How to use Xiaomi Redmi 9: detailed instructions with photos and tips

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, combining performance, build quality and affordable price. However, even such a simple device can raise questions for beginners: how to set up correctly, what features are hidden in MIUI, how to extend battery life or take quality photos. This article will help you understand all the nuances of the Redmi 9’s operation, from basic operations to advanced features.

We're not going to overload you with technical details, but instead focus on practical tips, you'll learn how to quickly migrate data from an old phone, optimize the system, adjust gestures, even fix typical errors, and if you're already a seasoned user, you might find some useful life hacks here that you didn't know about before.

First Entry and Initial Setup

When you first turn on the Xiaomi Redmi 9, you have a MIUI customizator, which takes no more than 5-7 minutes, but what you do depends on the continued usability of the smartphone.

First, select the language (usually Chinese or English by default), then the system will suggest connecting to Wi-Fi – do this by all means, since without the Internet you will not be able to download the latest updates and sync your Xiaomi account. If you do not have a home network, you can use mobile Internet (insert). SIM-map).

• 🔄 Data recovery: If you had another Android smartphone, select the option to transfer data via Mi Mover (the app must be pre-installed on the old device).
• 👤 Xiaomi Account: Sign up or sign in to an existing account, which will open up access to cloud storage, sign-up themes and other features MIUI.
• 🔒 Security: Set up unlocking – fingerprint (if there is a scanner), pattern lock, or PIN-The fingerprint on Redmi 9 only works with the original film on the screen — after changing the glass, the sensor may stop recognizing the finger.

Once you have completed the setup wizard, check for updates: go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. Redmi 9 supports upgrades to MIUI 14 (based on Android 12), but some regions may receive firmware with a delay.

Basic gestures and control

Xiaomi Redmi 9 runs on the shell MIUI, which supports both classic navigation buttons and gesture control. By default, gestures are enabled, but these can be changed to Settings → Display → Navigation on the system.

Here are the basic gestures that will be useful in everyday use:

• 👆 Backwards: Swipe your finger from the left or right edge of the screen to the center.
• 🏠 Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger for a second to open a list of recent apps.
• 📱 Multitasking: Quickly swipe up from the bottom edge and hold your finger to see all open apps.
• ⚡ Quick switching: Swipe twice on the bottom edge of the screen to the right or left to switch between the last two apps.

If gestures seem uncomfortable, return the classic buttons in the same settings. Redmi 9 also has a Double-Tap to Wake Up feature – turn it on to Settings → Display → Screen Awaken to turn the screen on with a double tap on it.

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To avoid accidentally triggering a gesture when watching a video, turn off the "Ignore random touch" option in the gesture settings.

Screen and sound settings

The Redmi 9 screen has HD+ resolution (1600×720) and supports adaptive brightness, but for comfortable work, you should adjust it manually. Go to Settings → Display and pay attention to the following parameters:

• 🌞 Adaptive brightness: Turn it on so that the smartphone automatically adjusts the lighting to the lighting. However, in sunny weather, sometimes you have to increase the brightness manually.
• 🌙 Dark topic: activate it to save battery power (especially noticeable on the AMOLED-screens, but also on IPS helps).
• 🎨 Color scheme: Choose "Saturated" for brighter colors or "Standard" for natural shades.
• 👁️ Reading Mode: Reduces blue light, is useful to use in the evening.

As for sound, the Redmi 9 has one speaker (bottom), so you have to use headphones for stereo sound, and you can set up the sound settings (Settings → Sound and Vibration) to:

• 🔊 Increase media volume separate from notifications.
• 🎵 Turn on the equalizer to improve sound quality in headphones.
• 📳 Activate vibration when touched (useful for tactile feedback).

Optimizing battery and performance

The Redmi 9 has a 5020 mAh battery that provides up to 2 days of moderate use, but over time, battery life can decline due to background processes.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use chargers above 18W - this can cause the battery to overheat.The original adapter from Redmi 9 has 10W power.

