MIUI Xiaomi: What it is, how it works and why it is needed

If you’ve ever held a Xiaomi smartphone, you’ve probably heard of it. MIUI — It's a branded shell that makes the brand's devices recognizable. But what is it really about? Why do some users praise it for its convenience and others scold it for its advertising? And most importantly, how do you interact with it to get the most out of your gadget?

MIUI (It's not just a collection of icons and themes, it's a whole ecosystem that determines how your smartphone looks, works, and even consumes energy. Developed by Xiaomi back in 2010, it went from modest customization of Android to one of the most popular shells in the world. MIUI It is installed on hundreds of millions of devices – from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi 14.

In this article, we will understand what MIUI It's different from pure Android, what chips it has (and pitfalls), how to update it, customize it, and even change it to alternative firmware. If you've just bought Xiaomi or have been using it for a long time, but want to understand the shell more deeply, welcome!

What is MIUI: In simple words

MIUI — This is the user interface that Xiaomi installs on top of the Android operating system. Imagine that Android is the foundation of the house. MIUI — It's a trim, a furniture, even a smart control system, and without it, the smartphone will work, but it will look and function differently.

Why Xiaomi doesn't leave Android as it is: MIUI It allows the brand to stand out from the competition by offering unique features that Google’s standard Android doesn’t have, such as built-in app cloning tools, advanced battery settings, or a proprietary Read Mode that reduces eye strain.

It is important to understand that MIUI — It's not a separate operating system, it's an add-on over Android:

• 📱 You can still install apps from Google Play.
• 🔄 Android security updates will come (but with a delay as Xiaomi adapts them to its shell).
• 🛠️ If you wish, MIUI You can replace it with another firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

There are now two main branches. MIUI:

• 🌍 Global version (MIUI Global – for the international market, with support for Google services and without Chinese applications.
• 🇨🇳 Chinese version (MIUI China – no Google services, but with exclusive features (for example, more frequent updates).

Differences MIUI from pure Android: pros and cons

If you go to Xiaomi from a device to a naked Android (like Google Pixel or Motorola), the difference is immediately apparent. Let's take a look at the key differences and decide which is the plus and which is the minus.

The benefits of MIUI:

• ⚡ Rich settings: you can fine-tune everything from gestures and animations to notification behavior and battery consumption. MIUI There is a separate section of Settings → Special facilities → Additional features where useful little things like “One Hand” or “Color filter” are hidden".
• 🔄 App cloning: One of the most popular features is the ability to create a duplicate messenger (for example, two WhatsApp or Telegram on the same phone). SIM-map.
• 🎨 Topics and personalization: in MIUI One of the most advanced theme editors, you can change icons, fonts, animations, even system sounds, and there are both free and paid themes at the Mi Themes store.
• 🔋 Battery optimization: Thanks to aggressive control of application background activity, Xiaomi smartphones often hold the charge longer than competitors. For example, in the settings there is a “Super battery” mode, which limits background processes.

The disadvantages of MIUI:

• 📢 Advertising in system applications: yes, it is true. Global version MIUI Advertising is less common, but in Chinese it can pop up in the Browser, Music or even Settings. It can be turned off, but it's not always easy.
• 🐢 Update delays: Xiaomi is not famous for the rapid release of new versions of Android. For example, when Google announces Android 15, Xiaomi owners will have to wait several months until the release of new versions of Android. MIUI adapt it.
• 🗑️ Pre-installed applications: even in the global version MIUI There are some services that are not needed by many, like Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps, which can be deleted, but not always without root rights.
• 🔍 Data collection: Xiaomi has been in scandals over telemetry collection. In privacy settings, you can disable most of the tracking, but you can not completely get rid of it.

💡

To disable advertising in MIUI, Go to Settings. → Memory. → Clean and deactivate the "Recommendations" option, and check the settings of each system application (e.g., the Browser). → Settings → Advertising).

MIUI Versions: How to Know Yours and What Numbers Mean

MIUI It's updated regularly, and each version brings new features, bug fixes, and sometimes compatibility issues. MIUI X, where X is the version number. For example, at the time of writing, the current version is the version — MIUI 14 (Android-based 13/14).

How to find out your version MIUI?

1. Open the Settings.
2. Go to the About Phone section.
3. Find the item Version. MIUI — This will include the number (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.5).

What do the numbers after the point (e.g. 14.0.5) mean?

• The first number (14) is the main version MIUI.
• The second (0) is a major update within the version (for example, the transition from Android 13 to Android 14).
• The third (5) is a small patch with bug fixes.

Xiaomi releases updates in waves, which means that even if your model supports the new version. MIUI, You can get it later than other users, and if it's not coming in long, you can try it:

• 🔄 Check manually: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📥 Install via Recovery (if there is an official update package).
• 🛠️ In extreme cases, manually stitch through Fastboot (but it is risky!).

