MIUI in Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: everything you need to know about the shell in 2026

What is MIUI and why it is on all Xiaomi Redmi smartphones

If you’ve ever held a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone, you’ve probably noticed that its interface is very different from the naked Android on Google Pixel or Motorola devices. This is not a coincidence, but the result of the MIUI shell, a proprietary firmware that Xiaomi has been developing for more than 10 years. MIUI (pronounced “My-Yu-Ai”) is not just a set of icons and themes, but a full-fledged operating system on top of Android that changes everything from appearance to functionality.

Why is Xiaomi not using pure Android like many other manufacturers? It's simple: MIUI was created back in 2010, when Android was just gaining popularity, and Chinese smartphones needed a unique "face." Today, the shell has become the brand's hallmark, and without it, Redmi, Poco or Mi would lose their identity. But what concretely gives MIUI to the user? Should it be feared or, conversely, should we be happy with its capabilities? Let's sort it out in order.

MIUI vs. Pure Android: 5 Key Differences

Many users, switching from Samsung One UI or Google Pixel to Xiaomi Redmi, get lost in the MIUI interface. To avoid confusion, compare the shell with the “bare” Android in the main parameters:

• 📱 Design and animation: MIUI It's known for smooth transitions, bright colors, and the absence of applets (widgets) on the default home screen. On pure Android, everything is more minimal, but less saturated.
• 🔧 Settings and customization: B MIUI You can change almost everything from fonts to system sounds, whereas in stock Android, the possibilities are limited.
• 📦 Pre-installed apps: Xiaomi actively integrates its services (Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps), while Google offers only a basic set of services.
• 🔒 Security and confidentiality: MIUI It has a built-in Security App with antivirus and garbage cleanup, and a Hidden Album feature for photos.
• 🔄 Updates and support: Xiaomi releases updates MIUI Android is more common than Google, but they don’t always bring new Android features (like the Redmi Note 10). MIUI 14, but without Android 13).

It's important to understand that MIUI is not just a wrapper, it's a deep modification of Android, for example, it's redesigned:

• 📞 Calls and SMS: Built-in spam blocker and conversation recording (in some regions).
• 📷 Camera: Mi Camera proprietary application with unique modes (for example, Magic Clone for duplicate objects in photos).
• 🎮 Game mode: performance optimization and blocking notifications during play.

MIUI Versions: How to Know Yours and What Numbers Mean

Xiaomi regularly updates MIUI, and each new version brings changes in design, performance and functionality.Today (2026) are the MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 (for flagships).

To check out the MIUI version:

1. Open the Settings.
2. Go to About the Phone.
3. Find the MIUI version line (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.5).

Decoding of symbols:

Important: Chinese versions of MIUI (with the suffix China) often have more features, but do not support Google Play and other Google services due to restrictions in China.If you buy Redmi on AliExpress or in Chinese stores, make sure that Global or EEA firmware (for Europe).

Pros and cons of MIUI: whether to love or hate it

MIUI is one of the most talked about Android shells, with some praising it for its flexibility and functionality, while others scolding it for its advertising and heavyweightness. Let's look at the objective pros and cons of the Xiaomi Redmi user feedback in 2026.

✅ Advantages MIUI

• 🎨 Deep customization: you can change everything from icons to lock animations. There's even a theme editor (Themes).
• 🔋 Battery optimization: Ultra Battery Saver function extends the smartphone’s performance 20-30% longer than in pure Android.
• 🛡️ Built-in security tools: virus scanner, fraud protection, sandbox for suspicious applications.
• 📲 Comfortable gestures: for example, swiping down on the home screen opens the search, and double tapping the screen wakes the phone.
• 🔄 Xiaomi releases security patches and new features more often than many other brands.

