How to set up a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone: the full guide 2026

The new Xiaomi Redmi in hand is always a thrill of possibilities, but also questions: where to start? Even if you are not new to the Android world, each smartphone brand has unique chips that are worth activating immediately. This article will help not only to get through the basic setup, but also to unlock the hidden potential of your device — from performance optimization to interface personalization.

We're going to look at not only the obvious steps, like connecting to Wi-Fi or creating a Mi Account, but also the less noticeable settings, like how to turn off ads in the Internet. MIUI, You can set up gestures for easy control or activate the game mode, and you can also find out which settings to change immediately after unpacking to avoid battery or security problems.

Important: The instruction is relevant for all modern Redmi models (including the Redmi Note). 12/13, Redmi 12/13, Redmi K60 etc.) on the base MIUI 14/15. If you have an older firmware version, some menu items may be different – we will warn you about this separately.

Initial setting after switching on

When you first turn on Xiaomi Redmi, the system offers you to go through the initial setup wizard, which is not completely missed, but you can speed up if you know what points to pay attention to.

At the language selection stage, select Russian (if it is not in the list, check the region in the settings of the Google Play store later).

• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi – be sure to do this right away to download updates and sync data.
• 🔑 Sign in to your Mi Account or Google account – if you don’t have an account, create one (without it, cloud backups and some features like Find Device won’t work).
• 📱 Transfer data from your old phone – if necessary, select this item and follow the instructions (use the cable) OTG wirelessly).
• 🔒 Set up unlocking – fingerprint or facial recognition (on models with a AMOLED-screens are better to choose both options).

Pay attention to the item Personalization – here you can immediately choose the theme of the design (for example, dark mode to save battery on the device). AMOLED-displays) and font size. If you skip this step, the later changes can be made in Settings → Screen.

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Don’t miss the software update at the initial setup stage! Even if the smartphone is new, there may be critical security patches in the firmware.

Network and Internet settings: Wi-Fi, mobile data, 5G

Without a stable internet, Xiaomi Redmi loses half of its features, and let’s figure out how to set up connections to avoid speed issues or sudden shutdowns.

First, check the mobile internet settings:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-Map and activate Mobile Data.
3. In the Network Type section, install 5G/4G/3G/2G (Automobiles – This will ensure maximum compatibility.
4. If the speed is low, check the access points (APN) — parameters must correspond to your operator (they can be found on the website of MTS, Beeline or MegaFon).

For Wi-Fi, it's important:

• 📡 Disable Autoconnection to Open Networks in Settings → Wi-Fi → In addition, to avoid connecting to unsafe points.
• 🔄 Activate Wi-Fi Assistant (ibid.) – it automatically switches to mobile data if the Wi-Fi signal is weak.
• 🔒 Enable Public Network Notifications to receive alerts when connecting to potentially dangerous networks.

If you have Redmi with support 5G (For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Redmi K60), check:

1. B Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [yours SIM] → The type of network must be selected 5G.
2. If 5G Do not catch, update the firmware – sometimes operators add support for new ranges only in the latest versions MIUI.

Optimizing performance and battery

Xiaomi Redmi is known for its good price-performance ratio, but even they can slow down if you don’t set up the system correctly.

1. Turn off unnecessary background processes:

• 🚫 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Auto-run and disable auto-run for unnecessary programs (especially social media and games).
• ⚡ B Settings → Battery → Select Balanced (for most users) or Performance (if you want maximum power).

2. Set up the performance mode for games:

• 🎮 Enable Game Mode in Settings → Special facilities → Game mode. You can turn off notifications and block gestures while playing.
• 🔧 For individual games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) adjust the graphics manually: pinch the game icon on the desktop → Information on the annex → Game mode → Graphics.

3. Extend the life of the battery:

Disable auto-run of unnecessary applications |

Set the screen frequency at 60 Hz|

Activate adaptive brightness|

Enable charging optimization|

Turn off search for Bluetooth devices in the background-->

Important for models with AMOLED-Screens: activate the dark theme in Settings → Screen. → It's a dark topic. It'll reduce energy consumption by 15-20% routinely.

Personalization of the interface: themes, gestures, desktop

One of the pluses MIUI — It's a deep customization of the interface, and even if you don't like the standard design, you can change it beyond recognition.

