MIUI 13 on Xiaomi: a full analysis of new features and hidden features

Update to MIUI 13 has become one of the most anticipated events for owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO In the years 2022-2026, despite the release of more recent versions of the firmware, many users still prefer to stay on the "thirteenth" because of its stability and optimization. MIUI 12.5? Why did some features go unnoticed while others sparked heated debate in the community?

In this article, we will take a look at all the key innovations, from the redesigned interface and improved performance to hidden settings that are not covered in the official announcements. We will focus on compatibility issues with different Xiaomi models (from the flagship Mi 11 to the budget Redmi Note 10) and give practical recommendations for setting up. If you have not yet updated or doubt the feasibility of the transition, here you will find arguments for and against.

1. New design: minimalism and adaptive animations

The main visual change in MIUI 13 — the transition to the concept of "Liquid Design", which Xiaomi positions as a "liquid" interface. MIUI 12, where smooth transitions, dynamic icons and adaptive animations that respond to user gestures prevail. For example, swiping down to open the notification panel slightly blurs the icons, creating a movement effect.

Key design changes:

• 🎨 New system icons: more rounded and contrasting, with support for a dark theme by default. MIUI 13 added 200+ Redesigned icons for standard applications.
• 🌓 Adaptive dark theme: automatically adjusts to the desktop wallpaper, analyzing the prevailing colors (does not work on all models).
• ✨ Dynamic wallpaper: Animations on the lock screen respond to touch (for example, raindrops diverge from your finger).
• 📱 New Control Panel: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and brightness buttons are now combined into one swipe menu (like iOS).

But not all of the changes were successful. For example, on some models (like the Redmi Note 9 Pro) animations are delayed due to a weak processor, which causes discomfort. If you encounter lags, try turning off the effects in Settings. → Display. → Animation of the system.

2.Performance: Why MIUI 13 got faster?

Xiaomi said that MIUI 13 is 15 to 25 percent more efficient than its predecessor thanks to three key improvements: background optimization, a new file system, and Atomized Memory.

Optimizing background processes now limits the activity of apps that are not currently in use, for example, if you launched Instagram and then switched to Telegram, the former will be frozen and will not waste resources. This is especially noticeable on devices with 4-6 GB of RAM (for example, POCO X3 Pro).

The second innovation is the file system. MIUI Storage, which reduces data fragmentation, tests show that it speeds up reading/write by 10 to 12 percent (relevant for devices with a computer-generated device). UFS However, on older smartphones with eMMCs (e.g. Redmi). 9A) the difference is almost imperceptible.

Important: if after the update the smartphone began to warm or quickly discharge, check the settings in Settings → Battery → Performance mode. Sometimes the system automatically selects "High Performance," which leads to overheating.

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To test the real speed, run the test in AnTuTu Benchmark before and after the upgrade. 10,000 difference+ points are a good indicator.

3. Privacy and security: what has changed?

V MIUI 13 Xiaomi has put a special emphasis on data protection, partly because of criticism from the EU over telemetry collection, and now users have more control over permissions, but some features remain controversial.

Main innovations:

• 🔒 Apps can only request area, not exact coordinates (as in Android 12).
• 📱 Camera/microphone access indicator: a green dot appears in the upper right corner (like an iPhone).
• 🗑️ Cleaning the cache on schedule: you can set up automatic cleaning of temporary files once a week.
• 🛡️ Phishing protection: the built-in Mi Browser browser blocks suspicious sites (does not always work correctly).

But there are pitfalls, such as the "Private Safe Mode" feature (hidden folders in the gallery) still vulnerable, with files being reset and some users complaining that the system is not safe. MIUI 13 continues to send data to Xiaomi servers even when telemetry is turned off.

4. New features for camera and multimedia

For photographers and video lovers MIUI The 13 brought some useful innovations, although most of them are only available on flagship models (e.g., Xiaomi 12 Pro or Mi 11 Ultra:

The improved night mode now works not only for the main camera, but also for the front camera (on supported devices). The Night Mode 2.0 algorithm promises better detail in the dark by combining multiple frames with different exposures.

Other innovations:

• 🎥 Video in the video HDR10+: Support for extended dynamic range (requires Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or later).
• 📸 Document Mode: Automatically straightens photos of pages of books or checks (similar to Google Lens).
• 🎵 Improved audio in video: noise cancellation now works in real time while recording.
• 🖼️ Wallpaper filters: You can apply blur or color correction effects to background images.

Note: on budget models (like Redmi 10), many of these features are software-disabled. To check availability, open the Camera app and swipe left - if there are fewer options than in the screenshots in the reviews, your device does not support them.

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The greatest increase in video quality is inclusion HDR10+ And it's going to stabilize the Ultra Steady, but it's really draining the battery.