How to update MIUI: step-by-step

Updates MIUI two-type:

• 📲 OTA (Over-the-Air - automatic over-the-air updates. The easiest and safest way to do this is to get you a new one.
• 💻 Manual firmware - when you download the update file yourself and install it through Recovery or Fastboot. OTA It does not work or you want to switch to another version (e.g. global to European).

Update via OTA:

Check the battery charge (at least 50%)

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi

Make a backup copy of important data

Close all applications before updating-->

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If the update is available, click Download (confirmation required).
4. After downloading, select Install and wait for the reboot.

Manual installation via Recovery:

1. Download the official service package (file with.zip extension) from the site MIUI Downloads (select your model!).
2. Move the file to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory (not to the folder!).
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select the Update File.
5. Specify the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

💡

Never interrupt the Recovery update process if the phone is stuck on the logo. MIUI longer 20 For a minute, try to press the power button on 10-15 If that doesn't work, you'll have to flash the device through the Fastboot.

⚠️ Note: if you install firmware not for your model (for example, tried to install it) MIUI from Redmi Note 12 on Poco X5), Your phone can turn into a brick. Always check compatibility!

Hidden MIUI features you didn’t know about

MIUI It's full of Easter eggs and hidden opportunities that don't lie on the surface:

Second Space Mode

It's like a separate user profile, but with complete isolation, you can create a second desktop with different apps, settings, even a password, which is useful if you give a phone to a child or a colleague, but you don't want them to see your data.

How to turn on: Settings → Special facilities → Second space.

2.Gesturals for quick access

MIUI Supports a bunch of gestures that speed up work:

• 👆 Swipe down the lock screen - quick access to the flashlight.
• 👇 Double touch on the screen – wake up the device (configured in Settings) → Lock screen → Additionally).
• ➡️ Holding the Home button – calling the Google Assistant or Xiao voice assistant AI.

3. Hidden developer settings

If you like to dig into the system, activate the Developer Mode:

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

You can turn on the debugging here. USB, speed up animations or even emulate a different screen resolution.

4.Integrated screen recording with sound

V MIUI It has its own screen recording tool that can capture system sounds (unlike many third-party applications:

1. Open the notification panel.
2. Find the screen recording icon (if not, add through panel editing).
3. Click on it and select the sound source (Microphone, System Sound, or both).

💡

If MIUI lost sound after the update, check the settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality. Sometimes factory reset solves the problem.

MIUI problems and how to solve them

Despite the upsides, MIUI It's not perfect. Here are the most common problems and the ways to fix them:

1.Fast battery discharge after upgrade

Often after installing a new version MIUI The phone starts to eat the battery, and that's because the system re-indexes the files and optimizes the applications. 1-2 Adaptation day, if the problem persists:

• Check which apps use the most energy in Settings → Battery.
• Turn off background activity for unnecessary applications.
• Activate Super Battery mode in the battery settings.

2.Heating the phone

MIUI Sometimes it's overheating, especially on budget models:

• 🔥 Background Processes: Check Settings → Annexes → Permits → Autostart and disable Autostart for unnecessary programs.
• 🎮 Games: MIUI It has a built-in Game Turbo that can overclock the processor.
• 🔄 System Update: If the phone is warming up while charging, there may be a background update.

3.Lucks and braking

If MIUI Starting to "slow down," try it:

• Clear the cache: Settings → Memory. → Clean up.
• Disable animations: In the Developer Settings, set the Windows Animation Scale, the Transition Animation Scale, and the Animator Duration Scale on Off.
• Resetting settings: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings (don’t forget to make a backup!).

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The phone stopped turning on or stuck on the logo, don't try to sew it through unverified sources! The official way to restore it is to use the Mi Flash Tool with the original firmware for your model. Wrong actions can lead to hard brick (irreparable damage).

Alternatives MIUI: Should I switch to another firmware?

If you're not happy with it. MIUI, You can look at alternative firmware, but before you go to extremes, weigh the pros and cons:

Popular alternatives:

• 📱 Pixel Experience is a firmware that mimics Google Pixel's pure Android. Pros: no ads, quick updates. Cons: the camera or fingerprint sensor may not work.
• 🔄 LineageOS is one of the most stable custom firmware. supports many Xiaomi devices, but requires manual installation.
• 🇪🇺 MIUI EU — European MIUI Ad-free and with more frequent updates.

What you lose when you switch to custom firmware:

• ❌ Warranty (if the device is warranty, the firmware will reset it).
• ❌ Possible camera, Wi-Fi or sensor issues (not all firmware is perfectly optimized).
• ❌ Absence OTA-Updates (you will need to update manually).

How to use alternative firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (you need a Xiaomi account and wait). 7-14 days).
2. Install custom recovery (such as TWRP).
3. Download the firmware (for example, from the site) XDA Developers).
4. Fly through TWRP or Fastboot.

⚠️ Attention: unlocking the loader and firmware custom ROM It can also lead to a ban on your Mi Account if you use informal methods, 4PDA or XDA) for your model!

FAQ: Frequent questions about MIUI