Finding the right feature in the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS can be a daunting task, especially if you just switched from a different brand or upgraded your smartphone. Users often search for "where is email" on the menu, unaware that a standard email client can be hidden in the Tools folder or replaced by a third-party application by default. In the Android operating system, there is no single Mail button on Xiaomi devices, since the ecosystem allows you to use various services to work with emails.
In this article, weβll look at all the possible places where you can access your correspondence, and explain the difference between a Google account, Mi Account, and third-party customers. Understanding the structure of the Settings menu and how shortcuts work on your desktop will help you quickly find the section you want, and weβll look at both standard system applications and ways to add widgets to instantly access new emails.
Navigating the smartphone interface requires attention to detail, because icons often change when you update your firmware. Email is a critical tool for password recovery, transaction confirmation and business correspondence, so losing sight of it can cause panic. Let's figure out where to look for this functionality and how to set it up properly for a comfortable experience.
Standard application "Mail" and its location
In most cases, the factory email app is already pre-installed on your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO device, and may simply be called βMailβ or have an envelope logo, often white or blue, and is located on the home screen or in a system folder called Tools, which is created by developers for grouping utilities.
If you don't see the icon on your desktop, it may have been removed or moved to the menu of all apps. To access the full list of installed programs, swipe from the bottom up in the center of the screen or click a special navigation button if the classic management style is enabled. In the list that opens, you can use the search bar at the top, type in the word "Mail" or "Email" to instantly find the desired shortcut.
β οΈ Warning: Don't confuse the Mail system app with Mi Cloud or Mi Account, which are different services: the first is for reading emails, the second is for syncing data and searching for devices.
Sometimes users accidentally hide apps through the Hidden Apps feature available in the theme or security settings. If you're sure the app is installed but it's nowhere, check this menu section. Restoring the shortcut's visibility will take just a few seconds, after which you can use the email client again in normal mode.
Using Gmail on Xiaomi
Because Xiaomi smartphones run on Android, the primary and most integrated email service is Googleβs Gmail, which is often the default client, even if you have other email addresses, and can be found by its distinctive βMβ icon in red, blue, yellow and green.
Inside the Gmail app, you can add not only Gmail accounts, but also addresses from other providers such as Mail.ru, Yandex, Rambler or corporate domains, and just click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner and select "Add another account", the system automatically selects the necessary server settings using IMAP or POP3 protocols.
- π§ High reliability of notification delivery thanks to Google Play services.
- π Built-in protection against spam and phishing emails at the server level.
- π Automatic synchronization of contacts and calendar between devices.
- π Easy work with attachments and integration with Google Drive.
It is important to note that deleting or disabling the Gmail app can disrupt other services on your phone, such as the Play Store or YouTube. So if you don't use the email, it's best to simply not open it, but use an alternative client, rather than remove the system component, which will ensure the stability of the entire operating system.
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To quickly check new email, add a Gmail widget to the home screen, which will allow you to see the number of unread emails without opening the app.
Synchronization with Mi Account
Many users confuse the notion that Mi Account is also a mailbox, but it is actually an account for the Xiaomi ecosystem that is linked to a specific email address when you sign up. β Mi Account or through the Security App.
Although Mi Account itself does not provide a mailbox for correspondence, it uses your email as an ID, and that is where confirmation codes, security notifications, and in-theme shopping checks come in, and if you forget which email is used, you can view it in your profile by clicking on the avatar at the top of the settings menu.
Synced through Mi Cloud, you can back up your contacts, messages and notes by linking them to your email address, which is critical when changing your device, because you can quickly recover all your data by just logging into your profile. Without linked and verified mail, cloud storage will be limited.
| Parameter | Mi Account. | Annex Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Substantive function | Identity and the cloud | Reading and sending letters |
| Do I need the Internet? | Yes (for entry) | Yes (for synchronization) |
| Data storage | Contacts, photos, notes | Letters and attachments |
| Location. | System settings | Desktop / Folder |
Search for shortcuts in the Tools folder
MIUI shell is known for its tendency to group applications. Often, a standard email client, calculator, voice recorder, and other utilities are automatically assembled into a folder called Tools, which is usually on the home screen, often on the last page or in the dock bar below.
If you can't find an icon, try global search, swipe to the right of the left edge of the home screen (if Google widget is on), or pull down the center of the screen to call the search bar, and type in the name of the service you want, and the system will show you where it is located, or suggest running it directly.
β οΈ Note: When you reset to factory settings or after a major firmware update, the Tools folder can be recreated (created anew), and the shortcuts will return to their original position, even if you previously moved them.
In some cases, especially on global firmware versions, the standard app can be replaced with Gmail or Outlook depending on the regional settings when you first turn on the phone. Carefully examine all desktop pages, perhaps the shortcut is simply lost among the weather widgets or news.
βοΈ Checking the availability of a mail client
Installation and configuration of third-party customers
If a standard app doesnβt suit you or has been removed, you can always install an alternative from the Google Play store or GetApps. Popular options are Microsoft Outlook, Yandex Mail, Spark or BlueMail. These programs often offer a more flexible interface and easy sorting of emails.
Once you install a new application, the system may ask if you want to make it the default application for opening mailto links. You can agree to this action if you plan to use the new client as your primary client, and this will allow you to open email links from browsers and other programs immediately in the app you choose.
Adding an account to a third-party client usually requires entering an email address and password. Modern applications themselves determine the settings of incoming (IMAP/POP3) and outgoing (SMTP) mail servers. However, in rare cases, you may need to manually configure the ports and server addresses that can be found on your email provider's website.
- π Possibility of combining several boxes into a single incoming tape.
- π¨ Flexible customization of design themes and swipes for managing letters.
- π‘οΈ Additional security and encryption functions of correspondence.
- π Built-in calendars and task planners.
Solving problems with displaying icons
There are times when an application is installed, but its icon has disappeared from the desktop. This can happen after using memory cleaners or third-party launchers. First of all, check if the application is disabled in the settings. Go to Settings β Apps β All applications and find your email client in the list.
If the app is active but no icon, try re-create the shortcut. In some versions of MIUI, long-pressing on the empty desktop space causes an editing menu where there is an option "Add widgets" or "Apps." Drag the desired icon from there to the free screen space.
β οΈ Note: If the icon is missing after installing the Chinese version of the firmware on a global phone (or vice versa), it may be a conflict of system applications, in which case it is recommended to update all system components through the application "Component UpdateΒ».
Also worth checking the display settings. Settings β Desktop menus may have modes active that hide unused apps or change the display grid. Make sure the grid size is not too small, causing icons to βcollapseβ or become invisible.
What to do if the application does not open?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where to find SMTP settings for manually configuring mail?
Why donβt you send emails to Xiaomi?
Can I remove the standard Mail app?
How to restore access to the mail if you forgot your password?
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Searching for email on Xiaomi depends on whether you are looking for an app to read emails or set up a system account. Use menu search for instant results.