What is MIUI and why is Xiaomi using it?
If you've ever held a Xiaomi smartphone, you've probably come across the term MIUI, which is a proprietary shell that runs on top of the Android operating system. But why would a manufacturer create their own firmware when you could use the standard interface from Google? The answer lies in brand strategy, the desire for uniqueness and additional features for users.
MIUI (pronounced “My-Yu-Ii”) has been developed by Xiaomi since 2010 and was originally positioned as a customized version of Android with improved design and enhanced functionality. Today it is not just a wrapper, but a full-fledged ecosystem that is integrated with brand services, smart devices and even financial instruments (for example, Mi Pay). Without MIUI, Xiaomi smartphones would lose some of their corporate identity and unique chips that distinguish them from competitors.
But not everyone is happy with this shell, with some criticizing it for over-burdening the interface, others for advertising in system applications (especially budget models), so why does Xiaomi stick to MIUI despite the claims? Let's look at what real benefits it offers to smartphone owners and where its weaknesses manifest.
5 key advantages of MIUI over pure Android
MIUI is often compared to naked Android (like Google Pixel) or other shells like Samsung’s One UI. To understand why Xiaomi spends resources on its development, consider the main advantages that a user gets.
- 🎨 Unique design and customization. MIUI It offers one of the most flexible interfaces among Android shells, from changing icons and fonts to adjusting animations and gestures. → Screen. → Screen style can be selected the theme design, which radically changes the appearance of the system.
- 🔧 Advanced system tools. MIUI There are features that are not in the standard Android: Performance mode for games, Dual applications (cloning messengers), Second space (separation of personal and work data).
- 📱 Deep integration with Xiaomi ecosystem.Whether you have Yeelight smart bulbs, Mi Robot robot vacuum cleaner or Mi Band fitness bracelet, MIUI Simplifies their management through the Mi Home application without the need to install third-party programs.
- 🔒 Additional security features, such as Application Protection (locking access to messengers by fingerprint) or Virus Scanner, which runs in the background.
- 🌍 Localization and adaptation for different regions. MIUI It supports more than 80 languages, including adapted versions for India, Europe and Russia (taking into account local services and legislation).
MIUI also often receives updates with new chips before Google implements them on stock Android, for example, the dark theme mode appeared in MIUI long before its official release in Android 10.
How does MIUI affect smartphone performance?
One of the most controversial issues is the impact MIUI Critics often claim that the shell "slows down" the smartphone, but in reality, everything depends on the version of the device. MIUI, the model of the device, and the user's settings.
On the one hand, MIUI is optimized to run on Qualcomm Snapdragon and MediaTek processors that Xiaomi uses in its smartphones. For example, in Redmi Note and POCO models, the shell automatically activates Performance Mode when you start games, which increases FPS and reduces latency. On the other hand, background MIUI processes (such as Mi Cloud or Analytics) can consume additional resources if they are not disabled.
| Parameter | MIUI (optimized) | Pure Android |
|---|---|---|
| Use of RAM | 10-15% higher (due to background services) | Below (minimalist approach) |
| Autonomy | Depends on the settings (maybe better due to energy saving modes) | Stable, but without additional optimizations |
| Speed of animations | Smoother (due to proprietary algorithms) | Standard (60 FPS) |
| Heating. | It may be higher with intensive use | Usually lower. |
An important nuance: in budget models (for example, Redmi 9A or POCO C31), MIUI can run slower due to weak hardware, while in flagships (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Mix Fold 3) there is almost no difference with pure Android.
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To reduce the MIUI load on the battery, disable Autosynchronization in Settings → Accounts and Sync and limit the background activity of unnecessary applications in Settings → Applications → Permissions → AutoRun.
MIUI and Advertising: Is It Really Harming Users?
One of the main criticisms of MIUI is the presence of ads in system applications. Indeed, in some regional versions of firmware (especially for India and China), banner ads can appear in Weather, Themes, Mi Browser and even Settings.