Battery and energy efficiency: is it true that MIUI 13 more economical?

One of Xiaomi’s biggest promises is to increase battery life by 10 to 15 percent by optimizing power consumption, but in practice, the outcome depends on the smartphone model and the use cases, and what mechanisms are responsible for this and how to set them up.

The new algorithm, Smart Balance, analyzes user habits and distributes battery resources between applications, for example, if you normally listen to music in the evening, the system will limit background activity during the day. POCO F3) This mechanism is not working properly and leads to sudden discharges.

Other changes:

• 🔋 Adaptive screen refresh rate: If the screen supports 120Hz, the system automatically reduces the frequency to 60Hz for savings (configured in Settings) → Display).
• ⚡ Fast charging with protection: on flagships (for example, Xiaomi) 11T) limited battery heating when charging over 80%.
• 📉 Power consumption report: now shows which applications are using up charge in the background (even if they are “optimized").

If the battery starts to go down faster after the upgrade, follow the following steps:

1. Reboot your smartphone (sometimes helps to reset the background processes).

2. Check the settings → Battery → Using a battery for "gluttonous" applications.

3. Turn off Adaptive Brightness and set the value manually (automatics often overstates the backlight).

4. Reset the cache to Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

5.If nothing helps, reset your settings (but do a backup first!).-->

6. Hidden functions and life hacks for MIUI 13

Many useful opportunities MIUI 13 hidden in the depths of settings or activated through secret combinations, we've collected the most interesting of them, from gesture control to hidden modes.

1. Hidden Developer Mode for Fine-Tunes

To activate it, go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI And then you tap the line 7 times, and then you'll see a "Developers" item on the menu:

• Disable animations to speed up the interface.
• Insert "Debugging by" USB" work-in ADB.
• Change the speed of transitions (useful for older devices).

2.Gesturals for quick access

• 👆 Swipe down the lock screen: quickly opens the flashlight (configured in Settings) → Lock screen).
• ✌️ Double-touch screen: wakes up the device (not working on all models).
• 🔄 Triple press of the power button: triggers an emergency call (useful in emergencies).

3. Secret codes for diagnosis

Enter these combinations in the Phone app (as a normal number):

• #4636## - information about the battery and network.
• ##6484## is a screen sensor test.
• ##64663## - Check the operation of the module GPS.

7. Problems and bugs: What breaks after the update?

Despite promises of stability, MIUI 13 has caused a number of problems, especially on devices with low RAM or older chipsets:

1.Lags and braking

Most often occur on devices with 3-4 GB of RAM (for example, Redmi 9 or RAM). POCO M3). Causes:

• Too aggressive optimization of background processes (applications are rebooted when they return to them).
• Conflict with some versions of Google Play Services.

Solution: Disable the "Restriction of Background Processes" in the developer settings or perform a cache reset.

2. Problems with connection to Wi-Fi/Bluetooth

Some users complain about spontaneous disconnection from networks or inability to connect to Mi Band devices. MIUI 13.

Decision:

• Forget the network in Settings → Wi-Fi and connect again.
• Turn off "Adaptive Wi-Fi" in additional settings.
• Update the router’s firmware (sometimes the problem is on the hardware side).

3. Fast battery discharge

If after the update, the smartphone began to discharge in 4-5 hours, check:

• Is the "Performance Mode" activated in the battery settings?
• Are there any apps with abnormal consumption (for example, Facebook or Mi Video) on the consumption list?
• Is there a "Constant Screen Activity" (always on display) enabled?

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If the problems don’t go away, try to roll back. MIUI 12.5 via Mi Flash Tool. 4PDA (But be careful, it will throw all the data!).

8 How to upgrade to MIUI 13: step-by-step instruction

If your device supports you MIUI 13, but the update hasn't come in the air yet, you can install it manually, and there are two options: Recovery (without data loss) or Fastboot (for power users.

Method 1: Update with Recovery (recommended)

1. Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com (select the version of "Recovery" ROM").
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root of internal memory.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Select firmware file".
5. Confirm the installation and wait for the restart (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Method 2: Installation via Fastboot (for advanced)

This method requires an unlocked bootloader and Mi Flash Tool, which is suitable if the first method did not work or you need a clean upgrade.

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the 4PDA).

2. Download Fastboot ROM for your model.

3. Install the drivers ADB and Fastboot on PC.

4. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down) + Nutrition).

5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool and follow the program instructions.

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⚠️ Warning: when you update via Fastboot, all data will be deleted! pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup or Mi Cloud backup.

If after the update, the smartphone hung on the logo MIUI, Don't panic. Wait 10-15 minutes -- sometimes the first load takes a long time. If the screen stays black for more than 30 minutes, try rebooting in Recovery. + Power) and select "Wipe Cache".

FAQ: Frequent questions about MIUI 13