Xiaomi smartphones have gained popularity due to the combination of powerful filling, modern design and affordable price. However, their branded shell MIUI often raises questions from new users - unusual settings, hidden features and Chinese roots of the system require separate analysis. This article will help you to understand the basic and advanced capabilities of your Xiaomi, even if you have never held a smartphone of this brand before.
We'll go all the way from first turn on and setup to optimizing work, gesture management and using branded chips like the second space or Game Turbo mode, focusing on the typical problems of beginners - why notifications don't work, how to turn off ads in MIUI and what to do if the phone starts to slow after a month of use. All instructions are relevant for models 2022-2026 based on MIUI 14/15.
First Installing and Basic Setup
When you first turn on Xiaomi, the system offers a setup wizard, which is important to keep in mind key points that will be difficult to change later, such as choosing a region determines the services available (there is no Google in China), and setting up a Mi Account account links the device to your profile to synchronize data.
Follow the steps:
- 🌍 Language and region choice: Set "Russia" or "Global" to open access to Google Play and localized services. If you accidentally choose China, reset your settings via Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings.
- 📱 Wi-Fi Connection: Use your home network, not mobile internet – it’s faster to download system updates.
- 🔑 Create a Mi Account: Link an email or phone number. Without an account, you can't use cloud storage, find a lost phone, or update your firmware.
- 🔄 Data portability: If you are switching from another Android, select "Copy Data" and follow the instructions. iPhone will require the Move to iOS app.
⚠️ Note: If you bought your phone in China or on AliExpress, it may have a Chinese version installed. MIUI No Google services. To fix this, you'll need to manually run a global version of the firmware, but that would void the warranty.
After completing the setup wizard, check:
- 📅 Date and time: Automatic synchronization must be enabled (Settings) → Additionally. → Date and time).
- 🔔 Notifications: Allow notifications to be displayed for key applications in Settings → Notifications.
- 🔋 Battery Mode: Select “Adaptive” for optimal balance between performance and operating time.
MIUI interface: gestures, panels and hidden functions
The MIUI shell is very different from the pure Android, and it doesn't have the usual appbar, but it has a control gesture, a side curtain with quick settings, and a lot of hidden chips.
Navigation gestures:
Xiaomi uses gesture control (no buttons) by default to return the classic three buttons or customize gestures to suit itself:
- Go to Settings → Display → Full-screen display.
- Select "Gestes" and set up:
The side curtain (Control Center):
The swipe opens the notification bar from top to bottom, and the swipe from top to right opens the quick settings panel, so you can change the order of the buttons.
- Open the curtain and press on ⚙️ "Edit".
- Drag the icons to change their location.
- Add frequently used features (like Airplane Mode or Game Turbo).
💡
To quickly open the camera, double-press the power button - even on a locked screen.This works on all Xiaomi models after 2019.
Set up notifications and sound
One of the most common problems Xiaomi owners have is missing notifications, which is due to aggressive battery optimization in MIUI, which freezes background processes to fix:
How to turn on all notifications:
- Go to Settings → Notifications → Notifications Management.
- Select an app (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).
- Turn on the switches: 🔔 "Showing notifications" 📌 "Sound" 💡 "Indicator on the lock screen" 🔄 "Show the icon on the status panel"
Click on “Behavior” and select “No Limitations”.
Disabling advertising in MIUI:
Xiaomi's branded services (e.g. Mi Browser, Music, Video) display ads to remove them:
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- Slip on the MIUI version several times until the words "You're a developer!" appear.
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Find the option “Disable MIUI Advertising” and activate it.
How to save the photo in original quality:
Xiaomi compresses the photo by default to save space.
- Open the Camera app.
- Tap on. ⚙️ "Settings" → "Parties and authorization".
- Select the maximum resolution and select Save original photos.
How do you do a covert shoot?
Battery: How to extend the working time
Xiaomi smartphones are often criticized for fast battery discharge, but the problem is usually the wrong settings. Following these tips, you can increase your battery life by 20-30%:
Optimization of battery consumption:
- 🔋 Adaptive Battery Mode: Enable in Settings → Battery → Battery mode. The system will limit the background processes.
- 📵 Background activity restriction: Go to Settings → Battery → Battery use. Select an app (e.g. Facebook or TikTok). Set a limit on "Background activity".
Dark subject.
Settings → Display → Dark theme
Network
- Turn it off. 5G, If not required (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Preferred type of network).
- Enable Auto-Switch Wi-Fi/mobile data to save traffic.
What drains the battery the most:
| Reason. | Expenditure per hour | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Constant search for the network (weak signal) | 8–12% | Turn on the mode in the plane in places without coverage |
| Background mail synchronization | 5–7% | Set manual synchronization in account settings |
| High-graphics games | 15–20% | Use the Game Turbo and limit the FPS to 60. |
| Weather/social media widgets | 3–5% | Remove unnecessary widgets from the main screen |
| Geolocation (GPS) | 6–10% | Disable geolocation for applications in Settings → Privacy → Permissions → Geodata |
⚠️ Warning: If the battery is running out too quickly (more than 20% per hour in standby mode), check its condition in Settings → Battery → Battery condition: Replacement is recommended for capacity below 80% of the original capacity.
☑️ Optimizing the battery in 5 minutes
Security: Data protection and unlocking
Xiaomi offers several layers of protection, but some of them can play a cruel joke, for example, if you forget the password from the Mi Account, unlocking the phone will be extremely difficult.
Screen lock:
MIUI supports:
- 🔐 Pin/password: Minimum length is 4 characters, but it is better to use 6 characters+.
- 👆 Fingerprint: Add at least 2 fingerprints (e.g. index and thumb).
- 😊 Facial recognition: Works fast, but less secure than a print.
Mi Account and Protection against Theft:
Mi Account links your phone to your profile, which allows you to:
- 📍 Find the device via i.mi.com.
- 🔒 Remotely block or erase data.
- 📱 Restore backups when changing phone.