Xiaomi Redmi: how to use a smartphone from scratch – a step-by-step guide

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones have gained popularity thanks to a combination of affordable price, powerful filling and flexible MIUI firmware. However, even experienced Android users are sometimes lost in the abundance of features, not to mention the newcomers who first took possession of the device of this brand. This article will help you understand all the nuances - from basic settings to hidden features that the manufacturer does not always advertise.

We won’t list the obvious things like “how to turn on your phone” or “how to make a call,” but instead focus on practical tips that will save you time: how to set up Redmi after you buy it, what features to turn off to save power, how to use Xiaomi’s signature chips (like Second Space or Game Turbo), and what to do if your smartphone starts to slow down.

First Entry and Initial Setup

When you first turn on Xiaomi Redmi, the system offers to go through the initial setup process, and it is important to take your time and carefully consider each step - many of the parameters set at this stage, then you will have to manually change through the menu.

First, select the language (Russian is available by default on all official firmware). Then the system will suggest connecting to a Wi-Fi network - use your home network, not mobile Internet, to avoid traffic consumption when downloading updates. Then a window will appear with a suggestion to sign in to your Mi Account. If you do not have one, you can skip this step, but note: without an account, cloud backup, device search when you lose and some MIUI functions will not work.

• 🔄 Data recovery: if you are switching from another Xiaomi smartphone, you can restore settings and files via Mi Cloud or local copy. For other brands, the option “Import with Android” will suit (you will need a cable). OTG wireless).
• 🔒 Security: Set up unlocking – fingerprint, pattern lock or PIN. The fingerprint is added to the settings → Passwords and security → Fingerprint. Don't use a simple fingerprint. PIN (For example, 1234) if you store payment data on your phone.
• 📱 Branded services: Xiaomi will offer to enable Mi Video, Mi Music and other applications, which can be disabled — they are not critical to the system, but take up space in memory.

At the lock screen setting stage, select the notification display style. The "Show content" option is convenient, but less secure - anyone can read your messages without unlocking the phone.

MIUI Interface: What Has Changed and How to Adapt

Xiaomi's MIUI firmware is very different from pure Android. There's no regular app menu, all the icons are placed on desktops (like iOS), and you can search for it by swiping your finger down the home screen, or use folders to find it.

One of the most controversial elements is the adverts in system applications, which has become less common in recent versions of MIUI, but still occurs, to turn off the adverts:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone and tap 7 times according to MIUI to activate Developer Mode.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → Special Options → Developer Mode.
3. Find the option to Disable MIUI Ads and activate it.

Another feature is the control gestures. Redmi uses them differently than standard Android. For example, to go back, you need to swipe your finger from the left or right edge of the screen to the center. To open a list of recent apps, swipe up and hold your finger. These gestures can be adjusted or turned off in Settings → Display → Full-screen mode.

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If you don't like MIUI brand icons, install a Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher from Google Play. They let you customize the interface to your preferences.

Network and Internet settings: Wi-Fi, mobile data, access points

Networking is one of the key aspects of a smartphone. Xiaomi Redmi has some useful features that will help save traffic and improve communication. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Dual connection allows you to use Wi-Fi and mobile Internet at the same time to increase download speeds.

If you have problems with coverage, check your network settings:

• 📶 Network mode: c Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Select network settings 4G (preferably or only 4G, If the operator supports VoLTE.
• 🔄 Automatic Network Selection: Turn off this option if your smartphone is constantly switching between 3G and 4G, loosen.
• 📡 Access Point: To distribute the Internet, go to Settings → Access Point and modem → Set a strong password (at least 8 characters) and select the security standard WPA2-PSK.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-One of these cards can automatically shut down when you have an active Internet connection on the other. SIM-Select the card Always connected to the main card.

To save traffic, turn on Traffic Savings in Settings → Connections & Sharing → Traffic Savings. This feature limits application background activity and compresses data. It is also useful to disable app auto-update on Google Play: go to Play Store Settings → App Auto-Update and select Never.

Optimizing performance and cleaning memory

As time goes by, any smartphone starts to slow down, and Xiaomi Redmi is no exception, with the main reasons being filled memory, background processes and fragmented files. To keep the device running, follow these guidelines:

1. Cache cleanup: Cache speeds up applications, but over time takes up gigabytes of memory. To clear it, go to Settings → Apps → Select an app → Storage → Clear cache. For mass cleaning, use the built-in Security → Cleanup app.

2. Disable AutoRun: Many programs start automatically when you turn on your phone, consuming resources. To prevent this, go to Settings → Applications → AutoRun control and disable unnecessary applications.

3. MIUI Optimization: in Settings → About Phone → System Optimization can run virus check, garbage cleanup and memory defragmentation. Do this once a month.

If your smartphone is slowing down, try resetting to factory settings. Before you do that, be sure to back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. Reset is done in Settings → About Phone → Reset.

⚠️ Note: do not use "memory cleaners" from Google Play (such as Clean Master or CCleaner).They often delete useful system files and can impair performance. MIUI fairly.

Camera: Hidden functions and professional modes

The cameras in Xiaomi Redmi offer a lot of features, but many users are limited to basic modes, meanwhile, there is a professional mode (Pro Mode), manual focus, shooting in RAW format and even the Document feature for scanning papers.

To unlock all the camera's capabilities:

• 📸 Pro Mode: allows you to manually adjust shutter speed, ISO, White balance and focus, useful for shooting in difficult conditions (e.g. at night or in bright sunshine).
• 🌃 Night mode: activated automatically in the dark, but it can be turned on forcibly by tapping the moon icon.
• 🎥 Video 4K: in the camera settings (Settings) → Video resolution) select 4K And you can do it for the best possible quality.
• 🔍 Macro mode: If your model has a macro camera, zoom in 2-5 cm and wait for automatic focusing.

To shoot documents, use Document mode, which automatically aligns perspective and improves readability of text. The finished image can be immediately saved to PDF. Another useful feature is Clone, which allows you to take a photo with your duplicate (useful for creative shots).

Battery: How to extend the working time

Battery is one of the most vulnerable parts of smartphones. Xiaomi Redmi has several tools to control the charge flow, but many users don't use them.

1. Energy saving mode: c Settings → Battery and performance → Energy saving mode can be chosen between Balanced, Energy Saving and Super Energy Saving. The latter turns off background activity and limits productivity, but significantly prolongs the running time.

2. Application optimization: In the same section (Battery and performance → Battery optimization), you can manually limit background activity for individual applications, for example, messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram can be left without restrictions, and games and social networks can be limited.

3. Dark mode: AMOLED-screens (installed in most Redmi models) consume less power when displaying dark colors. → Display. → Dark mode.

⚠️ Warning: If the battery is rapidly discharged after updating the firmware, try resetting the network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings: Sometimes this helps to correct errors related to the communication module.

Updates and firmware: how not to break the phone

Regular MIUI updates bring new features, bug fixes, and security patches, but not all updates go smoothly — sometimes they cause bugs or even "brick" the device (making it inoperable).

1. Check reviews before installing major updates. Go to forums (like 4PDA or Mi Community) and look for bug information in the new version for your model.

2. Back up before upgrading. Use built-in (Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset) or third-party apps like Swift Backup.

3. Update over Wi-Fi, not mobile internet. Interrupted booting can cause system failure.If the upgrade weighs more than 1GB, connect the phone to charge.

If after the update, the smartphone began to slow down or overheat, try to clear the cache through the Recovery mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Select Wipe Cache (Manage volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. Reboot the device (Reboot).

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Never interrupt the firmware update process! If the phone is stuck in the installation phase, wait at least 30 minutes.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions