Xiaomi: Which Operating System is Better — MIUI, HyperOS or custom firmware?

Choosing an operating system for Xiaomi’s smartphone is not just a technical issue, but a decision that directly affects the performance, security and even the life of the device. Since 2023, the company has been actively moving its devices from the usual to the usual. MIUI The new HyperOS has caused a lot of controversy among users, some praise the updated system for speed and minimalism, others nostalgic for the stability of the good old one. MIUI. And there are those who do prefer to install custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience for full control of the device.

In this article, we will analyze all the current OS options for Xiaomi, compare them by key parameters: performance, energy efficiency, functionality and ease of use. You will learn which system is suitable for a gaming smartphone, and which is optimized for long-term autonomy; where there's more customization and where there's more data protection, and we'll focus on the hidden settings of HyperOS that allow you to bring back the usual chips. MIUI And of course, we'll give you clear guidelines for different scenarios, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Xiaomi 14.

1. MIUI: Pros and cons of the classic shell Xiaomi

MIUI — It's Xiaomi's signature shell, which has been the foundation for all of the brand's smartphones for over 10 years, and is built on Android, but with deep interface redesign, additional features and a unique design. Many users still consider it the “gold standard” for Xiaomi devices, despite the company’s transition to HyperOS.

Main advantage MIUI — It's the ultimate integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem, and it's perfect for branded services like Mi Cloud, Mi Home, and unique chips:

• 🎨 Themes and design: thousands of free themes in the Mi Theme Store, the ability to change icons, fonts and even animations.
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Advanced Energy Saving Algorithms That Prolong Autonomy by 15-20% Compared to Naked Android.
• 🛡️ Built-in security: virus scanner, blocking spam calls, password protection of applications.
• 📱 Multitasking features: floating windows, split screen, gestures for quick switching between applications.

But MIUI There are also some serious disadvantages that make many users look for alternatives:

• 🐢 «Heavyweight: on weak smartphones (e.g. Redmi) 9A POCO M3) The system may slow down, especially after a year of use.
• 📦 Pre-installed software: a lot of unnecessary applications (Mi Browser, Mi Music, games) that can not be removed without root rights.
• 🔄 Frequent bug updates: Xiaomi releases patches regularly, but sometimes they break stability (such as Bluetooth or notification issues).
• 📵 Advertising in system applications: in some regions (for example, in India) MIUI Advertising is introduced even in the settings.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI On a smartphone older than 2020, check if it is transferred to the MIUI Lite is a simplified version of the shell, which lacks many functions (for example, no themes and some gestures), but works faster on a weaker gland.

HyperOS: Revolution or Marketing Stunt?

HyperOS is Xiaomi's new operating system, officially unveiled in October 2023. MIUI, It's basically a deep redesign of Android with elements of Xiaomi's own OS (Vela), which is used in smart home and IoT devices. The main goal of HyperOS is to unify the management of all the brand’s gadgets (smartphones, tablets, TVs, smart watches) under one ecosystem.

How is HyperOS different from MIUI?

The advantages of HyperOS:

• ⚡ Speed: The system consumes 20-30% less RAM than MIUI, What is especially noticeable on devices with 6-8 GB of RAM.
• 🔋 Autonomy: Thanks to optimization of background consumption, smartphones on HyperOS last 10-15% longer (tests on Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi Note 12).
• 🔒 Security: improved application isolation, built-in antivirus from Avast, data encryption by default.
• 🌐 Cross-platform: you can control your smartphone from a Xiaomi Pad tablet or even from a Mi TV TV.

The disadvantages of HyperOS:

• 🎨 Limited Customization: No of the MIUI, fewer options for design, removed some gestures.
• 🔧 Hidden Settings: Many features (such as CPU overclocking or fine-tuning notifications) are hidden in the engineering menu.
• 📱 Not all devices will receive the update: HyperOS is officially available only for smartphones 2022-2026 (for a full list, see the official website).
• 🐛 The rawness of the first versions: users complain about bugs with notifications, work NFC and camera (especially on Poco) F5 redmi K60).

How to get chips back MIUI hyperOS?

If you lack the usual functions, you can activate hidden settings:

1. Open the Settings. → About Phone and Tap 7 Times on HyperOS Version to Enable Developer Mode.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and enable: Animation windows (0.5x) — to speed up the interface; Background processes (4 processes) to save battery; Debugging USB — If you are planning to make modifications.

Mi Theme Editor

XDA Developers

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If after the update on HyperOS, notifications from messengers disappeared, check the autorun settings: → Annexes → Auto-start management and enable the required programs.

3. Castom firmware: freedom or headache?

If not MIUI, And you don't like HyperOS, but you have custom firmware, which is a modified version of Android that's created by enthusiasts, and it gives you complete control of the device, removes unnecessary software, and often runs faster than standard operating systems. However, the installation of custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, which deprives of warranty and can lead to a “brick” (breakdown) of the smartphone.

Popular custom firmware for Xiaomi:

• 📱 LineageOS: clean Android with no extra apps, stable and fast. Suitable for older models (Redmi Note 5, Mi 8).
• 🎨 Pixel Experience: It mimics the Google Pixel interface with chips like Now Playing and Call Screen).
• ⚡ ArrowOS: Optimized for performance, supports many Xiaomi devices (including Poco) X3 Mi 10).
• 🔧 Havoc-OS: maximum customization (you can even change the shape of icons and notification style).

The advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ No ads and Bloatware (unnecessary applications).
• ✅ Regular security updates (even for older smartphones).
• ✅ Ability to fine tune (for example, changing the processor frequency to save battery life).
• ✅ Support for functions that are not in MIUI/HyperOS (Always-on Display on unsupported devices).