❌ Deficiencies MIUI

• 📢 Advertising in system applications: in Mi Browser, Security and even in the settings can appear banners (in global versions it has become less, but it is there).
• 🐢 Slowdown over time: After a year of use, many users complain of slowdowns (solved by resetting to factory settings).
• 🔒 Developer restrictions: Xiaomi blocks some Android features (e.g., Android, ADB default off).
• 📦 Garbage applications: Pre-installed services (Mi Pay, Mi Community) can not be removed without root rights.
• 🔄 Not always stable updates: new versions MIUI Sometimes bring bugs (such as Bluetooth problems or auto-brightness).

💡

MIUI is for those who like to customize and are not afraid of experimentation. If you want minimalism and stability, consider smartphones with pure Android or Samsung One UI.

How to upgrade MIUI to Xiaomi Redmi: step-by-step instructions

Xiaomi regularly releases updates for MIUI, both small security patches and large versions (e.g., from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14), which can be updated in two ways: by air (OTA) or manually through Recovery.

🔄 Method 1: Update by air (OTA)

It's the easiest and safest method. You'll need:

• 📶 Stable Wi-Fi connection (update "weighs" 1-3 GB).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50%.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Put it on System Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If the update is available, download it and confirm the installation.
5. After restarting, the smartphone will be updated automatically.

Battery charge > 50% | Wi-Fi | Data backup | Closing all applications | Shutting down VPN (if used)

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🔧 Method 2: Manual installation via Recovery

If the update doesn’t come by air or you want to upgrade to another version (e.g. Global to EEA), you can install the firmware manually.

Steps:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the MIUI Downloads website (choose Recovery ROM).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of internal memory.
3. Open System Update (as in method 1), click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select a firmware file.
4. Please specify the downloaded update.zip and confirm the installation.
5. After the reboot, the smartphone will be updated.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the upgrade process! If you pull out the battery or turn off the phone during installation, this can lead to a "brick" (breaking the firmware), in which case you will need to refashion the device via Fastboot.

How to remove MIUI or switch to pure Android

Not everyone likes MIUI, and some Xiaomi Redmi users want to switch to pure Android or custom firmware (like LineageOS).It's possible, but the process requires technical skills and can be unwarranted. Let's look at the basic ways.

🔄 Method 1: Install custom firmware (requires unlocking the bootloader)

This requires:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding and wait 7-14 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
3. Switch to alternative firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience for pure Android).

Cons:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty if not returned MIUI backwards).
• ⚠️ The risk of “bricking” (breakdown) of the smartphone.
• ⚠️ Not all functions can work, for example, NFC camera).

📱 Method 2: Use of a launcher (without root)

If you don't like the design of MIUI, but you don't want to take risks, you can install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair).

• 📱 Appearance of the main screen and application menu.
• 🎨 Icons, animations, gestures.

But system applications (like Settings or Camera) will remain with MIUI.

⚠️ Warning: Before any firmware manipulation, be sure to back up your data! → Additionally. → Backup and reset or third-party tools like Swift Backup (requires root).

MIUI 15 and the future of the shell: what to expect owners of Redmi

In 2026, Xiaomi announced MIUI 15, a new version of the shell that will bring a number of changes, according to preliminary data, key innovations include:

• 🚀 Optimizing performance: reducing RAM consumption by 10-15% through a new process management mechanism.
• 🎨 New design: flatter icons, adaptive colors (like in Google’s Material You).
• 🔒 Improved privacy: Secure album feature with hardware-level encryption.
• 🤖 AI tools: automatic background removal in photos, wallpaper generation by text request.
• 🔋 Advanced battery savings: Extreme Battery Saver mode, which extends up to 2 days at 5% charge.

However, there are also some controversial moments:

• ❌ More advertising in Chinese version (global version promises to cut).
• ❌ Refusing to support older devices: for example, Redmi Note 9 will not receive MIUI 15.

The full list of supported devices has not yet been published, but MIUI 15 is expected to receive:

• 📱 Flagships: Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70, Poco F6.
• 📱 Midsize: Redmi Note 13, Poco X6.
• 📱 Budget models: Redmi 13C, Poco M6 (functionally limited).

FAQ: Frequent questions about MIUI in Xiaomi Redmi