number 7 times in the About Phone section to activate it, and you can find the animation speed, background limit, and USB debugging settings here.
adb shell wm density 400The command above is an example of how you can change the pixel density (DPI) through ADB, which allows you to resize interface elements, but using such commands requires caution, since incorrect values can make the interface unreadable.
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Developer mode is a powerful tool, but only change settings if you understand their purpose. You can reset settings through the Recovery and Reset menu.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does the phone run out quickly after the upgrade?
How to disable advertising in a standard browser?
Can I remove standard Xiaomi apps?
How to properly update the firmware?
Getting your Xiaomi smartphone set up correctly is a process that takes time, but the result is worth it. Following these guidelines will help you unlock the full potential of your device by making it safe, fast and free of irritating elements. Don’t be afraid to experiment with settings, but always remember to bring back factory settings.