Installation of themes:

• 🎨 Go to Settings. → Registration → Topics and select one of the preset topics (e.g. Minimalism or Dark).
• 🌍 To download new themes, click Online themes (you will need a Mi Account). AMOLED — They are optimized for black screens.
• 🖼️ In the Wallpaper section, you can install dynamic wallpaper (for example, Earth or Space), which change depending on the time of day.

Tweaking of gestures:

V MIUI There are two types of navigation:

• 👆 Gestures (recommended): swipe from the bottom for returns, swipe from the left for multitasking. Set up in Settings → System system → Gestures → Full-screen gestures.
• 🔙 Classic buttons: If you are used to the old style, select the Three Navigation buttons.

Tip: In gestures, you can adjust the sensitivity of swipes - this is useful if you accidentally activate multitasking.

Desktop and folders:

• 📂 To create a folder, drag and drop one icon onto another. MIUI folders can have up to 4 rows and 4 columns.
• 🔍 Enable Screen Search (swipe down on desktop) for quick access to apps.
• 🔄 B Settings → You can turn off the automatic alignment of icons if you want to place them freely.

Security and privacy: what to set up right away

Xiaomi Redmi collects data to improve services, but most tracking features can be disabled, and it is also worth protecting the device from unauthorized access.

1. Data protection:

• 🔐 Enable Application Locking in Settings → Passwords and security → Locking applications. That will allow you to set up a separate application. PIN messenger-and-galleries.
• 🛡️ Activate Privacy Protection in Settings → Confidentiality → Privacy protection. You can restrict the access of applications to your data here.
• 📱 Enable Find Device (Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device – This will help you find your phone if it gets lost.

2. Disabling data collection:

By default. MIUI Sends anonymous data to Xiaomi to stop it:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → More.
2. Disable Use Data Submission and Interest-Based Advertising.
3. In the Application Permissions section, check which programs have access to your geolocation, microphone, or camera.

Protection against viruses:

• 🦠 Include Security Scanner in Settings → Passwords and security → Security scanner. It checks the system for malware.
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI closing vulnerabilities.

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Even if you don’t store important data on your phone, enable device encryption in Settings. → Passwords and security → Encryption, which will make it harder to access information when you steal.

⚠️ Note: If you sell or transfer a phone, be sure to complete a full reset via Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings. Just deleting an account is not enough, data can be restored!

Hidden features Xiaomi Redmi, which few people know

V MIUI There are a lot of useful things hidden that are not obvious at first glance:

Second space mode:

• 👥 It allows you to create a second work profile with separate applications and data, useful if the phone is used by several people.
• Activated in Settings → Special facilities → Second space.

Fast teams:

• 🎤 Set up voice commands in Settings → Special facilities → Quick commands, like, "Open camera" or "Enable flashlight".
• ⌨️ Keyboards: In Settings → Additionally. → Buttons and gestures → Keyboard combinations can be assigned to double-press buttons (for example, starting the camera with double-pressing the power button).

3. Hidden settings of the developer:

To activate them:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Press 7 times in a row on the MIUI version.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.

Here you can:

• 🔧 Turn on Debugging. USB (need to be connected to the PC).
• 📱 Install window animation on 0.5x speed up the interface.
• 🔋 Disable automatic system updates if it interferes with.

Reading mode and vision protection:

• 📖 Enable Reading Mode in Settings → Screen. → Reading mode – it reduces blue light and makes text clearer.
• 👓 Set up Vision Protection there so that the screen automatically adjusts to the lighting.

Camera Settings: How to Make a Photo Better

The cameras in Xiaomi Redmi are often underrated - with the right settings, they can compete with flagships.

Basic camera settings:

• 📸 Turn it on. HDR (in camera settings – it improves details in shadows and light.
• 🌃 For night shooting, activate Night Mode (moon icon in camera interface).
• 🔍 Turn on the grid (Settings) → Grid) for the correct composition.

Modes of shooting:

Videotaped:

• 🎥 For stable video, enable Stabilization in camera settings.
• 🔊 If you shoot with a microphone, activate the sound amplification (in some models).
• 📽️ For slow motion, select 120. FPS 240 FPS (model-wise).

Hidden camera chips:

• 🤳 In selfie mode, you can turn on mirror display so that the photo matches what you see on the screen.
• 🔄 In the camera settings there is a watermark item - you can add a date or model of the phone in the photo.
• 📏 In professional mode shooting in format is available RAW (further processing).

⚠️ Warning: If the camera is slowly washing or focusing, clean the lens with a soft napkin. Dust and fingerprints have a big impact on the quality of the shot!

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Xiaomi Redmi