Here's how things really are:
- 📵 In the global versions MIUI (For example, for Europe or Russia, there is no advertising in system applications - it is disabled by default.
- 🔧 In the Chinese and Indian versions, advertising may be present, but it can be manually disabled through Settings. → Memory. → Cleaning (delete “Recommendations»).
- 🛡️ In flagship models (Xiaomi 13, Mix 4) advertising is not even in regional firmware.
- 📲 In budget smartphones (Redmi 10, POCO M4) Advertising may appear, but it is easy to remove through settings or third-party utilities like ADB.
⚠️ WARNING: If you buy a Xiaomi smartphone on AliExpress or in unofficial stores, there is a high risk of getting a Chinese version. MIUI Check the firmware region in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (must be indicated as “Global” or "EEA").
You can use complete removal of advertising ADB-commands (requires unlocking the bootloader) or reflash the device on custom firmware like LineageOS. However, this cancels the warranty and can lead to unstable work.
Comparing MIUI to Other Shells: Which Is Better?
To understand why Xiaomi needs its own shell, compare it to its main competitors: One UI (Samsung), ColorOS (Oppo/Realme), and pure Android (Google Pixel), each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
| Criteria | MIUI (Xiaomi) | One UI (Samsung) | ColorOS (Oppo) | Pure Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customization | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (themes, fonts, animations) | ⭐⭐⭐ (limited settings) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (flexible interface settings) | ⭐⭐ (minimalism) |
| Productivity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Good optimization for games) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (steady-work) | ⭐⭐⭐ (sometimes) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (maximum speed) |
| Ecosystem | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Integration with a smart home) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Samsung Knox, DeX) | ⭐⭐⭐ (limited) | ⭐ (Google services only) |
| Updates | ⭐⭐⭐ (Long-term support, but not always fast) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 years of updates) | ⭐⭐ (2-3 year-end) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5+ years) |
MIUI beats competitors in terms of customization and integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem, but loses in the speed of updates (especially for budget models).For example, Samsung promises 4 years of updates for its smartphones, while Xiaomi is often limited to 2-3 years even for flagships.
Which one to choose when productivity is important?
How to upgrade or change MIUI: instructions for beginners
If you think MIUI is right for you (or you want to get rid of it), it's important to know how to update or change your firmware. Official MIUI updates come out regularly and bring new features, bug fixes and security patches. Here's how to install them:
Backup data in Settings → Additional → Backup
Connect to Wi-Fi (updates weigh 1-3GB)
Charge your phone at least 50%
Close all background applications-->
To update, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. If a new version is available, click Download and wait until it is completed. Don't interrupt the process - this can cause a system failure.
If you want to completely remove MIUI and install another firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), you will need to:
- Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (you need a Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
- Install custom recovery (TWRP).
- Swipe alternative firmware through fastboot or TWRP.
⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the phone and cancels the warranty, NFC or camera) can work correctly on custom firmware.
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Updating MIUI through official channels is the safest way, and installing custom firmware requires experience and can lead to a loss of warranty.
MIUI and privacy: Should we be worried?
Xiaomi has been at the center of scandals over user data collection in recent years, such as in 2020, when researchers discovered that MIUI sent browser activity data to the company’s servers even in incognito mode. Xiaomi has since made changes to its privacy policy, but questions remain.
What exactly does MIUI collect?
- 📊 Anonymous statistics (application use, system errors) – you can disable in Settings → Confidentiality → Diagnostics.
- 📍 Location data (for Mi Weather, Mi Fit services) – managed in Settings → Location.
- 🔑 Mi Account information (if you use cloud storage or Mi Pay).
How to minimize data collection:
- Turn off Personalized Recommendations in Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
- Use alternative apps instead of standard ones (Google Chrome instead of Mi Browser, Gmail instead of Mi Mail).
- Check application permissions regularly in Settings → Privacy → Permits.
If privacy is critical to you, consider installing GrapheneOS or CalyxOS, data protection-focused firmware, but they don’t support all of Xiaomi’s features (like a camera or IR-blaster).