Modern automatic cleaning devices make life much easier, freeing up time for more important tasks. Robot vacuum cleaners from Xiaomi have proven to be reliable assistants that can not only collect dust, but also perform wet floor cleaning. However, in order for the equipment to work as efficiently as possible, you need to perform the initial setup and synchronization with your smartphone.
The configuration process may seem complicated at first glance, but it takes no more than 10-15 minutes to complete the steps in a sequential manner. The key here is to connect to your home Wi-Fi network correctly and calibrate your room maps accurately to build optimal routes. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the steps from unpacking to launching the first wash.
It's important to understand that wet cleaning requires a different approach to surface preparation and the device itself, other than dry cleaning. Ignoring basic training rules can lead to poor quality results or even damage to flooring. Let's look at how to avoid typical errors and get a perfectly clean floor.
Preparation of the device and start-up check
Before you start the software part, you need to physically prepare the Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner for work. Take the device out of the box, remove all transport films from the case and especially from the contact areas of the charger. Often beginners forget to remove protection from the side brushes, which leads to their locking on the first start.
Install the side brushes by inserting them into the appropriate slots before the characteristic click. Make sure they rotate freely and do not touch the body. Then turn the vacuum cleaner over and check the condition of the main turbobrush: it should be clean and easy to swipe with your hand. Contact areas at the bottom of the device should be dry and clean.
The charging station requires proper placement. In order to properly operate the navigation system and mapping, certain distances must be observed to the walls and furniture. The optimal distance from the base to the side walls is at least 0.5 meters, and the front should be free at least 1.5 meters for a smooth entry of the robot.
- 📍 Set the base on a flat hard surface, avoiding high-pile carpets that can move the charger.
- 🔌 Connect the power supply to the network and make sure that the indicator on the base lights up, signaling the presence of voltage.
- 🤖 Activate the robot by (clamping) the on and back buttons at the same time to reset previous network settings if the device is not new.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install a charging station in niches, behind curtains or in places where the Wi-Fi signal is weak or absent.This will lead to loss of communication with the device during cleaning.
Once the base is set, put the robot vacuum cleaner on charge. The indicator should light up to show the charging process. For the first setup, the charge level should be at least 20%, although it is better to wait for full charging so that the calibration goes without interruptions.
Installation of the application and registration of the account
Xiaomi’s smart home control center is the Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Home), which is where you configure all scripts, update your firmware and manage your cleaning modes. Download the official app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, paying attention to the developer — it should be Xiaomi.
When you first start up, you'll need to create an account or log in to an existing one. The account region is critical: if you bought a device for the Chinese market, the server may need to choose China, for global versions your country or Russia/CIS. The wrong choice of region will make it impossible to detect the device.
Once authorized, the app will request permission to use geolocation, Bluetooth, and the local network. Android and iOS require these rights to transfer a password from Wi-Fi to a robot. Without a geolocation permission, the setup process can be interrupted during the search phase of the device.
The interface of the application may vary depending on the version, but the logic of the work remains the same. In the upper right corner, click the + button to add a new device. The system will suggest selecting a device from the list or scan the network automatically. Make sure that your smartphone is connected to a Wi-Fi network at 2.4 GHz, since Xiaomi robots do not support 5 GHz networks.
Connecting with Wi-Fi and adding to the system
The interface is the most important step. When the app starts searching, turn on the robot vacuum cleaner. If the automatic search does not give results, select the device manually from the Robot Vacuum directory. The screen will show an instruction requiring you to simultaneously press two buttons on the vacuum cleaner housing (usually home and turn on) before the audible signal about the pairing mode.
In the window that appears, enter your Wi-Fi password. Pay attention to the keyboard layout and the character register: a single letter error will lead to failure. Network security protocol should be WPA or WPA2; old login protocols or corporate networks may not be supported.
☑️ Checklist of successful connection
When you're transmitting data, the Wi-Fi indicator on the robot body might flash. Wait for a successful connection. If it's 99 percent dead, try moving the robot closer to the router or temporarily shutting down the mobile Internet on your smartphone, leaving only Wi-Fi.
