You just unpacked the new Xiaomi — whether it’s the flagship Mi 14 Ultra, the budget Redmi Note 13 or the gaming POCO F6. The first switch is always exciting: you’re looking at a clean MIUI system that can surprise you with its flexibility of settings and confuse you with its abundance of options. But if you approach the process systematically, your smartphone will work faster, safer and last longer without failure.
In this guide, we’ll not only break down the basic setup (which many miss out on at the risk of lags or data leaks), but also the hidden features of MIUI, battery optimization for different use cases, and protection against typical problems from overheating to unauthorized access.
Important: the instruction is relevant for all modern devices Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO based on MIUI 14/15 (including global and Chinese versions of firmware). If you have a model older than 2020, some points may differ - check the version of the software in Settings → About phone.
1. First Including: What to Do in the First 10 Minutes
When you first press the power button, the smartphone offers you to go through the initial setup wizard, and here many people rush to press "Skip," but this is a mistake — some of the options then have to search in the depths of the menu.
Follow this algorithm:
- 🌍 Language and region choices: Install Russia (or your country), even if you plan to use global firmware, and this affects the services available, such as Mi Pay or Mi Home.
- 🔗 Wi-Fi connection. Use your home network, not your mobile Internet, because updates are downloaded faster. Avoid public hotspots at this stage.
- 🔄 Data portability. If you are switching from another Xiaomi, select Mi Mover (works via Wi-Fi Direct). Android/iPhone Use Quick Migration, but keep in mind that not all settings will be transferred.
- 👤 Mi Account: Without a Xiaomi account, you won’t be able to use the cloud, find your phone when you lose it, or unlock it after you reset. Sign up right away, even if you don’t plan on syncing.
⚠️ Warning: If you bought a smartphone with your hands, be sure to reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Reset settings.The previous owner may have left a tied Mi Account, which will block you from accessing certain features.
2. Firmware Update: Why You Should Do It Before You Set Up
Many users customize their smartphone first and then think about upgrades. This is wrong: the latest version of MIUI can fix critical bugs, improve autonomy and add new features. For example, MIUI 15 introduced optimization for the Dimensity 9200+ gaming processors, which reduces heat by 15%.
How to update correctly:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click "Check Updates." If a new version is available, download it.
- Connect the charging (the battery should be ≥50%).
- Click "Install" and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).
| MIUI version | Key improvements | Current models |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 15 | Optimization for Android 14, improved multitasking, new notification center | Mi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+, POCO F6 |
| MIUI 14 | Reduced power consumption, new widgets, improved camera | Mi 13, Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 |
| MIUI 13.5 | Tablet support, adaptive screen refresh rate | Mi Pad 6, Redmi K50 |
⚠️ Warning: If after the update, the smartphone began to warm or discharge quickly, reset the cache (Settings) → Memory. → Clear the cache. This will delete temporary files that may have conflicted with the new firmware.
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Before upgrading, disable VPN and antivirus – they can block firmware downloads, especially on Chinese models.
Battery Optimization: How to Prolong Battery Life
The battery is the most vulnerable part of Xiaomi smartphones, and even flagship models with a 5,000 mAh battery can run out in a day if you don't adjust the power consumption.
- 🔋 Battery mode. Go to Settings. → Battery → Battery mode and select: Balanced for most users; Long life if you want to extend battery life (limits charge to 80%); Performance only for games or benchmarks.
- ⚡ Fast charging. In the same battery settings, turn off Smart charging. 5G (it accelerates wear and tear) and turn on Optimized charging - this will slow down the degradation of the battery.
- 📵 Background activity. Limit auto-run of unnecessary applications: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Auto-start.
For advanced users: in Settings → Special features → Battery can be enabled to display the exact percentage of charge (useful for monitoring wear).
☑️ Optimizing Xiaomi’s battery
4.Security and privacy: closing MIUI loopholes
MIUI is known for its "friendliness" of data collection, and by default, it sends telemetry to Xiaomi, even if you haven't given explicit consent, to fix it:
- Go to Settings. → Confidentiality.
- Disable: Personalization of recommendations (collection of data for advertising); Sending diagnostic data; Improvement of the user experience.
Application authorizations
- 📍 Geolocations;
- 📷 Camera;
- 🎤 Microphone;
- 📂 Warehouse.
