First launch of Xiaomi wet-cleaning robot vacuum cleaner: full guide

Buying a modern cleaning gadget is always an exciting moment, promising an exemption from routine homework. However, when unpacking a box with a Xiaomi device, many users are faced with a confusion: where to start when there are many accessories in the box and the equipment itself requires preliminary preparation. Proper initial setting of the robot vacuum cleaner is critical, because this stage depends on the accuracy of navigation, battery durability and quality of further operation.

Unlike conventional appliances, smart devices require integration into a digital ecosystem, which involves installing software and linking to an account. Starting errors can cause (wet cleaning function) to work incorrectly, smearing dirt, or building a map of the room with distortions. In this guide, we will detail each step to ensure that your new assistant works with maximum efficiency.

Before you press the power button, you need to make sure that all components are charged and ready to go. Charging the device before first turning on is mandatory, since lithium-ion batteries often come with a partial charge for storage. Ignoring this rule can lead to rapid battery degradation or a sudden shutdown of the robot in the middle of the cleaning cycle, which will disrupt the calibration process of the sensors.

Unpacking and physical preparation of the device

The process of familiarizing yourself with the new technology begins with a careful inspection of the equipment. Inside the box you will find the robot itself, the charging station, the network adapter, the water container with the vibration mop module, as well as spare filters and brushes. Carefully remove all transport locks that are often attached to the side brushes or the main roller to prevent damage during transportation.

Special attention should be paid to the bottom of the device. There are key sensors, including elevation sensors and wheel modules. Make sure that they do not have a protective film, which is sometimes forgotten to remove in the factory. Also check the condition of the main roller: it should rotate freely in its seats, and the side brushes should have a light backlash necessary to effectively sweep debris from under the boards.

• 📦 Check the integrity of the plastic case and the absence of cracks on the bumper.
• 🔋 Install side brushes by combining grooves until a characteristic click.
• 💧 Remove the sponge filter from the water container if it is dry.
• 🔌 Connect the charging station to the network and make sure the indicators are on.

Installing a charging base is not just placing it in the corner of a room. To work properly, the Lidar navigation system or visual cameras, the base must be on a flat surface, away from direct sunlight and mirror objects that can distort sensor signals. Leave at least 0.5 meters of free space on the sides of the base and at least 1.5 meters in the front so that the robot can dock seamlessly.

⚠️ Warning: Never install a charging station on fuzzy carpets or soft surfaces, which can cause contacts to overheat and the robot to be positioned unstable when returning to base.

Installation of the Mi Home application and registration

Your new assistant will be managed by a smartphone, and you’ll need to download the official Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Home) from Google Play or the App Store to get started, and it’s important to use the official version, as modified builds may not support new communication protocols or wet cleaning features.

Once you install the app, you'll need to create an account or log in to an existing one. When you register, you'll need to choose your region. Your account region should match the region your device is intended for, or you'll need to be set to China if you've purchased a global version with Chinese firmware. The wrong choice of region is the most common reason why the robot doesn't appear on the list of available devices.

Adding the device automatically when you turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone. Open the app, press the "+" button in the upper right corner and follow the instructions on the screen. If the automatic search fails, select your robot vacuum cleaner model from the list manually. During the connection process, you may be asked to enter a password from the Wi-Fi network; make sure you use the 2.4 GHz network, as most Xiaomi models do not support the 5 GHz standard.

The pairing process can take anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes, during which time the robot will emit beeps and its indicators can flash. Do not interrupt the process and hold the smartphone next to the device. Once successfully connected, the application will suggest assigning a name to the device and assign it to a specific room, which will simplify the control in the future.

Setting up a room map and navigation

The first navigation run is the most important step for smart models: the robot must build a map of your home so that it can clean efficiently in the future, not chaoticly. To do this, run a full cleaning through an app or a button on the case. The device will tour the entire available area by scanning the space with a laser rangefinder or camera.