⚠️ Note: If you have a dual-band router with the same names for 2.4 and 5 GHz, temporarily split them in the router settings or turn off 5 GHz during setup time so that the phone is guaranteed to connect to the desired frequency.
Once successfully added, the device can be given a name (like a kitchen or living room) and assigned a room, which makes it easier to manage if you have multiple robots or want to run cleaning in specific areas with voice commands via AliExpress or Google Home.
Mapping and zoning of premises
Modern Xiaomi models are equipped with a laser rangefinder (LDS) or a camera to build a map. After the first start of the robot for cleaning (preferably in dry cleaning mode), the construction of a map of the room will begin. Don't interrupt this process: the robot must travel around the entire available area and return to the base to maintain the configuration.
Once you've built a map, go to the map settings in the app, and you have editing tools like room separation, virtual walls, no-go zones, virtual walls that allow you to stop the robot from going into certain areas, like an animal water bowl or carpets that you can't wet.
How does a virtual wall work?
For wet cleaning, it is critical to properly configure the forbidden areas. If you have a mixed coating (tile and laminate), you can create a zone for wet cleaning in areas with laminate if you are afraid of moisture, or vice versa - allow washing only in the kitchen.
| Type of zone | Function | Application |
|---|---|---|
| No-go (No-go) | Total ban on entry | Carpets, wires, animal beds |
| Virtual wall | Linear barrier | Border between rooms, entrance to the children's room |
| Zone cleaning | Clearing the square | Local pollution around the table |
| Room cleaning | Cleaning the premises | Cleaning the kitchen or bedroom |
Keeping multiple maps allows you to use the robot in multi-storey buildings, and by moving the base to another floor and starting a new map, you can create a profile for each level, making navigation accurate and efficient.
Configuration of wet cleaning modes
Unlike dry cleaning, wet cleaning requires a special module. Remove the dust collector and install a unit with a water tank. Depending on the Xiaomi model, this can be a gravity tank or a system with an electronic pump that regulates the water supply.
In the app, select Wet Cleaning or Vaccination (in some translations) where you can adjust the water supply level: low, medium and high. The supply intensity depends on the type of contamination and the floor material. High tile level is suitable, and minimum for laminate to avoid soaking joints.
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Use only clean tap or filtered water, and adding detergents, chlorine or hot water can damage the pump seals and cause the supply system to break.
Some advanced models support the “carpet mode” function: when a carpet is detected, the robot automatically increases the suction power and, in some cases, lifts the cloth or stops the water supply.
- 💧 Low level: for daily cleanliness and sensitive coatings.
- 💦 Medium level: standard regime for mixed pollution.
- 🌊 High level: for old spots and stable coatings (ceramogranite).
You can also set up a cleaning schedule, such as running a wet wipe every morning at 10:00 when you're already at work, which will allow the floor to dry before you get there.
Maintenance and software updates
To keep things running, check regularly for firmware updates in the app. Xiaomi developers often release patches that improve mapping algorithms and correct navigation errors. The update takes a few minutes, but you can't use the robot at this time.
After each wet cleaning, be sure to remove the water module, pour out the residues and wipe the rag itself. The moist environment promotes bacteria and an unpleasant odor if you leave the water in the tank for a long time. The rag should be washed after 2-3 cleanings or more often if the floor has been heavily contaminated.
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Regular cleaning of sensors and replacement of consumables (filters, brushes, rags) prolongs the life of the robot and guarantees the quality of cleaning for many years.
Once a week, dry soft cloth on the bumper sensors and laser rangefinder (LDS) on the top panel. Dust on the sensors can cause the robot to "lose" or face obstacles. Also check the wheels for wound hair that can block movement.
⚠️ Warning: Never wash the robot vacuum cleaner under the tap or immerse it in water. The moisture protection only applies to the bottom when in contact with the wet floor, the electronics inside are not sealed.
The HEPA filter also requires maintenance: it must be knocked out over the trash can once a week and changed every 3-6 months depending on the dustiness of the room.