MIUI 10 on Xiaomi: full shell overview, supported devices and installation instructions

The MIUI 10 shell has been one of the most significant updates to Xiaomi smartphones in recent years. Launched in 2018, it brought not only cosmetic changes to the interface, but also deep optimization of the system, new AI features and improved performance. If you are the owner of a Xiaomi device and are wondering whether to upgrade to this version or how to use it, this article will help you understand all the nuances.

MIUI 10 was developed on Android 8.1 Oreo (later Android 9 Pie for some devices) and became a transition between the classic design of MIUI and modern shells with a focus on gestures and minimalism. It received positive reviews for the smoothness of animations, responsive interface and advanced personalization capabilities. However, not all Xiaomi devices support this version, we will discuss below which models are compatible and how to check the availability of the update.

What is MIUI 10 and how is it different from other versions?

MIUI 10 is the tenth version of Xiaomi’s proprietary shell, which replaced MIUI 9. The main difference is the redesign, focused on full-screen smartphones with cutouts (notch) and gesture controls. The developers paid special attention to the visual part: animations became smoother, icons became three-dimensional, and the system adapted to different screen sizes.

The key innovations of MIUI 10:

• 🎨 New design with a focus on minimalism and airiness, for example, notifications and quick setup panels have become semi-transparent.
• 🤖 Artificial Intelligence for Performance Optimization: The system analyzes user habits and allocates resources to frequently used applications.
• 📱 Support for gestures instead of classic navigation buttons (available on Android 9 Pie devices).
• 🔒 Improved security: Face scanner added (on supported models), personal data protection enhanced.
• 🎵 New player with adaptive sound and support for high-quality audio formats.

Compared to MIUI 9, the tenth version was noticeably faster, especially on Redmi’s budget smartphones, but some users noted that the shell still suffers from an excessive amount of pre-installed apps and advertising (in global versions it has become less, but not completely disappeared).

List of Xiaomi devices that support MIUI 10

Not all Xiaomi smartphones have received an upgrade to MIUI 10. Below is a list of models for which this version of the firmware was officially released. Note: some devices received only beta, and for others the update was the last (for example, for the Redmi Note 3).

To check if the update is available for your device:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Checker.
3. If MIUI 10 is available, a notification will appear prompting you to download the firmware.

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If your device is not on the list, but you want to try MIUI 10, you can install custom firmware via TWRP. However, this requires unlocking the bootloader and may be unwarranted.

How to upgrade to MIUI 10: step-by-step instructions

Upgrades to MIUI 10 can be done in two ways: through the built-in update menu (recommended) or manually by downloading the firmware from the official website. The first method is easier and safer, but only if the update is already available for your model. The second option will require more action, but will allow you to install MIUI 10 even if it is not already available in your region.

Method 1: Update through Settings (OTA)

Battery charge ≥ 50% | Wi-Fi connection (recommended) |Free ≥ 2 GB of storage | Backup data

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Steps to update:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Slip the Update Check button (could be called Download updates manually in the global version).
3. If MIUI 10 is available, click Download (file size ~1.5–2GB).
4. After downloading, select Install and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Method 2: Manual installation via Recovery

If OTA-Update is not available, but your model supports MIUI 10:

1. Download the firmware from the official Xiaomi MIUI Downloads website (select your model and region).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root directory of internal memory.
3. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update, click on three dots → Select a firmware file.
4. Select update.zip and confirm the installation.

The main problems of MIUI 10 and how to solve them

Despite the improvements, MIUI 10 is not without its drawbacks: users often face interface slowdowns, overheating or rapid battery discharge. Most problems are solved by settings or factory reset, but some require deeper intervention.

Common bugs and ways to eliminate them:

• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: Turn off Auto Brightness and Constant Wi-Fi search in battery settings. Also check background apps activity in Settings → Battery → Battery utilization.
• 🐢 Lags and slowdowns: clear the cache in Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. If it doesn't work, try turning off animation in Settings. → Additionally. → Special opportunities → Remove animations.
• 📶 Network problems: reset network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
• 🔊 Sound Distortions: Update audio drivers through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Update packages.

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If the phone gets too hot after upgrading to MIUI 10, check the CPU boot in Settings → Battery → CPU usage. Often the background processes of Google Services or Mi Cloud are to blame.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 5 Pro) after upgrading to MIUI 10 stops working Double Tap to Wake. To return the function, you need to manually enable it in Settings. → Screen. → Awakening and blocking.

Hidden features of MIUI 10, which few people know

MIUI 10 hides some useful features that are not obvious at first glance, such as the shell has a "Second Space" mode (dual system), hidden gestures and even a built-in screen recorder without installing third-party applications.

Top.-5 latent:

• 🔄 Second Space: allows you to create a separate profile with your apps and settings (useful for work or privacy). → Special facilities → Second space.
• 🎥 Screen recording: built-in watermarked feature. Launches through the notification panel (find Screen Recorder tile).
• 🔍 Search by Settings: At the top of the Settings menu is a search bar – type in a keyword (e.g., “bat” for battery) and the system will show all relevant options.
• 📁 Hidden folders: You can create a folder with a password in the file manager. → Password-protected.
• 🎵 Adaptive sound: the player has a mode Mi Sound Enhancer, which automatically adjusts the equalizer to the headphones.

Another little-known feature is the “Lite” mode for weak devices, which disables unnecessary animations and background processes, speeding up the system. It turns on through Settings → Battery and Performance → Lite mode (not available on all models).

MIUI 10 vs MIUI 11/12: Should I Update More?

If your smartphone supports newer versions of MIUI (11, 12 or 13), should you upgrade from the tenth version?

When to stay on MIUI 10:

• Your device does not support new versions (e.g., the Redmi Note 4X does not officially receive MIUI 12).
• You are interested in a classic design with three-dimensional icons and bright colors.
• Newer versions are slower on your smartphone (relevant for budget models).

When to upgrade:

• You’re using Mi 8, POCO F1 or newer devices – they get updates longer.
• The dark theme and modern navigation gestures are important.
• You want to improve your privacy (in) MIUI 12+ Added permissions for geolocation and microphone).

⚠️ Note: Some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 5) have an update with MIUI 10. MIUI 12 leads to a deterioration in autonomy due to a more resource-intensive shell. Before updating, check the reviews on forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

FAQ: Frequent questions about MIUI 10