When you build a map, make sure that you have maximum light in the rooms, especially if you use visual navigation. Open the curtains and turn on the lights. The robot should have free access to all the rooms: the doors should be kept open, and the wires and small objects on the floor should be removed so that they do not get tangled in the brushes and are not perceived as obstacles.

Once the first cycle is complete, the map will be stored in the device's memory and in the cloud, and you can now use the map editor in the app, which allows for room division, virtual walls and no-go zones, and virtual walls are particularly useful for limiting access to carpet spaces (unless you want to wet them) or areas where animal water bowls are located.

You don't have to interfere with the robot's movement during the first mapping unless you really need to. You can manually move the device, you can knock the gyroscope down, you have to recalibrate it, and if the robot is stuck, the app will notify you, and then you can help it get back on track.

Activation and setting up of wet cleaning

The wet cleaning function in Xiaomi devices is implemented in different ways depending on the model: it can be a simple gravitational water supply or advanced electronic adjustment with vibration. To start work, you need to remove the dust collector and install a water tank with a cloth in its place.

Before pouring water, be sure to remove the protective cover from the water supply valve (if any) and check the integrity of the seals. Only cold tap water should be poured. Using hot water, distilled (in some models), or water with the addition of aggressive detergents can damage the pump or build scale in thin channels of the system.

In the app, select the water supply level. There are usually three or four steps available: low, medium, high and intelligent. For the first time, it is recommended to choose the middle level to assess how well the cloth moisturizes and how quickly the floor dries. If you have a model with an electronic pump, you will be able to notice a more uniform distribution of moisture compared to the mechanical counterpart.

• 💧 Use only cold water from the tap.
• 🚫 Do not add chlorine-containing cleaning products.
• 🧼 Change the water in the tank before each cleaning.
• 🌬️ Ventilate the room while working for quick drying.

⚠️ Warning: Before installing the wet cleaning module, make sure that the main filter is installed (HEPA) If you're only planning on washing the floors, HEPA-filter is better to temporarily remove or use a special washing filter, if it comes with a kit, so that it does not swell from moisture.

💡

For better floor washing, use high-quality microfiber and pre-vacuum dry contaminants. The robot is more effective at washing when there is no large dust and wool on the floor, which, when wet, turn into a hard-to-remove gruel.

Choosing cleaning and schedule modes

Modern robot vacuum cleaners offer many use cases. In the app, you can choose Quiet for nighttime work, Standard for daily cleanliness, or Maximum for deep carpet cleaning. Wet cleaning often has a separate mode that excludes rugs from entering (if detecting them is enabled).

One of the most useful features is creating a schedule. You can set the device to start automatically when you're not at home. For example, setting a 10:00 weekday time will ensure a clean floor for your return from work. When setting up a wet cleaning schedule, consider the time it takes to dry the floors, especially if you have small children or pets.

You can also look at the zoning function, so you can select a particular room (like a kitchen) and start cleaning only there with maximum power and intense humidification, which saves battery life and battery life, allowing the robot to work longer during the day.

Don't forget to use Do Not Disturb. In this mode, the robot will not emit any beeps or lights, which is ideal for night cleaning or rest time, but if the robot gets stuck, it will still send a notification to your smartphone.

💡

A well-configured schedule and zoning allow you to reduce the load on the battery and extend the life of the main nodes of the robot, while ensuring constant cleanliness without your participation.

Maintenance and frequent questions

Regular maintenance is the key to a long life of your gadget. After each wet cleaning, be sure to remove the tank, pour out the remaining water and wipe the cloth. You can not leave the water in the tank for a long time: this can lead to unpleasant smell, bacteria and acidification of the valves.

Once a week, clean the main roller from wound hair and wool, and for this purpose, there is a special knife on the end cover of the brush compartment that is convenient for cutting the entangled threads, and periodically wipe the charge sensors on the robot body and on the base contacts with a dry wipe, since the oxidation of the contacts can prevent normal charging.

Compliance with these simple rules will allow your Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner to serve faithfully for years to come.The first launch is just the beginning of a long friendship with smart tech that will take on the hard work of the house.