• 🔋 Battery Mode: Enable Ultra Mode in Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery mode for maximum savings.
• 🚫 Background Activity: Limit Apps in the Background in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.
• 🌡️ Overheating: Avoid gaming when charging and don't leave your phone in the sun.
• 🔄 Calibration: once every 2-3 months, completely discharge and charge your phone to 100% for the correct display of the charge level.

To improve productivity:

• 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🔄 Enable "Game Mode" to reduce lag in games (Settings) → Special functions → Game mode).
• 📱 Use "Easy Mode" (Settings) → Special facilities → Easy mode, if the phone started to brake.

Camera: How to make high-quality photos

Redmi 9 is equipped with a main camera at 13 MP and front 5 MP. For a budget smartphone, these are good characteristics, but to get good pictures, you need to know a few tricks.

The following modes are available in the standard Camera app:

• 📸 Photo: Main mode, supports HDR night-time.
• 🎥 Video: Recording in permission before 1080p@30fps.
• 🌃 Night mode: improves low light shots (keep your phone still!).
• 🔍 Portrait: blurs background but works better in good lighting.
• 🌄 Panorama and Professional Mode: for experienced users.

Tips for the best photos:

• 💡 Use natural light – flash often spoils your photos.
• 🧹 Clean the camera lens (often fingerprints are left on it).
• 📏 Keep your phone at the level of the subject for more interesting angles.
• 🔄 Include the grid in the camera settings for the correct composition.

Clear the camera lens|Turn it on. HDR contrast-scenes|Turn off the digital zoom|Use a timer for group photos-->

⚠️ Note: When shooting a video in 1080p Redmi 9 can overheat. If your phone gets hot, take a 5-10 minute break.

Communications and networks: Wi-Fi, mobile Internet, Bluetooth

Redmi 9 supports 4G (LTE), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.0. However, there may be connection issues.

Wi-Fi:

• 📶 If the network is not connected, try to forget it (Settings) → Wi-Fi → Press the net. → Forget) and connect again.
• 🔄 Enable the option "Auto-connection to open networks" (Settings) → Wi-Fi → Additional), but be careful with public access points.
• 📡 If the speed is low, switch to the 5GHz band (if the router supports it).

Mobile Internet:

• 📶 Make sure that in the settings SIM-maps (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks) enabled 4G (preferably).
• 🔄 If the internet is lost, try switching to another one. SIM-card (if two of them).
• 📍 Enable high accuracy mode in location settings for better reception.

Bluetooth:

• 🎧 To connect headphones, turn on the pairing mode on them, then find the device in Settings. → Bluetooth.
• 🔊 If the sound is interrupted, try turning off Absolute Volume in Bluetooth settings.
• 📱 To transfer files, use the “Send Files” function in the Bluetooth menu.

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If mobile internet is slow, check your carrier's APN settings, often by manually setting the right settings.

Hidden MIUI features you didn’t know about

MIUI hides a lot of useful features that are not obvious at first glance.

• 🔍 Search by Settings: At the top of Settings is a search bar – type in a keyword (like “bat” for battery) to quickly find the desired option.
• 📱 App cloning: You can create a second account in messengers (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram) through Settings → Annexes → Cloning of applications.
• 🔒 Hidden folders: You can hide personal photos in the gallery by holding your finger on the file and selecting "Hide" through the Gallery. → Albums. → Hidden.
• 🎵 Lock screen with music: when playing a track on a locked screen, controls appear.
• 📡 Do Not Disturb Schedule Mode: Set up Automatically Turn Off Notifications for the Night in Settings → Sound and vibration → Don't disturb.

Another useful feature is the “Second Space” mode (Settings → Special Features → Second Space), which allows you to create a separate work profile with your own applications and settings, which is convenient for separating personal and work data.

Redmi 9 also has a mode for children (Settings → Special features → Mode for children), which restricts access to certain applications and sets a limit on the time of use.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions