Not all heroes wear capes, but many Android phones do and Xiaomi are among them. If you have a new Xiaomi it is very possible that you want to extract its full potential and know its secrets. That is why here we bring you our guide to tricks for Xiaomi phones , with tricks that include from the oldest versions of the layer, such as the MIUI 9 that assaulted us a few years ago, to the MIUI 12 that, with the permission of the future MIUI 12.5 , is the most current at the moment.
While some bet on a cleaner system with fewer options, others like Xiaomi prefer to give their users all kinds of small tools , already pre-installed on the mobile to avoid having to download extra applications. Here we leave you our recommendations and shortcuts to take full advantage of MIUI and enjoy a layer of customization that over the years has improved a lot in performance and continues to have as many ins and outs as the first day.
1. Modifying the appearance of the desktop to our liking
The first step to configure MIUI to your liking is to adapt the desktop. Xiaomi offers us square icons with rounded edges and without an application drawer. By sliding to the right we will see all the apps we have. What options do we have to modify the main screen? Holding a press on any screen appears the option of wallpapers, widgets and additional settings .
Changing the wallpaper is very simple, the list of predefined backgrounds is large and we can access more from here. If we zoom in on them, we can set only the part that interests us. The list of widgets has improved in MIUI 9 and we have some for quick actions.
From the third settings option we can configure transition effects on the screen ; turns, waterfall, cube and various other animations. It also allows us to select which screen will be associated with the home button and fill in the empty boxes.
2. Moving more than one application at a time
Another little trick related to the previous one is the possibility of moving the site for applications at the same time. We hold down any screen and for several versions we can select several apps at the same time , and when we move them we will see that from a gesture we will change their position to all of them.
3. Adding shortcuts from the lock screen
The lock screen is another of the sections of the mobile that we can customize in MIUI. One of the most useful tricks is to establish a shortcut on the left and right and associate it with the application that we want. From Settings> Lock screen and fingerprint> Advanced settings we can also add personal information to the lock screen or configure the smart unlock by bluetooth device.
From MIUI 9 in some ROMs, also by sliding to the right we have a direct access to My Home, My Remote and the flashlight . It is good to know it since it is one of the fastest ways to light up in the dark.
4. Customizing the quick settings
Quick settings are another of the easily configurable sections in MIUI. From Settings> notifications and status bar we can choose which quick settings will appear . Another even faster option is to click on the Sort icon . We will see the list of which ones we want to appear and in what order.
The operation of notifications also has its curiosities. If, for example, we slide down with two fingers, we can read it without showing it as read.
IN XATAKA
Xiaomi Mi 11, analysis: it is not necessary to reach 1,000 euros to be a worthy high-end competitor
5. Eliminating problems with notifications
One of the classic problems with customization layers such as Xiaomi MIUI or Huawei EMUI is that we suddenly notice that notifications do not reach us, usually those from WhatsApp. It may be because we have a silent mode configured but it may also be because the power manager puts them in the background and prevents them from receiving information. The best idea is to make WhatsApp not enter the battery saver .
To do this we must go to Settings> Battery and performance> Energy> Battery saving, select the application and choose the option “No restrictions” .
6. Changing the font size and activating the reading mode
From Settings> Screen we can activate various options that facilitate reading and allow modifying the way the information is displayed. The first of these is the reading mode that reduces the emission of blue light. It will allow us to schedule it so it may be a good idea to set it every day at a certain time of the night.
Another very common option is to modify the size of the system font or choose the contrast and colors that suit our tastes; from warm to cooler tones.
7. Blocking apps from multitasking
MIUI’s multitasking doesn’t differ much from stock Android’s beyond the layout of the apps. To close all open apps we can click on the icon below. If we slide up we close them and if we slide down we can block them . We will see a padlock that will mark us that this is done.
From Settings> Home screen and Recent we can activate the memory status to be displayed , to know how much RAM is being used.
8. Accessing the multiscreen
From MIUI 9, users of a Xiaomi mobile can access the multiscreen, an option that most mobile phones with Nougat already have. From multitasking you can click on the “Split screen” option . Then you just have to drag one application up and choose the other. Some applications are not supported, but generally it works without problems.
9. Setting the audio with the equalizer
Sound is a very important aspect in a mobile and to configure it to our liking we can use an equalizer. MIUI adds one by default , accessible from Settings> Additional settings> Headphones and sound effects. We can also configure the volume buttons of the headset to our liking, in case it has physical keys.
10. Choosing default startup apps
From Settings> Permissions we can access a series of very curious options. In addition to setting the individual permissions of each application, we can choose which applications will start in the background when the mobile is turned on .
11. Hiding files
Xiaomi’s pre-installed file explorer is very complete. It allows us to differentiate by file type and easily navigate through mobile folders, but it also allows us to hide a file and set a password to unprotect it . For this we must click on the file and click on hide.
12. Recording calls automatically
Xiaomi’s native call application is very complete. One of the most important options is to automatically record calls , either from all numbers or only from those that we choose. We will simply choose where we want the calls to be stored and each and every call we make will remain there until the option is deactivated.
13. Controlling the Xiaomi mobile through gestures
If we go to Settings> Advanced settings> Key and gesture shortcut we will find a whole series of gestures that we can activate from taking a screenshot by sliding three fingers down ; run Google Assistant by pressing and holding the Home button or activate the flashlight from the lock screen if we press and hold the menu button.
Another very useful gesture that is not such is to be able to use the fingerprint reader as a trigger in the photos.
We do not forget the popular double-tap gesture to activate the screen , very useful on mobiles with a large screen. We will activate it from Settings> Screen and Double tap on the screen to activate.
14. Capturing the screen in an enlarged way
When we take a screenshot, MIUI also allows us to click on Scroll so that this capture is longer . It can only be done in compatible applications such as the browser, Google Play or most applications that occupy more space than is shown at first glance. Very useful for web pages.
15. The second space of MIUI
MIUI allows the creation of a second space. We will find it in the list of settings and when activated it will create a second desktop with its own password and security . Notifications can be shared at our choice and to move from one to another is through a single button. A trick that will be very useful when we want to configure as two users, for example to put personal mode and work mode.
16. Using dual apps
In Settings> Dual applications we can create an exact copy of an application in order to use two accounts independently . Very useful if we have dual SIM, we want to have two WhatsApp, Instagram or any other application accounts.
17. Power management and schedule off / on
MIUI incorporates several very simple tools to control the power of the mobile . We can monitor applications, prevent them from opening, optimize the mobile by closing those that are consuming more battery or schedule a mobile shutdown at a certain time.
18. Locking apps with password
From the pre-installed Security application we can access options to clean the cache, increase speed, perform a security analysis and also establish a password to protect the applications we want . Very useful if we do not want the person to whom we leave the mobile to access sensitive information.
19. Scanning QR codes and recognizing texts
With the scanner application we will no longer need to download any additional application to read QR codes . Just focus and go. It also has an interesting way to read documents, scan them and automatically translate what you put into text. It works that way, but it can get us out of a bind at some point.
20. MIUI one-handed mode
The one-hand mode that we will activate from the additional settings allows the size of the entire system to be reduced and equates to that of a mobile with fewer inches . If we want to write or move with one hand, be it left or right, this mode works well and can be practical at specific moments.
21. Setting up the floating ball
From Settings> Additional Settings we can activate a floating ball that we can move around the screen to our liking. We are allowed to select 5 shortcuts such as accessing an application, pressing the start button, back or capturing the screen. Very useful to have the most common functions at hand at all times or for example if a physical button has been damaged, to be able to replace it from here.
22. Sharing our WiFi through a QR code
If you want another person to connect to your WiFi network but we do not have the password at hand, here you have an ingenious option that MIUI offers us. When clicking on the WiFi from the settings, a QR code will appear. If the other person reads it, they can automatically connect to that network .
23. Sending files without internet with My Transfer
Another very useful application pre-installed on all Xiaomi is Mi Drop or Mi Transfer. It has recently become very popular as it is available also for devices other than the Chinese manufacturer. It allows you to send all kinds of files even if we don’t have internet and with a much higher speed than Bluetooth.
24. Controlling other devices with Mi Remote
My Remote is an application that allows you to control the TV, the fan, a projector, the camera … or any smart device capable of connecting to the internet and being controlled by this infrared command application . The most obvious case is to use your Xiaomi as a substitute for the television remote.
25. Recording the screen, adding themes and much more with Xiaomi applications
Xiaomi with MIUI have many applications pre-installed. It is true that it is not the lightest customization layer but the truth is that it is very well optimized and most importantly, almost all the additions are made with head. We have applications for FM radio, for the compass, add themes, native mail, voice recorder or screen recorder , an option for which we will normally have to go to external apps.