⚠️ Note: On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Some privacy settings may be blocked, in which case either search for the global version or use the ADB-telemetry:
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.joyoseWe also recommend installing an ad blocker (e.g. Blokada or AdGuard), as MIUI has built-in advertising even in system applications (e.g., in Browser or Weather).
5. Screen and gesture settings: make control convenient
Xiaomi offers flexible management options, from classic buttons to full-screen gestures, depending on your habits:
- 👆 Full screen gestures (recommended): Back - swipe on the right; Home - swipe up; Latest apps - swipe up with pause.
- ⚙️ Classic buttons for those who are used to the old Android.
- 🎮 Playing gestures (in) POCO) — swipes around the edges of the screen to control in games.
Additional screen settings:
- 🌓 Dark theme: Settings → Screen. → Dark subject: Turn on Automatic mode on schedule (e.g. 21:00 to 7:00).
- 🔍 Frequency of Update: If you have AMOLED-120Hz screen, select Adaptive Frequency to save battery.
- 👁️ Eye protection: turn on the blue light filter and adjust the temperature to 4000K eye-comfort.
For owners. POCO F6 or Redmi K70 s LTPO-Screens: Activate Adaptive Frequency in Settings → Screen. → Update frequency: This will allow the screen to dynamically change the frequency from 1 to 120 Hz, saving up to 20% of charge.
How to enable hidden performance mode in games?
6. Communication and Networking: How to Avoid Internet and Call Problems
Communication problems are a common complaint of Xiaomi users, especially 4G/5G and Wi-Fi. Here's how to set it up correctly:
- 📶 Mobile Network: Go to Settings → SIM-Maps and mobile networks; Select Preferred network type: 5G/4G/3G/2G (don't just put 4G, if 5G-Smartphone; Enable VoLTE and VoWiFi for better call quality.
- 📡 Wi-Fi: Disconnect Auto Connection to Open Networks; Enable Smart Wi-Fi Switching (Automatic Mobile Internet Switching at Low Signal); For Stability, Disable Wi-Fi 6 if the Router Does Not Support It.
- 🔗 Bluetooth: In Settings → Connected devices enable dual connection (for headphones).
⚠️ If the mobile Internet is missing after the update, check it out. APN-settings. They often get confused. Go to Settings to restore. → SIM-map → Access points (APN) and select your operator's settings (or add manually).
For Xiaomi 14 owners with Satellite Connectivity: To activate satellite support (in emergency cases), go to Settings → Pass → Emergency SOS and turn on Satellite.
7.Apps and services: what to remove and what to leave
MIUI comes with dozens of pre-installed apps, many of which duplicate features or are useless at all. Here's what you can safely uninstall (or disable):
| Annex | Can I remove it? | The alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Browser | Yes. | Chrome, Firefox, Kiwi |
| Mi Music | Yes. | Spotify, YouTube Music |
| Mi Video | Yes. | VLC, MX Player |
| Cleaner | No (unplug) | SD Maid, Files by Google |
| GetApps | Yes. | Google Play, APKMirror |
To remove system applications without root rights:
- Enable Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
- Go to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable debugging over USB.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and use the command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.cleanmaster (replace com.miui.cleanmaster with the desired application package).
⚠️ Note: Do not delete system services like com.android.phone or com.miui.home, this will cause your phone to fail!
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Even if you don’t use Xiaomi apps, some of them (like Security or Finder) are responsible for security.
8. Backup and reset: how not to lose data
Sooner or later, you may need to reset your smartphone to factory settings, whether before selling or to fix bugs. To avoid losing data, set up automatic backups:
- ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Cloud; Enable backup for Contacts, Messages, Photos; Buy extra space (5GB for free, but only for contacts).
- 💾 Local Copying: Use Settings → Memory. → Backup; Save copies to SD-card or PC (via Mi) PC Suite).
- 🔄 Reset to factory settings: Untie your Mi Account before resetting (Settings) → Mi Account → Get out; Use the settings → The phone. → Resetting settings; After reset, do not turn on the phone without SIM-Cards can be blocked by Mi Account.
⚠️ Warning: If you sell a smartphone, be sure to format the internal memory in the reset menu!
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Before resetting, write down your phone's IMEI (type *#06#) to help restore network access if something goes wrong.