Cons and risks:

• ❌ Loss of warranty: Unlocking the bootloader will void the Xiaomi warranty.
• ❌ The possibility of “brick”: the wrong firmware can turn a smartphone into a “brick».
• ❌ Camera and sensor problems: Some firmwares don’t have a wide-angle module or fingerprint scanner.
• ❌ No official support: if something breaks, it is pointless to contact the service center.

Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool|

Make a backup of data (photos, contacts, SMS) |

Download firmware and GApps (Google services)|

Check compatibility with the smartphone model |

Charge your phone at least 70 times%-->

⚠️ Note: On devices with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi Note 11 or Poco) M4 Pro) unlocking the bootloader is more difficult than on Snapdragon. You'll need additional software like this. SP Flash Tool, and the risk of “brick” is higher.

Performance comparison: benchmarks and actual use

To compare objectively MIUI, HyperOS and custom firmware, we tested three smartphones on a single chipset (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1):

• Xiaomi 12 Pro on the run MIUI 14;
• Xiaomi 13 on HyperOS 1.0;
• Poco F4 GT Pixel Experience 13.

Test results (average values of 5 launches):

Conclusions from the tests:

• HyperOS performs better in benchmarks thanks to kernel optimization and reduced background load.
• The Pixel Experience is almost equal to HyperOS in performance, but loses in autonomy due to less aggressive battery management.
• MIUI lags behind in synthetic tests, but in real use the difference is not so noticeable (especially if you turn off animations).

Real use cases:

• Games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile): HyperOS and custom firmware give more stable FPS (5-10% higher than MIUI).

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If you want the maximum FPS In games, choose HyperOS or custom firmware with a kernel optimized for gaming (e.g. KernelSU).

5. Autonomy: Which OS holds the charge longer?

One of the key criteria for choosing an OS is battery life, and we tested three smartphones with the same battery (5,000 mAh) in four scenarios:

1. Games (PUBG Mobile, maximum settings).

Results (in hours):

Why is HyperOS more economical?

• 🔋 Adaptive battery management: the system analyzes the user’s habits and optimizes consumption in the background.
• 🛑 Aggressive background restriction: Apps that are not used are completely frozen».
• 📉 Optimized drivers: better work with Snapdragon and MediaTek processors (for example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ HyperOS gives us +2 hours of video compared to MIUI).

How to extend autonomy on any OS?

• Turn off Auto Brightness and set the value manually to 40-50%.
• Turn on the Dark Theme (on) AMOLED-The screen saves up to 15% of the charge).
• Limit the background activity of applications in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.
• Use Power Saving Mode (in HyperOS it is called Ultra Battery Saver and can extend the work by 30%).

Security and Privacy: Where is your data more secure?

If you're critical to protecting your identity, then choosing an OS becomes even more responsible (MIUI, HyperOS, custom firmware) have their own vulnerabilities and advantages.

Comparison of key safety parameters:

Safety recommendations:

• 🔐 Nana MIUI/HyperOS Turn off data collection in Settings → Confidentiality → Special permits → Use data.
• 🛡️ On custom firmware, install AFWall+ for controlling network access of applications.
• 🔍 Check your device regularly for viruses (for example, through Malwarebytes).
• 🔑 Use hardware encryption (included in Settings) → Security → Encryption).

⚠️ Note: HyperOS devices have Cross-Device Services enabled by default, which syncs data between Xiaomi gadgets. If you don't use the brand ecosystem, turn it off in Settings. → Xiaomi Account → Synchronization to reduce the risk of data leakage.

7. Which OS to choose for different Xiaomi models?

There is no universal answer to the question “which OS is better” – it all depends on the smartphone model, your needs and even the region (for example, in China and Europe different versions of firmware).

Budget smartphones (Redmi) 10A, Poco M5, Redmi Note 11):

Rationale: HyperOS can work unstable on weak iron, and custom firmware requires installation skills. MIUI Here is the most balanced option.

The mid-segment (Redmi Note 12 Pro, Poco) X5 Pro, Xiaomi 11 Lite):

Rationale: HyperOS gives an increase in autonomy and speed, and custom firmware allows you to “unlock” the potential of Snapdragon processors 7xx.

Flagships (Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 14, Poco) F5 Pro):

Rationale: on flagships, HyperOS unlocks the full potential of processors (Snapdragon) 8 Gen 2/3), A custom firmware gives freedom for experimentation.

Older models (Xiaomi Mi 9, Redmi Note 8 Pro, Poco) F1):

• 🔹 Best choice: LineageOS or Pixel Experience.
• 🔹 The alternative: MIUI (unless there are updates).
• 🔹 Not recommended: HyperOS is not supported.

Rationale: Custom firmware extends the life of older devices by giving up-to-date security updates.

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Before choosing an OS, check if your HyperOS model supports the official Xiaomi website. If the device is more than 3 years old, most likely, there will be no update.

8. Step-by-step instructions: how to go from MIUI HyperOS or custom firmware

If you decide to change the OS, follow this instruction. Attention: all actions you perform at your own risk!

Transition from MIUI HyperOS (official method):

1. Check if your device supports HyperOS on the official website.
2. Make a backup of the data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Connect to Wi-Fi and go to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
4. If the update is available, click Download and install. The device will restart and update automatically.

Installation of custom firmware (on the example of LineageOS):

Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (you need a Xiaomi account older than 7 days)|

Download the firmware LineageOS for your model from the official website