Buying a modern robot vacuum cleaner is a great step towards automation, but immediately after unpacking, many users face the first difficulties: the device must be properly prepared for work, connected to the network and synchronized with the smartphone to work effectively.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at the entire process of initial setup of the Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner, look at the nuances of connecting to Wi-Fi and explain how to use advanced features through the Mi Home app.
Before you start any manipulation, make sure you have a stable internet connection and a charged smartphone.It is critical that your phone is connected to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network, as most Xiaomi robot models do not support 5GHz networks.
Preparation of the device for the first launch
The first thing to do after removing the robot from the box is to do a visual inspection and remove all the transport locks, often the side brushes or bumper are secured with tape, which must be removed for the collision sensors to work properly.
Then you charge the device. You plug the charging station into the socket and you put the robot on it. The charging indicator should light up, signaling the beginning of the process. Primary charging can take 3 to 4 hours, and it is not recommended to interrupt it to calibrate the battery successfully.
While the device is charging, prepare the room, remove wires, socks and other small objects that can wind on the brushes from the floor, and it is also advisable to make space around the charging station - 0.5 meters on the left and right, and 1.5 meters in the front, so that the robot can dock freely.
⚠️ Warning: Do not lift a working or charging robot by the top cover, holding it only by the sides (LDS), if it protrudes, or violates the calibration of the gyroscope.
Make sure that the dust collector and filter are properly installed in their compartments, and sometimes they may shift during transportation, leading to reduced suction power or engine errors.
Installation and registration in the Mi Home application
To manage Xiaomi’s smart app, you’ll need a special app: Download Mi Home from the official Google Play or App Store, and then start the app and create an account if you don’t already have one.
When registering, it is important to choose the right region. In the application settings, go to profile and select a country. For devices purchased in the CIS, the "Russia" region is often suitable, but for some global versions of robots, you may need to choose "China" or another country. Changing the region in the application will hide the already added devices, so you better decide immediately.
After authorization, click the add-on button (usually a plus in the corner). the app will request permission to use geolocation and Bluetooth - be sure to agree, as this is necessary to find a robot nearby.
- 📱 Make sure your smartphone has Bluetooth and geolocation enabled.
- 📶 Connect your phone to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network (not 5 GHz).
- 🔋 Robot vacuum cleaner should be on and be near the phone.
- 👤 Mi Account must be authorized in the application.
If the automatic search didn't work, select your vacuum cleaner model from the list manually, usually in the Roborock, Mijia or Viomi series, and follow the on-screen instructions for pairing.
The process of connecting to a Wi-Fi network
The most important step is to set up the network, and after choosing a model, the app will suggest you enter the password from your Wi-Fi router, enter it carefully, observing the character register, and even a single character error will lead to a connection failure.
There are two main ways to connect: the first is automatic, when the application itself transmits network settings to the robot via Bluetooth, the second is manual, when you need to press and hold certain buttons on the device body (usually the on button and the return button to the base) until the voice message about the pairing mode sounds.
During the process, the Wi-Fi indicator on the robot body should start flashing orange, which means that the device is in standby mode, and if the indicator is on blue, the connection is successfully completed.
⚠️ Note: If you have a dual-band router with the same name for 2.4 and 5 GHz networks, you may have problems. Temporarily split the networks in the router settings or create a guest network only for 2.4 GHz.
Once a successful connection is made, the robot may suggest updating the firmware. Software updates are an important step, as new versions often include improvements to navigation algorithms and bug fixes.
☑️ Checklist of Wi-Fi connection
Creating a room map and navigation
Modern Xiaomi models use a laser rangefinder (LDS) or visual navigation to build a map. After the first launch, the robot will offer a complete cleaning to create a map of the room.
During this process, don't interrupt cleaning and try not to move the charging station. The robot has to drive through the entire available area to correctly calculate the size of the rooms and the location of obstacles, and the result will be a virtual map displayed in the application.
Once you've built the map, you can edit it in the app, and you can have room separation, you can connect zones, you can create virtual walls and no-go zones, and you can stop the robot from going under a bed with a long fringe, or into a carpet area that it can't get through.
| Function of the map | Description | What do you need? |
|---|---|---|
| Room separation | Dividing a single space into separate zones | To select a specific room cleaning |
| Virtual walls | Lines that the robot doesn't cross | Protection of areas with wires or flowers |
| No-go zones | Square areas to ignore | Blocking entry on carpets or under furniture |
| Points of interest | Tags for quick access | Quick cleaning around the table or bed |
The saved card can be renamed, for example, "First floor" or "Apartment." If you have a multi-level housing, the robot will be able to remember up to 4-5 different cards, but you will need to switch between them manually in the application.
Set up cleaning and schedule modes
The Mi Home app provides flexible settings for different scenarios. You can choose between Quiet, Balanced, Turbo and Maximum modes. You can usually use a balanced mode for daily cleanliness, and you can use maximum power for carpets.
One of the most useful features is a cleaning schedule, so you can set up automatic start-ups at certain times of the week, for example, a robot can clean the kitchen every morning at 9:00, while you're at work.
You can also customize the cleaning order, and in advanced models, you can specify the sequence of cleaning rooms, for example, first the corridor and the kitchen, and then the bedrooms, so that you don't carry dirt around clean rooms.
- 🧹 "Only vacuum cleaner" - dry cleaning without wet wipe.
- 💧 “Washing Only” mode – activation of the water pump (for models with a tank).
- 🔄 Vacuum cleaner regime + Washing" - combined cleaning.
- 🚫 Do Not Disturb – Turn off the sound and light at a given time.
Don't forget to adjust the water flow level if your model supports wet cleaning. For linoleum and tiles, you can set a high level, and for laminate it is better to choose the minimum to avoid soaking joints.
Maintenance and care of a robot vacuum cleaner
The main filter (HEPA) and fine cleaning filter require periodic replacement or washing, depending on the model. The garbage collection should be emptied after each cleaning.
Pay special attention to the main brush, which often winds the hair and fur of animals, which can lead to engine overload, clean the brush with special tools that come with a kit, or with scissors, with caution.
Sensors, especially the height sensor and the laser rangefinder, need to be wiped with dry soft cloth, and the contamination of the sensors causes the robot to "lose," fall from the doorsteps, or collide with furniture.
⚠️ Attention: Never wash HEPA-water filter, unless the instructions for your particular model indicate otherwise, and in most cases, wetting destroys the filter structure and you have to throw it away.
The wheels of the robot also need cleaning, and over time, they get stuffed with dust and dirt, which makes it less permeable, and clear the space around the wheels and check their rotation.